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Articles by Dave Olson
Certified AI 360 Launches AI Training and Certification, Updated Weekly to Keep Pace With AI
Certified AI 360 Launches AI Training and Certification, Updated Weekly to Keep Pace With AI Sam Richter, co-founder of Certified AI 360 and Hall of Fame keynote speaker. A practical AI training and certification program backed by weekly AI updates, teaching teams to work across every major AI platform, not just one Most AI training is outdated the day it's published.
Wheatland event explores issues affecting rural America
WHEATLAND, N.D. — Rural North Dakota is ahead of the game when it comes to things like broadband availability, but in other ways the state's small towns are suffering. Those were a few of the messages the Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity heard Wednesday, Oct. 22, during a listening session held at the Grand Farm Innovation Campus in Wheatland.
Forum reporter, 'master punster' lets ink dry on 40-year career
FARGO — On a recent afternoon, Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt stopped by the newsroom to be interviewed for a story about his imminent retirement after four decades in journalism. Before the interview, a professional exercise he has engaged in countless times on the other side of the notebook, Schmidt did something else that for him is an everyday thing — he recharged the newsroom snack counter. This time, it was a large bag of chocolate-covered peanuts.
Former head of the World Bank shares global economic insights during lecture at NDSU
FARGO — Robert Zoellick, a former head of the World Bank who helped shape decades of U.S. foreign policy, shared insights on both subjects during a lecture Tuesday, April 8, at North Dakota State University. While Zoellick often referenced his 2020 book, "America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy," his comments sometimes strayed into current events, including the potential long- and short-term impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Whistleblower reinstated as director of Fargo Rural Export Center Original
FARGO — U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer announced Wednesday, April 2, that Heather Ranck is being reinstated as the director of the National Rural Export Center, which is based in Fargo.
Need help cleaning up your home and yard for summer? These businesses are here to help
FARGO — Soren Beckstrom launched his power washing business — Cedar Valley Power Washing — around the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Beckstrom said he hauled a power washing rig around the Iowa community where his parents have their home and started knocking on doors to drum up business. He said the response was so positive, he came to the conclusion he could make a go of the business.
Former Dilworth VFW building getting makeover
DILWORTH â The former Dilworth VFW building at 1505 Center Ave. W. is undergoing a remodeling project that will result in new office space. The owner of the property, Farmington North LLC, asked for and received a five-year commercial tax abatement from the city to help pay for renovation of the space for a long-term tenant, which according to city officials will be the Clay County Public Defender's office.
Dunlop leaving FMWF Chamber after three-decade connection
FARGO β Darren Dunlop will retire in late March from the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce after a decades-long affiliation with the organization. That includes 17 years as a volunteer Chamber ambassador and 13 years as an employee of the Chamber. He currently holds the title of vice president of corporate partnerships for the Chamber.
Guest column: The unsung heroes of the SRS legacy Original
For 75 years, the Savannah River Site has been a hero for this community, this region and this country. Many people already know that SRS is the home of nuclear materials production critical to national security and that SRS is one of this area’s largest employers.
Fargo bakery arose out of family's food allergy struggle
FARGO — About 15 years ago, not long after he discovered he had gluten intolerance, Paul Mehl started Simply Savory Foods, a gluten-free bakery in south Fargo. In the years since, the business changed its name to Mehl's Gluten-Free Bakery and moved to its current home at 1404 33rd St. S.W., in Fargo, where Paul Mehl operates the bakery with his brother, Mark. Paul Mehl said the name change did two things, it acknowledged his family's name while mirroring the German word for flour — mehl.
Fargo Convention Center Project Committee eyes timeline for proposals
FARGO — Fargo's quest to achieve a new convention center and hotel complex will likely involve a two-part request-for-proposal process that could get under way in late April. That's according to officials who attended a Fargo Convention Center Project Committee meeting held Friday, March 14, at Fargo City Hall. Mallari Ackerman, director of sales for Visit Fargo-Moorhead and a member of the committee, said an initial request for proposals could be issued by the end of April.
Tariffs, shifting market temper joy of Fargo distillery's 10th anniversary celebration
FARGO — Proof Artisan Distillers, an award-winning maker of fine liquors in Fargo, is raising a bottle to 10 years in business. Now, however, owner Joel Kath is wondering where his next supply of bottles will come from. Kath said the vast majority of Proof Artisan's inputs are grown in the region: corn for their bourbon; malted barley for their malt whiskey and Red River Valley potatoes for their vodka and gin.
Downtown Fargo's Boiler Room shifting its focus
FARGO β The Boiler Room's days as a downtown restaurant are numbered, but it's not disappearing completely. That's according to a post on the eatery's Facebook page, which stated the business's last day with full menu service will be Saturday, March 15, with Sunday being the Boiler Room's final weekend offering a brunch buffet.
New Dollar Tree store taking root in Fargo
FARGO — A commercial space in the Promenade Mall on 13th Avenue South in Fargo is being fitted up for a Dollar Tree store. Signage has been affixed to the building at 3109 13th Ave. S., but it is unclear when the store will open. Messages left with Dollar Tree, a Virginia-based company, were not returned at the time this story was published. there are currently three Dollar Tree stores in Fargo and one in Dilworth.
Fergus Falls economic development agency suspends operations
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. â Greater Fergus Falls, a nonprofit organization formed in 2018 to foster economic development in the Fergus Falls area, is going "inactive," according to a posting on the Greater Fergus Falls Facebook page. "Recently, it has become evident that the (Fergus Falls) City Council has no current consensus for economic development and is actively pursuing alternative paths," the posting said.
Saving clients money is West Fargo agency's mission
WEST FARGO — The business plan behind Schooley Mitchell, a cost-saving consulting firm, is straight forward: If Schooley Mitchell doesn't uncover savings, customers pay nothing. Is it really that simple? "Our business is to help other businesses without them taking a risk," said Dennis Schooley, founder of the company that started about 25 years ago and now has offices in about 320 locations around the U.S. and Canada, including one that opened last summer in West Fargo.
Bus shuttle service between Fargo, Twin Cities airports to end
FARGO — The Landline bus shuttle service between Fargo's Hector International Airport and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will end later this month.
White Earth Band purchases land east of Moorhead
MOORHEAD — The White Earth Band of Chippewa Tribe has purchased 280 acres of land located directly east of Moorhead. According to Clay County records, the parcel involved is situated just northwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and State Highway 336. It was not clear as of Monday, March 3, what the tribe intends for the land. Efforts to reach tribal officials for comment were not successful at the time this story was published.
White Earth Band purchases land east of Moorhead
MOORHEAD — The White Earth Band of Chippewa Tribe has purchased 280 acres of land located directly east of Moorhead. According to Clay County records, the parcel involved is situated just northwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and State Highway 336. It was not clear as of Monday, March 3, what the tribe intends for the land. Efforts to reach tribal officials for comment were not successful at the time this story was published.
Bill approved by ND House would establish state Office of Entrepreneurship
BISMARCK â A bill recently approved by the North Dakota House of Representatives would create an Office of Entrepreneurship if it is ultimately approved by the Legislature. House Bill 1191 is sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton. Having passed the House, the bill will now head to the state Senate.
New SBA administrator outlines agency's 'America First' priorities
WASHINGTON —Newly confirmed U.S. SmallBusiness Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler has issued a memo outlining her top priorities for the agency. In announcing the memo, Loefller said small businesses are the backbone of the country, but over the past four years the agency has burdened entrepreneurs with bureaucracy — with its programs becoming mired in fraud, waste and abuse.
Effort underway to establish F-M area children's museum
MOORHEAD — Lindsay Breuler is a mother of three young children who knows well what families with small children are looking for these days when it comes to finding meaningful ways of spending time together. That's the reason, she said, behind her mission to create the Great Plains Children's Museum, a concept she hopes will gain a following in the Fargo-Moorhead area and one she hopes will soon come to fruition. In the following Q & A, Breuler talks about her aspirations for the museum.
Do retail lease rates influence where shops do business?
FARGO — At least 12 businesses in Fargo's downtown corridor either closed for good or set up shop elsewhere in 2024, including Zandbroz Variety and Scan Design, stores with deep downtown roots. During the same period, at least 19 businesses opened shops, or expanded existing operations in downtown last year. Such ebbs and flows lead some to wonder about factors that drive those kinds of decisions, including the role lease rates may play.
Downtown Fargo sees second protest in two days blasting moves by Trump Administration
FARGO β For the second time in two days demonstrators gathered in downtown Fargo to protest actions being taken by President Donald Trump and one of his top advisers, billionaire Elon Musk. During a protest held Sunday in front of the federal court building, organizers said the event was in support of federal workers who have been targeted by the Trump Administration for job reductions as President Trump takes aim at reducing federal spending.
Woman killed in head-on crash north of Moorhead Original
MOORHEAD — One person died Saturday evening, Feb. 22, following a head-on collision on Highway 75 north of Moorhead, according to a report released by the Minnesota State Patrol. According to the report: The incident happened just before 7 p.m. Saturday on Highway 75 at mile marker 254 in Oakport Township in Clay County. The State Patrol said an SUV driven by Christopher T.
Woman killed in head-on crash north of Moorhead
MOORHEAD â One person died Saturday evening, Feb. 22, following a head-on collision on Highway 75 north of Moorhead, according to a report released by the Minnesota State Patrol. According to the report: The incident happened just before 7 p.m. Saturday on Highway 75 at mile marker 254 in Oakport Township in Clay County. The State Patrol said an SUV driven by Christopher T.
Moorhead Marine sold, building closed permanently
MOORHEAD â Moorhead Marine, a family owned business that operated in Moorhead for decades, has closed permanently after being sold. U Motors, a marine and powersports dealership in Fargo that has additional locations in Detroit Lakes and near Pelican Lake in Minnesota, purchased Moorhead Marine and folded the business into the U Motors world. That's according to Nate Harms, general manager at U Motors.
Fargo demonstrators voice upset over Trump Administration moves
FARGO â About two dozen people gathered at Broadway Square in downtown Fargo Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, to protest recent moves by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, one of the president's top advisers. One protester, Cheyene Campbell, said the gathering was part of a nationwide grassroots movements called 50501, which refers to 50 protests held in 50 states on one day, Feb. 5, to protest actions taken by the Trump Administration since the president took office in January.
Economist bullish on region's economy, but says immigration, tariff crackdowns are sources of worry Original
WEST FARGO β Matthew Finn says he's optimistic about North Dakota's economy in general, but he has concerns about how policy changes on the federal level may affect the U.S. economy overall. Finn, chief economist at 1834, a division of Old National Bank, gave the keynote address on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Midwest Economic Outlook Summit held at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo. The event was hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.
GOLFNXT golf simulation complex tees up for late February opening
FARGO — GolfNXT, a large golf simulation complex going up in south Fargo, is teeing up for a Feb. 28 grand opening. Developer Ross Uglem said people with memberships in the new business will likely get an earlier peek at GolfNXT, which he said will have nine golf simulation bays in addition to indoor and outdoor turfed areas for short-game play. GolfNXT will also have a golf club custom fitting operation as well as a fitness/weight-lifting workout area.
Bravery Holdings Corp. acquisition of VISIONBank moving forward
FARGO — A merger between Fargo-based VISIONBank and Bravera Holdings Corp. has received regulatory approval from the Federal Reserve Bank. According to Kelsey Dahl, chief marketing officer for Bravera Holdings Corp., it is anticipated the acquisition will be finalized in March and VISIONBank will begin merging into the Bravera brand later this fall. Until then, Dahl said, the VISIONBank name will continue to be used.
Dirt Roads Dakota The Collective now open in Grand Forks
GRAND FORKS — Tanya Rose was operating her custom print business, Dirt Roads Dakota, out of what she describes as a "tiny" space in the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks when the opportunity arose to rent the former Ferguson Books space in town — all 7,800 square feet of it. She snapped it up.
Fargo arts and culture commission recaps 10 years of projects
FARGO — A new report celebrates the city of Fargo's investment in public art over the past decade, but if the city is to move beyond the current status quo, more dollars will be needed. That was the message Monday, Feb. 10, when members of Fargo's volunteer Arts and Culture Commission held an informational meeting with city commissioners at Fargo City Hall.
Executive orders sparked brief pause in admissions to FMWF Chamber's Good Jobs Challenge initiative
FARGO — The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce recently adopted a week-long pause on accepting new participants in its Good Jobs Challenge initiative, which provides job training aimed at building the area's workforce numbers.
Mango's Mexican and American Grill to reopen Monday
MOORHEAD — Mango's Mexican and American Grill, closed since a July 24 fire damaged its Fargo location, will reopen Monday, Feb. 10, in a new location in Moorhead. That's according to a notice the eatery posted on Facebook that says Mango's will reopen at 3333 US-10 in Moorhead, the former home of Boulder Tap House. The restaurant's Fargo location had been 2901 Main Ave. Mango's first announced it was moving to Moorhead in a New Year's Eve Facebook post.
Fargo pet spa and grooming shop has closed
FARGO — Muddy Paws, a south Fargo pet grooming business, has closed. The owners said in a Facebook post that it closed its doors for good on Jan. 31. The post reads in part: "It has been a wonderful nearly four years of owning the business and we will all be forever grateful for our time here with your amazing pets! Thank you once again!" The business opened in June of 2017 at 3985 56th St. S.
Construction to start this spring on Kwik Trip/Kwik Star stores in F-M area
FARGO — Like robins, you can expect Kwik Trip stores to start showing up this spring in the Fargo-Moorhead area. That's according to Ben Leibl, a spokesperson for the brand who said construction on two Moorhead-area stores is anticipated to start in May, with construction on two Fargo stores to begin a month later in June.
Foreign affairs experts explore potential tariff repercussions
FARGO — As of Monday, Feb. 3, a temporary cease-fire was in place regarding U.S. tariffs targeting Mexico and Canada, but if President Donald Trump's threatened trade barriers are ultimately erected, impacts on the U.S. economy would likely be broad and potentially burdensome for consumers.
Hospice of the Red River Valley moves into new home
FARGO — Hospice of the Red River Valley has been waiting decades to open a community based hospice house. Now, the wait is nearly over. The agency that provides end-of-life care recently moved its administrative offices into a new headquarters building at 3800 56th Ave. S. in Fargo. Its former location was 1701 38th St. S., Fargo. In the near future, HRRV plans to open an additional aspect of its new complex — Heather's House — which will be North Dakota's first community based hospice house.
Area shops turning to public to help them stay afloat
FARGO — Social media is something many businesses rely on to connect with customers, and area shops and restaurants are increasingly resorting to online platforms and other means to convey a very specific message: "Help!" A recent example involved an announcement by business partners Nikki Berglund and Ryan Nitschke that they plan to open their new Nova Eatery and Supper Club concept with the help of a crowdfunding campaign.
FARGO — Social media is something many businesses rely on to connect with customers, and area shops and restaurants are increasingly resorting to online platforms and other means to convey a very specific message: "Help!" A recent example involved an announcement by business partners Nikki Berglund and Ryan Nitschke that they plan to open their new Nova Eatery and Supper Club concept with the help of a crowdfunding campaign.
NP Avenue project in downtown Fargo takes shape
FARGO — A multifaceted building project expected to cost upwards of $60 million is beginning to take shape on NP Avenue in downtown Fargo. Workers are erecting the skeleton of what will become the six-story Avery apartment complex, which will have about 168 housing units when it is completed in 2026. The Avery is part of a larger project that includes the construction of a city-owned parking garage and a new Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre complex.
Taco Revolution offers mashup of Mexican/Colombian cuisine in quiet corner of Horace
HORACE, N.D. — Until early last year, Taco Revolution mostly did business as a food truck, striving for about eight years to satisfy appetites in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Then, in February 2024, the Jesus and Solangel Gutierrez family that operates Taco Revolution decided to park the food truck and put down roots. They ultimately settled on a brick-and-mortar location at 560 1st St. E., Unit B, in Horace, a community of about 6,400 people that's located about a 20-minute drive southwest of Fargo.
Fargo developer embroiled in legal battle over South Dakota housing projects
FARGO — Fargo developer Jesse Craig has filed bankruptcy papers in federal court in North Dakota involving three housing projects in Watertown, South Dakota, that are part of a legal dispute between Craig and the bank that provided financing for the projects. The bankruptcy cases were filed under Chapter 11 of U.S. bankruptcy code, which allows a debtor to reorganize their finances and debts to continue operating a business.
Fargo developer embroiled in legal battle over South Dakota housing projects
FARGO — Fargo developer Jesse Craig has filed bankruptcy papers in federal court in North Dakota involving three housing projects in Watertown, South Dakota, that are part of a legal dispute between Craig and the bank that provided financing for the projects. The bankruptcy cases were filed under Chapter 11 of U.S. bankruptcy code, which allows a debtor to reorganize their finances and debts to continue operating a business.
Crafty Taps has closed in the West acres Shopping Center
FARGO — Crafty Taps, a self-pour tap business that sold beer and wine in the food court of the West Acres Shopping Center, has closed. The business that opened in early 2023 does not appear on the list of establishments on the West Acres website and a mall spokesperson confirmed that Crafty Taps, which had been located within the common area of the food court, closed in late December. At this time, the mall is not looking to locate another tenant in the space vacated by Crafty Taps.
Fargo developer embroiled in legal battle over South Dakota housing projects
FARGO — Fargo developer Jesse Craig has filed bankruptcy papers in federal court in North Dakota involving three housing projects in Watertown, S.D., that are part of a legal dispute between Craig and the bank that provided financing for the projects. The bankruptcy cases were filed under Chapter 11 of U.S. bankruptcy code, which allows a debtor to reorganize their finances and debts to continue operating a business.
Valley Hardwood Supply to reopen Dilworth store heavily damaged by fire
DILWORTH â Valley Hardwood Supply is going home. A fire in mid-January 2024 heavily damaged the business at 900 Center Ave. W. in Dilworth and for a time the seller of hardwoods had to close. By late last spring, however, owners Brandon and Janet Thompson were operating out of a temporary store at 2721 20th Ave. S. in Moorhead.
New mixed use development planned in Mapleton, ND
MAPLETON, N.D. â Construction is to begin this spring on a 24-unit upscale condominium/commercial space development in Mapleton. That's according to Katherine Kiernan, owner of Aspire Realty and a partner in the project along with others, including Renee and Justin Forde, who a few years ago purchased land for the project near the Maple River Golf Club. Kiernan said the development has been given the name Eagle's Landing as a nod to the views that it will provide of the nearby golf course.
More storefronts coming to east edge of Dilworth
DILWORTH — The Rail District, a growing commercial development on the east edge of Dilworth that is home to a number of young businesses, is getting more storefronts. That's according to developer Lance Ziebarth, who said construction will start soon on the Milton, a structure he said will house three to four storefronts when the building is ready for occupancy, which he said could happen by this summer.
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