Rob Port
LightNews LightNews
banner
robport.bsky.social
Rob Port
@robport.bsky.social
280 followers 230 following 680 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
Posts Replies Media Videos
robport.bsky.social
We should be legislating in the Legislature, not at the ballot box. That's a hard argument to make when lawmakers have their heads buried in a place that would be impolite for me to comment on.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Ignoring the clear will of the people, the Senate kills school meals bill
"We should be legislating in the Legislature, not at the ballot box. That's a hard argument to make when lawmakers have their heads buried in a place that would be impolite for me to comment on," Rob ...
www.inforum.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:38 PM
robport.bsky.social
On this episode of Plain Talk Podcast, Ohio State University professor of law Dakota Rudesill talks about President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement which he says prioritizes "maximum lethality" over "tepid legality."

youtu.be/UnL6oAgd5nY
672: ICE prioritizing 'maximum lethality' over the 'tepid legality'
YouTube video by Plain Talk
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 5:35 PM
robport.bsky.social
"How does every democracy or republic end?" Rep. David Monson asked during an appropriations hearing. "People start voting in free money for themselves."

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Lawmaker says school meals bill could end the republic
"How does every democracy or republic end?" Rep. David Monson asked during an appropriations hearing. "People start voting in free money for themselves."
www.inforum.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:43 PM
robport.bsky.social
From Williston, an illustration of why North Dakota's open primary process matters.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Sham candidate wins endorsement to replace disgraced lawmaker Nico Rios
From Williston, an illustration of why North Dakota's open primary process matters.
www.inforum.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:41 AM
robport.bsky.social
Universal school meals would mean about $65 million back into the pockets of North Dakota families. What's so bad about that?

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Let's give North Dakota families one less thing to worry about
Universal school meals would mean about $65 million back into the pockets of North Dakota families. What's so bad about that?
www.inforum.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM
robport.bsky.social
On Calvin Coolidge, Kelly Armstrong, and the subtle art of not taking yourself too seriously.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Humility in an age of raging id
On Calvin Coolidge, Kelly Armstrong, and the subtle art of not taking yourself too seriously.
www.inforum.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:59 PM
robport.bsky.social
Last cycle, incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak earned more votes than any other candidate in a competitive statewide race. What could Hammer conceivably do to change that outcome in 2026?

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: A rerun of the Trygve Hammer show is probably the best the Democrats can do
Last cycle, incumbent Rep. Julie Fedorchak earned more votes than any other candidate in a competitive statewide race. What could Hammer conceivably do to change that outcome in 2026?
www.inforum.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:25 PM
robport.bsky.social
The survey from Gov. Kelly Armstrong's 501c4 shows that even among the state's most conservative voters, there is strong majority support for universal school meals.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Poll shows strong support for universal school lunches in North Dakota
The survey shows that even among the state's most conservative voters, there is strong majority support for universal school meals.
www.inforum.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:01 PM
robport.bsky.social
This is what a police state looks like.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Your papers, please
"This is what a police state looks like," Rob Port writes.
www.inforum.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:43 PM
robport.bsky.social
We need to care more than we do about who holds elected office.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: The lesson Nico Rios taught us (hopefully)
We need to care more than we do about who holds elected office.
www.inforum.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:23 PM
robport.bsky.social
The organizaton and its founder, Adam Martin, aren't responding to inquiries about the relationship between the nonprofit and a for-profit business set up by Martin.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: F5 Project founder may have personally profited from nonprofit's contract with state
The organizaton and its founder, Adam Martin, aren't responding to inquiries about the relationship between the nonprofit and a for-profit business set up by Martin.
www.inforum.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:39 PM
robport.bsky.social
After a single term in office, the greatest act of public service Rep. Nico Rios committed was choosing not to run for reelection.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Having accomplished nothing, a bozo takes his leave
After a single term in office, the greatest act of public service Rep. Nico Rios committed was choosing not to run for reelection.
www.inforum.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:28 PM
robport.bsky.social
On this Plain Talk, Rep. Julie Fedorchak reacts to the turmoil in Minneapolis, and defends her vote against extending Obamacare subsidies.
www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Plain Talk: 'We need more calm voices leading the charge'
On this Plain Talk, Rep. Julie Fedorchak reacts to the turmoil in Minneapolis, and defends her vote against extending Obamacare subsidies.
www.inforum.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:42 PM
robport.bsky.social
According to a year-end disclosure, Holmberg spent thousands of campaign dollars while he was being sentenced and incarcerated. Thanks to obstinate legislators, he didn't have to report the details.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: What did Ray Holmberg spend thousands of dollars of campaign funds on last year?
According to a year-end disclosure, Holmberg spent thousands of campaign dollars while he was being sentenced and incarcerated. Thanks to obstinate legislators, he didn't have to report the details.
www.inforum.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
robport.bsky.social
Once upon a time our liberal friends derided the concept of states' rights as nothing more than the tool of racists and secessionists. Now they're getting a lesson in why the 10th Amendment matters.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Perhaps Democrats now realize the importance of the 10th Amendment
"Once upon a time our liberal friends derided the concept of states' rights as nothing more than the tool of racists and secessionists. Now they're getting a lesson in why the 10th Amendment matters,"...
www.inforum.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:07 PM
robport.bsky.social
North Dakota's gambling boom is attributable to the legalization of electronic pull tab machines, but a unique tax carve out created in the 1980s helped grease the skids.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Rifle-shot federal tax exemption has helped gambling boom in North Dakota
North Dakota's gambling boom is attributable to the legalization of electronic pull tab machines, but a unique tax carve out created in the 1980s helped grease the skids.
www.inforum.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:02 PM
robport.bsky.social
The most powerful politicians in our nation watched an American get gunned down by law enforcement and didn't pause, for even a moment, to consider whether it was justified. That’s terrifying.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: What did they think was going to happen?
The most powerful politicians in our nation watched an American get gunned down by law enforcement and didn't pause, for even a moment, to consider whether it was justified. That’s terrifying.
www.inforum.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:14 PM
robport.bsky.social
🔊 On this Plain Talk, hear from Fargo's mayoral candidates and reaction to new tragedy in Minneapolis.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Plain Talk: The tragedy in Minneapolis, Fargo's mayoral candidates
🔊 On this Plain Talk, hear from Fargo's mayoral candidates and reaction to new tragedy in Minneapolis.
www.inforum.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:44 PM
robport.bsky.social
A statement from the group's board says no laws were broken, though gave no indication as to whether it will continue to allow the loans.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: F5 Project stands behind personal loans to executives but answers no questions
A statement from the group's board says no laws were broken, though gave no indication as to whether it will continue to allow the loans.
www.inforum.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:46 PM
robport.bsky.social
Minot could be a key battleground in the war between traditional, normie Republicans and the MAGA-aligned populists.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: 2 of North Dakota's most notorious MAGA lawmakers draw primary challengers
"Minot could be a key battleground in the war between traditional, normie Republicans and the MAGA-aligned populists," Rob Port writes.
www.inforum.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:10 PM
robport.bsky.social
On this Plain Talk, Attorney General Drew Wrigley talks about North Dakota's most recent crime report, including why it took so long to release.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Plain Talk: 'You're talking over 4,000 more victims every year than was the case in 2014'
On this Plain Talk, Attorney General Drew Wrigley talks about North Dakota's most recent crime report, including why it took so long to release.
www.inforum.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:56 PM
robport.bsky.social
Minnesota U.S. Senate candidate Royce White, who has spent funds from past campaigns on strip clubs and personal luxuries, has been invited to address the NDGOP's 2026 state convention.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: NDGOP invites strip club aficionado to address upcoming state convention
Minnesota U.S. Senate candidate Royce White, who has spent funds from past campaigns on strip clubs and personal luxuries, has been invited to address the NDGOP's 2026 state convention.
www.inforum.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:52 PM
robport.bsky.social
The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela have real-world consequences for North Dakota across multiple vectors. Did our delegation think of this before their knee-jerk approval?

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: North Dakota first, please
The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela have real-world consequences for North Dakota across multiple vectors. Did our delegation think of this before their knee-jerk approval?
www.inforum.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:06 PM
robport.bsky.social
Rep. Mike Nathe, a Bismarck Republican, confirmed he's working on the bill, but said it's too early to provide more details.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Legislature may consider school lunch bill during special session
Rep. Mike Nathe, a Bismarck Republican, confirmed he's working on the bill, but said it's too early to provide more details.
www.inforum.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:57 AM
robport.bsky.social
The power struggle within the NDGOP between Republican candidates and party leaders who want more control over those candidates could make its way into the courts.

www.inforum.com/opinion/colu...
Port: Could a lawsuit shake up North Dakota's 2026 election cycle?
The power struggle within the NDGOP between Republican candidates and party leaders who want more control over those candidates could make its way into the courts.
www.inforum.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:26 PM