West Nile in North Dakota: North Dakota reported its first human West Nile virus case of the season, with a Cass County resident hospitalized and officials noting positive mosquitoes in multiple counties as ground spraying begins. State Health Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services effective Aug. 29, replacing interim commissioner Pat Traynor. Behavioral Health Funding: NDHHS received a $6 million federal SAMHSA grant to expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth, and families in north central and southeastern North Dakota. Rural Care Coordination Grants: HHS opened about $1 million in federal funding for a Year 1 planning grant to improve care coordination and referrals for rural residents through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Medicaid Billing Spike: Bismarck Medicaid spending on enteral and parenteral therapy jumped 622.9% in 2024, according to federal provider spending data. SNAP Changes: North Dakota expects thousands to lose SNAP benefits under new federal eligibility rules tied to work requirements, with enrollment projected to drop about 10%. Kratom Policy Push: Armstrong said a special session should focus on kratom regulation, including concerns about youth access and synthetic products. Public Health Alert: A drug-resistant fungus, Candida auris, has been detected in North Dakota as part of a broader nationwide spread affecting dozens of states. Community & Aging: Sanford Health and partners hosted the North Dakota Senior Games in Fargo to help adults 50+ stay active through sports like swimming, pickleball, golf, and track. Healthcare System Risk: Two North Dakota families filed a lawsuit alleging newborns were switched at a Grafton hospital in 1988, discovered decades later through DNA testing.