SNAP Health Rules (Sept. 1): North Dakota is tightening what shoppers can buy with EBT, banning items like candy/chocolate bars, sweetened drinks (with added sugar or artificial sweeteners), and certain high-caffeine energy drinks—aimed at reducing disease risk. State Health Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, as he succeeds interim commissioner Pat Traynor. Children’s Care Coordination: The North Dakota Children’s Cabinet released its annual report on improving services and coordination for children and families, now administered through the Governor’s Office. Maternity Care Access Check: A fact brief says maternity care deserts are widespread, with North Dakota previously reported as having very high county-level gaps in birthing services. Mental Health Spending Trend: Medicaid psychotherapy spending has more than doubled from 2018 to 2024, with overall spending up 156% nationally. Local Public Health: Minot is shifting mosquito control toward surveillance and fogging to address West Nile virus risk. Economic Assistance Staffing: Mandatory overtime for North Dakota economic assistance eligibility workers has ended after backlog work, with overtime totaling about 13,000 hours statewide.