Midwest
North Dakota launches three-year bachelor’s degree pilot program at eight institutions
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Colleges in North Dakota will roll out new three-year bachelor’s degree programs that will help students graduate a year earlier than the traditional four-year track.
The North Dakota Monitor reported that on Jan. 29, the State Board of Higher Education approved the “development of pilot programs for bachelor’s degrees requiring as few as 90 credits, rather than the typical 120 credits,” allowing students to finish their degrees in three years rather than four.
The pilot program will initially be limited to bachelor of applied science degrees, which are primarily focused on career and technical education.
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North Dakota colleges are rolling out new three-year bachelor’s degree programs that will help some students graduate in three years. (Getty)
Institutions approved to offer the expedited applied science degrees include Bismarck State College, Dickinson State University, Mayville State University, Minot State University, North Dakota State College of Science, North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota and Valley City State University to develop up to two pilot programs, the North Dakota Monitor reported.
The trial run for the pilot program is expected to begin in the fall and could be terminated after the summer 2030 semester if the board does not extend it.
The pilot program does not currently include bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees, such as those in education and health care, though North Dakota University System Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson said those programs could be added if the pilot proves successful.
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The pilot program will initially be limited to bachelor of applied science degrees, which are primarily focused on career and technical education.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kevin Black, chair of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, said that “this policy change marks the SBHE’s support of entrepreneurial approaches in responding to market demands from students and employers. We believe it is critical to provide our institutions with the tools and flexibility to innovate, with the overarching goal of creating faster pathways into the workforce at a lower cost for students and their families.”
Black added, “Importantly, we are not diluting essential educational elements through this initiative, as students would still be required to complete all core curriculum and general education requirements. The reduction of credits would be realized by taking fewer elective courses. Furthermore, the SBHE recognized the need to place guardrails on this type of pilot program.”
Some of the guardrails Black highlighted include allowing up to two pilot programs per institution, limiting the pilot programs to bachelor of applied science degrees, restricting programs that lead to careers that require professional licensing, and focusing on programs aligned with high-demand workforce areas.
Black also mentioned implementing additional tracking of student retention, completion and job placement and increased academic advising.
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The pilot program does not include bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees, such as those in health care, but North Dakota University System Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson said those programs could come in the future. (iStock)
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Detroit, MI
Detroit water main break snarls travel on East Jefferson Monday morning
Vehicles travel through water collected near water main break in Detroit.
DETROIT (FOX 2) – A water main break in Detroit is causing headaches for drivers and sending water into the streets of one of the city’s east side neighborhoods.
The break involves a 42-inch pipeline at East Jefferson and Burns Drive.
The breakage happened on Sunday, leaving only one lane open for each direction of travel.
Local perspective:
A day after the breakage, water was still gathering on the road of Jefferson Avenue.
Video captured of the scene Monday morning showed vehicles driving through ponds of water. Construction equipment were on site along with traffic cones.
The backstory:
This isn’t the only major disruption to water services in the region.
This weekend, a catastrophic breakage at 14 Mile near Drake impacted several Oakland County communities and thousands of residents.
Novi and Walled Lake were among those hardest hit by the breakage, which included dramatic scenes of waves of water washing down the road, submerging vehicles.
The Source: FOX 2’s Charlie Langton and previous reporting were cited for this story.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposals; board meeting Monday
MILWAUKEE – MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius proposed cutting more than 263 non-classroom positions to help bridge a $46 million structural budget deficit.
A special meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors is scheduled to take place on Monday night, March 9, to vote on this proposal.
Shifting resources
What we know:
The district said the reductions, which would take effect for the 2026–27 school year pending school board approval, would save about $30 million.
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“It is an extremely difficult day for us here in Milwaukee Public Schools, but in the end, I’m still hopeful. I’m hopeful for our students, I’m hopeful for all of the employees we have, and every single employee matters to us,” said Cassellius. “This is hard, and we’ll get through it.”
Officials said no classroom teacher positions are being cut to close the budget gap. That said, the district may need fewer teachers where there is lower enrollment. About 40 of the 263 positions being eliminated are already vacant, meaning that not all reductions will result in layoffs. Affected employees eligible for classroom-based roles will be encouraged to apply for available positions.
Cassellius stressed that MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid for 2026-27 public school students. While the recent referendum has helped to support arts, physical education, mental health services, and career exploration, the superintendent indicated it does not make up for the lack of state-funded inflation increase
Proposed reductions
By the numbers:
The approximately 263 position reductions include the following, according to the school district:
- MPS Central Services: About 116 positions from the offices of Academics; Communications; Family, Community, and Partnership; Finance; Human Resources; Operations; Schools office; and the Superintendent’s office
- Non‑classroom school‑based roles: About 147 positions, including assistant principals, deans of students, and implementers.
The Source: Milwaukee Public Schools released information about its proposal.
Minneapolis, MN
MN weather: Bright with highs in the 50s Monday
Expect a pleasant Monday with light breezes, filtered sunshine, and highs in the 50s. Temperatures cool into the 40s this week with chances for rain and snow. FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz has the full forecast.
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