Congratulations to all the winners of the 2026 Governor’s Photo Contest. As someone who spends as much time outdoors as I can, I’m always proud to see the Governor’s Photo Contest showcase the places and experiences that make North Dakota special. This year’s winners show the beauty and adventure that define our state. I can’t wait to see these displayed around the State Capitol. Special congratulations to William Boyeff whose “September morning youth hunt in Western North Dakota” won the Governor’s Choice. See all the photographs at ndtourism.com/2026-north-dak….

North Dakota’s deer herds have been hit hard by weather and disease over the last five years, and the latest outbreak of EHD is another serious setback. Today, we’re taking action to protect our whitetail population by prohibiting antlerless whitetail harvest in four hunting units and offering license refunds and restored bonus points to eligible hunters in 13 additional units. We want to minimize disruption to hunters while doing what’s necessary to protect our herds. If you hunt in an affected area, talk with your landowners, understand the conditions on the ground and consider returning your tag. Our goal is to protect the herd today so future generations can enjoy the same hunting opportunities we’ve been fortunate to have in North Dakota. Full press release: gf.nd.gov/news/9667

Today’s Bakken 2.0 Phase II announcement is about bringing government and industry together to unlock more of our state’s energy potential, build the infrastructure needed for the future and create opportunities that will benefit North Dakotans for generations.   Thank you to DOE Under Secretary Kyle Haustveit, Senator John Hoeven, the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation and our industry partners and other elected officials for helping drive this effort forward. With strong federal partners and an all-industry, all-government approach, we have a tremendous opportunity in front of us.   This isn’t just about one industry or western North Dakota. It’s about jobs, communities, tax relief, education and the long-term strength of our entire state.

Proud to stand with @VP and @POTUS in the fight against fraud and ensure public benefits serve the Americans who truly need them. Fraud is theft from hardworking citizens, and we have a responsibility at every level of government to stop it and hold those responsible accountable. Thank you for leading this effort.

On National Farmers Day, we say thank you to the hardworking men and women who feed the world, strengthen our communities and help drive North Dakota’s economy.

Thanks to Karl Rove, Robbie Lauf and the TR Presidential Library for the great conversation on governance, leadership and turning ideas into action at UMary.

Today we presented the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service, celebrating teams across state government for their outstanding service to North Dakota citizens during the last year. We’re proud of these and all our state employees whose dedication to serving the citizens of North Dakota shines through in their daily work and makes our state the best place to live, work and raise a family. Following are the award categories, descriptions and recipients: Triple-Play Award: Department of Transportation’s Mobile Driver License Team, for its innovation and use of technology to successful deploy a mobile driver’s license across all three major wallet platforms – Apple, Google, and Samsung – on the same day, making North Dakota the first state to do so. Prairie Pheasant Flush Award: Department of Health and Human Services’ Federal Government Shutdown Team, forquickly mobilizing and uniting state agencies, county partners and community organizations to ensure North Dakotans had clear, accurate and timely information during the unprecedented 43-day federal government shutdown in 2025. Backbone Collaboration Award: North Dakota Department of Water Resources’ Cost-Share and Governance & Finance Study Teams, for conducting a comprehensive study of how North Dakota could maximize limited resources, fund water projects in more communities and strengthen the state’s water infrastructure for decades to come. Strength from the Soil Award: North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Private Lands Section, for its work to improve wildlife habitat, expand public hunting opportunities, support ranchers and farmers and protect the state’s outdoor heritage, including through the Private Land Open to Sportsmen program, which is nearing its goal of 1 million acres enrolled. Roaming Bison Award: Medora 250 and Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Coordination Team, for its planning and execution of the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and President Donald Trump’s visit to Medora during the week of July 4th as the country observed the America 250 celebration with North Dakota in the national spotlight. Lt. Gov. Strinden and I are grateful for everyone who nominated their colleagues for their exceptional efforts, and we congratulate all the award recipients and nominees. Full press release: governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

As I often say, you only need to stop linear infrastructure in one place to stop an entire project. This bipartisan bill is a real opportunity to ensure efficiency, certainty and transparency in the permitting process – keeping energy affordable and our country moving forward.

Tonight we presented the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award to Terry and Troy Steiner, joined by hundreds of the Steiners’ family members, friends, USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender, and other wrestling colleagues and fans. Without question, Terry and Troy have brought distinction to their home state and they embody the North Dakota values we look to celebrate with the Rough Rider Award: hard work, humility, generosity, tenacity and true grit. As coaches and ambassadors, their impact and influence on the sport of wrestling cannot be measured. They have inspired countless young men and women to pursue the sport of wrestling and continue to give back to the sport that has given them so much. Congratulations, Terry and Troy, on becoming the 51st and 52nd recipients of the Rough Rider Award. governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

WATCH: Join in the celebration as we honor Terry and Troy Steiner with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, starting at 6:00 p.m., live from the State Capitol. Find the livestream link at governor.nd.gov.

On behalf of the people of our great state, congratulations to Marshall Stewart on your inauguration as the 16th president of North Dakota State University. We look forward to what will hopefully be a long and productive working relationship, and more importantly a lasting friendship.

I might resemble that governor. She really is the best.

Record high diesel prices are squeezing our ag producers. Today we took a meaningful, timely step to provide temporary relief and help our farmers & ranchers through the harvest season by temporarily allowing on-highway use of red-dyed diesel. More here: governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

There’s nothing quite like a little friendly competition on the Capitol Mall. Kjersti and I had a great time joining @ltgovstrinden, fellow state leaders and some incredible athletes for the @SONorthDakota bocce tournament. Thanks to the athletes, families, volunteers and organizers who make these opportunities possible across our state. Special Olympics brings out the very best of North Dakota.

Today, we appointed Minot attorney Christene Reierson to an open judgeship in the North Central Judicial District, effective Nov. 16. Reierson has owned and operated Reierson Law Office P.C. in Minot as a solo practitioner since 2015, representing clients on a variety of matters including family law, criminal, probate, civil litigation, business formation, real estate transactions and estate planning, as well as appellate matters. Full release: governor.nd.gov/news/armstro…

The 10th Western ND Honor Flight received a proper North Dakota homecoming tonight. Thanks to everyone who put their appreciation and patriotism on full display; the Honor Flight volunteers who made the trip one these veterans will never forget; and most of all the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War-era veterans who served their country and defended our freedom. Thank you for your service, and welcome home.

Today, we sent a joint letter to Congress opposing an attempt to restrict their authority to use Missouri River water with the governors of Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Neither the federal government nor any individual state gets to tell North Dakota how to use Missouri River water as it passes through our state. Our right to use Missouri River water as we deem necessary is clearly established in both state and federal law, and we will strongly resist any attempt to infringe on that authority. Full release: governor.nd.gov/news/armstro… @GovGianforte @GovofCO @GovLarryRhoden @GovCox @GovernorGordon

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…