Good morning, Minot.

Minot’s aviation pioneer Warren Pietsch will be inducted into the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame at an annual banquet on March 10 during the Fly North Dakota Conference.

Eighteen small towns across the state (including Minot) are competing for America’s Favorite Small Town in a contest sponsored by Parade magazine, with the winning town to be announced in June.

The Minot Alliance to End Homelessness opened an emergency warming shelter at The Salvation Army to help people escape dangerously cold temperatures; it operated on Thursday, is open today, and will remain open through Saturday.

The League of Women Voters introduced a free civics curriculum to help teachers explain government branches and lawmaking to middle and high school students; Vice President Mary Tintes said the resource, prompted by a teacher's request, will spur curricula on judicial and executive branches (more to come).

Minot Area Chamber EDC has opened the essay application portal for the 2026 National Civics Bee, inviting 6th-8th graders to submit four-paragraph proposals on community improvement until February 4 at 3:59 a.m. CST.

Top essays will advance to live quiz rounds with prizes including a trip to Washington, D.C.

Minot AFB Legal Office notes that although it doesn’t give tax advice, service members and families can file taxes free using Military One Source’s MilTax program available Jan.

15 (supporting federal and three state returns). The IRS offers Free File for filers with income up to $89,000.

The Defense Commissary Agency is expanding its CLICK2GO on the GO! delivery service to 70 commissaries, including one at Minot Air Force Base, in mid- to late January—allowing eligible service members, families, and veterans to order groceries online for doorstep delivery.

Trinity Health said on Thursday that it will resume regular non-urgent surgeries after delaying procedures due to a *financial flu* caused by drug shortages, rising costs and delayed payments.

Emergency and urgent care have remained fully available so patients continue to receive needed services.

The Slind family balances school, practice, and other activities as two brothers and a sister support Minot United Hockey, showing that dedication extends beyond the ice.

Their parents manage busy schedules (using both digital and paper calendars) to keep the household on track.

Minot United and Minot North athletics had mixed results this week with hockey, basketball, and cheer teams showing grit through tough games.

The dance team will host its Annual Home Show tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Minot North High School (adults: $7, students: $5, free for kids), promising energetic performances.

Earlier this month, the Minot United Girls and Boys Wrestling Teams competed at the Rumble on the Red tournament in Fargo and later hosted a dual at Minot High against Bismarck Legacy, where seniors were honored.

They will prepare for the state tournament in February (the teams achieved notable placements).