North Dakota
Industrial Commission delays decision on hiring next North Dakota oil regulator
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, left, and state Attorney General Drew Wrigley, right, both members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
By: Mary Steurer
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – The Industrial Commission held off on picking North Dakota’s next top oil regulator for another week to 10 days after public interviews of both finalists.
“I feel like we’ve got two strong candidates here that are very different, one who’s got a lot of experience on the regulation side, the other one’s got great experience on the private sector side,” Gov. Doug Burgum said at the Tuesday afternoon hearing. “I think what’s missing for me is not ‘Do we have strong candidates?’ It’s, ‘What are the exact needs of the agency right now?’”
The commission hasn’t yet announced a firm date for when it will make its final decision.
The Industrial Commission seeks a successor for Lynn Helms, who served as director of Mineral Resources for nearly 20 years.
In all, 16 people applied for the director position. The search committee spoke with five semi finalists before advancing Nathan Anderson and Kevin Connors to the final round of interviews. Only the names of finalists are public under North Dakota law.
Anderson, a Colorado resident, has about 25 years of industry experience working across states including North Dakota, Texas, Ohio and Michigan.
He works for Chevron in Colorado and owns a company called 3B Investments.
The Minot native earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from North Dakota State University.
He said previous employees have described him as a fair, empathetic, trusting and empowering leader.
Connors, meanwhile, works for the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center. He has previous experience at the Department of Mineral Resources, spending eight of those years in the Oil and Gas Division.
Connors said that his prior history working for the state means he already has partnerships with North Dakota oil and gas regulators and other state agencies.
The Bismarck resident’s current role at the EERC is assistant director for regulatory compliance and energy policy. He works extensively with carbon capture.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Montana.
Connors described his leadership style as “shepherd”-like.
“I come from a culture at the EERC where we are laser-focused on employee development and leadership,” he said.
In both interviews, members of the Industrial Commission made it clear they want a director that can carry on Helms’ legacy.
“He’s been in the role for so long, he kind of defines what it is,” Burgum said while interviewing Anderson. “How does this mission of this particular role resonate with you?”
Anderson said he would strive to keep North Dakota a pro-business, pro-energy state.
“One hundred percent, North Dakota will have a seat at the energy table — and a front row seat at that,” Anderson said.
Connors, who worked with Helms, said he considers the former director a mentor and friend.
“I saw the way Lynn had to switch gears throughout the day,” Connors said. “I really worked hard to try to position myself to be able to have that skill set.”
During the meeting, the commission also approved an agreement to continue working with Helms on a contract basis until the next director starts.
Helms will advise the agency on technical cases and help prepare for new leadership, said Reice Haase, deputy executive director for the Industrial Commission.
After postponing the vote to pick a new director, Burgum noted he wished that the state would consider adding a new position to the Department of Mineral Resources so that the agency could hire both candidates.
“Man, why wouldn’t we get both these guys going?” Burgum said. “There’s only one role on paper. We can’t fix that necessarily now without a change in legislation, but I’m almost ready to ask the Industrial Commission, as another project, let’s think about what drafting that would be like.”
The Industrial Commission is comprised of Burgum, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The Department of Mineral Resources serves as the oil and gas industry regulator in North Dakota, the nation’s No. 3 oil producing state.
North Dakota’s small towns get less attention than they deserve. Mandan keeps the state’s oldest park alive at Fort Abraham Lincoln, where reconstructed earth lodges sit a few minutes from a working farmers’ market. Valley City earns its City of Bridges nickname with a downtown tour that crosses the Sheyenne River eight times. New Salem holds onto its 19th-century Custer Trail story while pointing visitors toward miles of open prairie. Bottineau adds a creamery operating since the 1930s and a giant turtle statue that has somehow become the town mascot. The seven towns below pack more character into a quiet state than most people expect.
Mandan
Mandan’s past is layered in different eras of American history. First, this town was a village for the Mandan tribe; it later became a cavalry fort, then a railroad town, and finally a hub for the region’s farmers and ranchers.
Attractions include the Mandan Heritage Plaza, which houses a wonderful local farmers’ market. Another great attraction is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, which is the oldest state park in North Dakota. This state park features educational opportunities about the Mandan Native Americans through reconstructed earth lodges. For those of a mind seeking adventure, Huff Hills Ski Area contains some of the best slopes in the state.
Bottineau
Though it does make for a fun stop, there is even more to Bottineau than the giant statue of Tommy the turtle keeping vigil by the roadside. For example, you may want to visit Pride Dairy, the last small-town creamery in all of North Dakota. Named by USA Today as the best ice cream in the state, this family-oriented shop has been servicing its customers since the 1930s. For further culinary options, one may want to visit Marie’s on Main Street; operating as a bistro, fine-dining experience, and cocktail bar all at once, Marie’s is a local favorite. Lastly, excursions to nearby Lake Metigoshe State Park offer hiking trails, fishing holes, and more.
Rugby
Many of Rugby’s best attractions are in its history. The Prairie Village Museum showcases some of the county’s oldest artifacts, and the 1907 Great Northern Railroad Depot gives a great glimpse into the past. Built in red-brick Tudor style, this depot is one of many scattered across the nation to be repurposed and preserved. The Victorian Dress Museum is located in a former church and provides a delightful look into Victorian-era fashion and accessories. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street Boutique is also a local highlight. Here, attendees can shop for everything from clothing to kitchen items.
Valley City
Nicknamed the City of Bridges for a reason, Valley City encourages its visitors to embark on the Valley City Historic Bridges Tour to best appreciate this town’s unique place in history. The many bridges of the tour cross over the Sheyenne River at various points, but none stand out more than the Hi-line Railroad Bridge, which is one of the highest and longest single-track railroad bridges in the country. After this interesting tour, you may want to check out Medicine Wheel Park, located on the grounds of Valley City State University. Scenic and lush, this Park contains 30 acres and a large rock sculpture meant to track Earth’s rotation around the sun.
Speaking of planets: the downtown Valley City State Planetarium makes for a perfect family outing. As of 2025 it has been equipped with a new domed projection system and a 24-foot ceiling.
Lisbon
Lisbon, settled in the heart of the Sheyenne River Valley, has a Main Street lively with restaurants, shopping, and history. Among its best places to eat is the Bronc, a local favorite that combines social atmosphere with delicious meals. Nearby, one can also find the Rustic Hanger, a boutique with clothing, gifts, and home decor that adds to the town’s charm.
As promised, there are plenty of outdoor experiences to enjoy both in Lisbon and the valley in which it is situated. The North Country Trail is a great opportunity for visitors to hike and explore, challenging themselves on a trail that runs from the Sheyenne River National Scenic Byway on the north side of Lisbon and the beautiful Sheyenne River bluffs on the south side.
Dickinson
Speaking of trails to explore, outdoorsy types will also love Dickinson for its proximity to the Crooked Crane Trail, which offers wide-open landscapes and wildlife. Nearby Patterson Lake, too, provides visitors a chance to have a day on the water or enjoy a shoreline stroll.
Also exploring its own nature and history is the Dickinson Museum Center, which (amongst other options) is home to the Badlands Dinosaur Museum – an exciting chance for families to enjoy a deep exploration of an ever-evolving exhibit displaying fossils, minerals, and a public preparation lab. The museum provides an excellent glimpse into prehistoric life in the area and is always working to provide new exhibits and opportunities for all guests.
New Salem
Established in 1883, New Salem’s history is best explored in the Custer Trail Museum. Featuring multiple buildings, this impressive museum contains a church from 1904, two schoolhouses, the Old New Salem depot, a blacksmith shop, and others. Following this, visitors may want to stop by Metro Perk & Market, a local restaurant/bakery and a coveted coffee shop.
There are several options for accommodations should one wish to explore New Salem and its beautiful, expansive prairie fields in more depth. This includes the Metropolitan Hotel and the Arrowhead Inn.
The towns explored on this list are each historic and full of character. North Dakota’s best offerings are found in the walking tour across Valley City’s bridges, in the nature around Lisbon, and in the historic train depots of Rugby. There is much more to North Dakota than can be found on these towns’ streets and in their surroundings, so do not wait: these seven small towns are ready to be visited.
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) -A North Dakota woman is facing a federal involuntary manslaughter charge after a deadly crash on an American Indian reservation last fall.
A federal grand jury indicted Brittany Renne Laverdure on April 22, 2026, accusing her of killing a person while driving under the influence of multiple substances on or about Sept. 21, 2025, in Indian country in North Dakota.
Because the incident occurred in Indian country, the case falls under federal jurisdiction, specifically under 18 U.S.C. § 1153, which gives the federal government authority to prosecute certain crimes committed by Native Americans on tribal lands. The indictment identifies Laverdure as an Indian under that statute.
According to the indictment, Laverdure acted with “wanton and reckless disregard for human life amounting to gross negligence.” Prosecutors say she attempted to make a U-turn and pulled into oncoming traffic while impaired, without due care for the safety of others.
The victim’s name is not being reported at this time and court documents did not provide any further details on the incident.
An arrest warrant was issued April 23, 2026 and a special agent with the FBI arrested Laverdure on April 28, 2026, in Grand Forks.
Laverdure is scheduled to stand trial June 23, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Peter D. Welte in Fargo. The trial is expected to last four days.
Involuntary manslaughter under federal law carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
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