Journalism -- it's more important than ever
Newsrooms are shrinking. Time and again we ask ourselves, if there aren’t local journalists, who is going to hold governments accountable? Who is going to tell the stories of our communities? How will the absence of an independent voice impact our communities?
In July 2022 we hired Michael Standaert, a veteran journalist who wrote for the Washington Post, Bloomberg and others. Immediately he began writing deep-dive stories about North Dakota, for North Dakotans. You can see the stories in the state’s newspapers – which are provided free – or read them at this site on the home page. In November 2023 we also launched the North Dakota Poll, the only statewide quarterly poll to take the pulse of North Dakota residents and voters.
NDNC is bringing stories you don't see elsewhere like:
* nursing home staffing shortages, critical needs of ambulance services and childcare services;
* stories on government spending, carbon capture plans and what national ag industry concerns mean here;
* news about a proposed nuclear energy plant just across the Canadian border, which our state officials knew nothing about;
* stories on each poll with graphics, breakdowns and interviews to make the numbers understandable,
And so much more. Please browse our cataloged stories and suggest ideas for other stories too.
Grants from some statewide foundations and supportive individuals allowed us to do this work, but it’s not enough. To sustain NDNC and help us grow stronger, we need people like you who care about the difference that local journalism makes in a democracy.
Our goals are to:
1) grow our newsroom because, like you, we know how important factual, vetted news is to state's communities.
2) grow our presence with the public through engagement since we all know that news literacy of all ages is in danger, and
3) grow the public's awareness that journalism and a strong democracy go hand in hand.
Your charitable contribution will make a difference, and we promise we’ll put it to use to increase public access to quality journalism and news literacy across the state.
You can donate by mail by sending a check to:
North Dakota News Cooperative
501 E. Main Ave., Suite 75
Bismarck, ND 58501
North Dakota News is a registered nonprofit corporation in North Dakota and is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.
If you like what you see and want to help continue to bring you stories, please subscribe, donate and share our stories with others. Above all, keep reading.
North Dakotans need journalism.