Our year in review

2025 was a busy year in North Dakota. Public policy, culture and governance took center stage, with the Legislative session dominating the early months of the year, but after the Legislature adjourned, the remaining months brought forth even more stories and events in this realm than usual. 

Here are some of the important events and stories we covered, analyzed, commented on, and shared with you in 2025. Enjoy this “year in review”:

In a year when excitement built in anticipation of next year’s opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, Sarah Motalbono reminded us that Teddy, known as the great conservationist, also believed in development. “Conservation means development as much as it does protection,” he said, espousing his belief that the two are not mutually exclusive and, in fact, should accompany and complement one another nicely. She also told us about North Dakota’s potential to be a leader in precious, badly needed rare earth minerals. 

Tom Steward told us that North Dakota was not immune from “DOGE” cuts in Washington, DC, and that “approval voting” was on its way out in the state, getting us back to the time-honored American tradition of “one person, one vote.” He also reported on new Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s controversial vetoes of bills that would have created school choice and protected young children from sexually explicit materials in public school libraries. Note: We were very sad to lose Tom to his battle with cancer in summer 2025. He is truly missed.

Military service should not take away the right to medical autonomy, Jennifer Benson reminded us. She also pointed out the hypocrisy of outrage over “unelected” power, while Elon Musk was cutting fat in government programs, from the same people who were silent when “unelected” Covid Czar Anthony Fauci exercised astonishing power.

We were shocked by the assassinations of former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk, as well as the murder of Hortman’s husband. We wrote about what the troubling messages this sends about our culture and the state of our nation.

The tension and occasional friction among branches of government is nothing new, but it was on display in North Dakota again this year. From Judicial restraint to executive overreach, we wrote about it.

With the passage of a new Charter School law in the state, American Experiment North Dakota took the lead in helping those who are interested in forming them. Bill Walsh wrote about the new charter school hub” and how it can help.

A botched Governor’s veto — which we labeled “The Big Oops” — led to numerous twists in the road as key players spared over how to deal with it. That led to numerous stories analyzing and reporting on the matter. Finally, it resulted in recommended “veto sessions” in North Dakota (something common in many other states) — a proposal which we advocated and which the next legislative session will consider.

Your faith should be kept to yourself, some say. We believe that freedom of religion means you should be free to live it out and that’s exactly what our Founders intended.

Economist John Phelan broke down North Dakota’s growth and how it’s occurring and also analyzed the state’s “social capital” and that of its neighbor.

Those you elect to represent you should decide the laws that govern, but the Left — which has little direct power in North Dakota — has found a way around that and seeks to work its will through other means.

The city of Fargo captured a great deal of infamous attention this year, beginning with state law forcing it to return to the traditional American voting system, but it didn’t end there. Its “harm reduction” program, ostensibly involving “needle exchange” had added drug pipes and allegedly become more of a needle distribution program. With David Zimmer, we questioned whether these programs make sense. Attempted land grabs involving a bid to annex by force and snatch new development from another community left it with another black eye. 

The federal government shutdown was fodder for a number of stories.

Concerns have risen over North Dakotans possibly facing exorbitant electricity rate increases by Xcel Energy because of Minnesota’s woke environmental policies. The idea does not sit well with many in the state.

The Ethics Commission made the news for many reasons, ranging from allegedly exceeding its authority to its makeup and function, to wrangling over who would be appointed to serve. Its power and operation are sure to be watched in the new year.

These are only a few of the important issues American Experiment North Dakota covered in 2025. We invite you to find these and other stories on our website — AmericanExperimentND.org — and encourage you to visit the site frequently in the New Year for more important updates, analysis and thought-provoking commentary from our many policy fellows. When you’re better informed, and those in power are challenged to do the right thing, we all benefit.