Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show Stutsman County regular gas hitting $3.79 (week ending Aug. 22) while Barnes County midgrade bottoms at $4.29 and Grand Forks County midgrade at $4.19—prices remain choppy as global oil tensions and refinery supply issues keep pressure on 2026 gasoline markets. Public Health Funding: HHS awarded North Dakota $667,064 for public health and rural health support, including $423,654 to the state health department and $243,410 to UND’s rural health office. Kratom Policy Fight: North Dakota’s special session is set to tackle kratom regulation; Democrats say leaders waited too long, while Becker-area officials describe kratom addiction risks among middle-class parents and push for clearer statewide rules. Data Center Governance: Gov. Kelly Armstrong opposed a bill that would restrict public officials from signing nondisclosure agreements tied to data center and industrial projects, arguing an amendment is needed to protect already-confidential information. Military & Infrastructure: The Army Corps of Engineers begins a temporary County Road 81 closure tied to the Fargo-Moorhead diversion project, and work has started to remove and relocate human remains found at the Governor’s Residence site. Defense Aviation Upgrade: The MH-139 Grey Wolf reached initial operational capability, with North Dakota’s Minot Air Force Base among the sites slated to receive the new helicopters.