THE SCOPE: Gov. Kelly Armstrong's newsletter

April 18, 2025

Armstrong meets with President Trump, thanks him for executive orders supporting coal, energy stability

Armstrong also joined Trump in congratulating the NDSU football team on their national championship

Gov. Kelly Armstrong met with President Donald Trump at the White House on April 9, thanking him for the executive orders he signed to lift burdensome Biden-era federal restrictions on coal-fired power plants and strengthen the reliability and security of the U.S. electric grid, and urging continued support for policies that support U.S. energy dominance and enhanced oil recovery.

“North Dakota stands ready to partner with the Trump administration to roll back regulations and reset the national narrative on dispatchable energy from coal and natural gas to ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, affordable electricity,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate President Trump’s executive orders supporting baseload electricity and a stronger, more stable electric grid to serve our citizens, grow our economy and make America energy dominant.”

Armstrong also met with members of the state’s congressional delegation before joining Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in congratulating and welcoming to the White House the North Dakota State University Bison football team, which won the national championship in January in the Football Championship Subdivision of NCAA Division I college football – the university’s 10^th FCS national title in 14 seasons.

Gov. Armstrong attended a joint meeting with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and members of the Tribal Council at tribal headquarters in Fort Yates.

In what Alkire called a “very historic” moment, it marked the first time the two governors have met jointly with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose reservation covers parts of both states.

“Collaboration with our tribal nations is key to North Dakota’s success, and with our neighbors in South Dakota we share a commitment to strengthening government-to-government partnerships and relationships,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate Chairwoman Alkire, Governor Rhoden and the Tribal Council for today’s meaningful engagement and discussion about ways we can work together for the prosperity of all our citizens.”

“My job is to be Governor for all South Dakotans, including our Native American people. We are at our strongest when we work together for our people,” Rhoden said. “I am grateful to Chairwoman Alkire and the tribal council leaders for hosting me today. And I am grateful to Governor Armstrong and excited about how we can work together to benefit the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. This meeting was a great step towards rebuilding trust, and I look forward to many more to come.”

The discussion covered topics ranging from education, economic development and federal funding to water, roads and treaty rights. The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation spans the border of North Dakota and South Dakota, with approximately half of the reservation in North Dakota, encompassing all of Sioux County.

Tribal officials highlighted a proposed bridge over the Missouri River at Lake Oahe that would connect Sioux County and Emmons County in North Dakota, saying it would promote economic development and the transportation of livestock and other agricultural goods. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $14.5 million planning grant for the proposed bridge. If the bridge gets built, legislation signed by Armstrong last month authorizes the director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation to accept ownership of the bridge or otherwise place it onto the state highway system. Currently, the Missouri River bridge crossings closest to Fort Yates are about 65 miles to the north in Bismarck-Mandan and 50 miles to the south in Mobridge, S.D.

Following the meeting, the officials toured a local school, meeting with students and educators. Alkire told the governors she hoped the meeting was “just the beginning.”

“We want you to come back. We want to have communication. We want to have collaboration and basically understanding,” she said.

Governor, First Lady get update on renovations, innovation at UND with President Armacost

Gov. Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong joined University of North Dakota President Andrew Armacost on campus Wednesday for an update on renovations and innovations happening at the university in Grand Forks.

Highlights included a look at the research and development happening at the National Security Corridor in Harrington Hall and visiting with staff, faculty and students at the newly renovated Merrifield Hall, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, Chester Fritz Library and UND School of Law.

The first lady filmed a video for a Constitution Day project with students from the Department of Communication, and the governor capped off the day by addressing and taking questions from students and community members during a forum hosted by the UND chapter of Turning Point USA.

Lt. Gov. Strinden helps kick off the inaugural North Dakota Early Childhood Conference in Bismarck

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden delivered opening remarks at the inaugural North Dakota Early Childhood Conference at the Bismarck Event Center.

The conference, hosted by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), offered attendees the opportunity to network and explore early childhood best practices that will shape the environments, experiences and interactions of North Dakota’s young children.

The event was geared toward early childhood professionals including child care providers, early childhood educators, Head Start staff, special education and related service providers, early intervention providers, social workers, mental health providers, home visiting professionals and secondary education students.

Strinden noted she was serving in the Legislature in 2021 when it approved the creation of the Early Childhood Division of DHHS.

"By creating the division, we wanted to expand access to quality early childhood experiences so children ages zero to 5 from all walks of life could reach their full potential," she told conference attendees. "That begins with you. You all serve critically important roles as caretakers and educators for the youngest North Dakotans."

IN OTHER NEWS

Gov. Armstrong proclaimed April 22 as Earth Day in North Dakota, providing an opportunity for all North Dakotans to raise awareness of the state’s natural resources and take personal action to help preserve and conserve them for future generations.

Gov. Armstrong, First Lady Kjersti helped children find more than 12,000 eggs on the Capitol mall during the annual Optimist Easter Egg Hunt.

Gov. Armstrong signed two public safety-related bills including HB 2296 which adds 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responders. Watch KFYR's story about it here.

Gov. Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti attended Bismarck State College's theatre performance of "Anastasia: The Musical" and met with the cast and crew following the show.

Gov. Armstrong congratulated Minot on being recognized as a 2025 Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC).

“North Dakota is committed to being the most military-friendly state in the nation, and this recognition of Minot as a Great American Defense Community is proof of that commitment,” he said.