Good morning, Grand Forks.

State House lawmakers passed a bill that provides free breakfast and lunch for students by allocating $65 million; private schools must opt in to participate.

The measure passed 55-38 and now moves to the Senate for further review.

The legislative committee advanced House Bill 1624 — a measure to provide free school meals for K-12 students — with votes of 17-5 in the House and 8-7 in the Senate; signature collection for a constitutional ballot measure will continue through November.

The North Dakota Continuum of Care will conduct a Point-in-Time Count on Wednesday, Jan.

28 to measure homelessness across the state. Officials say the data will help identify service gaps and guide planning efforts in local areas (including Grand Forks).

On Jan. 22, local lawmakers reacted after the North Dakota House passed a free school meals bill aimed at assisting students—officials say the measure now moves forward for further review.

The House passed free school meals legislation on Thursday during a special session, allocating $65 million for breakfast and lunch as private and tribal schools must opt in — the bill now heads to the Senate for further discussion in the 2027 legislative session.

Altru Health and Common Spirit have begun talks for Altru to acquire three hospitals: St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, St. Alexius Health Turtle Lake and St. Alexius Garrison.

This follows Altru's opening of its $500 million Grand Forks hospital last January, which earned a ranking among the top 250 nationally.