Connect with us

North Dakota

North Dakota State to join Mountain West in 2026 for football: Sources

Published

on

North Dakota State to join Mountain West in 2026 for football: Sources


North Dakota State will join the Mountain West Conference and move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision for the 2026 football season, sources briefed on the decision confirmed to The Athletic.

NDSU has been a powerhouse in the Football Championship Subdivision, winning 10 national championships since 2011, including the 2024 title. ESPN first reported the deal had been finalized.

As part of the move up, NDSU is expected to pay over $10 million to join the Mountain West, in addition to a $5 million NCAA fee to move from FCS to FBS, which will now grow to 137 members. The Bison are currently in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, with most other sports competing in the Summit League.

NDSU has long considered moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, especially as longtime FCS rivals like Appalachian State, James Madison and Sam Houston transitioned to FBS over the years. However, NDSU’s location had always made the move a more difficult fit for FBS conferences. That changed with the Mountain West’s upcoming realignment.

Advertisement

The Mountain West is set to split this summer, with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State moving to the rebuilt Pac-12. In response, the MW is adding UTEP as a full member and Northern Illinois as a football-only member, along with non-football members in Grand Canyon and UC Davis. The Mountain West and Pac-12 remain involved in a legal dispute over $150 million in exit and poaching fees owed to the MW.

The league’s remaining members include Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming. The addition of NDSU will give the Mountain West 10 football members.

NDSU football is 9-5 against FBS opponents since moving up to FCS in 2004, including wins against Iowa, Iowa State and Minnesota twice. In 2016, the Bison received enough votes in the AP Top 25 to finish two spots out of the top 25, the highest an FCS program ever sat in the poll, which typically only features FBS teams.

The Bison had an FCS-record 39-game winning streak from 2017 to spring 2021, breaking their previous 33-game record from 2012 to ’14. Thirteen Bison players have been selected in the NFL Draft since 2014.

Coached by Tim Polasek for the past two seasons, the Bison won the 2024 FCS championship and started the 2025 season 12-0, before an upset loss to Illinois State in the playoffs.

Advertisement

Leaving FCS will leave behind local rivalries with schools like South Dakota State and North Dakota, likely along with the ability to claim national championships. But NDSU has considered the move in part because some fans are bored with so many FCS blowout wins and seek a deeper challenge. They saw recent FCS member James Madison reach the College Football Playoff this year. The Group of 6 conferences are guaranteed at least one spot in the College Football Playoff for the next six years.

NDSU hasn’t competed in an FBS conference before, but recent history suggests that NDSU is likely to compete for the league title, similar to how App State and JMU did in the Sun Belt after moving up.

The Bison will be ineligible for a bowl game for the next two seasons, per NCAA transition rules unless there aren’t enough bowl-eligible teams to fill the available slots. The Mountain West may choose not to make NDSU eligible for the conference championship game. JMU won the Sun Belt East Division in 2022 but did not play in the league title game or a bowl.

The Mountain West completed its new TV deal on Tuesday, which spans from fall 2026 to summer 2032 with Fox Sports, CBS Sports and The CW.



Source link

Advertisement

North Dakota

Windy conditions fuel shop fire in rural Mapleton

Published

on

Windy conditions fuel shop fire in rural Mapleton


MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.

Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.

Windy conditions fuel shop fire in rural Mapleton(Casselton Fire Department)

Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.

Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.

Advertisement

Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.



Source link

Continue Reading

North Dakota

Finley, North Dakota without water after watermain leak.

Published

on

Finley, North Dakota without water after watermain leak.


A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.

FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.

Advertisement

The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.



Source link

Continue Reading

North Dakota

Richard D. Langowski Obituary April 16, 2026 – Tollefson Funeral Home

Published

on

Richard D. Langowski Obituary April 16, 2026 – Tollefson Funeral Home


Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.

Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.

Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.

His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”

Advertisement

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.

Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.

Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.

Advertisement

or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our

.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending