BISMARCK (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota public education groups said Wednesday they recognize the need for a policy on student use of cellphones but mostly resisted a call for a state-mandated ban.

Rep. Jim Jonas, R-West Fargo, introduced House Bill 1160 that would ban students from using cellphones during class time.

A proposed amendment to the bill would add some exemptions, like using a smartphone to monitor health conditions, such as diabetes, and in some cases where students are on a learning plan crafted for the student.

The House Education Committee did not act on the bill or the amendment but indicated that there would be more discussion next week.

KrisAnn Norby-Jahner, legal counsel for the North Dakota School Boards Association, testified that the cellphone use issue should be handled at the local level, but added she would not be opposed to a bill requiring that school districts have a cellphone policy.

Mike Heilman, executive director of the North Dakota Small Organized Schools, testified that the group’s board members did not support the bill.

He said some teachers have students use their phone during class and designate a spot on the desk where the phone should be when not being used.

He also said some schools may want to make exceptions for juniors and seniors to have more access to their phones

But he also said schools might like the state’s support on the need for a cellphone policy.

Cellphone use among students was described during testimony as a mental health issue in addition to being a distraction.

Rachel Bachmeier, principal at West Fargo High School, said there has been “less drama” since the school restricted phone use to breaks between classes.

She said parents generally support that policy, with little support for an overall ban during the school day.

Steve Madler, principal at Bismarck Century High School, said his experience with a ban during the school day turned out to be unworkable for many students and parents.

The U.S. Department of Education in December called on every state and school district to adopt a policy on phone use in schools.

Jonas, a former West Fargo teacher, said the goal of the bill is improved test scores and mental health. He said he received some calls from principals for an all-out ban during the school day.

When asked what the penalty would be for a school that did not enforce the state policy, he did not give specifics.

“The hope is that they would abide by the law,” he said.

Notre Dame and Ohio State will be facing off in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game. How did each team get here? Notre Dame — coming off playoff wins against Indiana, Georgia and Penn State — is riding a 13-game winning streak. But the Irish are a heavy underdog in the title game matchup. Ohio State — which went through Tennessee, Oregon and Texas in the playoffs — brings its top-ranked defense in a quest to capture its ninth national championship. This will be the first time Notre Dame reaches the title game in the CFP era after falling in the semifinal in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons. The Buckeyes will be playing in their third CFP title game since winning the inaugural game in 2014.

Here’s a tale of the tape between the two squads ahead of Monday’s CFP National Championship game.

Established: 1890

Conference: Big Ten

Stadium: Ohio Stadium (102,780 capacity)

Head coach: Ryan Day (2019-present)

2024 season record: 13-2

2024 season leaders:

2024 AP Top 25 final ranking: No. 6

Total championships: Eight (2014, 2002, 1970, 1968, 1961, 1957, 1954, 1942)

All-time record: 977-335-53 (.744)

Bowl record: 26-23 (.531)

Heisman winners:

Head-to-head vs. Notre Dame: 6-2, 25.6 points scored per game

Established: 1887

Conference: Independent

Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795 capacity)

Head coach: Marcus Freeman (2021-present)

2024 season record: 14-1

2024 season leaders:

2024 AP Top 25 final ranking: No. 3

Total championships: 13 (1988, 1977, 1973, 1966, 1964, 1949, 1947, 1946, 1943, 1930, 1929, 1924, 1919)

All-time record: 962-338-42 (.740)

Bowl record: 23-18 (.561)

Heisman winners:

• Tim Brown, 1987

• John Huarte, 1964

• Paul Hornung, 1956

• John Lattner, 1953

• Leon Hart, 1949

• John Lujack, 1947

• Angelo Bertelli, 1943

Head-to-head vs. Ohio State: 2-6, 17.4 points scored per game

Check out the ESPN college football hub page for breaking news, features, schedules, rankings and more.

MILBANK, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that one person had been arrested following a shooting that occurred at a Milbank nursing home on Wednesday.

Jackley told Dakota News Now that an employee dispute led to the shooting at Avantara Milbank where a supervisor was shot in the nose area and received minor injuries.

The suspect was arrested and there is no danger to the public at this time.

South Dakota DCI is leading the investigation and the suspect is in the process of being formally charged.

They are presumed innocent under the US Constitution.

Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.