Congratulations to the newest group of lawyers admitted to the State Bar Association of North Dakota who took a solemn oath today, promising to act as an officer of the court, a protector of individual rights, and a steward of justice. Wear that obligation with pride.

Congratulations to Brian Schneider, an agricultural education teacher at Napoleon Public School, who has been named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year. Agriculture is the bedrock of our economy and way of life in North Dakota, and for four decades Mr. Schneider has excelled at helping students build an educational foundation for their future lives and careers. His students’ success in FFA speaks volumes about the quality of his instruction, and the individual attention he gives to each student – going above and beyond to support their goals and aspirations – has earned him the respect and admiration of his students and peers alike. Read the full release: governor.nd.gov/news/joint-r…

Join us Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m for a special presentation of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award to national champion wrestlers and legendary wrestling coaches Terry Steiner and Troy Steiner during a ceremony at the Capitol in Bismarck. WHAT: Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award ceremony for Terry Steiner and Troy Steiner WHEN: Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. CT Thursday, Oct. 1; social at 5 p.m. on the ground floor WHERE: Memorial Hall, First Floor, State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck. @USAWrestling @steinerwrecamps

This morning at the Governor’s Workforce Summit we announced a strategic realignment of the state’s workforce-related programs and services into a single agency structure named the North Dakota Department of Workforce Development. To lead the efforts, we have appointed Katie Ralston Howe, deputy commissioner and director of the Department of Commerce’s Workforce Development Division, to serve as the state’s first workforce commissioner. We can do this without growing government and by utilizing existing talent within our agencies. And we’re asking the legislature to formalize the framework during session and create the new agency in law, effective July 1, 2027. The restructure will synchronize the staff and resources of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Development; Job Service North Dakota; North Dakota Adult Education, which currently is under the Department of Public Instruction; and North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which both currently reside within the Department of Health and Human Services, into one single agency. @CommerceND @JobServiceND

Great to join state leaders, legislators and project partners to mark the placement of the final structural beam for the new North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown, a $300 million, 140-bed facility that will expand and modernize inpatient behavioral healthcare for North Dakotans.  The new State Hospital, which will open in 2028, is a once-in-a-generation investment in the future of behavioral health in North Dakota. This facility will provide a modern, safe and supportive environment where patients can receive high-quality care and where our dedicated staff have the tools they need to do their jobs. We are grateful to the Legislature for making this investment possible and to everyone who is helping bring this vision to life. @hhsndgov

For all the challenges in the world today, North Dakota is still a great place to do business because we find a way to “yes.” We have low unemployment, high labor participation, positive net migration and world-class infrastructure to drive economic development. Thanks to our business leaders and risk-takers at the GNDC Policy Summit this morning for investing, hiring and building in North Dakota. From investing tens of millions of dollars in career academies to help retain our young people, to maintaining a stable tax and regulatory environment, we're working hard every day to make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Let’s go @UNDfootball

State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier has announced a new competition for high schools that recognizes academic excellence and participation in activities. Read more: kxnet.com/north-dakota-news/…

North Dakota is proud to join President Trump in his efforts to secure lower prescription drug prices for North Dakotans and all Americans.

Today, we appointed Jennifer Turnbow, senior director of business operations and field services at Ulteig Engineers, to lead the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Jen brings more than two decades of experience in the environmental, engineering, infrastructure and transportation sectors, with a proven track record of leading organizations and overseeing complex projects across North Dakota. Our citizens will benefit from her deep understanding of the relationship between our state’s infrastructure, industry and natural resources, and her strong commitment to the environmental stewardship that allows North Dakota to maintain some of the cleanest air, land and water in the nation. governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

Twenty-five years ago, our country was attacked by an enemy who wanted to destroy us and everything we stand for. In the quarter-century that followed, we have faced this attack on our values, our freedom and our fellow citizens with strength and resiliency, fueled by the indomitable American spirit. We will never forget the victims of those unspeakable acts, the heroes who died trying to save them, and the military members who have laid down their lives in the Global War on Terror. And we offer our prayers and support for their loved ones who continue to bear the scars of that loss.

Today North Dakota lawmakers passed House Bill 1628 banning synthetic kratom products and restricting the sale of natural kratom products to those ages 21 and older while also requiring accurate labeling. This marks a victory for public health and safety, keeping dangerous synthetic kratom products off the shelves and protecting our young people from the adverse and unknown long-term effects of natural kratom. I have now signed the bill, and the sale of kratom remains prohibited in North Dakota until administrative rules are implemented in accordance with HB 1628. We appreciate the Legislature convening in special session and working hard to pass a meaningful law that protects the well-being of our citizens. We especially want to thank Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, Sen. Michelle Axtman, Rep. Pat Heinert and Attorney General Drew Wrigley for their leadership on this issue. governor.nd.gov/news/updated…

North Dakota needs talent. Period. 
Welcoming talent from around the country and the world is essential to our future. That’s why I’m so proud of the Global Talent Office team for continuing to push this work forward. 
Kjersti and I know personally that navigating the legal immigration system isn’t always easy. But we also know how much people who choose to build their lives here can add to our communities. We want every person who comes to North Dakota ready to work hard, contribute, and call this place home to know: you are welcome here. 
This isn’t just about jobs. It’s about building stronger communities. This Global Talent Summit is helping businesses and communities find creative ways to attract and retain the people we need to keep growing. @CommerceND

Thank you to @GovArmstrong for hosting the first Health Beyond Healthcare workshop! We covered everything from mental health & criminal justice to youth mental health, rural access to care, and much more. You can watch every conversation on WGA's YouTube: ow.ly/oV4F50ZIpUm

We have called this special session to ask lawmakers to ban the unregulated drug kratom because this is a public health issue that simply cannot wait for the regular legislative calendar to run its course. People were overdosing and dying from a product they could buy off the shelf without any regulations or age restrictions. That’s why we took it off the shelves through executive order and why we're asking our legislators to go a step further and ban kratom in all its forms, as nine other states have done. governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

Join us today at 10:00 a.m. as I deliver the State of the State address to a special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly. Link below and also at governor.nd.gov video.ndlegis.gov/en/PowerBr…

We appreciate @POTUS recognizing the challenges these storms created as they knocked out power to 25,000+ and caused major damage to utility infrastructure, homes and other private property. This declaration will help our communities and citizens recover. governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

We are thrilled to welcome the first workshop in WGA's initiative, Health Beyond Healthcare, to Bismarck to continue the hard conversations around delivering mental health services and prioritizing prevention and early intervention.   Over the last decade, we've made huge strides in addressing the mental health crisis in North Dakota. But, there is still so much to do and around every corner is a new challenge to face.   Thanks to Hawai'i @GovJoshGreenMD for creating this initiative as @westgov chair, focusing on building stronger mental health outcomes across western states and territories.

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