Good morning, Minot.

With the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefits ending, many families in North Dakota face hard choices for food, rent and utilities.

FirstLink is available 24/7 to connect callers to food pantries — community meals, housing assistance and emotional support.

About 70 airmen from Minot Air Force Base will reunite with their families under the new Operation Homebound program this holiday season.

Qdoba and Jersey Mike’s will donate 100% of their sales on Dec. 4—this fundraising day aims to help more airmen come home.

Two Minot companies have been awarded funding from the North Dakota Development Fund—Oswill Properties will receive a $200,000 loan to expand its child care facility while Scranton Holding will get nearly $2.65 million to complete project phases for its planned pig iron plant.

Minot Symphony has opened auditions for its Young Artist Competition—young musicians can compete for the chance to perform with the orchestra in an upcoming event.

MHA Nation Tribal Chairman Mark Fox, born and raised in Minot, spoke to the city council on Nov.

3 about the upcoming Native Green Grow greenhouse opening on Nov. 26, which will supply local stores with produce grown year-round. He also detailed plans to expand crude storage, export LNG, and power a data center using captured gas.

North Dakota State University’s North Central Research Extension Center in Minot will host a Cattle Backgrounding Program on Nov.

6, from 6-8:30 p.m., where beef producers will learn about managing calf backgrounding to deal with feed costs and market changes — the free event includes supper and requires registration.

ND250 will kick off at the Heritage Center on Sunday—coinciding with the anniversary of North Dakota's admission to the Union in 1889, the event will feature activities that honor our state’s heritage.

Edward Lone Fight, former chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes, died Saturday, November 1 in a Stanley hospital—he helped launch the new community college campus and improve health care services on the Fort Berthold Reservation during his tenure.

Transit planners met in Minot yesterday at the public library to discuss building a coordinated system—using input from eight statewide meetings and partnering with current rural services, including the intercity bus route to Bismarck.

Draft plans will be ready by February and final plans by March.

Dashing Through The Snow 5K Run

12-2 p.m. — Minot — Registration required — Experience a festive 5K run and family fun walk amidst holiday cheer.

Magic City Turkey Trot

9 a.m. — Dakota Bark Park — Registration fee applies — Participate in a festive fun run or walk to kick off your Thanksgiving celebrations.