AGP Executive Report

Mobile Imaging Access: Bison Imaging is launching mobile X-ray services across the Fargo area, aiming to reduce trips for patients in skilled nursing, assisted living, rehab and clinics by sending images to radiologists for interpretation. Hospice Milestone: HIA Heather’s House in Fargo marked its one-year anniversary, nearing 400 patients, with many stabilizing and returning home after short stays. Kratom Crackdown: North Dakota lawmakers are preparing for a second special session this year focused on restricting kratom and synthetic products tied to overdoses and deaths, with public testimony starting Tuesday and Gov. Kelly Armstrong set to speak Sept. 2. Rural Maternal Care Pressure: A new KFF analysis warns that more rural hospital obstetrics closures could mean long drives for Medicaid patients seeking inpatient maternity care. Public Health & Safety: North Dakota also reported a phishing attack targeting health data for developmental disability clients, and officials confirmed emerald ash borer detection in Bismarck, triggering quarantine steps. Care Leadership: Altru named Nicole Samson, MD, as Medical Director of Altru Devils Lake, expanding leadership for family medicine with obstetric services.

Rural Health Tech: McKenzie Health in Watford City is leasing a Mako surgery robot to expand access to more precise orthopedic care, including total knee replacements, with follow-up support through outreach clinics. Mental Health Access: North Dakota students can now instant-message 988 from school devices, making it easier to reach FirstLink’s crisis support as the school year starts. Substance Use Warning: A Bismarck mother is urging parents to watch for fentanyl exposure after her son tested positive following synthetic THC use, highlighting risks tied to vaping and “synthetic THC.” Child Care Funding: North Dakota’s Working Parent Child Care Relief program is ending as 2023-25 funding runs out, pushing families toward the state Child Care Assistance Program. SNAP Food Rules Delayed: North Dakota’s planned ban on buying candy, soda and sweetened drinks with SNAP has been postponed to Nov. 1 after a federal court challenge to similar restrictions. Big Tech Youth Safety: North Dakota is among states tied to the multistate Meta settlement requiring new protections for teens on Instagram and Facebook, including daily limits and nighttime blocks. Local Care Recognition: CHI St. Alexius Health Williston named Trish Arnold a DAISY Award recipient for ongoing support for staff and patients.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: A sweeping $17.1B multistate deal with Meta will force new protections for kids on Instagram and Facebook, including daily limits and “Productive Pauses,” plus nighttime access blocks—North Dakota is among the states in the broader action. SNAP Health Rules Delayed: North Dakota’s planned ban on buying soda, candy and other sugary items with SNAP benefits has been pushed back to Nov. 1 after a federal court challenge in other states and a request for more public input. Rural Care Tech Upgrade: McKenzie Health in Watford City is adding a Mako surgery robot to support more precise orthopedic joint replacements and improve access to follow-up care through outreach clinics. Fentanyl Warning for Parents: A Bismarck-area mother is urging families to watch for fentanyl exposure risks tied to vapes and synthetic THC, as students head back to school. Child Care Relief Ending: North Dakota’s Working Parent Child Care Relief program is set to expire next month, with families directed to the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. Local Health Leadership: UND Student Senate approved University Senate reps and discussed Wellness Center needs, while JRMC in Jamestown added an athletic trainer to expand injury prevention and rehab for student-athletes.

Cybersecurity & Patient Privacy: North Dakota HHS says a late-July phishing attack led to protected health information being accessed, impacting about 1,700 people, mostly in the Bismarck region. Child Health & Online Safety: A sweeping multistate settlement requires Meta to add child-safety protections on Instagram and Facebook, including daily screen limits and nighttime blocks, with North Dakota’s neighbors receiving major payouts. Nutrition Policy: North Dakota SNAP changes that would have restricted sugary drinks, energy drinks and candy purchases were postponed to seek public input before Sept. 1. Rural Health Oversight: A $50B rural healthcare transformation program is facing calls for more transparency so communities can track spending and outcomes. Public Health & Food Safety: Health officials continue to track multi-state outbreaks tied to recalled sprouts, including E. coli and salmonella concerns. Local Health System Updates: Altru Health System is discontinuing home health services, a move that could affect access for patients needing at-home care.

Big Tech & Youth Safety: Meta agreed to pay about $17.1B in a multistate settlement over claims its Facebook and Instagram were built to be addictive and harmful to teens, with sweeping child-safety changes like nighttime access blocks and daily time limits; the deal is subject to court approval and is framed by attorneys general as a major shift for online child protection. North Dakota SNAP: North Dakota’s Health and Human Services postponed planned Sept. 1 SNAP changes that would have restricted purchases of sugary drinks, energy drinks and candy, saying it wants public input first. Cybersecurity & Health Data: North Dakota HHS reported a late-July phishing incident that led to protected health information being accessed; officials say about 1,700 people were impacted, mostly in the Bismarck region. Public Health & Parenting: A North Dakota mother was charged after allegedly failing to seek medical care for a daughter who died of bacterial meningitis. Food Safety: Alfalfa sprouts tied to a multi-state E. coli and Salmonella outbreak have triggered recalls and illness reports across multiple states. Rural Health & Livestock Water: NDSU Extension warned ranchers about poisoning risks when hauling water from tanks previously used for fertilizer or pesticides, especially amid drought-driven water issues.

SNAP Healthy Choice Update: North Dakota HHS says SNAP EBT-eligible items will change starting Sept. 1, aiming to steer families toward healthier options. Heart Care Recognition: A dozen northeastern North Dakota hospitals earned American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines” quality awards for heart disease and stroke care. Addiction & Kratom Warning: An addiction medicine specialist urged lawmakers to ban kratom, saying it has no medical benefits and can raise overdose risk. Public Health & Safety: Minot police say a couple allegedly kept an infant’s remains in a concrete-filled tote in a closet, leading to felony charges. Emergency Department Delays: New CMS data finds average U.S. ER wait times around 2.5 hours, with North Dakota near that mark. Immigration Legal Win: UND’s Immigration Law Clinic won a federal lawsuit to help secure a bond hearing for a detained client. Workplace Health Benefits: Teamsters Local 120 members at Cass-Clay Creamery in Fargo ratified a contract with higher pay, improved health care, and a pension. Food Safety Alert: Alfalfa sprouts tied to multi-state E. coli and salmonella illness reports continue to drive recalls and warnings.

SNAP Healthy Choice Update: North Dakota HHS says SNAP EBT-eligible items will change starting Sept. 1, with flow charts for shoppers and retailer point-of-sale updates aimed at nudging healthier purchases. PHI Phishing Fallout: The state is warning that a July phishing attack may have exposed personal and medical information for people receiving developmental disability services, and it’s mailing notices while urging fraud watch. Childcare Subsidy Ending: A federal childcare cost program for eligible North Dakota families is set to stop after the week, leaving parents to cover costs as funding runs out. ED Wait Times: New CMS data shows U.S. emergency departments average about 2.27% of patients leaving before being seen, with North Dakota listed around 115 minutes for median wait time. Food Safety Alert: Alfalfa sprouts tied to a multi-state E. coli and salmonella outbreak have prompted recalls, with North Dakota among states reporting illnesses. Labor Contract: Teamsters Local 120 members at Cass-Clay Creamery in Fargo ratified a new contract with higher pay, improved health care, and pension benefits.

Cybersecurity & Privacy: North Dakota HHS says a phishing attack in July may have exposed protected health information for people receiving Developmental Disabilities services, including names, birth dates, medical and guardian details; affected accounts were secured and written notices are going out. Food Safety: A multistate alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to Everything Sprouts has sickened at least 55 people in 15 states, including North Dakota, with E. coli and salmonella reported; officials say the traceback is still being finalized, so consumers should check recall guidance. Public Health & Access: A federal childcare subsidy for working North Dakota families is set to expire next month, with parents facing higher out-of-pocket costs as employer-matching funding ends. Workforce & Training: NDSU is launching a $4 million AI supercomputer (“Bison”) and a nuclear engineering certificate program aimed at preparing students for growing demand in clean energy, defense, health care and national security. Injury Prevention: North Dakota is seeing ongoing risks from off-highway vehicles for young operators, with state trauma data showing pediatric injuries tied to ATVs and side-by-sides. Local Health Care: Sanford Health plans a clinic inside Fargo South High School, expanding access for students. Community Safety: Minot police say officers found suspected remains of an infant in a concrete-filled tote during a domestic violence investigation.

PHI Security Alert: North Dakota HHS says a phishing attack in July led to unauthorized access of email accounts for three Developmental Disabilities Division employees, potentially exposing protected health information; affected people are being notified and urged to watch for identity theft. Food Safety: A multistate outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people in 15 states, with North Dakota among those reporting cases; officials link illnesses to Everything Sprouts and are urging consumers to check and follow recall guidance. Local Care Access: Sanford plans a new primary health center inside Fargo South High School, with construction expected in spring 2027 and an opening targeted for 2028. Workforce & Family Support: North Dakota’s ND Working Parents Child Care Relief Program is set to end in September, ending subsidies that helped hundreds of families stay in or return to work. Public Health Systems: The VA deployed a federal EHR system to three Indiana hospitals, expanding access for more than 102,000 veterans and signaling further rollouts that include North Dakota in later phases. Injury & Safety: A DUI crash near Sheyenne left multiple passengers seriously hurt, including a man airlifted to Fargo. Community Health Event: Dickinson’s Women’s Expo returns Aug. 29 with health-focused speakers and free admission.

Food Safety Alert: Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts LLC, with 55 illnesses and 4 hospitalizations reported across 15 states—including North Dakota—and the FDA is urging people to not eat, sell, or serve affected Calco and Everything Sprouts-branded sprouts (plus related sprout mix cups) and to throw them out or return them. Public Health & Access: A North Dakota childcare subsidy pilot that helped working families with costs is set to end in September, leaving many families and providers facing waitlists and higher out-of-pocket expenses. State Policy Watch: Lawmakers are expected to hold a second special session in 2026, with costs estimated at more than $200,000, as they consider kratom regulations. Rural Health & Safety: NDSU Extension is promoting “Stop the Bleed” training for rural communities, emphasizing that fast bleeding control can be lifesaving when ambulance response times are long. Mental Health in Agriculture: NDSU Extension will host free QPR suicide prevention webinars focused on stressors in agriculture.

Food Safety Alert: Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts LLC, prompting a recall of specific Calco and Everything Sprouts-branded products and related sprout mix cups; Outbreak Impact in ND: As of Aug. 22, 55 people are sick in 15 states, including North Dakota, with four hospitalizations reported and no deaths; What to Do: FDA says consumers should not eat, sell, or serve the recalled sprouts, throw them out, and sanitize any surfaces or containers they may have touched; Rural Health & Safety: North Dakota’s Stop the Bleed program is training farmers with kits and tourniquets, aiming to reduce deaths from severe bleeding when ambulance response times can be long; Mental Health in Agriculture: NDSU Extension is offering free “Question. Persuade. Refer.” suicide prevention webinars for people in agriculture, emphasizing that help is available; Crash Updates: North Dakota Highway Patrol reports a fatal T-bone crash south of Fargo after a pursuit, and a separate fatal single-vehicle rollover near Alexander, underscoring ongoing injury risk on rural roads.

Food Safety Alert: Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts LLC, with 55 illnesses reported across 15 states and four hospitalizations (no deaths reported). North Dakota Impact: North Dakota is among the affected states, with two reported cases linked to recalled lots sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands (including certain Crunchy Protein and Zesty Garlic mix cups). What to Do Now: Consumers are urged not to eat the affected sprouts, to throw them away or return them to the store, and to sanitize any surfaces or containers the product may have touched. Rural Health & Preparedness: North Dakota’s “Stop the Bleed” program is training farmers and providing kits (gauze, gloves, and tourniquets) to help respond to severe bleeding when ambulance response times can be too slow in rural areas. Mental Health Access: NDSU Extension will host free suicide prevention webinars for people in agriculture using QPR training, with sessions planned for Sept. 1 and Oct. 6. Local Care Update: Mountain Home Christian Clinic in western North Dakota welcomed a new medical director to continue community-based care.

Food Safety Alert: Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts from Minnesota-based Everything Sprouts LLC. North Dakota Impact: The CDC says 55 people in 15 states are sick, including North Dakota with two cases; four people have been hospitalized and no deaths reported. What to Do Now: The FDA urges people to throw away or return recalled Calco and Everything Sprouts alfalfa sprouts and sanitize any surfaces that may have touched them. Mental Health Access: North Dakota is also seeing new mental health services for county residents, alongside NDSU Extension’s fall suicide prevention webinars for people in agriculture. Rural Health Preparedness: A “Stop the Bleed” first-aid program is expanding training and kits for farmers, aiming to reduce deaths from severe bleeding when ambulance response times can be long. Community Health: A Jamestown senior meal and activities update highlights ongoing nutrition support for older adults.

Food Safety Alert: The FDA and CDC say a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts has sickened 55 people across 15 states, with 4 hospitalizations; North Dakota is among the affected states, and officials advise consumers to discard the products and sanitize contact areas. Rural First Aid: NDSU Extension’s “Stop the Bleed” program is training farmers and rural residents to respond to catastrophic bleeding fast, including providing kits with gauze, gloves, and tourniquets—aimed at gaps where ambulance response can take 30–35 minutes. Mental Health in Agriculture: NDSU Extension will host free “Question. Persuade. Refer.” suicide prevention webinars for people in agriculture on Sept. 1 and Oct. 6, teaching practical ways to spot warning signs and connect people to help. Agriculture Safety Data: A new NDSU Extension report to lawmakers highlights high injury and fatality risk on farms, including tractor-related injuries, and estimates major economic impact from lost income and medical costs. Community Health Staffing: Mountain Home Christian Clinic in Minot-area region welcomes a new medical director to continue its faith-based care for local residents.

Food Safety Alert: A multistate outbreak of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli linked to alfalfa sprouts has reached nearly 60 illnesses across 15 states, with North Dakota among the affected locations; federal health officials say 26 of 34 people interviewed reported eating alfalfa sprouts, and the FDA is urging consumers and retailers not to eat, serve, or sell sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands, while Everything Sprouts has been working on a voluntary recall. Local Health & Community: North Dakota’s kindergarten vaccination rates are slipping, with non-medical exemptions rising to about 8% in the state, as measles cases nationally remain a concern. Rural Care & Workforce: A $50B rural healthcare transformation program is drawing calls for more transparency, with critics saying oversight is hard when state reporting isn’t shared proactively. Recovery Support: North Dakota became the second state to earn a recovery-friendly workplace certification, highlighting state policies that support employees in substance use treatment and recovery. Agriculture & Health Risks: Drought conditions are threatening next year’s crop and cattle feed, raising follow-on concerns for livestock health.

Rural Health Funding Scrutiny: A $50B Rural Health Transformation Program is facing calls for more transparency, with critics warning that slow public records releases and limited proactive reporting could make oversight and fraud prevention harder. Vaccines & Exemptions: CDC data show kindergarten vaccination rates are dropping, with non-medical exemptions rising sharply in North Dakota and Minnesota—both now below the national average for coverage and among states reporting exemption rates above 5%. Recovery-Friendly Workplace: North Dakota became the second state to earn national Recovery Friendly Workplace certification, highlighting state policies that support employees in recovery, including treatment access and naloxone training. Public Health Alerts: North Dakota is under additional advisories for toxic blue-green algae blooms, warning residents to avoid contact and rinse off if exposed. Foodborne Illness Watch: A jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak has expanded to 32 states and 431 cases, with North Dakota among the affected areas; health officials urge consumers to check recalls. Workforce Development: North Dakota Commerce awarded funding through the Regional Workforce Impact Program, including a healthcare-focused workforce strategy in the Tri-County region.