North Dakota is suing Minnesota, alleging the Land of 10,000 Lakes is discriminating against it because it is black. Lignite black. Lignite coal black. The lawsuit contends that the Next Generation Energy Act—a law signed in 2007 by Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty, which limits the amount of power Minnesota utilities can acquire from new fossil-fuel plants—violates the commerce clause of the Constitution. The federal rules, the suit argues, should force Minnesota to buy more of North Dakota's coal-fired power. The EPA, the suit argues, is the only authority whose regulations should matter. READ MORE

We all just wanted to thank you for all your support of our benefit calendar. So far, 111 have been sold, which wildly exceeds our expectations. (We were aiming for 60.) One thing: I'm working on a "print-it-at-home explanation sheet thing" for buyers, in case you are giving them as stocking stuffers, so people know what the heck it's about. And here's a little more context for you. READ MORE

We met Zack P. back in August, when he was the sole protester at the Grand Forks, North Dakota Tea Parties. So, what has Zack been up to? I recently received an email answering just that question. "Abe: Am working on a protest of Focus on the Family and their hate-filled B.S. and I can tell by some of the comments on The Awl that people tend to think of North Dakota as a bunch of rednecks... just don't want my hometown to seem like Laramie. Interested?" I was. But when I arrived at the church, Zack was nowhere to be found. Just two police cruisers. READ MORE

In 1930, the University of North Dakota changed the name of its sports teams from The Flickertails to The Sioux (and then later, the "Fighting Sioux"), presumably because a flickertail is a type of ground rodent and the Sioux were considered to be a tribe of Indian "warriors." Also, their teams' archrivals are the "Bison," and what better mascot to wipe out a bison than an Indian? (Given that irony is not favored in athletic departments, i.e., "The Fur Traders" was not considered.) Three years later, and two thousand miles away, a professional football team changed its name to The Redskins. READ MORE

Those who watched and mocked the national Tea Parties back in April would find a different bunch of tea partiers today. The truly lunatic fringe of opportunists is now largely gone. But owing to the froth kicked up months ago, the movement's name, "Tea Party," still has currency and momentum, so why not use it? It's a branding conundrum the United Negro College Fund surely appreciates. A day after one of North Dakota's largest-ever tea parties, at the courthouse in Grand Forks, the only thing I can say with certainty about the movement is that it's mostly about making funny signs and producing lots of unintentional irony. And anger. Plentiful, seething, soul-rooted and only vaguely-focused anger. And maybe racism. But not really that much racism! READ MORE

Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse in Grand Forks, North Dakota, has recently hosted the following events: Sexy Santa; Miss Hawaiian Tropic International; Springbreak Trip Giveaway; Pajama Party; Snowbunny Party (not the Craigslist "casual encounters" kind); Mr. Boxerball (not "Tyson" but "Joe"); and the Colgate® Country Showdown. Many of these events are sponsored by 97FM KYCK, "The Valley's Hit Country." Every week Bucks hosts "Bottomless Thursdays" where "$2 Chuck Norris and Jag Bombs" can be "enjoyed" between 11 p.m. and midnight. And yes, Bucks Twitters. And while all those events sound fun (really), I went to Bucks on Friday to watch the Micro Wrestling Federation. READ MORE