AGP Executive Report

Local Music: Fargo-born country duo Tigirlily Gold will meet fans and sign copies of their album at the Walmart on 52nd Avenue Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., staying longer if fans are still waiting. Festival News: ND Country Fest has announced more acts for its 2027 lineup, including Lee Brice, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar and Neal McCoy, alongside previously announced performers Old Dominion and Hudson Westbrook. Fall Outings: Bismarck’s “Schmidt Happens” hay maze is open daily through the season, with more than 800 bales to navigate. Fargo Events: A new downtown convention center is planned to open in 2029, adding flexible space for meetings and events.

Country Fest 2027: ND Country Fest has added Lee Brice, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Neal McCoy and Tigirlily Gold to its 10th-anniversary lineup in New Salem, joining previously announced headliners Hudson Westbrook and Old Dominion. Bismarck Fall Fun: The “Schmidt Happens” hay maze is open daily on River Road, with more than 800 bales and admission from $5. Medora Haunts: A new Halloween feature explores ghost stories and the history of the Chateau de Morès, now a state historic site. Live Music: Staind, Seether, Hoobastank and Hinder are also set to perform in North Dakota. Opera: The Badlands Opera Project plans a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” at DSU.

Live Music: Staind, Seether, Hoobastank and Hinder will bring their “Break the Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour” to Fargo’s Fargodome on April 7, 2027; general ticket sales start Friday. Campus Arts: Valley City State’s 23rd annual Ployhar Honor Band brings nearly 90 high school musicians together Oct. 22, with a free concert Oct. 23. Gallery: VCSU’s Jagger Dickman senior exhibition opens Oct. 12. Dance: Dickinson instructor Nikki St. John reflects on 20 years of teaching. North Dakota Stage: Badlands Opera Project plans a performance of “The Pirates of Penzance” at Dickinson State. Country Music: Fargo duo Tigirlily Gold will host a record-signing event at Walmart.

Live Music: Staind, Seether, Hoobastank and Hinder are bringing their “Break the Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour” to Fargo’s Fargodome on April 7, 2027. General ticket sales begin Friday, Oct. 9. Student Arts: Nearly 90 high school musicians will gather at Valley City State for the 23rd Ployhar Honor Band, with a free concert Oct. 23. Photography: VCSU student Jagger Dickman’s “Life Through the Lens” opens Oct. 12 at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery; a reception and artist talk are set for Oct. 20. Dance: Dickinson instructor Nikki St. John is reflecting on two decades of teaching and performances with DFy Dance Project, which closed this year. Onstage: Badlands Opera Project plans a DSU production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” Local Art: A new Fargo gallery is putting Native artists in the spotlight.

Halloween & Local Culture: Haunted-house season is ramping up across the Upper Midwest, with Duluth’s Glensheen Lantern Tours, Superior’s Fairlawn Mansion flashlight and paranormal investigation events, and North Dakota’s own spooky stops in the mix. Environmental Policy: Residents near Missouri’s Labadie Energy Center say they can “see the pollution,” but federal mercury rules were loosened and then repealed under Trump-era EPA changes, pushing compliance out to 2029 before making it permanent. North Dakota Sports Spotlight: South Dakota State jumped to No. 1 in both major FCS polls after beating Illinois State, with North Dakota among the ranked teams. Summit League Basketball Buzz: NDSU and SDSU dominate preseason expectations—Avery Koenen and Joe Sayler named preseason players of the year, and both NDSU men’s and women’s teams picked to repeat as regular-season champs. Community & Business: SCORE Dakotas forms from three regional chapters to mentor 600+ clients and support small businesses across the Dakotas. Fashion & Dickinson Business: Saucy Blonde Boutique keeps growing from an online start to a Dickinson storefront serving southwest North Dakota and beyond.

Local Fashion & Community: Saucy Blonde Boutique keeps growing in Dickinson, moving from an online start during COVID to a downtown storefront and e-commerce mix, with owner Kennedy Herauf building a women’s fashion spot meant to feel welcoming for all ages. Small-Business Momentum: SCORE Dakotas launches by uniting three regional SCORE chapters, aiming to mentor 600+ clients and deliver 1,500+ mentoring sessions across rural and urban North Dakota and beyond. Farm Bill Focus: Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. John Boozman host a North Dakota State University roundtable on farm safety nets, including ARC/PLC and crop insurance, while stressing more work still needs to be done for family farms and ranches. Dance Legacy: Nikki St. John looks back on 20 years teaching dance in Dickinson, closing her studio after major local performances and community milestones. Sports Calendar & Game Day Buzz: Local TV and calendar listings roll in for Oct. 7, plus UND and regional college football headlines keep fans locked in. Weather Watch: A “snow in October” tease has North Dakotans watching forecasts for measurable snow early next week.

Diesel Drama: Trump is moving to ease limits on tax-exempt dyed “red” diesel for on-road use through the end of the year, a bid aimed at lowering fuel costs ahead of the midterms—though analysts warn most drivers may not see much relief. Ag Tech Reality Check: A North Dakota ag-tech discussion points to precision ag adoption stuck around 27%, arguing the bigger problem isn’t farmer willingness—it’s whether products truly solve farm problems and survive funding cuts. Local Arts & Culture: Medora’s new Hotel 1883 opens in the Badlands, and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is already drawing visitors with immersive storytelling. Family Fun: Grand Forks’ Full STEAM Ahead pop-up children’s museum event runs through Oct. 9 at the Curling Club. Film for Farmers: The award-winning documentary “World Without Cows” lands in select theaters starting Oct. 14, with screenings and panels planned in North Dakota. Performing Arts: Badlands Opera Project brings “The Pirates of Penzance” to Dickinson State University Oct. 16–18. Sports Spotlight: South Dakota State takes over No. 1 in FCS polls after a big win, while Wyoming’s offense is under fire after a tough stretch. Food Alerts: PepsiCo expands a Gatorade recall over undeclared yellow dyes, and frozen berry products are also being pulled for possible E. coli contamination.

FCS Football Buzz: South Dakota State is officially No. 1 in the FCS after a big weekend, with Montana back at No. 2 and UND sitting at No. 7—setting up a huge return trip for North Dakota fans. NDSU vs. Wyoming Recap: The Battle of the Basins Trophy stayed in Fargo as North Dakota State shut out Wyoming 28-0, piling up 407 yards and forcing key stops early. UND Hockey Spotlight: Anthony Menghini scored twice in UND’s exhibition win over Manitoba, pushing his case for the regular-season lineup. Local Arts: Badlands Opera Project brings “The Pirates of Penzance” to Dickinson State University Oct. 16–18. Food & Health Alerts: PepsiCo recalled 122,000+ cases of Gatorade in 37 states, including North Dakota, due to undeclared Yellow dyes. Community & Culture: A new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library temporary exhibit spotlights David Hume Kennerly’s 60-year photojournalism career. Tech & Business: Valley Plains Equipment rolled out NoviSign cloud digital signage across its North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota locations.

Adapted Education Spotlight: Minot native Alyssa Cool earned North Dakota Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Adapted Physical Educator of the Year for her work designing modified PE plans for students with disabilities. AI Policy in the Spotlight: North Dakota House candidates Julie Fedorchak and Trygve Hammer agree AI needs guardrails, but differ on how much accountability should fall on companies versus the regulatory process. Local Entertainment Expansion: Chuck E. Cheese’s new Adventure World concept is coming to Crestwood, swapping arcade games for multi-story indoor playground attractions. Sports—UND Hockey Buzz: Anthony Menghini scored twice in UND’s exhibition win over Manitoba, pushing his case for a strong start to the regular season. Sports—NDSU Football Momentum: North Dakota State shut out Wyoming 28-0 in Fargo’s Battle of the Basins, keeping the Bison rolling at 5-0 and earning AP Top 25 votes again. Health & Community: A new leader was named to run North Dakota HHS Medical Services, overseeing Medicaid and related programs. Outdoor Skills Trend: Hunting and foraging classes are gaining popularity as more people want hands-on nature connection.

Fargodome Football: North Dakota State shut out Wyoming 28-0 in the Battle of the Basins, taking control early with an interception-led TD and adding points in the third and fourth to keep the trophy in Fargo. Bison Buzz in National Polls: NDSU stayed in the AP Top 25 conversation again, earning votes after the win and remaining a steady presence as Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami and Ohio State held the top spots. Week 5 College Football Shakeup: Missouri’s big upset over Florida sent it soaring to No. 14 in the AP, while Alabama climbed to No. 6 ahead of a marquee matchup with Georgia. FCS Wild Weekend: Week 5 flipped the FCS picture with major upsets, setting up a new No. 1 after Montana State and South Carolina State both fell. UND Hockey Homecoming Energy: North Dakota opened its 2026-27 season with a 4-1 exhibition win over Augustana, powered by strong special teams and a sellout crowd at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Local Sports on TV: Listings and game coverage rolled out for the Oct. 4-10 week, including UND and regional matchups.

Local Sports Spotlight: North Dakota State rolled past Wyoming 28-0 in the Battle of the Basins, while North Dakota rallied from a 21-point hole to beat Murray State 55-28 in homecoming action. Hockey Homecoming Energy: UND opened the 2026-27 season with a 4-1 exhibition win over Augustana at a packed Ralph Engelstad Arena, with special teams doing the heavy lifting. College Football Buzz: SDSU kept momentum rolling with a 31-14 win over Illinois State, and the week’s bigger national talk centered on Week 5 reshuffling playoff projections. Community & Arts: “Learning in Retirement” members shared why writing feels cathartic, and a North Dakota author-storyteller brought songs and books to Minot elementary students. Local Business/Creativity: A North Dakota farm kid turned ag-tech know-how into Boundri, mapping real farm landscapes onto kids’ play rugs. Food Safety Alert: Frozen berries from Walmart and Trader Joe’s were recalled for possible E. coli contamination.

Daylight Saving Showdown: President Trump pressed Sen. Tom Cotton to back making daylight saving time permanent, even posting what appeared to be Cotton’s personal phone number to rally support. Local Sports Spotlight: NDSU stays unbeaten as it hosts Wyoming at the Fargodome, with the CW carrying the game and homecoming festivities rolling through Fargo. Hockey & Homecoming Buzz: UND returns to Ralph Engelstad Arena for an exhibition vs. Augustana, with local fans packing in for the matchup. MMA in North Dakota: Minot’s Fury FC crowned a new welterweight king as Dilano Taylor knocked out Nick Meck in round two. Community & Culture: A North Dakota author-storyteller, Marsha DesLauriers (“Amma Mamma”), visited Minot elementary students with songs, puppets, and book readings. Spooky Season Picks: A guide highlights horror movies set in North Dakota for October viewing. Health Watch: North Dakota teen vaping is down, but smokeless tobacco use has jumped, with nicotine pouches flagged as a likely driver.

Local Arts & Schools: North Dakota children’s author Marsha DesLauriers brought “Amma Mamma” storytelling, ukulele songs, and interactive book time to John Hoeven Elementary in Minot for the third year. Spooky Season Picks: A new roundup highlights horror movies set in North Dakota, including Population 436 and Devil’s Gate, giving viewers a reason to binge local-set scares. Hockey Spotlight: No. 4 North Dakota men’s hockey opens with two home exhibitions at Ralph Engelstad Arena—Augustana on Saturday (6:07 p.m.) and Manitoba on Sunday (3:07 p.m.)—with broadcasts and streaming details for fans. Homecoming Buzz: NDSU’s homecoming parade drew thousands to North Fargo, with game-day events and a “Movie Night Under the Stars” on the schedule. Sports on TV/Radio: Today’s listings include Air Force vs. Navy on CBS and a full slate of college football and local hockey coverage to catch across the region. Youth Outdoors: North Dakota’s youth pheasant weekend runs Oct. 3-4 for hunters 15 and younger, with an adult required to accompany but not carry a firearm.

UND Hockey Buzz: No. 4 North Dakota opens the 2026-27 men’s season with two home exhibitions at Ralph Engelstad Arena—Augustana on Saturday (6:07 p.m.) and Manitoba on Sunday (3:07 p.m.)—with Midco Sports coverage and streaming on NCHC.tv. Local Sports Travel: Hallock’s Hennen brothers are bringing a huge hometown crowd (about 178 tickets) to watch UND vs. Augustana. Spooky Season Picks: If you want North Dakota horror, a new list highlights films set in the state, including Population 436, Devil’s Gate, and The Messengers (now streaming on Tubi/Pluto/YouTube). Campus Tech Talk: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark defended the university’s $1.8M camera system, saying it uses Verkada (not Flock) and is limited to public spaces. Game Day Guide: Saturday’s TV/schedule roundup includes the big UND vs. NDSU football matchup on The CW and a full slate of local listings. Health Watch: North Dakota teen vaping is down, but smokeless tobacco use among high schoolers jumped from 3% (2023) to 7% (2025), with nicotine pouches flagged as a likely driver.

Dam Update: The U.S. Army Corps moved Oahe Dam’s rating north of Pierre to “very high risk,” but officials stressed there’s no immediate danger and the change mainly puts Oahe “front of the line” for upgrades. Energy & Environment: A new report warns that boosting global biofuel production could drive deforestation and habitat loss, while also squeezing food supplies. Harvest Costs: Diesel prices remain a major harvest headache, and North Dakota joined other states easing rules so eligible users can move red-dyed diesel on highways while hauling grain. Local Sports TV: KFYR and Valley News Live announced five NDSU Bison Pregame Shows, plus a broader slate of Minnesota Wild over-the-air broadcasts across the region. Community Spotlight: Fargo’s Rudy Harris Handball Tournament marks its 50th year, bringing players and families together at the YMCA. Wrestling Honors: Gov. Kelly Armstrong presented Rough Rider Awards to Bismarck twins Terry and Troy Steiner for decades of wrestling excellence and coaching. Tourism: North Dakota Tourism’s Travel Industry Marketing Summit is set for Oct. 15 in Medora.

Native Art Spotlight: A new Fargo gallery, Sovereign Studio and Gallery, is putting Native artists front and center with its inaugural show and a dedicated shop for Indigenous-made arts and crafts. Local Sports Buzz: North Dakota 9-man football media polls are out, with New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock leading while LaMoure-Litchville/Marion closes in after a big win. College Football (ND): NDSU’s Mountain West home opener is set for Saturday’s sold-out Fargodome matchup vs. Wyoming, with the “Battle of the Basins” trophy and a focus on keeping the Bison defense’s stingy standards. Entertainment & Pop Culture: Josh Duhamel says his move into the testosterone business came with Hollywood worries about being mocked, even as he leans into a Midwest life. Music (Spooky Season): LVCRFT drops its Halloween album era with “Skeleton Sam’s Deadtime Stories” and a horror-leaning “My Boo” video featuring Jasmin Savoy Brown. Business/Tech (ND): Fiserv’s digital asset platform is live with stablecoin-enabled banking, including Bank of North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin.