AGP Executive Report

Suicide Prevention in Focus: Heroes Compass is expanding its “Walk for the 22” statewide on Sept. 22, with Fargo’s 2.2-mile route starting at 9:22 a.m. to raise awareness after 22 veterans die by suicide each day in the U.S. Workplace Safety: A person died after a work-related medical incident at the North Dakota Soybean Processors facility west of Casselton, prompting an investigation by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Kratom Policy Push: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is calling for a special-session ban on kratom “in all its forms,” citing overdose deaths and arguing the product is too unregulated to wait. Pain Care Access: Sanford Bemidji added Layne Miller, APRN, CNP, to its physical medicine and interventional pain management team, offering minimally invasive options and coordinated long-term pain plans. Mental Health Resources: FirstLink says more North Dakotans are reaching out to the 988 crisis line. Hospital Quality Snapshot: A new national patient-experience ranking based on CMS HCAHPS places Wisconsin highest and Florida lowest, underscoring the ongoing push for better patient experiences.

Kratom Crackdown in Bismarck: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is pushing a ban on kratom “in all its forms,” citing overdose deaths and lack of regulation, as lawmakers weigh bills that would restrict synthetic products and tighten rules around natural kratom. Workplace Safety Tragedy: A person died after a work-related medical incident at the North Dakota Soybean Processors facility west of Casselton, with authorities notifying family. Public Health Gap in Food Safety: Federal regulators can request a recall in a multi-state alfalfa sprout outbreak, but the seed supplier hasn’t responded, leaving shoppers with few clear ways to identify affected sprouts. Mental Health Access: FirstLink says more North Dakotans are reaching out to the 988 crisis line, signaling growing demand for support. Care Workforce & Training: Grand Forks honored CNA and medical-terminology teacher Katie Hatt Rokke as North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year, highlighting career pathways into healthcare. Rural Health Infrastructure: Oweesta closed its first NMTC deal with $16M for a Spirit Lake health clinic, aiming to expand local care capacity. Insurance Industry Watch: Arkansas regulators approved an affiliation between Arkansas Blue Cross and Cambia Health Solutions, a reminder that insurer ownership shifts can ripple across regional hospital contracting.

Suicide Prevention: FirstLink reports more North Dakotans are reaching out to 988, with over 12,000 calls, texts and chats handled so far this year—up from about 10,000 in all of 2025—and most contacts are answered in-state. Pain Care Access: Sanford Bemidji added Layne Miller, APRN, CNP, to its physical medicine and interventional pain management team, offering minimally invasive options and coordinated long-term pain plans for issues like chronic back pain, sciatica, arthritis and migraines. Kratom Regulation: North Dakota lawmakers passed House Bill 1628 to ban chemically manipulated synthetic kratom derivatives (including 7-OH) while preserving regulated adult access to natural kratom leaf products; the American Kratom Association says Gov. Armstrong will sign it. Public Health & Safety: North Dakota officials urged residents to report dead bats for rabies testing as rabid bats were found in Bismarck, with health precautions recommended. Workforce & Care Training: Grand Forks’ Katie Hatt Rokke, a nurse and CTE teacher, was named North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year for her CNA and medical terminology instruction. Food Access: North Dakota HHS postponed SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver changes to Nov. 1.

Pain Care Access: Sanford Bemidji added Layne Miller, APRN, CNP, to its physical medicine and interventional pain management team, focusing on chronic back/neck pain, sciatica, arthritis, headaches, and postsurgical pain. Mental Health Support: FirstLink reports more North Dakotans are reaching out to 988; contacts are up to 12,000+ calls, texts, and chats so far in 2026, with most answered in-state and fewer than 1% involving law enforcement. Public Health & Safety: North Dakota officials are urging precautions as rabies cases rise, including reports of rabid bats in Bismarck. Workplace Health Risk: An employee died after a work-related medical incident at the North Dakota Soybean Processors facility in Casselton. Substance Policy: North Dakota lawmakers passed House Bill 1628 to ban chemically manipulated synthetic kratom derivatives (including 7-OH) while preserving regulated adult access to natural kratom leaf products. Community Health Education: Grand Forks CTE teacher Katie Hatt Rokke was named North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year for her nursing assistant and medical terminology instruction.

Suicide Prevention: FirstLink reports more North Dakotans are reaching out to 988, with 12,000+ calls, texts and chats so far this year versus about 10,000 in all of 2025, and officials say most contacts are answered in-state and law enforcement is involved in fewer than 1% of interactions. Workplace Health & Safety: A North Dakota Soybean Processors employee died after a work-related medical incident at the Casselton-area facility; the sheriff’s office and ambulance responded and life-saving efforts failed. Public Health & Substance Policy: The North Dakota Legislature passed House Bill 1628, banning chemically manipulated synthetic kratom derivatives (including 7-OH) while preserving regulated adult access to natural kratom leaf; the governor is set to sign. Health Care Workforce & Training: Grand Forks CTE instructor Katie Hatt Rokke was named North Dakota CTE Teacher of the Year for her certified nursing assistant and medical terminology classes. Health Data Security: Thomson Reuters disclosed a cybersecurity incident that may have exposed court records in North Dakota and other jurisdictions, including sensitive personal and medical information.

Kratom Regulation: Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed HB 1628, banning chemically manipulated synthetic kratom derivatives and restricting natural kratom sales to adults 21+ with new labeling and licensing rules. Suicide Prevention Access: FirstLink reports more North Dakotans are using 988 for crisis and emotional support, with 12,000+ calls, texts and chats so far in 2026 and most answered in-state. Workplace Health Tragedy: A North Dakota Soybean Processors employee died after a work-related medical incident at the Casselton-area facility; officials say life-saving efforts failed. Mental Health & Community Support: A Range Walk to End Alzheimer’s is planned for Sept. 19 in Chisholm, with registration at 9 a.m. and a goal of $82,000. Public Health Safety: North Dakota’s rabies situation is escalating as bat season peaks, with health officials urging the public to report dead bats for testing. Healthcare System Watch: A national report warns GOP health care cuts are driving closures and service reductions, with rural patients facing longer travel for care. Local Care & Nutrition: Jamestown’s James River Senior Center outlines weekly meal sites, reservation steps, and transportation options for older adults. Data Privacy Risk: A Thomson Reuters breach reportedly exposed sensitive court records across multiple jurisdictions, including North Dakota, with potential exposure of personal and health insurance information. Health Workforce/Access: Gov., Lt. Gov. and First Lady participated in a mental health workshop, highlighting ongoing state focus on behavioral health support.

Suicide Prevention: North Dakota’s FirstLink says calls, texts and chats to 988 are up this year, with more than 12,000 contacts so far and over 90% answered in-state—988 can also help with emotional distress, substance concerns, and worries about a loved one. Public Health & Safety: Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed HB 1628, banning synthetic kratom and restricting natural kratom sales to age 21+ with labeling, testing for key compounds, and limits on candy-like packaging; kratom stays prohibited until administrative rules are in place. Food Safety: ND health officials are investigating reported food poisoning cases tied to UND’s Wilkerson Dining Facility (Aug. 22–24). Community Health Access: Oweesta closed its first New Markets Tax Credit deal, backing a $73.4M Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Health Clinic expected to expand primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and dialysis services. Workplace Incident: A Soybean Processors employee died after a work-related medical incident at the Casselton facility; responders arrived around 11:45 a.m. Animal Health Alert: Rabies testing shows a rise in infected bats, with health officials urging people to report dead bats and seek care after bites or even possible exposures. Research Funding: HHS awarded $408,184 to the University of North Dakota to support biomedical research and training.

Workplace & community culture: Prairie Business highlighted the 2026 “50 Best Places to Work” across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, noting nearly 1,400 nominations and strong emphasis on employee well-being and work-life balance. Cancer care innovation: Sanford Health in Fargo described a patient’s recovery after a robotic Whipple surgery, with surgeons saying robotic approaches can help patients get back to baseline faster. Public health & safety: North Dakota officials warned about burn bans and campfire restrictions for Labor Day weekend, urging campers to check local rules and keep fire contained. Legislative health policy: Two kratom bills advanced in the North Dakota Legislature—one would regulate pure-leaf kratom for adults 21+ and the other would permanently ban kratom—setting up a potentially messy special session showdown. Healthcare access expansion: Fargo VA plans a larger Bismarck clinic that will replace the Gateway Mall site and expand services including imaging, ultrasound, audiology, physical therapy and mental health. Road safety: State Patrol reported injury crashes in West Fargo, including a motorcycle-SUV collision where the rider faces multiple charges. Data privacy risk: North Dakota lawmakers rejected a bill that would have restricted nondisclosure agreements tied to data centers, while a separate vendor breach involving court systems raised broader concerns about sensitive personal data.

Kratom Crackdown: North Dakota lawmakers advanced two competing kratom bills—one to tightly regulate pure-leaf kratom for adults 21+ (House passed), and another to permanently ban natural and synthetic kratom (Senate passed)—setting up a potentially messy special session showdown. Food Safety Watch: The North Dakota HHS is investigating possible food poisoning linked to UND’s Wilkerson Dining Facility after reports of illness tied to Aug. 22–24, with recent inspection violations involving food temperatures. Cybersecurity & Health Data Risk: Thomson Reuters’ C-Track court system breach exposed sensitive personal and medical information tied to courts including North Dakota’s Supreme Court, with monitoring offered to affected people. Public Health Data: CDC launched a single public overdose dashboard that merges fatal and nonfatal tracking, alongside updated provisional overdose death estimates showing a 12% drop in the latest period. Veterans Care Expansion: Fargo VA plans a larger Bismarck clinic, adding services like imaging, ultrasound, audiology, physical therapy, and expanded mental health, with construction targeting mid-2027. Suicide Prevention: A Century High School teacher in North Dakota ran 186.2 miles over three days to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention.

Kratom crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong kicked off North Dakota’s special session urging lawmakers to ban kratom “in all its forms,” after a temporary Aug. 5 emergency order and DEA moves to classify certain synthetic kratom products as Schedule I. Bills now aim to permanently restrict both synthetic and, via amendments, natural kratom—framing it as a public health and public safety issue tied to overdoses. SNAP access update: North Dakota HHS postponed SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver changes, keeping currently eligible EBT purchases in place until Nov. 1, giving retailers and households time to adjust. Public health alerts: NDHHS reported two rabid bats in Bismarck after dog contact, urging residents to avoid bats, report unusual daytime activity, and follow safe handling and pet vaccination guidance. Food safety probe: UND dining center reports are under investigation for possible food poisoning after HHS and Grand Forks Public Health began outreach to students who ate at Wilkerson Dining Center Aug. 22–24. Cybersecurity and privacy: A Thomson Reuters C-Track breach exposed sensitive court-related personal data across multiple jurisdictions, including North Dakota, with credit monitoring offered to affected individuals. Care expansion: Fargo VA is building a larger Bismarck clinic (Uptown Lane) to expand imaging, ultrasound, audiology, physical therapy, and mental health services, with completion targeted for July 2027. Local health funding pressure: Grand Forks County is projecting a 2027 budget shortfall that could force cuts or service delays, with public health among the areas at risk.

Public Health Alert: North Dakota health officials say two bats tested positive for rabies in Bismarck after dogs had contact with them; no human exposures have been reported, but residents are urged to avoid bat contact, watch for unusual daytime behavior, and report dead bats for testing. Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong and lawmakers kicked off a special session focused on kratom; Armstrong is calling for a total ban “in all its forms,” and bills advancing would prohibit synthetic kratom and expand restrictions on natural kratom and derivatives. Healthcare Access: The Fargo VA Health Care System is building a larger clinic in north Bismarck, about three times the current size, adding imaging, ultrasound, audiology, physical therapy, and expanded mental health services, with completion targeted for July 2027. Food Safety Investigation: NDHHS, UND, and Grand Forks Public Health are investigating possible food poisoning cases tied to UND’s Wilkerson Dining Center (Aug. 22–24). Road Safety: A fiery south Fargo crash has claimed a second life, and separate reports include a serious motorcycle rear-end crash and other injury crashes across the region. Emergency Preparedness: NDHHS says it was recognized by a federal partner, ASPR, for strengthening medical readiness through the state’s medical cache system.

Kratom Crackdown in the Spotlight: North Dakota lawmakers head into a special session to address kratom, with public testimony pushing for stronger limits as parents and clinicians describe addiction and dependence concerns; Grand Forks Democrats say the state waited too long, while local leaders in Minnesota are also weighing how to respond. Federal Public Health Funding: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $667,064 to North Dakota for public health initiatives and rural health support, including prevention and outbreak control through the state health department and rural health programming via UND. SNAP “Junk Food” Rules in Flux: Court rulings have paused or delayed SNAP restrictions in some states, while South Dakota moves forward with a federal waiver to bar soda-like drinks—an approach that could shift costs to the state if approved. Rural Maternal Care Pressure: A new KFF analysis warns that rural hospital obstetrics closures can force Medicaid patients to drive much farther for inpatient maternity care, with policy changes potentially accelerating the trend. Home-Care Workforce Strain: A report highlights how families managing complex pediatric medical needs struggle to find reliable home aides, underscoring a growing care gap.

Federal Public Health Funding: HHS awarded North Dakota $667,064 for public health initiatives, including $423,654 to the ND Department of Health and Human Services for prevention and outbreak control and $243,410 to UND for rural health support. Kratom Crackdown Debate: Grand Forks Democrats and Minnesota county leaders are pushing for clearer kratom rules as North Dakota prepares a special session to regulate the substance after Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s emergency action; lawmakers are weighing bans on synthetic kratom versus tighter controls on natural products. Social Media Safety Settlement: Attorneys general announced a landmark $17.1B Meta settlement aimed at reducing youth harm on Instagram and Facebook, with new safety features required. Rural Maternal Care Pressure: A KFF analysis warns rural hospital obstetrics closures can mean much longer drives for Medicaid patients, with closures outpacing new openings. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA expanded a sprouts recall tied to E. coli and Salmonella, adding another implicated sprout mix due to possible cross-contamination. Injury & Safety Reminder: Police reported two children with serious injuries after an e-bike crash with a pickup in Watford City, prompting renewed safety reminders for riders.

Kratom Policy Push: Grand Forks legislators head into a Sept. 2 special session weighing how to regulate kratom and reduce access for adolescents, after Gov. Kelly Armstrong ordered a 30-day pause. SNAP “Junk Food” Bans: North Dakota’s planned SNAP restrictions on candy/soda and similar items are delayed after a federal court ruling; USDA is reviewing and states must wait for a new timeline. Rural Maternal Care Pressure: A KFF analysis warns rural hospital obstetrics closures could mean much longer drives for Medicaid patients, with reimbursement and staffing challenges cited as key drivers. Suicide Prevention Focus: North Dakota marks Suicide Prevention Month with a push for connection and support; the 988 lifeline saw a 46% jump in contacts in the first half of 2026. Food Safety Recall: FDA updates expand an E. coli/Salmonella sprout recall, adding a radish sprout mix due to possible cross-contamination. Local Health Workforce: A Minot clinic named Dr. Amanda Doll as its new director of veterinary medicine, highlighting ongoing rural care needs. Legislative Process Debate: A Fargo senator argues North Dakota should move to annual legislative sessions, pointing to special sessions that drift beyond their original health-related topics. Open Records Ruling: The ND attorney general issued a summary opinion saying DHHS did not violate open records law because it had no responsive child support records.

Injury & Safety: Watford City police report two kids were seriously hurt in a crash between an e-bike and a pickup near White Buffalo RV Park; alcohol doesn’t appear to be a factor, and investigators are still looking for the cause. Public Health & Food Access: North Dakota’s planned SNAP “junk food” restrictions are delayed after a federal court ruling; USDA told states to postpone changes, pushing North Dakota’s Healthy Choice Waiver start to Nov. 1. Mental Health Support: North Dakota HHS is urging connection and help during Suicide Prevention Month, pointing to a 46% jump in 988 contacts in the first half of 2026. Addiction Policy: District attorneys in Pennsylvania are pushing for an emergency ban on kratom products, citing youth access to 7-OH and related derivatives; North Dakota already classifies kratom as Schedule I. Air Quality & Health Costs: Republican AGs, including Kentucky’s Russell Coleman, ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision upholding tighter soot pollution limits tied to health impacts. Rural Health & Community Care: Farm Rescue is asking for referrals for farm families facing illness, injury, or disasters during harvest, offering free harvest assistance across North Dakota. Food Safety Recall: FDA expanded a sprouts recall after salmonella and E. coli concerns; illnesses have been reported in North Dakota. Health Governance: A North Dakota AG summary opinion says DHHS did not violate open records law because it had no responsive child support records. Local Health Workforce: North Dakota’s 988 crisis line update and broader support push highlight ongoing demand for mental health and substance-use crisis help.

Rural Addiction Care: North Dakota tribal leaders and local recovery advocates joined a White House forum focused on treating addiction as a chronic, treatable disease and expanding access to recovery supports. Medicaid Spending Watch: New federal Medicaid billing data show rising local costs across North Dakota, including Wahpeton surgery claims up 27.7% (2024), West Fargo “Temporary Codes” up 33.1%, Cavalier dental services up 5.3%, and Dickinson radiology procedures up 153.9%. Drug Policy: North Dakota’s kratom ban is under renewed scrutiny as leaders point to deaths tied to kratom use, while critics argue the logic should also address flavored nicotine products and youth targeting. Public Health Oversight: A KFF Health News report says a $50B rural health transformation program needs more transparency so communities can spot fraud risks and track which projects are working. Care Access at Home: One North Dakota family described the heavy burden of Medicaid-funded home care for a child with complex needs, including the difficulty of finding reliable, trained caregivers. Safety Incident: The North Dakota Highway Patrol identified a woman who died after a fiery Fargo crash; the driver was hospitalized with serious injuries.