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Is this odd or a big deal to you? Or is this something to move on from?Going back to October of 2024, Dr. Tracie Newman ...
10/18/2026

Is this odd or a big deal to you? Or is this something to move on from?

Going back to October of 2024, Dr. Tracie Newman was serving as Fargo Cass Public Health's "health officer" at 20 hours per week. The city reduced the position to 10 hours per week as part of the 2025 budget cuts while Mayor Mahoney was still mayor.

Director Jenn Faul told Newman that her contract would be terminated at the end of January 2025, and that the position would be reposted at fewer hours, encouraging Newman to reapply. Newman said she felt like she had been “fired without cause.”

Mahoney's own comments at the time acknowledged that the city was deciding what services it wanted and how much it was willing to pay for them.

Mahoney then left the mayor's office in June of 2026 because of term limits.

2 months later, he was then confirmed as the next Fargo Cass Public Health "health officer" at 16 hours per week when under his role as Mayor those hours were cut to 10 per week?

What we are basically saying is:

When Dr. Newman held the job, Fargo cut the position from 20 hours to 10 hours, saying the reduction could be made without negatively affecting services. Now, after Tim Mahoney leaves office, the city hires the former mayor to fill that same position. If the job truly requires 16 hours per week now, don't Fargo residents deserve an explanation? What changed? Why was 10 hours supposedly enough when Dr. Newman had the job, but more hours are now needed for Mahoney?

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/facing-cut-in-hours-health-officer-for-fargo-cass-public-healthfeels-like-shes-been-fired-without-cause

Two of the most difficult and demanding jobs in our country right now are teaching and law enforcement.A proposal announ...
10/16/2026

Two of the most difficult and demanding jobs in our country right now are teaching and law enforcement.

A proposal announced on Monday, October 5th would provide North Dakota teachers with an annual bonus of approximately $3,400 in an effort to recruit and retain quality educators across our state.

The proposed program, called STAYS(Support Teachers and Youth Succeed), would use a portion of the earnings from North Dakota’s Common Schools Trust Fund to provide annual stipends to teachers.

Here’s why we support this:

- It puts more money directly into teachers’ pockets.
- It addresses the very real challenge of recruiting and retaining quality teachers.
-It uses investment earnings from an existing state trust fund rather than creating a new tax.
- It could benefit teachers in both public and private schools.
-The amount could increase over time as the trust fund grows.

North Dakota teachers do an incredibly important job, and our state should be doing everything it can to attract and keep the best educators possible.

This is just a proposal as of now, but we feel this proposal deserves serious consideration when the State Legislature meets in 2027.

10/14/2026

Today we are going to discuss Measure 2.

North Dakota Measure 2 would amend the North Dakota Constitution to require public schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, regardless of family income or eligibility for the existing federal free-and-reduced-price meal program.

Measure 2 may sound like it’s about protecting students from “lunch shaming,” but North Dakota already has laws addressing this issue.

Since 2023, state law already prohibits schools from:

-Denying a reimbursable meal because a student owes money
- Giving students an alternative meal because of meal debt
-Taking away a meal that has already been served
-Publicly identifying or stigmatizing students over meal status or debt
-Excluding students from activities because of meal debt

Today, families who qualify for free or reduced-price meals complete an application that allows schools to properly identify eligible students and maximize federal reimbursement.

Under North Dakota law, schools cannot require families to complete that application. They can encourage families to apply, but they cannot force them to do so.

If every student receives free meals regardless of family income, there is a concern that some families may have less incentive to complete the paperwork.

Why does that matter?

Because Measure 2 specifically requires schools to maximize federal reimbursement. If fewer families provide the information needed to establish eligibility, schools could potentially receive less federal reimbursement, leaving the state to cover more of the cost.

This isn't just a question about school meals. It's also a question about whether this particular program belongs in our Constitution.

After careful consideration, Fargo First recommends voting "NO" on Measure 2.

We believe it’s important to consider the long-term costs to taxpayers and how this measure could impact school funding. We encourage everyone to learn the facts, weigh the potential consequences, and make an informed decision at the ballot box.

Fargo First has received tons of messages about the 2 statewide measures that will be on your ballot next month.On Novem...
10/12/2026

Fargo First has received tons of messages about the 2 statewide measures that will be on your ballot next month.

On November 3rd there will be 2 measures on your ballot that you will have the ability to vote on.

Most of you probably already know this, but we are going to share it just in case:

A ballot measure is a question placed on the ballot that allows voters to decide whether a proposed law or a constitutional amendment should be approved. Instead of leaving the decision entirely to elected officials, voters get to weigh in directly by voting YES or NO. This is not allowed in every state, but North Dakota is one of them.

North Dakota requires 31,164 signatures to be collected for a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment and 15,582 signatures for a citizen-initiated statutory measure, based on the current requirements listed by the Secretary of State. Legislative referrals do not require a citizen signature drive.

So if a person wants to amend the Constitution or propose a statutory measure, they must draft the proposed language, meet the sponsorship requirements, and collect the required number of valid signatures to get it on the ballot for voters to decide.

Today, we are going to talk about Measure 1.

North Dakota Constitutional Measure 1 would require a 60% supermajority to pass constitutional amendments. Currently, a constitutional amendment in North Dakota needs a simple majority (more than 50%) of the votes to pass. If Measure 1 passes, it would require at least 60% of the vote to amend the state constitution.

What does Measure 1 mean?

YES: Constitutional amendments proposed by citizens or the Legislature would need at least 60% of the vote to pass.

NO: Keeps the current rule, under which constitutional amendments pass with a simple majority, more than 50% of the votes cast on the question.

Measure 1 is a YES from Fargo First.

This was a very difficult decision, and there are good people on both sides. An argument for a Yes or No vote can be made both ways. But our entire team at Fargo First is pro-life, and we believe there will eventually be an effort to legalize abortion in North Dakota through a constitutional measure.

If Measure 1 passes, that would require 60% of the vote instead of a simple majority, making that process more difficult.

For us, that ultimately made the decision clear.

Vote YES on Measure 1.

What are your thoughts on this?

Here is a link if you would like more information on both of the statewide measures. We will bring up Measure 2 sometime in the coming days.

https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/ballot-measures/measures-ballot

At the Fargo City Commission meeting on Monday, October 12th, city commissioners are scheduled to consider spending $245...
10/10/2026

At the Fargo City Commission meeting on Monday, October 12th, city commissioners are scheduled to consider spending $245,000 in infrastructure sales-tax dollars on traffic-calming improvements along 64th Avenue South.

Back in January, the Fargo City Commission voted to add an interchange at I-29 and 64th Avenue South. The surrounding area is largely residential, and residents raised concerns about increased traffic, speeding, congestion, and pedestrian safety.

Over the past 10 months, Fargo engineering staff have evaluated potential traffic-calming measures for the corridor between University Drive and 33rd Street. Their proposal includes:

$85,000 — Boulevard trees
$60,000 — Driver speed-feedback signs
$100,000 — Pedestrian and crosswalk improvements, including a raised median

Fargo continues to grow southward, and with that growth comes increased traffic and new infrastructure needs. Projects like this will likely remain part of the conversation as our city expands.

What are your thoughts on these proposed improvements?

This isn’t a Fargo story. But we know many Minnesota residents see our posts, and what is happening in your state right ...
10/08/2026

This isn’t a Fargo story. But we know many Minnesota residents see our posts, and what is happening in your state right now deserves attention.

Just days ago, a high school football game in Eden Prairie was disrupted by a shooting that injured two people. Police have said the shooting was gang-related.

Now, federal authorities have announced the arrest of an 18-year-old Minnesota man accused of planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America. Prosecutors allege he intended to kill 30 to 60 people and had selected October 24th because of a large Hmong cultural celebration taking place at the mall. Thankfully, the FBI intervened before anyone was killed.

And while we should be thankful for the law enforcement officers who stepped in and prevented tragedy, we also have to ask how we got here, and what can be done to prevent these things from continuing.

The uncomfortable truth is that government policy matters.

Who gets elected matters.

Who writes the laws matters.

Who holds prosecutors, courts, schools, law enforcement agencies and government officials accountable matters.

If you don't like the direction your state is going, don't just complain about it. Change who represents you.

Elections are where citizens get their voice.

Minnesota has an opportunity to make its voice heard.

Because complaining about the problems doesn't change the problems.

Elections do.

Remember this November 3rd.

For those of you who are not familiar with The Perry Center in West Fargo. The Perry Center is a Christian residential m...
10/07/2026

For those of you who are not familiar with The Perry Center in West Fargo. The Perry Center is a Christian residential maternity home located at 2345 Meadow Ridge Parkway in West Fargo

The Perry Center provides a safe, supportive home for women facing an unexpected pregnancy. They offer housing, pregnancy and parenting support, counseling, life-skills education, job assistance, and resources to help mothers build a stable future for themselves and their children.

This upcoming Monday, October 12th, The Perry Center is hosting their annual Fall fundraiser.

Every expectant mother deserves to know she is not alone. The Perry Center offers a loving home, practical support and a Christ-centered community for women facing pregnancy. Through this support, mothers are encouraged to choose life and build a stronger future for themselves and their children.

Join The Perry Center for their annual fall fundraiser to learn more about the life-saving work being done right in our community!

Monday October 12th | 7pm
Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo
Free Event | Dessert Included

RSVP: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/the-perry-center-fall-fundr-745377

Fargo First has received some messages from concerned parents regarding Davies High School’s upcoming winter production ...
10/06/2026

Fargo First has received some messages from concerned parents regarding Davies High School’s upcoming winter production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

So, we started looking into it.

For those who may not be familiar with the story, Sweeney Todd is a dark musical involving murder, revenge, violence, blood, and cannibalism. Davies is performing the “School Edition,” which was specifically adapted for high-school productions and removes or changes some of the more mature material.

We want to hear your thoughts on this.

Is this an appropriate production for a high school?

Is this a legitimate concern for parents or are we making a mountain out of a molehill?

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Fargo Public Schools will have a question on the ballot asking voters to continue its General ...
10/05/2026

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Fargo Public Schools will have a question on the ballot asking voters to continue its General Fund excess mill levy.

So, what does that mean?

A mill levy is a property tax. 1 mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

North Dakota allows school districts to levy up to 70 mills for their General Fund without additional voter approval. Fargo Public Schools has voter-approved authority to levy above that amount.

In 2017, Fargo voters approved an excess levy of 127 mills. That approval is now nearing its 10-year limit, so the issue must go back to voters.

For 2026, Fargo Public Schools will be asking voters to approve 110 mills for its General Fund for another 10 taxable years.

In simple terms:

This is a vote on whether Fargo Public Schools can continue collecting property-tax revenue above the state's standard 70-mill limit.

YES keeps the excess General Fund levy authority in place.

NO would limit the district's future local property-tax revenue growth.

What are your thoughts/opinions on this matter?

When you strip away the noise, politics really comes down to clear priorities.Looking at charts like this, the choice fo...
10/04/2026

When you strip away the noise, politics really comes down to clear priorities.

Looking at charts like this, the choice for 2026 is pretty stark: supporting traditional values, strong border security, lower taxes, parental rights, and individual liberties, or moving toward government overreach and policies that don't reflect core American principles.

At the end of the day, standing up for law enforcement, protecting our rights, and keeping our economy strong shouldn't be complicated. We are proud to stand for common sense and conservative values!

When you look at the fundamental differences in vision for our country, the choice for 2026 is clear.

Don't raise your voice. Improve your argument.

Bad politicians are elected by good citizens who don't vote.

Your voice is your vote, and your vote is your voice.

Remember Tuesday, November 3rd.

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