Would Permanent Daylight Saving Time Leave North Dakota in the Dark?

Changing the clocks twice a year can be disruptive. But would permanent daylight saving time actually be better for North Dakota? In this episode of The Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson talks with North Dakota News Cooperative reporter Michael Standaert about the Sunshine Protection Act and what year-round daylight saving time could mean for the state. “I was a little bit surprised how dark it will be in some of the months if this does go through,” Standaert said. “In the darkest months, some of the sunrises could be closer to 9:30 or 9:45 in the morning. Kids will already be in school when the sun comes up.” Permanent daylight saving time would affect the state differently than many parts of the country. Winter sunrises could come around 9 a.m. in Fargo, 9:30 a.m. in Bismarck and 9:45 a.m. in Williston. Halvorson and Standaert discuss what those dark mornings could mean for students, schools and the body’s natural rhythms, as well as the benefits and complications of permanent standard time. They also look at whether continuing to change the clocks may still be the best option for North Dakota.