Rob Port
@robport.bsky.social
Reporter and columnist for the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Host of the Plain Talk podcast. Husband, dad, baseball nerd, and proud North Dakotan. My writing--> https://www.inforum.com/rob-port My podcast --> https://www.youtube.com/@PlainTalkND
The political divides in the North Dakota Republican Party may have played a role in lawmakers failing to pass the total, permanent ban on kratom that Gov. Kelly Armstrong wanted. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: North Dakota lawmakers (sort of) keep natural kratom legal
The political divides in the North Dakota Republican Party may have played a role in lawmakers failing to pass the total, permanent ban on kratom that Gov. Kelly Armstrong wanted.
inforum.com
The firm was paid more than half of what it raised for the beleaguered project, which is now paused and mired in controversy while lawmakers contemplate a bailout. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Fundraiser for embattled military museum was paid $430,000 and raised just $800,000
The firm was paid more than half of what it raised for the beleaguered project, which is now paused and mired in controversy while lawmakers contemplate a bailout.
inforum.com
A new episode of Plain Talk is up. We interview a public official who has become a lightening rod in North Dakota's data centers debate, and discuss the special session. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzRI...
735: 'Everything that I do and say becomes a target of attack'
YouTube video by Plain Talk
youtube.com
The governor says the push against NDAs is "political," and he's not wrong, but that doesn't justify opposition to good reform. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Gov. Armstrong is wrong to oppose restrictions on public officials signing NDAs
The governor says the push against NDAs is "political," and he's not wrong, but that doesn't justify opposition to good reform.
inforum.com
The new plan, required by an amendment submitted by Fargo lawmaker Sen. Jamie Selzler, must "substantially" reduce the costs of the project www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Amendment would slash line of credit for stalled military museum and require a scaled-back plan
The new plan, required by an amendment submitted by Fargo lawmaker Sen. Jamie Selzler, must "substantially" reduce the costs of the project
inforum.com
A fiscal note from Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office makes it clear that attempting to regulate even so-called "natural" kratom would be very complicated and very expensive. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Is it worth all this new government to keep a version of kratom legal?
A fiscal note from Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office makes it clear that attempting to regulate even so-called "natural" kratom would be very complicated and very expensive.
inforum.com
"We anticipate by '29, we will be the largest single taxpayer in the state of North Dakota," company spokesman Nick Phillips told lawmakers. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Data center company Applied Digital expects to be one of the largest taxpayers in North Dakota history
"We anticipate by '29, we will be the largest single taxpayer in the state of North Dakota," company spokesman Nick Phillips told lawmakers.
inforum.com
Doug Burgum signed up to be in "the room where it happens." He ended up as a nodding bobblehead in MAGA circus. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Burgum in the room where it happened
Doug Burgum signed up to be in "the room where it happens." He ended up as a nodding bobblehead in MAGA circus.
inforum.com
The mistake we all made was in thinking that people needed anonymity to show their true selves. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: The banality of hate
The mistake we all made was in thinking that people needed anonymity to show their true selves.
inforum.com
A new episode of Plain Talk is up! A new report says North Dakota is spending more than it takes in, and that's true, but the group behind it is also calling to eliminate the income tax. Does that make sense? Click to watch and subscribe --> youtu.be/eg_qJPM9zrU?...
734: 'North Dakota is spending more money than it is collecting'
YouTube video by Plain Talk
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When questions were raised about the website, Oliver County State's Attorney Patrick Waters called the questioner a "sub-creature," and his stepson verbally abused this reporter. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Stepson of official in data center scuffle launched a news website reporting on data centers
When questions were raised about the website, Oliver County State's Attorney Patrick Waters called the questioner a "sub-creature," and his stepson verbally abused this reporter.
inforum.com
Unlike other states, North Dakota has no laws on the books barring abuse of Flock and other law enforcement databases. We rely on local and departmental policy. That's not good enough. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: If we don't stop Flock cameras, we can at least regulate how the cops use them
Unlike other states, North Dakota has no laws on the books barring abuse of Flock and other law enforcement databases. We rely on local and departmental policy. That's not good enough.
inforum.com
Cramer says that age, and frustration with dysfunction in Washington, would be reasons why he might not run again. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Will Sen. Kevin Cramer seek reelection in 2030? He says he's not sure
Cramer says that age, and frustration with dysfunction in Washington, would be reasons why he might not run again.
inforum.com
We offer veterans statues, parades and an $80 million museum, but when it comes to healthcare, mental health and long-term care, we are failing them. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Maybe a museum isn't what our veterans need
We offer veterans statues, parades and an $80 million museum, but when it comes to healthcare, mental health and long-term care, we are failing them.
inforum.com
The state's ban on devices in schools is already a bit heavy-handed. Now lawmakers are talking about laws dictating how technology can be used in the classroom, and that's too far. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: We don't need politicians micromanaging technology in the classroom
The state's ban on devices in schools is already a bit heavy-handed. Now lawmakers are talking about laws dictating how technology can be used in the classroom, and that's too far.
inforum.com
New episode of Plain Talk is up, covering gambling-fueled charities buying up bars and restaurants, the fight over Flock cameras, and feedback from a listener struggling with kratom addiction. Click to watch and subscribe! youtu.be/9PtM5XalZCI?...
732: 'We don't have the luxury of picking a side'
YouTube video by Plain Talk
youtu.be
The issue has come up during the debate over data centers, though the legislation would cover all industrial projects. Even that isn't broad enough. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Bipartisan legislation emerges to address nondisclosure agreements signed by public officials
The issue has come up during the debate over data centers, though the legislation would cover all industrial projects. Even that isn't broad enough.
inforum.com
There are signs in deeply red states like North Dakota that voters are rejecting MAGA excesses, even as Democrats seem poised to indulge in their own brand of populism. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: As Republican voters turn on populism, Democrats struggle with their own version of it
There are signs in deeply red states like North Dakota that voters are rejecting MAGA excesses, even as Democrats seem poised to indulge in their own brand of populism.
inforum.com
There is a growing consensus that synthetic kratom should be banned, but evidence and circumstance suggest our state lawmakers should ban the natural variety, too. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Lawmakers should ban natural kratom, too
There is a growing consensus that synthetic kratom should be banned, but evidence and circumstance suggest our state lawmakers should ban the natural variety, too.
inforum.com
This year alone, North Dakota had dozens of local elections with no candidates, and one of the biggest reasons why is the public. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: What if 'we the people' are the problem?
This year alone, North Dakota had dozens of local elections with no candidates, and one of the biggest reasons why is the public.
inforum.com
Sen. Jeff Magrum's call for clemency for right-wing extremists Scott Faul and Yorie Kahl was met with furious pushback from one of his colleagues who called it "offensive." www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Lawmaker weeps for extremist cop killers
Sen. Jeff Magrum's call for clemency for right-wing extremists Scott Faul and Yorie Kahl was met with furious pushback from one of his colleagues who called it "offensive."
inforum.com
Demand for data centers is being driven by our demand for digital services, including AI. Those who think we can stop their construction are kidding themselves. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Refocus the data center debate from hysteria to reality: They're getting built
Demand for data centers is being driven by our demand for digital services, including AI. Those who think we can stop their construction are kidding themselves.
inforum.com
The most un-American thing you can do is try to define for others what it is to be an American. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: This is what hating America looks like
The most un-American thing you can do is try to define for others what it is to be an American.
inforum.com
Who in a position of leadership around this project is going to be held accountable for putting the taxpayers in this position? www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: $35 million special session bailout proposed for military museum boondoggle
Who in a position of leadership around this project is going to be held accountable for putting the taxpayers in this position?
inforum.com
State Sen. Jeff Magrum plans to introduce the resolution seeking presidential clemency for murderous extremist Gordon Kahl's son and an associate who were accomplices in his crimes. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Gordon Kahl Republicans
State Sen. Jeff Magrum plans to introduce the resolution seeking presidential clemency for murderous extremist Gordon Kahl's son and an associate who were accomplices in his crimes.
inforum.com
"We've had too many imports who do not support our way of life and do not honor our constitution or rule of law," Fargo Rep. Desiree Morton wrote in a group chat. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Republican lawmaker suggests a ward system for Fargo would allow the city to be taken over by 'imports'
"We've had too many imports who do not support our way of life and do not honor our constitution or rule of law," Fargo Rep. Desiree Morton wrote in a group chat.
inforum.com
North Dakota's gambling laws are badly in need of reform. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Is it charitable gaming when the charity is more gaming?
North Dakota's gambling laws are badly in need of reform.
inforum.com
Those suggesting that a special session of the legislature to address the drug isn't necessary are being foolish. www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: North Dakota's kratom crisis is very real, and very big
"Those suggesting that a special session of the legislature to address the drug isn't necessary are being foolish," Rob Port writes.
inforum.com
It's not hard to understand why President Donald Trump — one of the most venal and self-serving people to ever hold public office — would lie and scheme. But what's in it for Burgum? www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: What's the why of Burgum's boot licking?
It's not hard to understand why President Donald Trump — one of the most venal and self-serving people to ever hold public office — would lie and scheme. But what's in it for Burgum?
inforum.com