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AFC Celebrates North Dakota for Passing School Choice Bill – American Federation for Children

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AFC Celebrates North Dakota for Passing School Choice Bill – American Federation for Children


Dallas, Texas – The American Federation for Children celebrates North Dakota’s legislature for passing a bill establishing the state’s first private school choice program, an education savings account (ESA) sponsored by Rep. Ben Koppelman, after the House concurred with Senate changes to HB 1540. The legislature is still considering SB 2400 by Senator Axtman, which could further expand educational options in North Dakota.

The legislature has advanced a bill to establish an ESA program beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill is on its way to the Governor for his consideration. If enacted, it would provide more than $4,000 to eligible participants.

Statement from Ryan Cantrell, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Federation for Children

“AFC congratulates Rep. Ben Koppelman, along with leaders in the North Dakota House and Senate, upon sending HB 1540 to the Governor’s desk. Most of all, we congratulate the parents and students across the state who may soon have access to expanded education freedom. This bill empowers North Dakota families to select the best educational options for their children and unlocks private school choice for the first time in the state, and we look forward to North Dakota joining the school choice revolution that is rapidly expanding across the country.”

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Details:

  • ESAs would be available for students for the 2026-27 school year.
  • Private school students would be eligible for an ESA with award amounts determined by income levels, with more than $4000 for families making less than 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), more than $2300 for families between 200% and 400% FPL, and more than $1150 for families over 400% of FPL.
  • Qualified educational expenses could include tuition, textbooks, tutoring, transportation and more.

About AFC:

The American Federation for Children is the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization and the most successful force for education freedom in America, passing over 200 laws across 31 states throughout our history. Our affiliated Super PAC, AFC Victory Fund, is the only nationwide Super PAC focused on advancing school choice.



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North Dakota

FOMO 10/40 Creamery to bring ice cream to small business across North Dakota

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FOMO 10/40 Creamery to bring ice cream to small business across North Dakota


BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A grant from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is helping a small business in Bismarck expand.

FOMO 10/40 Creamery, located in the central part of the city, is planning to sell its ice cream wholesale at other small businesses across the state.

For owner Andrew Hershey, consistent quality is important, so he doesn’t expect to sell his ice cream in grocery chains quite yet.

“We want to really support the small, local businesses to help them keep open, but also give them the opportunity to sell our product first. I think local North Dakota ice cream sold locally, within a local business, means more to me,” said Hershey.

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With the grant, FOMO will also be doing a brand refresh by updating its space.

The business started as an ice cream trailer in 2019.

Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.



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Case of measles reported in western North Dakota county

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Case of measles reported in western North Dakota county


MANNING, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — One case of measles was reported in Dunn County, increasing North Dakota’s total number of cases to 36 this year, the Department of Health and Human Services said Friday.

The Dunn County case was believed to have been contracted out of state, health officials said.

North Dakota’s 36 total measles cases confirmed this year now equals the state’s total measles cases reported in 2025, according to the department’s measles dashboard.

Measles cases have been reported across six other counties in North Dakota this year: 23 cases in Pembina County; six cases in Ransom County; three cases in Grand Forks County; and individual cases reported in Traill, Walsh and Williams counties. Five people who contracted measles in 2026 needed to be hospitalized.

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Previously, Molly Howell, immunization director of HHS, said being vaccinated against measles is critical to prevent the spread of the disease. She said people with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% protected against contracting the disease.

Cases of measles continue to be reported across the U.S. and Canada, the department said, and people should monitor for symptoms.

Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and eye irritation, followed by a widespread rash, according to the department. People can transmit the disease for up to four days before a rash develops, according to HHS.

People who believe they may have contracted measles should call a healthcare provider before arriving at a medical clinic for treatment so precautions can be taken to protect other patients and medical staff, HHS said.

As of April 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,814 cases of measles across 36 states in 2026.

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Minot veteran says Honor Flight trip memorable

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Minot veteran says Honor Flight trip memorable


Submitted Photo
U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Clifford of Minot is shown with the Lincoln Memorial in the background during his trip to the Washington, D.C., area with the Western North Dakota Honor Flight.

U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Clifford of Minot said his recent trip to the Washington, D.C., area with the Western North Dakota Honor Flight was a memorable one.

“The honor is so great,” he said.

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Clifford was among more than 100 veterans on the trip from Bismarck, Sunday, April 26, and returning, Monday, April 27. Besides Clifford, several other Minot veterans made the trip.

He said he was very impressed with the N.D. Western Honor Flight organization and the coordination of the trip.

“The coordination is unbelievable. We had a police escort from our hotel room in Arlington, Virginia, to the Capitol. It was right at rush hour,” he said. He said the group of veterans traveled in four buses.

When they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, people with signs were standing to the side to greet them.

“It was just unbelievable,” he said. When they left the Bismarck airport, he said, the lobby there was full of people. He said Bismarck comes out really well for the veterans going on these trips and it was the same when the Western N.D. Honor Flight was out of Minot for the first time in April 2025.

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Clifford was active duty in the Air Force from 1971-75. For 10 months he served in Taiwan but his Air Force time before and after was at Minot Air Force Base with the fire department.

“My first fire chief was Ken Gillespie,” he said. Gillespie’s son, Ken Gillespie aka Dizzy the Clown, is well known in the Minot area.

After discharge from the Air Force, Clifford continued civil service with the base fire department from 1976-2008, retiring as fire chief.

During the Honor Flight trip, Clifford said, they visited many highlights — veterans’ memorials including World War II, Korean and Vietnam, the U.S. Capitol and the Dulles Air and Space Museum. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, R-ND, and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum met with the group during their visit.

The veterans also visited Arlington National Cemetery.

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“We got to see the Changing of the Guard and see them laying two wreaths,” he said.

At a banquet held that night for the veterans at their hotel, the Hyatt Regency in Arlington, he said the sentinel, the lead person for the Changing of the Guard, spoke to them.

“It was a very worthwhile trip. If you’re a veteran, you need to sign up for it,” Clifford said of the Honor Flight.

The Western North Dakota Honor Flight will be the grand marshal of the 2026 North Dakota State Parade Saturday, July 18, in Minot.



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