In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into the vibrant world of running and biking events across North Dakota. From small-town trail races to the nationally recognized Fargo Marathon, they explore how these events are more than just athletic competitions—they’re engines of tourism, community connection, and local pride.

Michael shares his personal experiences with trail and obstacle course races and reflects on how a chance encounter led to reporting on these dynamic community gatherings. The hosts also highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing races, the economic boost they provide to local businesses, and the unifying atmosphere they foster among participants—no matter their background or political views.

Whether it's a Fourth of July fun run in Mandan or the endurance challenges of the Badlands Trail Run, this episode shines a light on how races throughout the state are building healthier, more connected communities.

Topics Covered:

• The inspiration behind reporting on North Dakota’s race scene
• Local events like the Cooley Run in Washburn and the Medieval Rush in Bismarck
• The economic and tourism impact of events like the Fargo Marathon
• Volunteerism and community effort in organizing races

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert dive into an inspiring arts and ecology initiative titled "Thinking Like a Prairie," where high school students from the North Valley Career and Technology Center engaged in a unique, hands-on learning experience. With support from the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, the program partnered with artist Austin Camille to help students connect with the prairie landscape through art, ecology, and community storytelling.

Michael shares details from his recent article and interviews, discussing how students visited a bison ranch near Grafton, collected natural materials, and used them to create art, including soil-based pigments and clay plates for a future "prairie potluck." Sabrina highlights the broader environmental importance of preserving native prairie, much of which has been lost to agriculture and development.

In this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson and Michael Standaert of the North Dakota News Cooperative unpack a new initiative aimed at reshaping the future of local journalism and why community support may be the key to its survival.

The conversation centers around the findings of a statewide survey conducted with journalists, publishers, and news consumers as part of the Future of Local News project.

They discuss the continued public trust in local newspapers, the disconnect between consumer support and publisher concerns, and how communities might help ensure their local news outlets survive and thrive. Topics include generational preferences for print vs. digital, declining ad revenues, and the need to shift public mindset toward supporting journalism through subscriptions or donations.

Key Takeaways:

• Broad community support exists for local journalism, especially in rural areas.
• Younger audiences still value print, but expect digital access.
• Sustainable funding models must replace traditional advertising.
• Publishers and editors need to actively engage their communities.
• 80% of surveyed consumers said losing a local newspaper would harm their community.