🌱 How much more will Bismarck utility bills cost after January 1?

Good morning Bismarck! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How much more will Bismarck utility bills cost after January 1?
• What a Bismarck-area fossil just revealed about ancient river monsters
• How new wetland rules could change water protections around Bismarck

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Bismarck? Post it to Bismarck photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Strong winds; mostly sunny, with a high of 44 and low of 28 degrees.
• Wednesday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 43, low: 3. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Windy; a bit of morning snow, with a high of 8 and low of 3 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bismarck launches Customer Portal for Utility Payments and adds service charge (kxnet.com) — Bismarck residents will soon have a new online portal to pay and manage city utility bills, but most electronic payments will come with added fees starting January 1. Credit, debit, and digital wallet utility payments will cost $3.65 per transaction, while non-utility card payments add 2.5%. ACH and eCheck payments remain free, offering a no-fee option.
   

2. Mosasaur tooth fossil reveals giant sea reptiles lived in freshwater rivers (thebrighterside.news) — A remarkable mosasaur tooth found in the Bismarck area is reshaping what scientists thought about these giant sea reptiles, suggesting at least some lived in freshwater rivers, not just oceans. Detailed chemical tests on the tooth and nearby fossils from the Hell Creek Formation show strong freshwater signatures, highlighting our region’s role in rewriting dinosaur-era history.
   

3. New federal water regulations draw North Dakota, industry praise; environmental groups concerned (inforum.com) — Bismarck residents and state officials packed a listening session at Bismarck State College to debate the Trump administration’s proposal to scale back federal protections for wetlands and small streams. Supporters say the change will cut red tape for North Dakota farmers and businesses, while local environmental advocates from Bismarck warn it could harm water quality, wildlife habitat, and raise future drinking-water costs.
   

4. NDHHS encourages vaccination as flu cases triple in the last week (kxnet.com) — From Bismarck, state health officials report flu cases have tripled in a week and urge residents to get vaccinated, even though it’s past October. With 155 flu, 95 COVID-19, and 10 RSV cases last week, they say updated shots can cut hospitalizations and clinic visits by up to 60%.
   

5. The Dakota Drive: Terrance Lockett, Dina Polanco and David Gourneau Jr. (kfyrtv.com) — Filmed in Bismarck, this week’s “Dakota Drive” spotlights three standout North Dakota programs: Dickinson girls basketball’s turnaround under coach Terrance Lockett, UMary soccer star Dina Polanco’s rise to Guatemala’s national team, and Turtle Mountain’s unbeaten, top‑five‑ranked girls squad. Local fans get insight into early‑season momentum and how a UMary athlete balances college and international play.
   

📸 Around Bismarck

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• JV & V GBB vs. Central McLean @ Linton
  Hazelton-Mof-Brad Public School Hazelton, ND 58544
  6:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls JV @ Linton-HMB
  Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock High School
  6:00 pm
• GBB @ Richardton A(B - 2QTRS)
  Flasher Public School Flasher, ND 58535
  6:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity ORCS Tournament (vs. Tioga)
  Underwood Public School Underwood, ND 58576
  6:30 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity @ Linton-HMB
  Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock High School
  7:30 pm
• Hockey: Hazen North Stars vs. Century
  North Stars Arena , 3rd Ave NW , Hazen
  7:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• C, JV & V BBB vs. Garrison @ Garrison
  Hazelton-Mof-Brad Public School Hazelton, ND 58544
  4:00 pm
• JH, JV & V GBB vs. Medina-PB @ HMB
  Hazelton-Mof-Brad Public School Hazelton, ND 58544
  4:30 pm
• Basketball: Girls JV @ Center-Stanton
  Center-Stanton Center, ND 58530, USA
  4:30 pm
• JHGBB @ Elgin vs. GCMR
  Flasher Public School Flasher, ND 58535
  5:00 pm
• Girls & Boys Wrestling vs. Harvey/Hettinger/Bowman Quad @ Linton
  Hazelton-Mof-Brad Public School Hazelton, ND 58544
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Since taking office a year ago today, Lt. Gov. Strinden and I have been hyper-focused on making North Dakota the best place to live, work and raise a... (X: GovArmstrong)
• A small plane crashed in central Mexico while trying to make an emergency landing Monday, killing at least seven people....... (X: KFYRTV)

• North Dakota Staffing posted a job opening for YMCA Sports Coordinator in Bismarck. Apply here.
• PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Bismarck. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bismarck here.

Ok Bismarck! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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