North Dakota
5 more cases of measles found in western North Dakota, bringing state total to 9
WILLISTON, N.D. — An additional five measles cases have been identified in Williams County, bringing North Dakota’s 2025 total to nine cases.
According to the North Dakota Health and Human Services, all the newly confirmed individuals were unvaccinated and had no reported contact with previously identified cases. These individuals are currently isolating at home as recommended to help limit further spread, a release said.
The first measles case in North Dakota since 2011 was identified in Williston on May 2.
The case appeared in an unvaccinated child in Williams County who authorities believe contracted the disease from an out-of-state visitor. On Monday, May 5, officials confirmed the total had jumped to four cases, all identified in unvaccinated individuals.
Measles is a contagious viral illness that can lead to serious and deadly symptoms in young children and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and a body-wide rash.
North Dakota health officials said members of the public who were at the Williston Walmart on April 29 between 2 and 5 p.m. may have been exposed. Anyone who was at the store at that time is encouraged to monitor for symptoms and contact a health care provider if symptoms develop.
Four of the people diagnosed with measles were in Williston schools while infectious, state health officials said. North Dakota Century Code requires unvaccinated students to be excluded from school for 21 days following exposure.
Staff at the schools without documentation of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination or who were not born before 1957 should also not attend school, officials said.
Unvaccinated staff and children in the following schools have been told to remain at home and monitor for symptoms:
- Missouri Ridge Elementary: May 7-May 23,
- Williston Middle School: May 7-May 21,
- Williston High School: May 7-May 21.
“Due to the current measles outbreak, please isolate at home if you have symptoms of runny nose, fever, cough, and rash,” Beverly Tong, Upper Missouri District Health Unit deputy director, said in the release. “Isolation should continue until at least four full days after the onset of a rash. Time from exposure to onset of rash is generally around seven to 21 days, and you can spread measles up to four days prior to the time the rash appears.”
Tong recommended people to contact a primary doctor for anyone who wishes to be tested for measles.
Officials said the new cases are not linked to earlier known exposures. However, as a precaution, state officials recommend all residents and travelers to Williams County ensure they are vaccinated against measles. This includes consideration of early MMR vaccination for infants aged 6 through 11 months. Infants younger than 6 months are not eligible for the vaccine.
Aside from the single case in 2011, North Dakota had not had any reported measles infections since before 2000, when the disease was eliminated from the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health officials attribute recent measles outbreaks across the nation to declining vaccination rates. As of Friday, May 2, the CDC confirmed 935 measles cases nationwide, up from 884 cases a week before. According to CDC data, 121 people have been hospitalized nationwide, with three deaths confirmed.
MMR vaccination rates declined in North Dakota kindergartners from 95% in 2019-2020 to 90% this school year,
the North Dakota News Cooperative reported.
For more information, contact the HHS Immunization Unit at (701) 328-2378 or 711 (TTY), or visit
hhs.nd.gov/measles
.
BISMARCK — A West Fargo attorney has been appointed to the North Dakota Ethics Commission.
According to a release, Lisa Edison-Smith was appointed to the commission Tuesday, July 7, to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Ronald Goodman, who will retire from the board.
Edison-Smith works for Vogel Law Firm, from which she plans to retire at the end of the year, the release said. She specializes in employment and labor law and is also the editor of the North Dakota Employment Law Letter, a monthly publication providing guidance to employers.
Edison-Smith graduated from North Dakota State University and Hamline University School of Law. She was a clerk for the Minnesota Supreme Court and worked in finance and accounting roles at GTE Corp., the release said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my legal experience and problem-solving skills to the important work of the Commission,” Edison-Smith said via release. “Together, I believe we can improve public trust and deepen the Commission’s commitment to accountability and transparency in North Dakota.”
Commissioners are appointed by consensus of the governor and majority and minority leader of the North Dakota Senate.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
North Dakota
Schulz to transition from ND Parks and Recreation to ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Gov. Kelly Armstrong today announced that North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Director Cody Schulz is leaving the agency next month to assume the role of chief financial officer in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, effective Aug. 17.
Schulz has led Parks and Recreation since being appointed director by then-Gov. Doug Burgum in October 2021. Armstrong reappointed Schulz to the position upon taking office in December 2024. Schulz previously served 13 years in the state Department of Emergency Services (DES), including as business manager and finance officer for seven years and as the state’s director of Homeland Security from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining DES, he spent nearly 13 years in the private sector as a business owner, account specialist and government and public affairs analyst.
“Parks and Recreation has thrived under Cody’s leadership, opening a new state park at Pembina Gorge, expanding and improving existing parks, making major investments in infrastructure and enhancing visitor experiences,” Armstrong said. “While we will miss his leadership of the agency, we’re excited that he has decided to continue serving the citizens of North Dakota at DOCR, where his experience in finance and accounting will serve the department well.”
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, one driven primarily by the desire to travel less and spend more time with family, especially my aging parents. At the same time, my new role at DOCR allows me to work in finance and public safety – two passions that have shaped much of my career,” Schulz said. “I am filled with gratitude for the team at Parks and Recreation, and I leave with complete confidence in this organization. This is an exceptionally talented team filled with capable, dedicated people who care deeply about one another, our mission, and the citizens we serve.”
A native of New Salem, N.D., Schulz earned an associate’s degree from Bismarck State College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dickinson State University and an MBA from the University of North Dakota. He also served on the Morton County Commission from 2012 to 2020, including as chairman in 2016, 2017 and 2020, and as a member of the Morton County Park Board for eight years.
Justin Fairbanks went to work! He created this incredible breakdown of Fargo participants and their college commitments. Email kyle.klingman@flosports.tv with updates.
Here’s the full Fargo schedule so you don’t miss any of the girls’ action.
2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals
Junior Girls Freestyle
Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET – Session XI
Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET – Session XIII
Friday, July 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET – Session XIV
Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET – Session XV
Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET – Session XVI
Saturday, July 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET – Finals
16U Girls Freestyle
Thursday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m. ET – Session XII
Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET – Session XIII
Friday, July 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET – Session XIV
Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET – Session XV
Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET – Session XVI
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