Rob Port
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Rob Port
@robport.bsky.social
280 followers 230 following 620 posts
Reporter and columnist for the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Host of the Plain Talk podcast. Husband, dad, baseball nerd, and proud North Dakotan.

My stuff--> https://www.inforum.com/rob-port
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robport.bsky.social
There is now some question about whether the State Investment Board had authority from lawmakers to dole out controversial bonuses.

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Port: How are salary-doubling bonuses an emergency?
There is now some question about whether the State Investment Board had authority from lawmakers to dole out controversial bonuses.
www.inforum.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:04 AM
robport.bsky.social
If we're measuring the success of harm reduction by a reduction in the number of people abusing drugs, then sure, they aren't working, but that's the wrong metric to use.

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Port: Harm reduction policies work for addicts and their communities
If we're measuring the success of harm reduction by a reduction in the number of people abusing drugs, then sure, they aren't working, but that's the wrong metric to use.
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December 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
robport.bsky.social
🔊 On this episode, Fargo school board member Robin Nelson, who is chairing a ballot measure for school lunches, talks about what it will cost and what it will accomplish.

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Plain Talk: 'The next logical step was to take it to the voters'
🔊 On this episode, Fargo school board member Robin Nelson, who is chairing a ballot measure for school lunches, talks about what it will cost and what it will accomplish.
www.inforum.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:11 AM
robport.bsky.social
This, alas, is what North Dakotans voted for. Elections have consequences.

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Port: Once again, North Dakota must protect itself from the Trump administration
This, alas, is what North Dakotans voted for. Elections have consequences.
www.inforum.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
robport.bsky.social
It's not socialism, nor is it an abdication of parental responsiblity.

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Port: The conservative case for universal school lunch
It's not socialism, nor is it an abdication of parental responsiblity.
www.inforum.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
robport.bsky.social
The senator, working hard to carry President Donald Trump's water before the international community, had an uncomfortable confrontation with reality.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Sen. Kevin Cramer had a rough trip to Halifax
The senator, working hard to carry President Donald Trump's water before the international community, had an uncomfortable confrontation with reality.
www.inforum.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
robport.bsky.social
A company that received significant investment from North Dakota's Wonder Fund, managed by reality television star Kevin O'Leary, isn't paying its rent.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Another face plant for North Dakota's Wonder Fund
A company that received significant investment from North Dakota's Wonder Fund, managed by reality television star Kevin O'Leary, isn't paying its rent.
www.inforum.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:24 PM
robport.bsky.social
If these aren't really performance bonuses, then the justification for them falls apart. If they are performance bonuses, then we're doing them wrong.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: There's a better way to structure these controversial bonuses
If these aren't really performance bonuses, then the justification for them falls apart. If they are performance bonuses, then we're doing them wrong.
www.inforum.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
robport.bsky.social
These days, the Republican Party seems to spend more time in conflict with its own candidates than Democrats, and they don’t have much to show for it.

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Port: An embarrassing display of impotence
These days, the Republican Party seems to spend more time in conflict with its own candidates than Democrats, and they don’t have much to show for it.
www.inforum.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
robport.bsky.social
North Dakota's near-total aboriton ban stands because there wasn't a supermajority on the state's highest court finding it unconsitutional

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Port: If you want a right to abortion, you must write it in the law
North Dakota's near-total aboriton ban stands because there wasn't a supermajority on the state's highest court finding it unconsitutional.
www.inforum.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM
robport.bsky.social
🔊 On this Plain Talk, North Dakota University System Commissioner Brent Sanford talks about the debate over online students and leadership succession at the state's public universities.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Ethics Commission to declare war on whistleblowers?
"The state constitution does not give the commission the authority to investigate citizens filing complaints, nor does it have the authority to levy fines," Rob Port writes.
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November 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
robport.bsky.social
The state constitution does not give the commission the authority to investigate citizens filing complaints, nor does it have the authority to levy fines.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Ethics Commission to declare war on whistleblowers?
"The state constitution does not give the commission the authority to investigate citizens filing complaints, nor does it have the authority to levy fines," Rob Port writes.
www.inforum.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
robport.bsky.social
A member of the board says the incentive bonuses are necessary as a "carrot" for strong performance, while critics say they're skewed toward those at the top of the organization chart.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: State Investment Board to consider more than $1.2M in controversial bonuses
A member of the board says the incentive bonuses are necessary as a "carrot" for strong performance, while critics say they're skewed toward those at the top of the organization chart.
www.inforum.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:10 PM
robport.bsky.social
On this episode, AI expert Revana Sharfuddin talks about steps policymakers can take to stop the AI revolution from driving Americans out of their jobs.

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Plain Talk: How do we stop AI from taking our jobs?
On this episode, AI expert Revana Sharfuddin talks about steps policymakers can take to stop the AI revolution from driving Americans out of their jobs.
www.inforum.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:54 AM
robport.bsky.social
The measure would require lawmakers to cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches at all public schools, with non-public schools allowed to opt-in.

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Port: Ballot measure in the works to have state pay for school meals
The measure would require lawmakers to cover the cost of breakfasts and lunches at all public schools, with non-public schools allowed to opt-in.
www.inforum.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:52 PM
robport.bsky.social
The state constitution has term limits for commission members. Murray Sagsveen continues to cast votes in meetings despite his term having expired.
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Port: Ethics Commission member continues participating in meetings despite term limit
"The state constitution has term limits for commission members. Murray Sagsveen continues to cast votes in meetings despite his term having expired," Rob Port writes.
www.inforum.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
robport.bsky.social
I wrote this for our print edition, not expecting the U.S. Senate to have voted on the Epstein file release so quickly. To their credit, they voted immediately, and for the release, after Trump caved and gave permission to Republicans.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Let's hope North Dakota's senators follow Rep. Fedorchak's lead
Rep. Julie Fedorchak has said she'll support a vote forcing the release of files related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. Will Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer follow suit?
www.inforum.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
robport.bsky.social
"Julie, respectfully, she's a very nice person," Alex Balazs told me in a phone conversation. "She's very technical, she's very smart. I've hired people like her. But I don't think she's who should be representing us in Washington."

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Balazs says he's planning campaign to challenge incumbent Fedorchak
"We need a better voice," Alex Balazs said.
www.inforum.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:11 AM
robport.bsky.social
Who is casting the ballots? Who is clicking the links? It's us. And it's high time we stopped giving ourselves a pass.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: 'We don't blame the voters enough'
"Who is casting the ballots? Who is clicking the links? It's us. And it's high time we stopped giving ourselves a pass," Rob Port writes.
www.inforum.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
robport.bsky.social
A story from the North Dakota Monitor muddies the waters around simple and pertinent criticisms of how the Ethics Commission routinely ignores the state Constitution.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: The problem is the Ethics Commission is ignoring ND Constitution
A story from the North Dakota Monitor muddies the waters around simple and pertinent criticisms of how the Ethics Commission routinely ignores the state Constitution.
www.inforum.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
robport.bsky.social
North Dakota can’t replace federal funding, even with our prodigious oil revenue reserves. Our state can begin a resiliency program aimed at preparing for more national maladministration.

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Port: North Dakota must prepare for more federal dysfunction
North Dakota can’t replace federal funding, even with our prodigious oil revenue reserves. Our state can begin a resiliency program aimed at preparing for more national maladministration.
www.inforum.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
robport.bsky.social
Matthew Simon warned the NDGOP's executive committee about the "ongoing issue of internal communications being leaked to the press," according to meeting minutes I obtained from NDGOP sources.

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Port: NDGOP chair threatens 'measures' after leaks of woeful fundraising numbers
Matthew Simon warned the NDGOP's executive committee about the "ongoing issue of internal communications being leaked to the press," according to meeting minutes I obtained from NDGOP sources.
www.inforum.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:12 PM
robport.bsky.social
🔊 On this Plain Talk, a longtime North Dakota health care executive says a single-payer system for health insurance is America's only choice going forward.

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Plain Talk: Do we have any other choices but Medicare for all?
🔊 On this Plain Talk, a longtime North Dakota health care executive says a single-payer system for health insurance is America's only choice going forward.
www.inforum.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
robport.bsky.social
Democracy is hard. Sometimes it's ugly. Trying to cover up those warts is no solution.

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Port: Fargo mayor's explanation doesn't make even a little bit of sense
"Democracy is hard. Sometimes it's ugly. Trying to cover up those warts is no solution," Rob Port writes.
www.inforum.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
robport.bsky.social
🔊 On this Plain Talk, Chief Justice Jon Jensen from the North Dakota Supreme Court talks about his accomplishments in that role and the court's future under new leadership.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Plain Talk: 'We have some challenges coming up'
🔊 On this Plain Talk, Chief Justice Jon Jensen from the North Dakota Supreme Court talks about his accomplishments in that role and the court's future under new leadership.
www.inforum.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:47 PM