This weekly podcast will highlight how policy decisions affect North Dakota residents.Host Craig Blumenshine from Prairie Public will speak with North Dakota Monitor journalists about their reporting, giving listeners a closer look at major topics in the news, from education and state policy to energy and agriculture topics.New episodes every Friday.For more information, visit www.northdakotamonitor.com/podcastsSubscribe to A Closer Look with the Monitor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

An unwanted byproduct of North Dakota’s oil field could be the key to unlocking a new industry in the state within the next few years. An international company is proposing to begin <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/03/oil-field-waste-could-fuel-a-new-industry-in-north-dakota-proponents-say/">extracting lithium</a>, a key component of batteries produced for smartphones and other technology, from produced water by the end of 2027. It’s one of at least four similar projects in development in North Dakota.This week, a group of North Dakota landowners gathered in Bismarck to learn more about critical mineral development in the state and other emerging industries.North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of<a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street"> Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about the conference, and how landowners are hoping to be involved early when new projects are proposed.Orledge also discusses his <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/12/19/north-dakota-law-accidentally-lists-fake-critical-minerals-based-on-coal-lawyers-names/">recent reporting</a> about two fake critical minerals listed in North Dakota law that appear to be inspired by coal company lawyers.Also, North Dakota Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple joins Craig to talk about voluntary early retirement incentives that are being offered to state employees.

An unwanted byproduct of North Dakota’s oil field could be the key to unlocking a new industry in the state within the next few years. 
An international company is proposing to begin extracting lithium, a key component of batteries produced for smartphones and other technology, from produced water by the end of 2027. It’s one of at least four similar projects in development in North Dakota.
This week, a group of North Dakota landowners gathered in Bismarck to learn more about critical mineral development in the state and other emerging industries.
North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about the conference, and how landowners are hoping to be involved early when new projects are proposed.
Orledge also discusses his recent reporting about two fake critical minerals listed in North Dakota law that appear to be inspired by coal company lawyers.
Also, North Dakota Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple joins Craig to talk about voluntary early retirement incentives that are being offered to state employees.

North Dakota landowners prepare for lithium extraction, other emerging industries

A North Dakota judge recently ordered Greenpeace to pay $345 million to the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/03/19/jury-finds-greenpeace-at-fault-for-protest-damages-awards-pipeline-developer-hundreds-of-millions/">an official order</a> that came following a nearly yearlong tug-of-war over a Morton County jury’s verdict.North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer catches up with Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of <a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street">Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about the latest twists and turns in litigation involving Energy Transfer, a case that has drawn national and international attention. Also, Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple previews the upcoming Democratic-NPL state convention, which is <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/03/04/north-dakota-democrats-seeking-more-strength-in-numbers/">expected to have a strong turnout</a> with members reporting increased enthusiasm statewide.

A North Dakota judge recently ordered Greenpeace to pay $345 million to the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, an official order that came following a nearly yearlong tug-of-war over a Morton County jury’s verdict.
North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer catches up with Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about the latest twists and turns in litigation involving Energy Transfer, a case that has drawn national and international attention. 
Also, Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple previews the upcoming Democratic-NPL state convention, which is expected to have a strong turnout with members reporting increased enthusiasm statewide.

Catching up on Greenpeace case, previewing the Dem convention

Delays in the federal immigration system are creating frustration for North Dakota residents seeking legal immigration and employers who have come to depend on immigrants.Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach and reporter Mary Steurer talk with Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of<a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street"> Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/24/new-immigration-law-service-at-university-of-north-dakota-adjusts-to-uncertainty/">changes in the legal immigration system</a> and how the flow of immigrants has slowed. An <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/19/immigration-policy-may-limit-construction-industry-north-dakota-growth-speakers-say/">increase in visa fees</a> could further limit skilled immigrant workers coming into the state. And North Dakota business leaders are looking for someone to champion <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/13/immigrants-employers-frustrated-by-delays-in-federal-system/">legal immigration reforms</a>.

Delays in the federal immigration system are creating frustration for North Dakota residents seeking legal immigration and employers who have come to depend on immigrants.
Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach and reporter Mary Steurer talk with Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about changes in the legal immigration system and how the flow of immigrants has slowed. 
An increase in visa fees could further limit skilled immigrant workers coming into the state. And North Dakota business leaders are looking for someone to champion legal immigration reforms.

Legal immigration changes, delays and calls for reform

A North Dakota man is among five people facing federal criminal charges related to investments in a cattle and beef marketing company that was determined to be a Ponzi scheme. North Dakota Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of<a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street"> Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about the <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/16/north-dakota-man-among-5-charged-in-agridime-cattle-fraud-case/">latest development</a> in the fraud case estimated to have cost investors $220 million.North Dakota was at the <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/02/09/north-dakota-the-epicenter-of-cattle-companys-financial-collapse/">epicenter of that case</a>, with about 150 investors who were affected, officials have said.Jeff also discusses his recent reporting on a <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/10/farmers-face-greater-risk-with-planting-insurance-option-removed/">key federal crop insurance option</a> that North Dakota farmers won’t have this spring.

A North Dakota man is among five people facing federal criminal charges related to investments in a cattle and beef marketing company that was determined to be a Ponzi scheme. 
North Dakota Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about the latest development in the fraud case estimated to have cost investors $220 million.
North Dakota was at the epicenter of that case, with about 150 investors who were affected, officials have said.
Jeff also discusses his recent reporting on a key federal crop insurance option that North Dakota farmers won’t have this spring.

Ag industry watches cattle Ponzi scheme, crop insurance change

North Dakota has a small but growing number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention cases moving through federal court. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of<a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street"> Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about emergency petitions <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/06/ice-detention-cases-begin-weaving-through-north-dakota-courts/">recently filed in the state</a> seeking court review of ICE detentions. It’s part of a broader national surge tied to increasing immigration enforcement.

North Dakota has a small but growing number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention cases moving through federal court. 
North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about emergency petitions recently filed in the state seeking court review of ICE detentions. It’s part of a broader national surge tied to increasing immigration enforcement.

North Dakota courts see trickle of ICE detention lawsuits

A North Dakota ballot measure that would change voter-approved legislative term limits could face a challenge before the state Supreme Court.Monitor reporter Mary Steurer talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of<a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street"> Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about a new lawsuit that could change what appears on the November ballot.North Dakota voters in 2022 approved a ballot measure that limits state lawmakers to serving no more than eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate.Last year, state lawmakers narrowly approved a resolution that aims to tweak those term limits. The resolution seeks to put another measure on the ballot to enable lawmakers to serve up to 16 years in either chamber. It would also make it so partial terms don’t count against term limits.A <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/01/26/lawsuit-accuses-north-dakota-lawmakers-of-violating-constitution-with-term-limits-ballot-measure/">lawsuit filed</a> by a former Minot lawmaker and a Grand Forks county commissioner claims the Legislature violated the constitution by creating the measure. The Supreme Court has not decided whether it will hear the case.Also, North Dakota Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple talks about recent changes to <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/01/12/financial-disclosures-for-north-dakota-officials-candidates-now-available-for-free-online/">financial disclosure requirements</a> for elected and appointed officials and how the public can access the information.

A North Dakota ballot measure that would change voter-approved legislative term limits could face a challenge before the state Supreme Court.
Monitor reporter Mary Steurer talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about a new lawsuit that could change what appears on the November ballot.
North Dakota voters in 2022 approved a ballot measure that limits state lawmakers to serving no more than eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate.
Last year, state lawmakers narrowly approved a resolution that aims to tweak those term limits. The resolution seeks to put another measure on the ballot to enable lawmakers to serve up to 16 years in either chamber. It would also make it so partial terms don’t count against term limits.
A lawsuit filed by a former Minot lawmaker and a Grand Forks county commissioner claims the Legislature violated the constitution by creating the measure. The Supreme Court has not decided whether it will hear the case.
Also, North Dakota Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple talks about recent changes to financial disclosure requirements for elected and appointed officials and how the public can access the information.

North Dakota Legislature sued over term limits ballot measure

A southwest North Dakota hospital is <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/01/19/rural-hospital-on-the-verge-of-shutting-down-could-be-saved-by-lawmakers-bill/">at risk of closing</a> due to severe financial trouble, but lawmakers are considering a bill this week that would give the hospital a lifeline.Three lawmakers <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/01/21/legislative-committee-endorses-lifeline-for-north-dakota-hospital-in-danger-of-closing/">introduced a bill</a> designed to help the Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin, North Dakota. Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of <a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street">Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about the financial difficulties for the rural hospital and the potential consequences if it closes.The bill seeks to provide a low-interest loan from the Bank of North Dakota to help the hospital keep the doors open while administrators implement cost-saving measures and apply for federal rural health care funding.

A southwest North Dakota hospital is at risk of closing due to severe financial trouble, but lawmakers are considering a bill this week that would give the hospital a lifeline.
Three lawmakers introduced a bill designed to help the Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin, North Dakota. 
Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about the financial difficulties for the rural hospital and the potential consequences if it closes.
The bill seeks to provide a low-interest loan from the Bank of North Dakota to help the hospital keep the doors open while administrators implement cost-saving measures and apply for federal rural health care funding.

Rural North Dakota hospital seeks lifeline in legislative session

North Dakota lawmakers took final steps this week to prepare for a special session to authorize the spending of federal health care money.Monitor reporter Mary Steurer talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of <a href="https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street">Prairie Public’s Main Street</a>, about why the Rural Health Transformation Program is a big deal for North Dakota. They talk about <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/01/14/north-dakota-lawmakers-poised-to-act-next-week-on-federal-rural-health-spending/">how the state plans to use the money</a> to help rural communities, and how officials are navigating the program’s tight window for granting funds.Also, Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple previews what the newsroom will be watching next week, and what the public needs to know about how to be engaged in the special session.

North Dakota lawmakers took final steps this week to prepare for a special session to authorize the spending of federal health care money.
Monitor reporter Mary Steurer talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street, about why the Rural Health Transformation Program is a big deal for North Dakota. They talk about how the state plans to use the money to help rural communities, and how officials are navigating the program’s tight window for granting funds.
Also, Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple previews what the newsroom will be watching next week, and what the public needs to know about how to be engaged in the special session.

Setting the stage for the North Dakota special session

North Dakota’s farmers are looking for higher profits but things may get worse before they get better, ag industry experts say. North Dakota Deputy Editor Jeff Beach chats with Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street program, about why farmers may not be set up for success in 2026 and the challenges facing agriculture in North Dakota.Also, North Dakota Monitor Editor Amy Dalrymple gives a brief preview to the state government stories the Monitor is covering next week.

North Dakota’s farmers are looking for higher profits but things may get worse before they get better, ag industry experts say. 
North Dakota Deputy Editor Jeff Beach chats with Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street program, about why farmers may not be set up for success in 2026 and the challenges facing agriculture in North Dakota.
Also, North Dakota Monitor Editor Amy Dalrymple gives a brief preview to the state government stories the Monitor is covering next week.