North Dakota
David Allen Godfread
David Allen Godfread, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away peacefully, leaving a legacy defined by integrity, service, and quiet leadership. He was born in Minot to Frank and Ruth Godfread and raised in Stanley, North Dakota. Dave graduated from Stanley High School and attended the University of North Dakota from 1965–1969 on a basketball scholarship, majoring in physical education and mathematics.
While at UND, Dave met the love of his life, Judy. They were married on July 3, 1970, and together built a family that was always his greatest pride. He was the devoted father of three sons—Marc, Jeff, and Jon—and a proud grandfather to Madison, Brenna, Ava, Braedon, Jamison, Dylan, Harrison, Reagan, and Thatcher, and great-grandfather to Colter and Wells.
Dave lived a life grounded in hard work and service. After his playing career, he coached and taught at Garrison and Bottineau High Schools before joining the University of Mary as an associate basketball coach, where he was part of one of the most successful eras in program history. He was later inducted into the University of Mary Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service.
In 1983, after earning a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in administration, Dave transitioned into school leadership. He served as principal at Saint Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck and later in Grand Forks as associate principal at South Middle School, principal at Community High School, and director of Adult Learning. He retired in 2009 after 20 years of service.
Of all his roles, being a high school principal meant the most to him. He believed students were more than their mistakes, once saying, “The neat thing about alternative high schools is that the students always can come back and fix their mistakes.” He dedicated his career to students who needed second chances, offering structure, accountability, and belief in their potential.
Dave was a man of few words who led by example. Outside of work, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching sports, tinkering in the garage, and time with family, especially Sunday omelets after church. His familiar advice “Make it last,” and “You’re burning daylight” reflected how he lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruth Godfread; his brother, Charles; and several in-laws and extended family members.
Dave is survived by his wife Judy; his sons and their families; and generations of students, athletes, and friends who were shaped by his steady guidance. His legacy lives on in every life he influenced through integrity, effort, and doing what is right.
A Memorial Service: Celebrating Dave’s life will be held in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in late April or early May, when family and friends can gather to remember a life well lived.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com
(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)
North Dakota
Armstrong applauds federal funding for upgrading coal infrastructure, including Antelope Valley Station
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today applauded President Donald Trump’s announcement of his plan to address the nation’s energy emergency with funding under the Defense Production Act, including up to $425 million for the U.S. Department of Energy for 12 projects selected to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet and up to $75 million for a coal export facility.
The funding includes over $27.4 million to help pay for a $70 million proposed project to modernize two coal-fired units at North Dakota’s Antelope Valley Station, operated by Basin Electric Power Cooperative near Beulah in Mercer County. According to the DOE, the upgrades will mitigate unplanned outages, improve efficiency and increase generation capacity. The project is designed to ensure continued affordable and reliable electricity while also supporting local employment at Antelope Valley Station and Freedom Mine, the DOE said.
“North Dakota enjoys the lowest electricity rates in the nation, and investments like this will ensure our fleet of coal plants can produce clean, reliable and affordable power for decades to come,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the continued support by President Trump and his administration for policies that support U.S. energy dominance and a more stable electric grid to serve our citizens, grow our economy and strengthen our national security. Coal country, and our entire state, will emerge even stronger from this action today.”
Prison Life in North Dakota
Every time we cross the Expressway overpass in Bismarck, you get a quick glimpse into prison life in North Dakota. Occasionally, you will see inmates in the yard doing various forms of outdoor recreation. The barbed wire that surrounds the North Dakota State Penitentiary is a sobering reminder that this is not where any sane person would ever want to spend any part of their life.
I met one of our listeners recently who works at the State Pen in Bismarck, and I got a chance to ask her some questions I’ve always wondered, mostly what life is like behind bars. “Is it like prison life in the movies?” She didn’t have a bright picture to paint, and that’s probably the way it should be, to help steer individuals away from a life of crime.
Oskari-Kauko Värä
I was surprised to find out that at least some of the inmates have tablets and are allowed to go online; their online experience is very controlled. I was also told prisoners are allowed to listen to the radio, something I already knew, as I have received calls from convicts making requests before. You kind of feel the pressure behind those requests, “play it or else”. Ha!
I plan to request a tour in the future using my media credentials and give you more insight into what it’s like behind bars at the North Dakota State Penitentiary.
Marina Nezhinkay
The 20 Worst Prisions in America
Did the North Dakota State Pen make the list? Nope. According to MoneyInc, these are the worst prisons that even the most hardened criminal would want to avoid.
20. Ely State Prison – Ely, Nevada
19. Folson State Prison – Folson, California
18. Penitentiary of New Mexico – Santa Fe, New Mexico
17. William C. Holman Correctional Facility – Atmore, Alabama
16. Sing Sing Correctional Facility – Ossining, New York
15. San Quentin State Prison – San Rafael, California
14. Louisiana State Pen – Angola, Louisiana
13. Rikers Island – New York, New York
12. Reeves County Detention Complex – Pecos, Texas
11. Julia Tutwiler Prison – Wetumpka, Alabama
10. Pelican Bay State Prison – Crescent City, California
9. United States Pen Marrion – Marion, Illinois
8. Idaho Correctional Center – Kuna, Idaho
7. United States Penitentiary Tucson – Tucson, Arizona
6. Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary – Leavenworth, Kansas
5. Orleans Parish Prison – New Orleans, Louisiana
4. Men’s Central Jail & Twin Towers Correctional Facility – Los Angeles, California
3. Tent City Jail – Phoenix, Arizona
2. Allan B. Polungky Unit – Livingtonston, Texas
1. US Penitentiary Administrative Maximum – Florence, Colorado
States with the most born-and-bred residents
Gallery Credit: Stacker
The 15 BEST Small-Town Cafes In North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota voters to decide single-subject requirement for future constitutional amendments on June 9
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