THE SCOPE: Gov. Kelly Armstrong's newsletter

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

November 14, 2025

Armstrong thanks EPA Administrator Zeldin for approving ND’s coal combustion residuals program

Gov. Kelly Armstrong joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for a press conference at the State Capitol to announce approval of North Dakota’s coal combustion residuals (CCR) program. The EPA’s approval will allow the state, rather than the federal government, to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills.

“North Dakota has regulated coal combustion residuals effectively for more than 40 years, protecting both the environment and public health, and we appreciate the EPA and Administrator Zeldin for recognizing the strength and responsibility of our state-led approach,” Armstrong said. “The potential to extract rare earth elements and critical minerals from CCR – instead of having to import them from foreign adversaries – makes this approval of our CCR permit program even more important to U.S. energy independence, the economy and national security.”

Read the full news release from EPA here.

Following the press announcement, EPA Administrator Zeldin and Gov. Armstrong met with Rainbow Energy leadership, toured Coal Creek Station and held a roundtable discussion with agriculture representatives at the Price Farm in Mandan.

Armstrong issues executive order establishing ND Interagency Council on Homelessness

Gov. Armstrong issued an executive order Friday establishing the North Dakota Interagency Council on Homelessness to coordinate relationships among state agencies and homelessness service providers and develop strategies and best practices for preventing and ending homelessness in North Dakota.

“While North Dakota already has a strong network of support services and programs for those experiencing homelessness, we still have individuals falling through the cracks,” Armstrong said. “The Interagency Council on Homelessness will provide a forum for state agencies and service providers to gather information and community input, identify areas for improvement, and recommend strategies to wipe out homelessness and prevent its underlying causes.”

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) Executive Director Brandon Dettlaff will chair the 12-person Council, and Commissioner of Recovery & Reentry Jonathan Holth will serve as vice-chair. The other members include four Cabinet leaders and six members appointed by the governor:

North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Brad Hawk
North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Colby Braun
North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Interim Commissioner Pat Traynor
Chandler Esslinger, chair of the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People
Shawnel Willer, NDHFA Continuum of Care coordinator
Bryce Meyer, The Waters Sober Living Homes and executive pastor of operations at Evangel church in Bismarck
Curtis Regan, associate broker and real estate developer at Dakota Commercial in Grand Forks
Bismarck City Administrator Jason Tomanek
Louise Dardis, longtime West Fargo Public Schools educator and principal, board member of YWCA Cass Clay.

The panel will report annually on its progress in preventing and ending homelessness in North Dakota, including recommendations for executive and legislative action.

Armstrong also has proclaimed next week, Nov. 16-22, as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the State of North Dakota. The proclamation can be viewed here.

The Office of the First Lady is inviting members of the public to submit handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree, which will be displayed in Memorial Hall at the State Capitol starting with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 2.

First Lady Kjersti Armstrong has selected “Peace” as the theme of this year’s State Christmas Tree. Submitted ornaments can vary from traditional to contemporary arts. Items that are commercially produced or made from kits are not eligible.

Designers are free to create ornaments in any shape or medium of their choosing. Each ornament should include the name of the person entering it, their email address and a brief one- or two-line description of the ornament, including the art form used and the special circumstances through which it was created, such as a class or senior center project.

Ornaments must be received in the Office of Management and Budget office no later than Dec. 1. The ornaments become the property of the Office of the First Lady and may be hung on the state tree in ensuing years. Mail ornaments to State of North Dakota, Office of Management and Budget, Julie Strom, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND, 58505.

Gov. Armstrong and the first lady invite the public to join them for the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony with music, readings and remarks at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.

ND submits Rural Health Transformation application aimed at strengthening care

Gov. Armstrong announced that North Dakota submitted its Rural Health Transformation Program application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The application outlines how the state will invest more than $500 million over five years to strengthen rural health care by improving access, quality and outcomes for North Dakotans in rural communities.

“North Dakota is a proud rural state. Whether you live in Beach or Belcourt, Crosby or Colfax, or anywhere in between, North Dakotans should have access to high-quality health care," Armstrong said. “The Rural Health Transformation Program gives us an opportunity to think about ways to bring sustainable and transformational care to our rural communities. We appreciate President Trump, CMS Administrator Oz and our congressional delegation for supporting this funding that will be transformational for health care delivery in North Dakota.”

Signed into law as part of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Rural Health Transformation Program empowers North Dakota to reimagine how rural health care is delivered and create innovative, lasting solutions that meet the needs of local communities.

The state’s application centers on four strategic initiatives: strengthening and stabilizing rural health workforce; making North Dakota healthy again with preventive care and healthy eating; bringing high-quality health care closer to home; and connecting technology, data and providers for a stronger North Dakota.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen rural health care delivery in North Dakota,” said Pat Traynor, interim commissioner of North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS). “Our plan prioritizes better access to care and long-term wellness while advancing our vision to make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation.”

Each initiative includes proposed activities supported by the funding, such as creating new workforce pipelines for rural health through expanded residencies and training programs and launching North Dakota Moves Together to encourage physical activity and community connection. Other initiatives include developing telehealth infrastructure for local primary, behavioral health and specialty care, and building a modern, connected statewide health care data hub.

Sarah Aker, HHS medical services executive director, said the state’s application was shaped predominantly from stakeholder feedback and support from North Dakota lawmakers.

“Our goal from the beginning was to listen first,” said Aker. “The ideas and priorities came directly from the people who know rural health care best – our residents, providers, tribal partners, community leaders and other partners across the state.”

To gather input, HHS launched a 30-day survey that received more than 1,200 responses and hosted three listening sessions attended by over 300 participants.

The federal law appropriates $50 billion over five years, splitting half equally among all states. The other half will be given to states based on their applications and metrics that show where the funding can make the biggest health impact in rural communities.

CMS is expected to announce award decisions by Dec. 31, 2025.

To learn more about the Rural Health Transformation Program and to review the state’s application, visit hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation.

Armstrong appoints Devils Lake attorney Ashley Samuelson to Northeast Judicial District judgeship

Gov. Armstrong appointed Devils Lake attorney Ashley Samuelson to an open judgeship in the Northeast Judicial District, effective Nov. 28.

Samuelson has served as a staff attorney for the Northeast Judicial District since 2017, assisting district judges with civil and felony-level trials and drafting and editing court orders. She served as a special assistant attorney general for the Devils Lake Regional Child Support Unit from 2011 to 2017, representing North Dakota in state and tribal court matters involving paternity and child support. She previously spent three years in private practice with Robert Vogel Law Office, representing clients in medical/legal malpractice cases, personal injury, workers’ compensation and probate and estate, and served as a law clerk for now-retired North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle.

Raised in Edmore, Samuelson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and her law degree from the UND School of Law in 2007. She currently serves as the Northeast Judicial District’s regional representative to the State Bar Association of North Dakota and as vice president of the Lake Region Bar Association. She is certified in adult mental health first aid and previously served as an emergency medical technician (EMT) for the Edmore Volunteer Ambulance Service.

The Northeast Judicial District judgeship vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Donovan Foughty on Sept. 30. Foughty had served the district since 1995. Three attorneys were named as finalists for the judgeship, which is chambered in Devils Lake.

The Northeast Judicial District includes 11 counties: Benson, Bottineau, Cavalier, McHenry, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Renville, Rolette, Towner and Walsh.

Public invited to attend North Dakota Native Heritage Showcase on Nov. 21 at Capitol

Join us for a day of celebration, culture and community at the North Dakota Native Heritage Showcase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in Memorial Hall at the State Capitol.

This special event will highlight the richness of Native traditions through:

Live performances by Native artists and poets
Cultural presentations throughout the day
Sacred Pipe Resource Center's Indigenous Food Crawl – a unique opportunity to explore traditional Native cuisine.

This showcase is a chance to honor and experience the vibrant heritage of North Dakota’s Indigenous communities. All are welcome to attend, and admission is free.

IN OTHER NEWS

First Lady Kjersti Armstrong visited Ministry on the Margins for a tour and to learn more about what the organization is doing to combat homelessness and support recovery and reentry in Bismarck.

Gov. Armstrong and his family welcomed trick-or-treaters to the Governor's Residence. The first family dressed as Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, Velma and Scooby from Scooby Doo.

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden and the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission team toured the United Tribes Technical College campus, including the Theodore Jamerson Elementary School and the Net-Zero Greenhouse.

NDDOT’s Wrong Way Detection Project is a national top 12 finalist. Vote daily for North Dakota in the America’s Transportation Awards People’s Choice Award. Vote here!

The North Dakota Department of Trust Lands announced that its online October 2025 oil and gas lease auction grossed $49.5 million, which was its highest since the February 2012 auction that generated $85 million. The October auction involved 708 tracts totaling over 64,000 acres, with 578 tracts receiving bids from 51 bidders.


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