Main Street

Monday, August 30, 2021 - Are safety and freedom really at odds with one another? Philosopher Jack Russell Weinstein joins us for Philosophical Currents. ~~~ North Dakota Voters First is a grassroots group of North Dakotans from across the political spectrum. Ellen Chaffee joins us to talk about fair and transparent legislative redistricting, in the wake of the 2020 census.

Sunday, August 29, 2021 - Guest interviewer Carol Kapaun Ratchenski visits with Mark Vins to talk about his new book, The Trouble with Daydreams, forthcoming from NDSU Press. They’ll also talk about life after academia. Now retired from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Vinz has been mentor and teacher to several generations of local writers. As always, Vinz’s poetry rings true and wise and yes, funny. ~~~ Ashley Thornberg recently stopped by Assumption Abbey in Richardton, where she had a joyful visit with Brother Louie Bachand. ~~~ Sue Balcom is here for Main Street Eats with some tips for safe canning.

Friday, August 27, 2021 - It’s time for our monthly Journalists Roundtable. Joining news director Dave Thompson for a discussion of the latest news are Jamie Kelley, managing editor of the Williston Herald; and April Baumgarten, reporter on the Investigative team for Forum Newspapers. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Respect,” a film about Aretha Franklin.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 - Guest interviewer Carol Kapaun Ratchenski visits with Mark Vinz to talk about his new book, The Trouble with Daydreams, forthcoming from NDSU Press. They’ll also talk about life after academia. Now retired from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Vinz has been mentor and teacher to several generations of local writers. As always, Vinz’s poetry rings true and wise and yes, funny. ~~~ We continue with poetry with an episode of “Poetry from Studio 47,” which comes to us from Patrick Hicks, writer in residence and a member of the English faculty at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. Today he profiles poet Joyce Sutphen. ~~~ Ashley Thornberg stops by the Menoken Farm, a crop and ranching operation demonstrating a number of conservation practices. She visits with Jay Fuhrer.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - As students across North Dakota return to school, the Drug Enforcement Administration is reminding families to make time for conversation about the dangers of drugs and the risk of overdose associated with counterfeit pills. Between 2019 and 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a nearly 30 percent increase in drug overdose deaths, coinciding with a surge in counterfeit pills. To date, DEA investigators in North Dakota have seized approximately 8,000 pills in the first seven months of 2021. Joining us is Emily Murray, public information officer for the DEA’s Omaha division. ~~~ Ron Smith is here to discuss lawn and garden woes during this hot and dry summer. ~~~ The Midwest is known for agriculture -- corn, wheat, soybeans - but lavender? Maybe not so much. For Harvest Public Media, Rachel Schnelle (SHNELL-ee) has the story of one couple who decided to give it a try.

Monday, August 23, 2021 - In an excerpt from the Conversations on Healthcare podcast, Dr. Lee Beers, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics comments on their recommendation that all kids aged 2 and older should be masked in school and daycare. She also comments on efforts to communicate the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccines, and the AAP’s efforts to increase access to mental health services within the pediatric care setting. ~~~ Commentary from Mark Trahant on the criteria for tribal membership ~~~ Ashley Thornberg recently stopped by Assumption Abbey in Richardton, where she had a joyful visit with Brother Louie Bachand. ~~~ Tom Isern is here with a Plains Folk essay titled “Plainsman.”

Sunday, August 22, 2021 - For our Sunday highlight show, we start with comedian Paula Poundstone. After getting postponed twice due to the pandemic, she’ll be performing later this month in Fargo. ~~~ And another event coming up is a commemoration of the life of famed North Dakota vocalist Peggy Lee, who would have turned 101 this year. We visit with Myron and Bonnie Sommerfeld. ~~~ Insects have long been a big part of peoples’ diets. But in the United States, edible bugs like crickets and mealworms are a niche industry. As Harvest Public Media’s Katie Peikes reports, some insect enthusiasts are focused on getting people over the perceived ick factor.

Friday, August 20, 2021 - We begin with a special movie trivia discussion with Matt Olien, followed by this week’s movie review as Matt comments on the film “Annette,” from French director Leos Carax. ~~~ Tom Isern is here with a Plains Folk essay titled “Grass Widows and Fried Rabbit.” ~~~ We also have an extended conversation with news director Dave Thompson. Prairie Public will soon be celebrating 40 years of radio, so Dave and producer Skip Wood take a trip down broadcasting’s memory lane.

Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Humanities North Dakota is offering an ambitious schedule of Public University events. Here with a preview is program coordinator Sue Skalicky, along with two of the instructors: Brian Palecek and Serge Danielson-Francois. ~~~ The Aging in Community Project is an initiative from NDSU Extension that seeks to help rural communities care for older residents. Joining us to discuss the need and the strategies is Jane Strommen, Extension gerontology specialist. ~~~ Sue Balcom joins us for a Main Street Eats discussion about beets.Contact Jane Strommen at 701-231-5948 or [email protected]

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 - A commemorative event for famous North Dakota vocalist Peggy Lee is scheduled Friday, Sept. 10, at the Eagles Club in Valley City. It features the Myron Sommerfeld Orchestra with vocalist Bonnie Sommerfeld. Myron and daughter Bonnie join us to discuss Peggy Lee and their own musical histories. (Proceeds of the event benefit the Barnes County Historical Society.) ~~~ Jodi Smith is the North Dakota Commissioner of the board of University & School Lands. For many people, it’s a board they’re not too familiar with. Jodi joins us to explain the important work the board does in the management and stewardship of educational trusts, mineral acres, and other assets that are purposed for the benefit of public schools and other institutions in the state. The board administers nearly $6 billion of financial assets, and oversees more than 2.5 million mineral acres, and 700,000 surface acres.