North Dakota
Food insecurity increasing in North Dakota
JAMESTOWN — Food insecurity is increasing in North Dakota, according to Ethan Liu, a research specialist at the Sheila and Robert Chailey Institute for Global Innovation & Growth at North Dakota State University.
Liu’s data indicates the overall food insecurity rate in North Dakota has risen from 4.8% in 2020 to 8.5% in 2022, the most recent year statistics are available.
“If the family feels they have problems affording food, they have food insecurity,” he said. “The large cities have more resources than the rural areas.”
Liu said food insecurity is less in North Dakota than nationally. The national average for families with food insecurity is 13.1%.
“Almost all (North Dakota) counties have a food insecurity rate of less than 20%,” he said, “but we can do better.”
According to Liu’s report, food insecurity by county in North Dakota ranged from a low of 5.8% in Renville County to a high of 21.4% in Sioux County. Stutsman County had a food insecurity rate of 10.8% and is one of six counties in North Dakota with a food insecurity rate above 10%. Other counties in North Dakota with a food insecurity level greater than 10% are Sioux, Rollette, Ramsey, Benson and Eddy counties.
A new committee is in the process of organizing to address Jamestown and Stutsman County hunger issues, according to Olivia Schloegel, a concerned citizen who’s participated in formal meetings to discuss food access, opportunities and barriers.
“It is still in the organizing steps,” she said. “Trying to decide who should be and involved and what the organization should look like.”
Schloegel said she hoped the group would address the short-term goal of connecting people to food resources and the long-term goal of increasing poverty in the region.
Families with children often have the greatest needs, especially during the summer months when school lunch programs are not available, Liu said.
Families with children often have the greatest needs especially during the summer months when school lunch programs are not available, Liu said.
Nikki Meza, food pantry coordinator for Community Action Region IV in Jamestown, said the needs are growing.
“This year’s numbers are up,” she said. “…if prices were to go down, it helps.”
In the month of November, Community Action Region IV supported 197 families in the Jamestown area. That is at the top end of the average of 150 to 200 families it has provided food to each month this year.
Meza said the food comes from several sources, including grocery retailers in Jamestown that donate food that is nearing its expiration date or is being discontinued. Other sources include individual donations, including organizational or company food drives, which are often held during the holiday season, along with some items from the Great Plains Food Bank.
“At this point, we are meeting everyone’s needs in the community,” Meza said. “It helps out families meet their needs. They can use that money for other needs like boots or winter coats.”
Food distribution has also increased through the Salvation Army in Jamestown, according to Dan Furry, divisional public relations and communications director for the Salvation Army Northern Division.
Grocery orders have increased 37.4% for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023, he said. A grocery order fulfilled by the Salvation Army would typically supply food necessary for 25 to 30 adult meals.
The Salvation Army is aiding 99 households and 228 individuals in the Jamestown area, an 11% increase from last year, Furry said.
Meza said the best items to donate are pasta, rice and canned soup.
“Those things can go a long way in feeding a family,” she said.
Other items include pet foods, household items and personal care items.
“Simple things that help out families are the best,” Meza said.
Liu said another way to combat food insecurity in North Dakota would be increased funding for Great Plains Food Bank.
Great Plains Food Bank operates from offices in Bismarck and Fargo but partners with local agencies including Community Action, Progress Community Center and the Salvation Army in Jamestown.
“A solution would be more resources for Great Plains Food Pantry,” Liu said. “If they had $47 million it could eliminate food insecurity in North Dakota.”
Liu said the current budget for Great Plains Food Pantry is $18.7 million and is just meeting the most immediate needs of the public.
WASHINGTON — The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has been recognized for its wildfire prevention efforts with a national Bronze Smokey Bear Award.
“These awardees demonstrate what fire prevention looks like in action,” said U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher. “Their efforts protect lives, support firefighters and make a real difference in communities across the country.”
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and with North Dakota experiencing another active spring wildfire season, each fire prevented is one that local responders don’t have to put out, underscoring the importance of each individual’s responsibility to work and recreate safely outdoors. The award to the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recognizes its efforts in communicating just that.
The communications team is led by Strategic Communications Chief Alison Vetter and is supported by Autonomous Systems and Communications Specialist Clint Fleckenstein.
According to information from the Forest Service, the team’s creative products are visually appealing, engaging and effective. The “Learn Before You Burn” tagline urges North Dakotans to visit the interactive N.D. Fire Declarations and Burn Restrictions map to learn their local restrictions, fire danger and red flag warnings before burning or recreating outdoors. Vetter and Fleckenstein consistently take initiative to address fire prevention issues proactively and go above and beyond to become the best possible storytellers of wildfire prevention messaging.
Alison Vetter
Their statewide efforts identify unique and effective avenues to communicate these important public safety topics, addressing top human-caused fire causes like open burning and equipment use through reels, interviews, Gas Station TV, visits with local students, and GoodHealthTV kiosks found in local health units, schools and other public buildings.
During the historic October 2024 wildfires, NDDES mobilized the Joint Information Center, responding to the elevated need for education, prevention and response to determine messaging needs in real time. This included topics like publicizing daily fire danger, sharing resources for affected landowners, advocating for defensible space and safety tips, and messaging ways to minimize fire risk when harvesting, hunting, or enjoying the outdoors. Alison and her team worked over the winter of 2024-2025 to identify prevention efforts and causes, and crafted effective communications strategies to reduce wildfire occurrence, which proved necessary into an active spring 2025 fire season as well. After the devastation of the October 2024 wildfires, they created a documentary to highlight the value and appreciation for those who responded to the call and showcase the unique way North Dakota communities show up for one another in crisis.
The 2026 Smokey Bear Awards will be presented at the National Association of State Foresters’ annual meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, in September.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags at half-staff Thursday in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, May 14, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of national Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The governor’s directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, who also proclaimed May 10-16 as national Police Week.
Armstrong will join North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Supreme Court Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers in delivering remarks during a North Dakota Peace Officers Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. North Dakota’s 69 fallen peace officers will be remembered and honored during the service, and the Capitol windows will be lit to display a “Thin Blue Line” as a mark of respect for all law enforcement officers, past and present.
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Todd Cresap, who has served as a North Dakota district judge since 2009, announced he will retire in July.
Cresap wrote a letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, he would retire effective July 17.
In the letter, Cresap said he had ‘mixed emotions’ over the decision, calling it an ‘honor’ to serve, but said it was time for someone ‘with a new perspective’ to serve.
A Valley City native, Cresap studied at Minot State University and the University of North Dakota.
Then-Gov. John Hoeven appointed Cresap to fill a judgeship in the Northwest Judicial District in 2009 that was created by the legislature. He served in that district until 2014, when it was split into Northwest and North Central.
Voters elected Cresap to the bench in 2012, 2016, and 2022. He served as a lawyer in private practice before his appointment as judge.
Armstrong can appoint a replacement to fill Cresap’s remaining term from a nominating committee’s list, ask the committee for new candidates, or call a special election.
The North Central District covers Ward, Mountrail, and Burke Counties.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
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