Vocella Graphic - January 25, 2024 by Vocella, Inc.

Vol. 1 Issue 13

Thursday, January 25, 2024

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Thursday, January 25, 2024

In this issue About Us

ocella, Inc. (pronounced vō-chellä) is a multimedia company that aims to engage, excite, and empower people through compelling and entertaining products and services with a hyperlocal focus on community, business, arts, culture, and entertainment. We are delighted to introduce the latest chapter in our journey: the Vocella Graphic. This newly designed newspaper boasts a sleek and modern aesthetic, featuring stunning artwork and informative articles. Crafting this visually captivating paper has been a labor of love, with our dedicated team painstakingly perfecting every aspect, from its appearance and tone to its expanded coverage area. Furthermore, nestled inside, you will still find the trusted Community Shopper, complete with all the familiar content you’ve come to rely on. This includes classified ads featuring help wanted listings, rummage sales, and more, as well as business news, events, and community updates. So, thank you for joining us as we continue to grow and do our very best to serve our communities.

Publishing & Sales Team

A Note from Falon: Dear Valued Readers, I will kick this off with song lyrics from one of my favorite movies: “So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye. I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye”. Did Hammerstein/Rodgers ever know how to assemble a diddy. On that note, sweet friends, this is my final issue with the Vocella Graphic and Community Shopper. And while this has not been an easy decision, as change is never really easy, it’s the best decision for Vocella and me. I will be handing the reins over to a competent gal that most of you already know, Maddie Davis. Maddie brings a plethora of experience and enthusiasm, and I know she will work as hard as I have to help you spread the word about your business, event, or rummage sale. I firmly believe that Vocella is going to bring great things to Williston. They will continue to do what we have done best, highlighting local businesses and shining a light on what makes Williston fabulous. I have forever been a champion of Williston, and I genuinely believe we are the best little big town in North Western North Dakota. The Community Shopper has been an integral part of our community for over 30 years, and I hope you continue to support and invest in it and each other for another 30. We’ve updated, upgraded, and made significant changes, but at the heart of it all, we are still here to help you and yours be the best you can be. Kary- Thank you for being you and being steadfast in this crazy ride. McKenna- You are so appreciated. Erica: Your talent is so exceptional! Thank you for sharing your gift of the word! JC and Susan- Thank you for trusting me to do my best. Remember to Be the Good,

Falon

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J.C. & Susan LaBar Owners/Publishers

Falon Justice

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Karolyn Moltzan

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McKenna Layne

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Erica Kingston

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Maddie Davis

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Wanda Lee

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This Issue

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PROFILES — Meals on Wheels

NEWS — Federal child tax credit — Rios pleads guilty — Watford City Hygge

OIL & AG — Climate-smart agriculture — Mental health in farmers

HEALTH & WELLNESS — Wellness Wednesday — Lifestyle vs. genetics

POLITICAL 07 — Burgum won’t seek third term — Becker announces run for House CULTURE 08 — “Governerds” fund-raiser — U.S. Medical debt incalculable THE COMMUNITY SHOPPER Classifieds 02 Job listings 02 - 04 To Do About Town 05 Community Calendars 06 Auctions 07 Realty 08

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Thursday, January 25, 2024

Profiles

Delivering more than a meal MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS BRIDGING A NEED IN THE SENIOR COMMUNITY They need the company as much as the meal. -JENNIFER SUMNERS, VOLUNTEER

BY ERICA KINGSTON

ARLIS HAUG PICKS UP BAGS PACKED WITH MEALS ON WHEELS MEALS TO DELIVER TO THE ROUTE HER AND HER HUSBAND MARTY VOLUNTEER FOR AT LEAST TWO TIMES PER WEEK. PHOTO BY ERICA KINGSTON

n any given weekday, the kitchen staff at the Williston Senior Center gets to work around 5 a.m. to begin food preparation. Over the next few hours, 75-85 meals are cooked, packaged and placed into large warming bags and set by the back door, awaiting pickup. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., volunteers trickle in to pack their vehicles and deliver the meals to those in need of what Meals on Wheels provides: a hot meal for homebound seniors. Meals on Wheels is a service of the Williston Council for the Aging and is largely run by volunteers from the community who give of their time to deliver nutritious meals and offer companionship and a watchful eye to seniors. “I do the same route, so I see the same people every week. Some of them have been since I first started so I’ve gotten kind of close with a few of them. I think they look forward to seeing me,” laughed Jennifer Sumners, a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Sumners has been delivering meals for over three years. Every Wednesday, she takes the list of addresses and names, knocks on their door and gives the recipients a fresh, hot meal. Her route takes about an hour, but Sumners often chooses to lend more of her time by staying to visit. “I think that a lot of them need the company just as much as the meal,” Sumners said. “Just one or two or five minutes makes their day. And someone is checking on them, too. So I think it gives their families a peace of mind knowing that someone is popping

in every day when they can’t be there.” Arlis and Marty Haug have been delivering meals two days a week for over six years. Their route has numbered anywhere from nine to 22 seniors. “We are on call, too,” Arlis said. “If it’s our route that needs a driver, we go.” The Haugs have made a habit of volunteering. They can be seen at the Senior Center and the blood drive as well as being senior companions and keeping an eye on others. “They aren’t getting paid for it. It’s their time, their money, their gas. So what a wonderful bunch of volunteers and a lot of them are seniors themselves,” said LePriel White, administrative assistant at the Senior Center and coordinator for Meals on Wheels. “A lot of these drivers, you’ll see them here but you’re going to see them all over town at different things. They aren’t just volunteering here ... Once a volunteer, always a volunteer. Meals on Wheels delivers meals to residences Monday through Friday, with the option of frozen meals sent out on Fridays to cover the weekend. Food is ordered from U.S. Foods and is freshly cooked and packaged in house at the Senior Center kitchen each day. The Senior Center serves around 120140 seniors each weekday through their congregate meal, grab-and-go and delivery options. A suggested donation of $4 is asked for each meal, but seniors can give what they

are able. Food provided follows state and federal regulations as to the nutrition and guidelines for seniors with what is served. Williston’s Meals on Wheels is a branch of the Williston Council for the Aging, an organization that oversees the Williston and Watford City Senior Centers as well as public transportation in both towns. The organization is 60% federally funded, 23% funded by the state, 11% from the county, 1% from the city and around 5% from charities and grants. Congregate and grab-and-go meals at the Senior Center are offered to those aged 60 and above. Meals on Wheels is for those 60 and older who are homebound, and their spouses. All food is prepared weekdays the morning of and out for delivery by 10:30 a.m. Williston has four daily routes that take around an hour to complete and about eight volunteers who come each day to get the meals delivered. Volunteers Jerry Schwan, Barb Pope and Lynette Watts, who are now or close to being seniors themselves, have been delivering meals for 20-some years for Williston’s Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes from moms with their children to business workers on their lunch hour. Bringing more than just a meal, these people give homebound seniors a sense of independence and stability that they might not find elsewhere.

Volunteer Trista Oleksik would often take her young boys along on deliveries. Once, when asked to help on a different route, the senior ladies at an apartment on Oleksik’s usual route were sitting in the entryway asking where her little boy was — it was a Thursday and they had all been waiting to see Max. “I told (Oleksik) I’d never (take her route) again so that her little guy could be there,” White said. Becoming a friendly face to look forward to, volunteers bring a sense of community to seniors who can no longer socialize like they once could. Sumners, who has brought her daughter on deliveries, said that the seniors love to see kids and she enjoys showing her daughter how to do something for others. “I wouldn’t say there’s nothing in return because I think there is something in return. You get paid in gratitude,” Sumners said. To volunteer for Meals on Wheels or get involved at the Senior Center, call them at 701-577-6751. Time and commitment can be personalized to individual schedules, as help is always a welcomed donation. White greatly appreciates business partners as she coordinates drivers and would love to see more of them volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels

Thursday, January 25, 2024

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News & Updates

Federal Child Tax Credit could see another expansion with new deal in play BY MIKE MOEN, PRAIRIE NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON — Congress is poised to consider renewing the expanded Child Tax Credit and policy analysts said the latest effort could help tens of thousands of North Dakota children. This week, congressional leaders announced a bipartisan tax deal including a three-year extension of an enhanced Child Tax Credit, to make it more accessible to low-income households who typically do not qualify. It is not as big a credit as the temporary expansion that ended in 2021. Xanna Burg, director of Kids Count for North Dakota, said researchers found the initial credit led to spending on basic needs, suggesting a more modest approach this time will still help stabilize household budgets. “You know, some low-income families -- a smaller percentage, but some -- did use the Child Tax Credit to either pay down debt or save a little,” Burg observed. “That also is really significant too, when we think about economic security for families.” She noted it allowed households to be better prepared for unexpected expenses and stay afloat. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated the new credit plan

would lift 500,000 children above the poverty line when fully phased in. In the first year, 23,000 North Dakota children would benefit. While the deal is bipartisan, it is unclear if other issues, such as avoiding a government shutdown, will stall debate. If the expanded credit is approved on a three-year basis, Burg acknowledged it would give policy researchers more information about the best way to help struggling families. More importantly, she pointed out it creates more predictability for those who are eligible. “When you think about, like, a new family who just had a baby, by the time this ends, that child is going to be three,” Burg noted. “Three years of a young child’s life is very significant when you think about maybe a family having, you know, the extra food they need.” The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said when the initial expansion expired along with other pandemic relief, the number of children living in families below the poverty line increased by 5 million. Meanwhile, congressional leaders behind the plan hope to get it approved in time for this year’s tax-filing season, despite the other issues they’re juggling.

Williston lawmaker who berated police pleads guilty, fined BY AMY DALRYMPLE WILLISTON — The Williston lawmaker who berated police during a December drunk driving arrest has been sentenced to pay $1,050 in fines. Nico Rios, a Republican member of the House, pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge, court records show. He received a suspended jail sentence of 10 days and one year of unsupervised probation. North Dakota Republican leaders have called on Rios to resign after police bodycam video showed the freshman lawmaker used homophobic and racist language while berating police during a Dec. 15 traffic stop. Rios has not resigned, prompting House Majority Leader Mike Lefor to remove him from the interim Judiciary Committee. District 23 GOP leaders have also called for the resignation and begun investigating the process of a recall. Rios also pleaded guilty to having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. A charge for refusing to provide a chemical test was dismissed. Rios did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

REP. NICO RIOS, R-WILLISTON, TALKS TO OFFICERS FROM THE BACK OF A POLICE VEHICLE DEC. 15, 2023, DURING A DUI ARREST IN WILLISTON. (PHOTO CAPTURED FROM WILLISTON POLICE DEPARTMENT BODYCAM VIDEO)

Amy Dalrymple’s original article for The North Dakota Monitor, “Williston lawmaker who berated police pleads guilty, fined” can be found at https://northdakotamonitor.com/ briefs/williston-lawmaker-who-berated-police-pleads-guilty-fined/

Watford City to host Hygge Around Town SOURCE: HYGGE AROUND TOWN FACEBOOK EVENT WATFORD CITY, N.D. —The Long X Arts Foundation, Pioneer Gifts and Books and area downtown businesses of Watford City invite you to the Hygge Around Town event to celebrate the coziness of the season on Jan. 27 on Main Street Watford City. Hygge (hoo-gah) is a way of life inspired by the Danish and the Scandinavian Heritage that celebrates coziness, shared meals and interactions with friends and loved ones emphasizing warmth, kinship and an appreciation for the little things in life. It is in that spirit that downtown businesses in Watford City invite you to shop sales on cozy items, enjoy treats and participate in special Hygge activities. The Long X Arts Foundation is hosting an open house with the Long X Visitor Center and Pioneer Gifts and Books from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the Charles Beck Art Show: From the Timothy Murphy Collection. Charles Beck (19232017) is one of the most recognized artists in Minnesota. His large-scale prints are in-

spired by midwestern landscapes and created by carving a large wooden block to leave only some areas and lines at the original level that are then inked and shown in the print. This skilled and laborious work is referred to as a relief printing process. The Long X Art Gallery is showing twenty-two of Beck’s pieces from the collection of Timothy Murphy, an admirer and

friend of Beck who derived enjoyment and inspiration from his friend’s artwork. His poetry is featured alongside the gallery and his poetry books will be available free to the public throughout the show, which will run until March 2 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Long X Arts Gallery. To celebrate the woodblock printing process, the Long X Arts Foundation is host-

ing a free printmaking class from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. in the Long X Art Gallery. Guests can enjoy treats from Pioneer Gifts and Books, shop locally made items and stop into the lower level to create their own stamp and print for free. This activity is open to all ages. In addition, be sure to make time to stop into the following businesses for unique Hygge experiences on Main Street. Larsen Service Drug will be open from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and will be serving soup and featuring cozy items for sale. Elle’s Boutique will be hosting Jenny’s Creative Candles and a SelfCare Basket Bar from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grab a coffee down the street at Door 204 and play one of their in-house board games, or bring your own. Meyer’s Department Store will be offering 50% off all slippers, 25% off all sweaters and additional discounts on cozy items from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beaver Creek Kids will have their pajamas and blankets on sale from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. and Rhianna’s Boutique will be offering treats and store-wide discounts. Pull on your most comfortable clothes and join us for Hygge in Watford City!

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Thursday, January 25, 2024

Oil & Ag

North Dakota chosen for Alliance to Advance ClimateSmart Agriculture Farmers & ranchers to be compensated for highvalue conservation practices BY PAM MUSLAND, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION JAMESTOWN, N.D. — North Dakota Farmers Union is serving as the state lead on a national pilot program that will pay farmers and ranchers $100 an acre or animal unit to implement high-value conservation practices on their land. The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture will incentivize adoption or maintenance of no till, minimum till, prescribed grazing, cover crops, and other practices that curb greenhouse gas emissions. The three-year project is funded through a USDA grant that will pay out a total of $57 million in 2024 and 2025 to roughly 4,000 producers in four states – Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia. Seven soil conservation districts in North Dakota are participating in the program with an objective of enrolling 450 producers who are farming or ranching in either Billings, Cass, Foster, McKenzie, Mercer, Rolette, Stark or Ward counties. The program will offer oneyear contracts in 2024 and 2025. The project is limited to 160 acres or animal units per producer for a maximum payout of $16,000 annually. Producers will receive 50% up front, 25% after implementation and verification, and then the final 25% after reporting is complete. Producers

who use the program in 2024 are eligible to enroll in 2025. However, they can’t enroll the same acres for the same practice. Sixteen different soil conservation practices are eligible under program guidelines. Early adopters of most high-value conservation practices are also eligible to receive funding. Forty percent of the project’s nationwide enrollment must come from under-served, socially disadvantaged or limited-resource farms. Nationally, the program is led by Virginia Tech. The North Dakota Conservation District Employees Association and soil conservation districts are providing technical assistance for growers, while the North Dakota Grain Growers Association is assisting North Dakota Farmers Union with producer outreach. The Alliance is part of USDA’s $3.1 billion investment in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which supports 141 projects and seeks to provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodities and expand those markets for American producers. To enroll or learn more about the program, visit allianceforcsa.org or contact your local soil conservation district. Farms and ranches must be located in one of the eight eligible counties to apply. The 30-day enrollment period will open in mid-February.

Despite more awareness, mental-health barriers remain for farmers BY MIKE MOEN, PRAIRIE NEWS SERVICE NORTH DAKOTA — It is January and North Dakota farmers may already be looking ahead to the spring planting season. Mental health providers see hope and challenges in assisting producers who are overwhelmed about their operation’s outlook. Becky Kopp Dunham, clinical social worker and co-owner of Together Counseling, which has a program specifically geared for farmers in the eastern half of the state. She acknowledged there is still a stigma among the farming community regarding mental health care needs. But Dunham feels reluctance has been fading by making inroads with family members and farm employees. “There’s a domino effect in these communities,” Dunham explained. “It isn’t just literally the farmer and rancher but it’s people that are involved with them. They feel the impact of those hardships.” Since 2021, Dunham pointed out their program has served nearly 90 farmers and

ranchers and their families. A grant program through North Dakota State University helped make the counseling more accessible. But the funding has dried up, and Dunham noted keeping insurance costs lower could help additional producers sign up for sessions or prevent existing clients from having to pause counseling. Dunham added because farmers are self-employed, higher health insurance costs are one of the many things leading to added stress. Even when yields and income are strong, she emphasized farmers have a lot to worry about. “[There are] still concerns about finding the parts for their equipment, the cost of equipment or not having a succession plan for the next generation,” Dunham outlined. “That’s causing conflict.” Because of climate change, unpredictable weather is making it harder for farmers to plan from season to season. While her office is based in Fargo, Dunham said they offer telehealth services. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has a list of mental health resources on its website.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

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Health & Wellness

Wellness Wednesday

elcome back to “Wellness Wednesday” with NDSU Extension. I am Katelyn Jespersen, the family and community wellness extension agent for Williams County. Let’s continue our journey through the topics from our new Nourish program that launched this month. Today’s topic is brain health and what you can do to nourish your brain with food and activities to protect its health and function throughout a lifetime. As we age, brain signals start to slow and impair its ability to make rapid comparisons, remember information, and make decisions. This brain decline can start as early as our 20s and 30s and can be accelerated by free radicals that cause oxidative damage. This makes it hard for the body to protect and repair itself. Specific factors that can cause oxidative damage are pollution, smoking, ultraviolet light, inflammation, alcohol and obesity. So how do we protect ourselves from this brain decline? Eating certain foods

can help to give the brain what it needs to protect and repair itself. Here is some food for thought: eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamins C, E, B12 and folate. Another way to nourish your brain is giving your brain a good workout to keep it active. Challenge your brain by learning a new skill, volunteering, socializing and getting rest (checkout last week’s article on sleep). Getting physical exercise increases heart rate which increases blood flow to the brain. Did you know that dancing is the number one physical activity to decrease the rise of dementia? This is because dance combines movement (physical exercise) and thinking (brain exercise). To learn more about brain health and what you can do about it, check out our Nourish program. It is available online and can be done at your own pace and on your own time or contact me if you would like to set up an in-person version for a group of people. Find the program online at www.

ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/programs/ nourish. Join me next week as I highlight heart health as the next topic from the Nourish program. Until then, continue extending knowledge and changing lives with NDSU Extension.

KATELYN JESPERSEN WILLIAMS COUNTY FAMILY & COMMUNITY WELLNESS EXTENSION AGENT BRAIN TEASER: HOW MANY SQUARES DO YOU SEE? DID YOU GET AT LEAST 14? (ANSWER: 16 SQUARES)

Prairie Fare: Genetics or lifestyle - What makes the greatest difference in health? Lifestyle may play a greater role than genetics for the first 70 to 80 years of life. BY JULIE GARDEN-ROBINSON, NDSU EXTENSION FOOD AND NUTRITION SPECIALIST

“L

ook at my great-great grandfather with a mustache like mine,” my son said. Someone had uploaded a picture to the online platform about our ancestors. I gave my son a DNA test kit and he is waiting for the results. We have been bonding over our exploration of our mutual ancestry prior to getting his results. I won’t be able to convince him to shave after viewing his family tree, though. We found a distant grandfather from more than 250 years ago with my son’s first name who died on my son’s birthdate. That gave me and him a bit of a shiver. I have reached the 1600s in my exploration of our family tree. The Norwegians and Swedes kept very good records that have been painstakingly translated. We have made some interesting discoveries. Like many earlier generations, having a large family was common. My great-grandmother had 13 children and 49 grandchildren. She lived to be quite old. In fact, quite a few of our relatives lived into their mid-70s to 90s, which was quite elderly back in the day. Unfortunately, we discovered that several infant relatives died early. In their wildest imaginations, these ancestors could not have predicted that their distant granddaughter and grandson would be adding their birth, marriage and death

certificates, and military cards to a digital family tree using a cell phone. I can hardly believe it. If any of these relatives had died enroute from Europe, or while traveling in wagons across the country, or in the many wars that have occurred, neither of us would exist. Our health and longevity are shaped by our genes, our lifestyle and our environments. We have better medical care available, including ways to treat heart disease, cancer and diabetes. We have more food choices in our food supply, but not all the foods are healthful choices. Back then, they raised their food, including meat, dairy, vegetables and grains. Life was simpler, they worked hard, and their main entertainment probably was socializing with family and friends. According to published research, for the first 70 or 80 years of life, lifestyle plays a greater role than genetics. If you have a history of longevity, you might live longer if you also have a healthy lifestyle. What are the main considerations in a healthy lifestyle? If you answer “yes” to any of these, you are taking positive steps toward a healthful lifestyle. • Do you refrain from smoking or the use of any tobacco products?? • Do you limit or refrain from drinking alcohol? • Do you eat a healthful diet and meet the recommendations for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources and have a good calcium source such as dairy? Visit choosemyplate.gov for a recommended amount of these foods

• • •

for you. Do you get regular physical activity? The current recommendation is 30 minutes on most days of the week. Do you know your family health history so you can answer your provider’s questions? Do have the regular screenings recommended by your provider? See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/preventive-care/index.html for more information.

Most adults shortchange themselves on vegetables. In fact, some researchers estimate that just 10% of adults meet the recommendation about 4 ½ cups of vegetables and fruits daily. Here’s a comforting, old-fashioned soup that’s a good source of colorful vegetables and fiber. Pair it with fresh bread or corn muffins for a warm meal on a cold day. (Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.) Julie Garden-Robinson’s original article for NDSU Extension, “Prairie Fare: Genetics or lifestyle - What makes the greatest difference in health?” can be found at https://www.ag.ndsu. edu/news/columns/prairie-fare/prairie-fare-genetics-or-lifestyle-what-makes-the-greatest-difference-in-health

Country-style Split Pea Soup

1 cup onion, diced 1 leek, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon canola oil 1¼ cups green or yellow split peas, rinsed 1 cup celery, diced 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 3 cups water 3 cups chicken broth 1 bay leaf ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried 1 tablespoon seasoned salt ½ teaspoon ground pepper 1 cup cooked ham, diced (optional) 1 cup plain nonfat/low-fat yogurt (optional) In a large, heavy saucepan, sauté onion, leek, celery and garlic until they are tender, about five minutes. Add peas, broth, water, bay leaf, parsley, seasoned salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes, or until peas are tender. Add the carrots, potatoes and ham (optional) to the soup. Cover and simmer about 15 to 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender but retain their shape. Add water, if necessary, to thin soup. Reduce heat. Optional: Add plain yogurt and cook for five minutes. Do not boil. Makes 12 servings. Each serving has 120 calories, 1 gram (g) fat, 6 g protein, 20 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber and 500 milligrams sodium.

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Thursday, January 25, 2024

Political

Gov. Doug Burgum not running for third term Burgum not ruling out potential role with future Trump administration

BY JEFF BEACH, AMY DALRYMPLE, & MICHAEL ACHTERLING

orth Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday he will not seek a third term, opening up the field to potential Republican successors. Burgum, a native of Arthur who made his fortune leading the accounting software company Great Plains Software, was originally elected as governor in 2016. He was reelected to the office in 2020. “We’ve made incredible progress these past seven years, from record tax relief and historic investments in infrastructure, education and other priorities, to guiding our state through historic challenges including drought, flooding, the DAPL protests and a global pandemic,” Burgum said in a news release. “We’ve diversified our economy and grown our agriculture and energy industries, revitalized Main Streets and supported healthy, vibrant communities, reinvented government to be more efficient and effective, improved state-tribal relations and helped eliminate the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction while inspiring people to seek recovery.” At a press conference in Bismarck, Burgum discussed his decision not to run. “Part of it’s family,” Burgum said, adding that he is looking forward to spending more time with his three adult children. “When you serve, the family also serves.” Burgum did not rule out running for office in the future, but did not directly answer if he was interested in serving in the Trump administration should Donald Trump win the presidency in November. “I’m sure that he’ll pick an excellent Cabinet and an excellent running mate at the time of his choosing,” Burgum said When asked about potential governor candidates, Burgum did not speculate on who might run but praised Lt. Tammy

Miller and former Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford. “I am 100% confident that if Tammy Miller and I had run on the same ticket that we would have won and won by a large margin,” he said. Miller is “seriously considering a run for governor and will have a decision soon,” said Dawson Schefter, an adviser to Miller. Burgum appointed Miller lieutenant governor in January 2023 following the resignation of Sanford. Miller is former CEO and board chairwoman of Border States in Fargo. She served as chief operating officer in Gov. Burgum’s office from April 2020 through December 2022. Meanwhile, former Republican state lawmaker Tom Campbell told the North Dakota Monitor he’s running for governor. He had planned a Feb. 6 campaign event, but may move that up, he said. Campbell, R-Grafton, served in the North Dakota Senate from 2013-2018. Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak told the North Dakota Monitor she was surprised by Burgum’s announcement. Fedorchak, a Republican, said running for governor is something that’s been in the back of her mind, and she’s planning to talk to her family about the pros and cons. “I thought I had another four years to think about it,” Fedorchak said. During the press conference, Burgum lamented the large state reserves that built up during his time in office and that the Legislature did not do more to reduce income taxes. “You’ve got to reduce the revenue coming in and one way you do that is lower the income tax,” Burgum said. He pledged to be busy working for the state during his remaining 328 days in office, including developing a budget blueprint that will be presented to the Legislature in early December before he leaves office.

Burgum said one of the major challenges was the Dakota Access Pipeline protests that were taking place on the Standing Rock Reservation when he was sworn in in December 2016. When asked about his legacy, Burgum said: “I think that people are going to understand that we were you know, driven by data not by ideology; that we started from a place of deep caring about the state and the people that are here and we believe in servant leadership, and that’s putting the people you serve ahead of yourself.” Burgum launched a run for the White House in 2023 but suspended his presidential campaign in December. On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, Burgum endorsed Trump for president. Trump then hinted that there may be a place for Burgum should Trump win the presidential election in November. With Burgum not running for a third term “the chess board changes a lot,” said Robert Harms, who served as general counsel to Schafer and Gov. John Hoeven. In an interview before Burgum’s announcement, Harms identified Miller and Sanford as potential Republican governor candidates. Armstrong has said intends to seek reelection but Harms said he thinks those plans could change. “If Burgum was not in the hunt, my guess is Kelly Armstrong would certainly recalibrate and think about running,” Harms said Friday. Harms also identified Fedorchak and Campbell as possible candidates. Former Bismarck state Sen. Rick Becker also was on Harms’ list, but Becker announced Monday that he’s running for Armstrong’s U.S. House seat. Burgum has been a supporter of the state’s oil and gas industry with North Dakota the third largest oil producing state behind Texas and New Mexico. He also set a goal for the state to become carbon neutral by 2030, promoting

carbon capture and storage projects for the energy industry to help reach that goal. One of his mottos has been “innovation, not regulation,” in making North Dakota an attractive state to do business. Burgum is scheduled to give a State of the State Address on Tuesday at Dickinson State University’s Dorothy Stickney Auditorium. The 2016 governor’s race was his first run for office, bypassing the Republican convention and defeating the endorsed candidate, Wayne Stenehjem, in the primary. Burgum initially ran for office with former Watford City Mayor Sanford as his lieutenant governor. Sanford resigned in January 2023 to return to the private sector. Democrats have not announced a candidate for governor. Burgum won handily against Democrats in his two campaigns for governor. In 2020, he got more than 69% of the votes, defeating Democrat-NPL candidate Shelley Lenz, a veterinarian in the Dickinson and Killdeer area. Lenz on Monday criticized Burgum for not doing enough to make North Dakota attractive to people from outside the state and grow the state’s workforce. She said Burgum needed to stand up to the culture war movement and said lower income taxes won’t bring in more workers. “Culture wars are causing it to be much more difficult here to develop a workforce,” she said. This is a developing story and has been updated with additional reporting. Check back for more updates. The original article, “Gov. Doug Burgum not running for third term” can be found at https:// northdakotamonitor.com/2024/01/22/govdoug-burgum-not-running-for-third-term/

Goodbyes are never easy

’ve so graciously given my “From the Designer” space to allow Falon to say a quick good-bye, and introduce our newest team member, Maddie. If you’ve read any of my previous pieces, you may have already learned that I have worked for the Shopper off and on for over 20 years. To say I see it as more than just a job would be an understatement. I have had the privilege to work with a lot of amazing people in those years, and always been a part of a team that helped build and propel things forward. In May 2022, when Vocella acquired The Shopper, Falon walked in, looked at me and said something along the lines of, “Well. What do we do now?” It was quite a whirl-

wind, that has only slowed down for brief moments, ever since. Falon jumped right in and anything she didn’t know (and, let me tell you, even after 20 years, there were certainly parts of the business that have just never been on my radar as the designer), she somehow figured it out. She often uses the hashtag #FabulouslyFalon. I’d have to add #FearlessslyFalon to that. When my family and I moved to Minnesota just a few months later I began working remotely. You would think that not

boards clicking and no words being said, Falon became not just a co-worker, but one of the best friends I could ask for. My tears have been many, as Vocella says farewell to Fabulous Falon. The amount of appreciation in my heart for your help and dedication to this organization is eclipsed only by the gratitude in my heart for your friendship through all the laughter and tears we’ve shared. There is only love and happiness for you as you move on to the next chapter in your life.

being in the same building, let alone state, would make a working relationship harder. But we’ve proved the opposite to be true. With phone calls that often lasted hours, even when it was just the sounds of our key-

Thank you for being exactly who you are.

Kary Moltzan

Thursday, January 25, 2024

VOCELLAGRAPHIC.COM

Culture

“Governerds” forgive medical debt for over 140,000 families BY KAROLYN MOLTZAN

haron McMahon, also known as “America’s Government Teacher,” is a popular Instagram creator who has gained notoriety not only for her no-nonsense, non-bias explanations of government and its workings, but also for her inspiration to do good. McMahon spends most of her time explaining current events, often in response to one of her 1.1 million followers asking for it in simplest terms or to “explain it like I’m five.” Her ability to elucidate without a spin is what attracts many to hit the follow button. McMahon also teaches “Government for Grownups” virtual workshops, holds virtual book clubs and has a podcast called “Here’s Where it Gets Interesting.” As if that’s not enough, she also does speaking engagements and occasional television appearances, and has a book coming out soon. But perhaps what’s most impressive is her ability to inspire others to do good with her. McMahon’s followers, also known as “Governerds” are always ready to step up to the plate when someone is need. In the past, McMahon has posted fundraisers for families in need, teacher scholarships and more. The goals are always met astonishingly

SHARON MCMAHON IS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNMENT AND LAW TEACHER ON A MISSION TO COMBAT POLITICAL MISINFORMATION BY SHARING NON-PARTISAN FACTS ABOUT THE US GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRACY AND HISTORY. SOURCE WWW.SHARONMACMAHON.COM

quickly. This past December, McMahon once again held a fundraiser for RIP Medical Debt. RIP Medical Debt is an organization that purchases medical debt at cost, but rather than collect on that debt, it forgives it, often for pennies on the dollar by negotiating with the companies owed. The need is significant, as medical debt has become the top reason for filing bankruptcy in the U.S. In a matter of days, McMahon’s Governerds raised $1,079,369.10, all through online donations — many of a few cents to a few dollars. Yes, over $1 million. RIP Medical Debt was then able to use that money to relieve about $100 in medical debt for every $1 it received. That means the donations from the Governerds relieved over $170 million dollars in medical debt, helping over 140,000 families across the U.S. “It is truly the small who are the mighty,” McMahon said in a January Instagram post. “All of us doing something has made far more difference than a few of us trying to do it all. Well done. And thank you.” Do you follow @sharonsaysso on Instagram? If so, we’d love to hear how she’s inspired you to do good! Scan the QR code and leave us a comment.

The U.S. Medical debt crisis is incalculable BY ALLISON SESSO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RIP MEDICAL DEBT

bout a decade ago Vanessa was working as a nurse in Massachusetts. She was married with a 6-year-old boy and an infant daughter when she needed a surgical procedure and decided to go to the hospital where she worked. That surgery, unfortunately, led to more after many complications were encountered. Over the next few years, she was hospitalized multiple times and even found herself in the ICU. Vanessa was fully insured this whole time, but her copays were high and kept adding up. She had young children to feed, a mortgage to pay and student loans to contend with. Like millions of financially strapped people in the United States, she struggled to pay these medical debts of necessity on top of her other bills. The collection letters and calls from the same hospital where she worked were humiliating and stressful. Eventually her medical debts were sold to a for-profit debt buyer for continued collection. As a front-line worker taking care of COVID-19 patients, she knew she was one exposure away from incurring even more medical debt. A recent study published by the Journal of American Medical Association shows that

Vanessa is not alone. Nearly eighteen percent of individuals in the US had medical debt in collections in June 2020 — to tune of $140 billion. Medical debt is not just a crisis for the uninsured. While this number is massive, it’s sadly, only the tip of the iceberg. Many health care providers and hospitals choose to not report medical debt to credit bureaus, yet the individual still owes the funds and could be subject to legal actions leading to wage garnishment or property liens. Other medical debts sit on credit cards and can’t be identified as “medical.” One survey estimated that only about sixty percent of people with problems paying medical bills have been contacted by a debt collector (analogous to their debt being reported to credit bureaus), and even then, it is likely that only a fraction of those people’s medical debt has been reported. Given these factors, the actual medical debt burden in the U.S. is likely much higher, potentially even reaching $1 trillion. That number may seem shocking, but consider that as of 2020 student loan debt in this country reached $1.7 trillion. This is unacceptable. Medical debt has become an embarrassing, central feature of America’s healthcare financing system. More people in the U.S. today have medical debt (43 million) than live in Canada. For too many, financial wellbeing must be sacrificed to obtain physical health. This great contra-

diction of our health care system is growing, and it is high time we stopped the insanity. As the head of a nonprofit that acquires and abolishes medical debts as a means of providing economic relief to individuals, I am routinely appalled at the financial expectations our system places on patients seeking to have their health care needs met. It is unreasonable to have a system that routinely sets patients up to default on payments. Providers across the country have large portfolios of bad debts that they have no expectation of ever recovering. Yet the individuals who owe them worry and often delay or forego the care they need to avoid additional debt. That same JAMA study also offers a glimpse of hope for how we can start repairing our health care system. For starters, every state must adopt the ACA Medicaid expansion. As the study found, medical debt is higher in states that have yet to take advantage of this important federal funding. According to their findings, “between 2013 and 2020, the states that expanded Medicaid in 2014 experienced a decline in the mean flow of medical debt that was 34.0 percentage points greater than the states that did not expand Medicaid.” To add insult to injury, many of those same states have halted increased unemployment benefits by arguing that they disincentivize work. You know what else makes work seem less appealing? Having your wag-

es garnished thanks to a lawsuit because you couldn’t pay medical debts following an unavoidable accident or illness. It would also be helpful to end what amounts to subprime insurance policies. We can’t allow people to have health insurance plans they can’t afford with high deductibles they will never meet and premiums approaching, or surpassing, the price of rent. It’s analogous to predatory lending — particularly when many patients end up being sued. We can and need to do better. In April of last year Vanessa came home to a letter from our organization. One of her past-due medical bills had been completely abolished. She wrote to us, “I’m a registered nurse now and I’m working to help my patients through this horrible virus. It was incredibly nice to see that someone paid off one of my medical debts without me asking or applying for it. You are doing God’s work for sure, thank you!” We are proud to have been able to help Vanessa, but we shouldn’t have to. We need to take a hard look at the fault lines in our health care financing system and take action to prevent the millions of people like Vanessa from needing the help of an organization like ours in the first place. https://ripmedicaldebt.org/the-us-medicaldebt-crisis/