Governor and First Lady announce winners of YES Challenge
Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum have awarded 17 grants to the winners of North Dakota’s first-ever Youth Ending Stigma (YES) Challenge.
The YES Challenge is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Governor, Office of the First Lady and the Office of Recovery Reinvented. It’s designed to enable student-led initiatives and projects focused on eliminating social stigma surrounding behavioral health issues including addiction and mental illness.
“These winners and their initiatives represent the unique and diverse challenges that communities throughout North Dakota face surrounding addiction and mental illness,” Gov. Burgum said. “The students come from rural school districts, large cities and tribal nations, and all of them are equally passionate about this effort to eliminate stigma and create more support for those facing struggles.”
A full list of the winning schools is available on our website.
“These students are incredible examples of youth ingenuity and leadership in our state,” First Lady Burgum said. “They are leading projects that are focused on creating awareness, empowering communities with knowledge and resources, and creating a safe space to connect with peers and normalize these conversations around mental illness and addiction.”
Students will implement their initiative to eliminate stigma in their school and community over an eight-week period.
Burgum joins Governors Committee of Job Creators Network
Gov. Burgum recently joined the Job Creators Network (JCN) Governors Committee during the National Governors Association’s winter meeting in Washington, D.C.
The JCN Governors Committee exists to provide leadership at the state and federal level and to share best practices on ways to help small businesses grow.
The small business community accounts for more than 85 million U.S. jobs and is responsible for two-thirds of all new job growth, and the JCN provides a voice for small business owners in state legislatures and Washington.
All efforts of the Governors Committee fit within three policy themes: cutting taxes and spending; eliminating burdensome regulations; and workforce development initiatives.
Also serving on the committee are the governors of Iowa, Kentucky, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee. Among the special guests and speakers at the committee’s Feb. 24 meeting was U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta.
Governor testifies in support of TR Presidential Library
Governor Burgum testified Wednesday to the The Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the proposed Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum (TRPLM).
Under the proposal, after $100 million dollars is raised from other sources, the state would designate Legacy Fund earnings to create a $50 million endowment to provide support for ongoing operations and maintenance.
Presidential libraries and museums, hosted by only 14 states, hold the documents of the individual president but also contain artifacts, movies, audio recordings and even holograms to bring the president and time period to life for visitors.
Built at the entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit, the TRPLM would serve as a gateway to the heart of the North Dakota Badlands, a place where Theodore Roosevelt, like thousands of others, found healing, adventure and inspiration.
The proposal has received indications of support from:
- Department of Interior
- National Park Foundation
- Theodore Roosevelt Association
- Boone & Crockett Club
- Walton Foundation
- Current and former congressmen and women
- Former governors
- North Dakota Petroleum Council
- Economic Development of North Dakota Association
- State Historical Board
- Tourism Alliance Partnership
- Destination Marketing Association
- Chambers of Commerce
- Convention and Visitors Bureaus and more
Governor celebrates American Red Cross Month and Social Work Month in North Dakota
In honor of each group's service to the citizens of our state, Gov. Burgum has proclaimed March as Social Work Month and American Red Cross Month in the State of North Dakota.
To celebrate their achievements, Burgum met with each group and thanked them for the services they provide. Several legislators also joined the ceremony.
Burgum also met with dozens of health care representatives from the American Cancer Society as they presented awards to their members.
Thanks to Team ND for keeping our citizens safe during the storm!
On behalf of all North Dakotans, thank you to the North Dakota Department of Transportation and North Dakota Highway Patrol for working around the clock to keep our roads safe! Their acts of selfless service exemplify leadership.
On the latest episode of Work Worth Doing, Gov. Burgum hit the road in a snow plow to learn exactly how this statewide fleet of drivers clears 17,000 miles of roadway after every snow storm.
Past episodes have highlighted dedicated team members at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Information Technology Department. Check out the archive of all previous episodes at the link below.