North Dakota Data Centers: A Fargo-area lawmaker is pushing a one-year pause on licensing new data centers and wants public officials barred from signing NDAs with developers, arguing communities need time on taxes, water use, cleanup costs, and long-term power demand. State Transportation Planning: NDDOT released its draft 2027-30 STIP for public comment (Aug. 12–Sept. 12), outlining highway, safety, bikeways, and transit projects funded with federal dollars. Health & Human Services Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the state’s largest agency, effective Aug. 29, after his work as a senior adviser overseeing HHS policy. Aviation Manufacturing Growth: Cirrus Aircraft expanded its Grand Forks manufacturing facility to meet rising demand, adding new capacity for its composites work. Energy & Grid Policy: The Trump administration admitted canceling $7.5B in federal grants last October based on whether projects were in Democratic states—though some Minnesota Power and Midwest transmission grants tied to North Dakota were later reinstated. Agriculture Watch: Pro Farmer’s CCI points to a slight drop in corn and soybean ratings, while spring wheat rebounded. Local Consumer Notes: Minot ranked No. 2 in North Dakota for scam reports in July, and GasBuddy price checks show premium gas deals ranging into the mid-$4s across counties.