Special Session Watch: North Dakota Legislative Management advanced just six of 20 proposed bills for the Sept. 2 special session, with most measures deferred to January; lawmakers kept focus on kratom regulation, data center policy, and a military gallery funding plan, while proposals tied to childcare funding, prediction markets, e-cigarettes, and English-only driver’s license testing were left out. Kratom Policy: The session is set to consider either a full ban on kratom products or a regulation approach that would bar synthetics and set a minimum age of 21, after the governor ordered kratom products pulled for 30 days starting Aug. 5. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest Traill County regular price at $3.64 (week ending Aug. 8), while premium hit a low of $4.34; across North Dakota, regular averaged $3.80 and premium $4.55. Local Governance & Health: Fargo hired former mayor Tim Mahoney as health officer in a 3-2 vote, but dissenters questioned the consent-agenda process and pay. Business & Trade: Manitoba honey producers are rushing shipments ahead of a threatened 50% U.S. tariff, with North Dakota and South Dakota packers potentially exposed. Health Systems: Essentia Health named Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations.