North Dakota
Capstone Academy of Fargo and nonprofit sue North Dakota over teacher licensing requirements
FARGO — A private religious school in Fargo has teamed up with a civil liberties law firm in suing the state of North Dakota over its teacher licensing law.
Capstone Classical Academy and the nonprofit Institute for Justice, based in Arlington, Virginia,
filed a 50-page federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court
in North Dakota on Wednesday, June 10.
They challenge what they call the nation’s “most extreme” teacher licensing law, which keeps people with doctorate degrees, working professionals and other qualified experts out of private school classrooms unless they first complete a state licensing program.
Capstone,
which opened in temporary locations in 2022 and moved to a new, sprawling campus at 6597 43rd St. S. in 2025,
teaches pre-k through Grade 12 students.
Bringing the lawsuit along with Capstone are Kaylie Young, a teacher at the school, and Paul Nelson, a parent of a student.
David Samson / The Forum
Named as defendants are state Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier, various members of the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board, and Rebecca Pitkin, executive director of that independent board responsible for teacher licensure and other professional practices.
The state has 21 days to respond to the lawsuit, the Institute said.
Bachmeier told The Forum that since he’s named as a defendant, he cannot comment.
Pitkin submitted a statement, saying, “The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) is mandated by North Dakota law to ensure that all classroom teachers are properly licensed. In recent years, ESPB has collaborated closely with Capstone’s administration and faculty to guarantee adherence to this legal requirement.”
Capstone and the Institute held a joint news conference via Zoom on Wednesday.
Headmaster Paul Fisher said they’re not suing as adversaries of the Department of Public Instruction or ESPB, but for freedom to deliver a distinct mission without the hindrance of state regulations.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
“The state, by the Century Code, is forcing a square peg to fit into a round hole, and in doing so, they are violating parental choice and teachers’ professional freedom,” Fisher said.
In May of 2025, Capstone received a compliance letter from the state threatening to take away Capstone’s state approval unless the school complied with teacher licensing laws.
Michael Bindas, a senior Institute attorney, said Capstone had been working “creatively” with the state to find solutions, but with the compliance letter, it became clear the state was no longer willing to do so.
David Samson / The Forum
Since then, the school said it has navigated paperwork, kept postings open for jobs already filled, reshaped courses to fit state-approved categories and paid “thousands and thousands of dollars” to come into compliance.
“That time, that money, that energy should be going toward educating children, not to comply with unnecessary and often irrational regulations,” Bindas said.
Capstone already has high standards for teachers in terms of content expertise and teaching competence, Fisher said, and the school vets their character and runs mandatory background checks.
Fisher said he must honor the mission of the school and the trust of parents “who pay their taxes to the public schools, and then, in addition to that, pay tuition to provide what they believe is the right education for their child.”
David Samson / The Forum
Another Institute attorney, Riley Grace Borden, said the plaintiffs, Young and Nelson, chose Capstone because it is unique.
“It was a sacrifice for them to do that. Both … face longer commutes, Kaylie faces a lower salary. But they chose Capstone because it offers different courses, it has a different mission and focus,” Borden said.
She said the Institute approached a number of schools in North Dakota when considering bringing legal action related to teacher licensing.
“A bunch of them, every single one we talked to, in fact, was suffering,” she said.
In fact, Borden blamed the state’s “impractical and expensive” teacher licensing laws for an ongoing teacher shortage in the state.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
North Dakota legalized homeschooling in 1989, allowing parents without a teaching license or a college degree to teach their children.
Bindas said there’s no reason North Dakota can’t take the same “light touch” for private schools, and he’d go even further.
“At the end of the day, I don’t think licensure is necessary … government can and often does, and in this case has gone far beyond anything within its legitimate powers,” he said.
It’s unclear whether other private schools in Fargo or in the state will join in the lawsuit, Borden said, as some gave different reasons as to why they weren’t in a position to do so.
Renowned outdoor retailer L.L. Bean is officially making its way to North Dakota, bringing its heritage gear and apparel to the Red River Valley.
The Maine-based retail giant has signed a lease to open its first-ever North Dakota location at the West Acres Shopping Center in Fargo. According to mall officials, the new store will take over the approximately 15,000-square-foot space in the Aquarium Court formerly occupied by Forever 21, positioning it right next to Crave restaurant.
Bringing a Taste of Maine to the Midwest
The announcement has already sparked significant excitement from regional retail organizers. West Acres took to Facebook to enthusiastically share the news of the partnership with the community.
“From their iconic Duck Boots and Boat and Tote bags to clothing for men, women, and the whole family, they’re bringing it all to Fargo!” the shopping center posted.
The expansive retail footprint will feature L.L. Bean’s signature array of high-quality apparel, outerwear, and footwear designed to withstand the rugged elements—a fitting match for North Dakota’s notoriously tough winter climate.
A Strategic Multi-Year Launch Timeline
The incoming retail hub represents a major cornerstone addition for the Fargo shopping destination. West Acres Chief Operating Officer Alissa Adams noted that the addition of the iconic brand directly targets the lifestyle and outdoor needs of local and regional shoppers.
Work on the Aquarium Court space is expected to transition over the coming months. Shoppers will have to wait just a little while longer to browse the racks in person, as the store is projected to officially open its doors to the public in 2027, with specific targets aimed toward the first three months of that year.
BISMARCK (KFGO) – North Dakota is offering new grant money to help improve the health and well being of workers at rural hospitals.
North Dakota Health and Human Services has opened applications for the hospital wellness equipment program. The goal is to help hospitals create healthier workplaces and support employees’ physical and mental health.
“The healthcare professionals caring for our communities need support, too,” said HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor. “These frontline workers often put the needs of others ahead of their own. By creating opportunities for staff to stay healthy, manage stress and recharge, hospitals can build stronger teams, improve retention and ultimately provide better care for the patients who depend on them.”
About $500,000 in federal funding is available. The state expects to award around 10 grants of about $50,000 each to eligible rural hospitals.
The grants can be used to by wellness equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes and weight equipment.
State officials say healthcare workers continue to deal with staffing shortages and burnout, and hope the grants will improve employee wellness to keep hospital workers in rural communities.
MEDORA, N.D. — Thousands of people from across North Dakota and around the country gathered in Medora on Wednesday, July 1, for President Donald Trump’s visit celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary and the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Under hot summer skies, the normally quiet western North Dakota town transformed into a tightly-secured venue filled with patriotic displays, music and enthusiastic crowds. Attendees lined the route waving American flags and holding signs reading “We Love USA” and “We Love Trump” as Trump arrived aboard the BNSF Freedom 250 train, a ceremonial tribute to the state’s railroad heritage and the Freedom 250 celebration.
Dorvall Bedford / The Dickinson Press
Many in the crowd wore red, white and blue clothing, “Make America Great Again” hats and other patriotic attire. Security was highly visible throughout the event, with law enforcement officers, emergency responders and medical personnel stationed across the venue. Snipers were positioned on nearby buttes and along the rail corridor while ambulances and emergency crews, including Billings County Ambulance and Ringdahl EMS, remained on standby.
Trump was accompanied by his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.; Donald Trump Jr.’s partner, Bettina Anderson; and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Following his arrival, he was escorted by a mounted Rough Rider reenactment group as he made his way from the train to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Inside the packed Burning Hills Amphitheater, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum introduced the president before Trump walked onto the stage to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Dorvall Bedford / The Dickinson Press
During remarks lasting more than an hour, Trump spoke about Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy, American values, law enforcement, the Panama Canal and challenges facing the nation. He also announced $750,000 in support for the presidential library and joked with the audience after technical issues with the teleprompters prompted him to speak without prepared remarks.
Trump concluded his speech by thanking North Dakotans, describing the state as beautiful and ending with his signature dance to “YMCA.”
For many attendees, however, the day was about more than the speech itself. They described the event as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a presidential visit to one of North Dakota’s most recognizable destinations.
Eli Waddington, one of the Rough Rider reenactors who led the mounted presidential procession, said participating in the event was among the greatest honors of his life.
“It’s a great honor, one of the greatest honors we’ve ever been presented with,” Waddington said. “We’re representing the men that have fought and died for this country over the years to make America what it is, and we’re bringing our president and his people to the top of the hill to dedicate the library to one of the best presidents that ever lived, Teddy Roosevelt.”
Dorvall Bedford / The Dickinson Press
Fellow Rough Rider reenactor Jayson Wayne Jones said months of planning, practices and security screenings preceded the event. Only 20 mounted riders were selected to escort the president.
“This is probably the largest honor I’ve ever been involved in,” Jones said. “There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of figuring out. We’ve gone through multiple practices and screenings.”
Among those attending were Dickinson High School seniors Ava Hauck, founder and CEO of the artificial intelligence biotechnology startup Clinivue, and Callie Bowden, the company’s marketing specialist. The pair documented the day’s events while taking in the historic occasion.
Bowden said the scale of the security and road closures was unlike anything she had previously experienced in Medora.
Dorvall Bedford / The Dickinson Press
“We’ve never had Medora blocked off before, so it’s really different,” she said.
Hauck said the visit brought rare national attention to western North Dakota.
“It’s just exciting because we don’t really get a lot of attention in North Dakota,” Hauck said. “It’s really good to see all the excitement brought to Medora.”
For Daniel Gannarelli, chief revenue officer of the Medora Foundation, the event represented a milestone not only for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library but also for the town itself.
“The last time a president was in Medora was when Teddy Roosevelt was here,” Gannarelli said. “To have a sitting president choose us during the Fourth of July week and the 250th anniversary of the country, when he could literally be anywhere in the world, is quite impressive.”
Dorvall Bedford / The Dickinson Press
Gannarelli said he hopes future presidents from both political parties will continue to visit Medora, emphasizing the community’s desire to welcome people regardless of political affiliation.
“Where the American experiment is actually happening — left and right, all divides of the spectrum, all politically different people can come here to enjoy this,” he said. “I hope we have Obama. I hope we have Bush. Medora is for everyone.”
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
As a professional writer with more than 10 years of experience, Kelly lives by these words. With a bachelor’s degree in communication, majoring in broadcasting and journalism, and a fiery passion for writing that began in childhood, she uses the power of words to make an impact in the community — informing, educating, and entertaining a wide range of audiences.
As a journalist, what Kelly loves most about her job is the ability to bring unique stories to the public and give people a voice that can be heard around the world. Whether through print or digital platforms, her goal is to share stories people enjoy reading while spreading valuable information that supports the welfare of southwest North Dakota and its people.
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