North Dakota News Roundup: Kratom Crackdown, Fire Emergency, and More

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent North Dakota news: Gov. Kelly Armstrong moved to curb unregulated kratom sales, declared a statewide fire emergency amid drought and wildfire risk, and named a new leader for the state’s health and human services agency.

Executive action targets unregulated kratom

Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced executive actions on Aug. 3 to curb access to kratom, which is currently unregulated in North Dakota with no minimum age for purchase (governor.nd.gov). Lawmakers are now weighing a legislative ban; an interim committee leans toward banning synthetic kratom compounds while pondering natural products, and a special session is set for September (MPR News, Aug. 9; North Dakota Monitor, Aug. 13).

Conner Swanson tapped to lead DHHS

Armstrong appointed senior advisor Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, after he guided the agency through the Governor’s Office for the past two years (governor.nd.gov, Aug. 13).

Statewide fire emergency declared

Armstrong declared a statewide fire emergency on Aug. 7 via Executive Order 2026-05, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan as drought and wildfire risk intensified amid hot, dry conditions in July and August (governor.nd.gov). July drought gripped North Dakota, yet 2026 yield estimates nearly mirror 2025 (DTN Progressive Farmer).

Energy corridor crossing North Dakota cancelled

Federal officials cancelled an energy corridor that crossed into North Dakota, part of the U.S. Energy Department’s Aug. 12 decision to cancel three transmission corridors (KFYR-TV).

$6 million grant for children’s behavioral health

North Dakota received a $6 million federal grant to expand children’s behavioral health services (ND Health and Human Services).

DNA test reveals 1988 hospital mix-up

Two North Dakota women spoke out after a DNA test revealed a 1988 mix-up that switched their sons (Valley News Live).

For more on the Peace Garden State, see the North Dakota guide.