A recap of recent events and happenings in the administration of Gov. Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Strinden





The Scope
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*October 17, 2025*

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FFERP
Industrial Commission announces support for furloughed federal employees

The Industrial Commission approved a short-term, low-interest loan program for North Dakota residents who are furloughed federal government employees and members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in North Dakota.

The Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program (FFERP), administered by Bank of North Dakota (BND) in partnership with local lenders, will provide loans at a 2% interest rate to cover the base net pay of eligible individuals for up to three months. The program was developed in response to the Oct. 1, 2025, shutdown of the federal government to address financial hardships federal employees may experience.

“While the federal government is shuttered, active-duty military and federal employees in North Dakota still have bills to pay, and this program offers a bridge loan to help keep them afloat until the federal government reopens and provides employees back pay as required by law,” stated the Industrial Commission in a joint statement. The Industrial Commission, consisting of Gov. Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees BND. “Not paying federal employees creates a chain reaction which impacts day care providers, car and housing payments, and daily needs such as buying medicine and groceries.”

The federal government officially shut down Oct. 1, after the Senate did not pass a continuing resolution to fund operations. In North Dakota, the federal government employs over 9,000 employees with the vast majority being active-duty military at the Grand Forks and Minot Air Force bases and in the North Dakota National Guard.

“Supporting our North Dakota residents through what can be a financially difficult time is part of the mission of the Bank of North Dakota,” said Don Morgan, BND President/CEO. “If you look back in history to the Great Depression era, it was BND that cashed the warrants for teachers so they received their full pay.”

FFERP is being delivered through local banks and credit unions. The application period opened Oct. 10. To be eligible for the program, employees must present identification and their most recent paystub to their local lender. The program will end on Jan. 9, 2026, or when Congress passes a funding bill to reopen.

The program has a broad base of support, including the Independent Community Bankers of North Dakota (ICBND) and North Dakota Bankers Association (NDBA).

“Community banks are honored to work with the Industrial Commission and the Bank of North Dakota to support our servicemen and women and other federal employees during the shutdown,” said Alexis Baxley, president of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota. “We’re proud to serve North Dakota communities every day, and partnerships like this ensure North Dakota continues to be a great place to live and work.”

NDBA President Rick Clayburgh shares, “NDBA appreciates the North Dakota Industrial Commission and Bank of North Dakota for the creation of the Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program designed to assist government employees impacted by the recent shutdown. We encourage impacted (government) employees to reach out to their local bank for more information. North Dakota banks remain committed to their customers and stand ready to assist federal employees during this time of uncertainty.”

Brekka Kramer, president of the Minot Chamber of Commerce, home to the Minot Air Force Base, shared her thoughts on the importance of this support. “Base communities like Minot and Grand Forks are deeply connected to our nation’s defense mission. When federal employees face furloughs, the entire community feels the impact. The Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program helps bridge that gap, reinforcing the resilience and unity that make our military communities so strong.”

More information on the program from BND can be found at bnd.nd.gov/fferp [ [link removed] ].

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best in class
Lt. Gov. Strinden and state leaders visit Best in Class early childhood programs to celebrate five years of growth and impact

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, state legislators and representatives from North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) visited Best in Class programs to observe how they promote quality early learning experiences for children in the year before kindergarten. 

Children enrolled in North Dakota’s Best in Class early childhood program showed remarkable growth across every area of development during the 2024–25 school year. In fall 2024, 79% of children met or exceeded literacy standards; by spring, 96% did, with the share exceeding expectations rising from 1% to 22%. Math outcomes showed similar gains, with 60% meeting expectations in the fall and none exceeding, compared to 93% meeting or exceeding by spring, including 23% exceeding expectations. Children also made strong progress in life skills, physical development, language, and cognitive skills, demonstrating the lasting impact of high-quality early learning experiences on school readiness and lifelong success. 

“Today we had an incredible opportunity to visit multiple Best in Class locations along the I-94 corridor. What we witnessed were quality environments, incredible educators and engaged children,” Strinden said. “The Best in Class investment is one that needs to continue as we strive to expand high-quality early childhood experiences across our great state.” 

*A growing investment in North Dakota’s youngest learners *

Launched during the 2021-22 program year, Best in Class began with 24 early childhood programs, 28 classrooms and 371 children. Today, 64 programs, 94 classrooms and 1,239 children across the state are participating, representing a 260% increase in the number of children served over five years.  

This growth has been supported by increased legislative funding dedicated to expanding access to quality early learning experiences, which allows more programs to participate and more families to benefit. Lawmakers approved additional funding for the 2025-26 program year to support new classrooms and sustain coaching, professional development and quality improvements statewide. Through Best in Class, participating programs receive funding, professional coaching and ongoing support to strengthen classroom environments, teaching practices and family engagement. Award amounts for the 2025-26 program year range from $15,000 to $120,000 per classroom, based on the number of children served and total operating hours.  

“When we invest in those who care for children, we foster connection, resilience and hope in their earliest years – instilling healthy practices in North Dakota’s future leaders,” said HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor. “High-quality, play-based learning experiences help children build essential social, emotional and cognitive skills, ensuring they are ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.”  

*Quality in action *

Best in Class is grounded in more than 25 years of research showing that high-quality early childhood experiences have long-term benefits for children’s development and future success. Teaching staff in participating classrooms are coached to implement play-based curriculum, authentic observation methods and individualized learning strategies that support growth across all domains of development. 

Throughout the tour of the five Best in Class programs, leaders shared how the program’s coaching and support emphasize nurturing the whole child – integrating health screenings, play-based learning and intentional kindergarten transition activities to support children’s growth and development in every aspect, illustrating the power of quality early learning environments. 

*Looking ahead *

Best in Class remains a cornerstone of North Dakota’s early childhood strategy, supporting programs that provide at least 400 hours of high-quality learning over a 32-week period. The state’s continued investment ensures more families have access to meaningful early learning opportunities close to home.  

Additional background is available in the Aug. 26 news release announcing the program’s fifth anniversary and increased funding. [ [link removed] ] To learn more about Best in Class and view the list of participating programs, visit hhs.nd.gov/best-in-class [ [link removed] ]. 

best in class 2
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stablecoin
*Industrial Commission shares support for developing new Roughrider stablecoin *

The North Dakota Industrial Commission shared its support for a new partnership between the Bank of North Dakota (BND) and its core banking services provider, Fiserv, to develop the state’s very own stablecoin, named the Roughrider coin, putting North Dakota on the leading edge of digital currency backed by real assets.

“The Roughrider coin is a cutting-edge approach to improving efficiency and quality control in the banking sector, a direct benefit for our residents,” the Industrial Commission, which oversees BND, said in a joint statement. “As the only state-owned bank in the country, BND has charted its own path numerous times over the last 106 years to benefit North Dakota residents. This is the next chapter in its financial innovation story.”

The value of a stablecoin is directly tied to a real asset such as the U.S. dollar or a physical commodity such as gold, as opposed to traditional, more volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum whose values fluctuate based on supply, market demand and investor sentiment. Stablecoins also offer the benefits of blockchain technology – speed, efficiency, and accessibility – while providing stability more like traditional financial assets.

With the recent passage and signing of the GENIUS Act, Congress established the framework for payment stablecoins by requiring they be backed with high-quality assets, mandated disclosures and audits, ensured reserve transparency and created rules for permitted issuers. The GENIUS Act establishes stablecoin as an accepted part of the financial system, allowing faster, more secure bank-to-bank transactions anywhere in the world.

“For 106 years, Bank of North Dakota has supported our state’s financial institutions. As financial technology continues to rapidly evolve, this support is more important than ever,” BND President and CEO Don Morgan said. “Roughrider coin will enable financial institutions to move money more quickly, safety and efficiently, allow our banks and credit unions to offer new and creative financial products to their customers, and prepare the industry for the possibility of broader merchant adoption of stablecoin transactions.”

On Sept. 30, the Industrial Commission gave BND its blessing to work with Fiserv to develop a beta version of the Roughrider coin. The stablecoin is expected to be available to banks and credit unions in North Dakota sometime next year.

By encouraging the financial sector to adopt stablecoin first, the state is building a strong foundation for eventual use of stablecoin by merchants and their customers. And by partnering with Fiserv, the state is able to plug into existing secure blockchain rather than having to build the infrastructure from scratch.

The name Roughrider was selected as a salute to Theodore Roosevelt, who attributed his rise to President to time spent in North Dakota and will be honored in the summer of 2026 with the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. The Rough Riders were Roosevelt’s volunteer militia during the Spanish – American War.

For more information, visit bnd.nd.gov/fintech [ [link removed] ].

Read the press release from Fiserv here [ [link removed] ].

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Baesler
Armstrong congratulates Superintendent Baesler on confirmation to U.S. Department of Education position

Armstrong also congratulates Chase as U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota

 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong congratulated state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler after the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education.

“Congratulations to Superintendent Baesler on her confirmation to this important role at the U.S. Department of Education. It’s a major win for North Dakota and the entire country when we send common-sense leaders like Superintendent Baesler to Washington – leaders who understand that students and families are best served when we empower decision-making at the local level with guidance from the state and limited involvement from the federal government. We wish her success in D.C. and look forward to a smooth transition to new leadership at the Department of Public Instruction,” Armstrong said.

Baesler was nominated for the post in February by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump. She has served as the state school superintendent and administrator of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction since January 2013 and was re-elected to a four-year term in November 2024. Armstrong will appoint a replacement to serve as state superintendent until the next regularly scheduled general election in November 2026.

In addition to her 12 years as state superintendent, Baesler served for 24 years in the Bismarck Public Schools system as a classroom teacher, instructional aide, library media specialist and vice principal, as well as nine years on the Mandan School Board.

Additionally, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Nicholas W. Chase to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota. Chase has served as a judge in North Dakota’s East Central Judicial District in Fargo since 2022.

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*IN OTHER NEWS*

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pheasant

Gov. Armstrong welcomed youth hunters to the field for the inaugural Governor's Youth Pheasant Hunt. North Dakota has a two-day, youth-only pheasant season to help introduce new hunters to the outdoors.



UAS ________________________________________________________________________

Lt. Gov. Strinden presented at the 19th annual UAS Summit in Grand Forks, highlighting how North Dakota’s UAS industry has flourished with private sector innovation and significant state support. The Grand Forks summit is the longest running UAS conference in the world.



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book reading

Lt. Gov. Strinden and State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler gathered with families and community partners at the State Capitol to celebrate the launch of the Legendary Learners Literacy Storybook and Parent Guide, a new resource supporting early literacy from birth to kindergarten.



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sitting bear

Gov. Armstrong attended the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Inauguration for newly elected Chairman Steve Sitting Bear and helped celebrate former Chairwoman Janet Alkire on four years of strong leadership for the tribe. 



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