×

Governor Armstrong Says He Will Not Support Free School Lunches

By Alex Carmenaty Jul 17, 2026 | 8:22 AM

(KNOX) –North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong says he will not support a measure that would provide free school lunches for K-12 students. He believes providing free school lunches would mandate constitutional spending. 

The state constitution would change, with the money coming from North Dakota’s Legacy Fund to pay for breakfast and lunch at school. This would be the case unless the state legislature can provide another way to finance it. A portion of the state’s oil and gas taxes were originally used to create the Legacy Fund.

The State Department of Public Instruction says the free school lunch measure would cost roughly $133 million in the next state budget cycle. If the free school lunch program passes, it would start in the 2027-2028 school year. 

The measure will be voted on in the November election and it is listed as measure three.

Air Quality Alert Issued Throughout Minnesota
(KNOX) - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for east central, west central, north central, northwest, central, and northeast Minnesota. The alert has been in effect since 10 a.m. today and it runs until 11 a.m. on ...
2h ago
Expansion Project for Ryan Park and Lake Has Started
(KNOX) -An expansion project for Ryan Park and lake has started and is expected to be completed in late August. The project will cost $350,000. The Ryan Lake Prairie Trail and Outdoor Classroom project will build on the existing site; with natural t...
4h ago
Man Arrested in Breckenridge as Law Enforcement Seizes 600 Grams of Meth and Nine Firearms
(KNOX/Valley News Live) -Four law enforcement agencies seized more than 600 grams of meth during a search warrant execution at a Breckenridge home Wednesday. They also found nine firearms. The Breckenridge Police Department, the Wilkin County Sheriff...
5h ago
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Says Wildfire Smoke Expected to Remain Noticeable
(KNOX/Valley News Live) -The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says smoke impacts from the wildfires in Northern Minnesota are expected to remain noticeable in eastern North Dakota. Officials are urging residents to stay informed thro...
6h ago
See More

FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!