On the final day of the North Dakota state track and field meet at the MDU Resources Community Bowl in Bismarck, we had new team champions for both boys and girls, and in both classes. On the field, Grand Forks Central’s Ethan Smith swept all three throwing events, an accomplishment that hasn’t been done in over a century. Watch the full recap below.

STATE TRACK AND FIELD RECAP – 0:00-2:10

After the weather pushed the EDC softball and baseball tournaments on its heels, eight teams are set to appear at the state tournaments next weekend. Horace baseball wins its first ever state qualifier game against Devils Lake to make the program’s first appearance at teh state tournament. Fargo North softball wins the EDC for the first time since 2019, and Shanley baseball stays undefeated in the conference. The Deacons will be the number one seed at the state tournament in Dickinson. Watch the full highlights below.

EDC Baseball State Qualifier: Horace 10, Devils Lake 6 – 2:11-2:38

EDC Baseball State Qualifier: Sheyenne 2, Davies 9 – 2:39-3:12

EDC Baseball Semifinal Scores: Horace 2, North 7 – Sheyenne 0, Shanley 4 – 3:13-3:22

EDC Softball Championship: North 4, West Fargo 3 – 3:23-4:00

EDC Softball State Qualifier Scores: Valley City 2, Red River 12 – Davies 1, Sheyenne 2 – 4:01-4:07

North Dakota

Nathonia Young, formerly known as Nathonia Ruud, and Kasey Young, Grand Forks, Chapter 7

Leon Adam Simon, doing business as HP Coatings & Fabrications, 1601 1/2 S. 12th St., Chapter 13

Roberta Ann Hoff, also known as Bobbie Hoff, Bismarck, Chapter 7

Chad D. Hove, Jamestown, Chapter 11

Precisionomics, Jamestown, Chapter 11

Minnesota

Bankruptcy filings from the following counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Traverse, Wadena and Wilkin.

Jason Conrad Jern, Alexandria, Chapter 13

Larry G. Heitkamp, doing business as Yellow Rose Transportation, Sebeka, Chapter 13

Jessica R. Mancilla, formerly konwn as Jessica R. Sibert, Moorhead, Chapter 7

Tara Rae Starry, New York Mills, Chapter 7

Chapter 7 is a petition to liquidate assets and discharge debts.

Chapter 11 is a petition for protection from creditors and to reorganize.

Chapter 12 is a petition for family farmers to reorganize.

Chapter 13 is a petition for wage earners to readjust debts.

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.

There are several Republican primary races where the battles are between normal traditional conservative Republicans and extremists. The most high-profile race is in District 8 in Bismarck. Traditional Republicans Mike Berg and Ken Rensch are taking on extremist Reps. Brandon “George Santos” Prichard and SueAnn Olson.

With his constant blasts of the LGBTQ community and non-Christians, Prichard is a hate-monger and book-banning supporter. Prichard also has fibbed about attending the University of Minnesota Law School. Bismarck and the state of North Dakota would be much better off if Berg and Rensch are nominated.

Twelve-year incumbent Kirsten Baesler is the clear choice to be re-elected as superintendent of public instruction. Baesler has done an excellent job under difficult circumstances. Baesler also has strong public school experience as a former assistant principal in Bismarck and president of the Mandan School Board.

Candidate Jim Bartlett was executive director of the North Dakota Homeschool Association. Nothing wrong with that,

but homeschooling advocates should not be in charge of our public schools

. Also, it’s alarming to see Bartlett’s push to bring more Christianity into the public schools. That would be unconstitutional. Bartlett’s agenda would be a better fit for the state’s private religious schools.

Candidate Darko Draganic has potential, while candidate Jason Heitkamp is not qualified.

The only legitimate Democratic Party candidate for Congress is Trygve Hammer. He has a passion for improving people’s lives and an impressive military record.

With one exception (Kristin Nelson), the endorsements for the Fargo School Board by the Fargo Education Association are preposterous. The other three FEA-endorsed candidates don’t belong on the board.

Allie Ollenburger (who led the botched recall effort in 2021)

and Paul Mohror are chaos candidates.

Likely influenced by contentious contract talks, the FEA seems to be primarily motivated by animosity toward the current board and the school district administration. The FEA’s selections are certainly not in the best interests of the school district or the citizens of Fargo. Fortunately, there are five strong candidates running for four open positions on the board. They are Nelson, Seth Holden, John Campbell, Ryan Dodd and Nikkie Gullickson.

Citizens of West Fargo would be well-served by electing Amy Zundel, who just won a YWCA Woman of the Year award, to the city commission. I don’t know if Zundel is a Republican or Democrat, and I don’t care. What I do know is Zundel is smart, determined and friendly.

It’s because of Zundel’s hard work and research that North Dakota’s weak child abuse laws were toughened. As a private citizen, Zundel put in countless hours to protect the state’s children. With that kind of tenacity, she would be a perfect fit for the West Fargo City Commission.

InForum columnist Jim Shaw is a former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV news director.