Main Street

This is an expanded version of the interview that was on "Main Street". "The Downstairs Tenant" has three sections -- first, a set of "Prairie Gothic" stories, set mostly in rural North Dakota. They are dark, often tragic. The second section is made up of adaptations of some of Yasunari Kawabata's "Palm of the Hand" stories -- short, short ones that are poetic and occasionally surreal. Finally there is a play -- a straight up North Dakota ghost story. More on Jamie at Jamie Parsley is an

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - Dr. Joshua Wynne is the vice president for health affairs at UND and dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He joins us to discuss the “Fauci Effect,” a sharp increase in student applications experienced at UND and med schools nationwide. He’ll also share highlights from his presentation to the North Dakota Legislative Assembly, which highlighted many of the med school’s remarkable accomplishments. ~~~ He’s both a priest and an author. He’s Jaimie Parsley

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - Adam Jentleson is the author of KILL SWITCH: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy. It examines the history behind the Senate’s partisan gridlock and the role of the filibuster. ~~~ After taking a year off due to the pandemic, the ND Native American Hall of Honor is once again accepting nominations. Joining us is Scott Davis, executive director of the ND Indian Affairs Commission. He’ll also discuss several other matters he’s been

Monday, March 22, 2021 - Dr. Michael Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Policy and Research at the University of Minnesota and a recent advisor to President Biden’s transition team. In this excerpt from the Conversations on Healthcare podcast, he discusses the coronavirus variants, and how a more equitable distribution of vaccines around the world will be necessary to bring the pandemic under control. ~~~ Harvest Public Media reports on farm worker vaccinations. ~~~

Sunday, March 21, 2021 - News director Dave Thompson kicks off our Sunday highlight show with a recap of the week in news. ~~~ Todd Melby is the author of the new book, “A Lot Can Happen in the Middle of Nowhere” -- stories about the making of the movie “Fargo.” Prairie Public is hosting a Zoom event with Melby later this afternoon. (Sunday the 21st) ~~~ Professor Steven J. Pearlman says one reason for the proliferation of conspiracy theories, is a lack of critical thinking skills. He says many

Friday, March 19, 2021 - The North Dakota Legislature is considering making it a requirement that schools provide more education about the state’s Native peoples. The Department of Public Instruction has already done considerable work in that area, and is ready with resources should the legislation become law. Here to tell us about more is Lucy Fredericks, the department’s director of Indian and multicultural education. She’ll also tell us about the Indian Education Summit that will take place

Thursday, March 18, 2021 - Has domestic violence increased during the pandemic? And has the pandemic made it more difficult to help people? We discuss those issues with Jennifer Winter, McKenzie County coordinator for the Family Crisis Shelter. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, The Kinkaider’s Picnic. ~~~ Today on Main Street Eats, Sue Balcom discusses how salt, fat, acid and heat affect cooking.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 - Todd Melby is the author of the new book, “A Lot Can Happen in the Middle of Nowhere” -- stories about the making of the movie “Fargo.” That movie is now 25 years old. Prairie Public is hosting a Zoom event with Melby this Sunday. ~~~ In this week’s Natural North Dakota, biologist Chuck Lura discusses rabbits and hares. ~~~ Donna Kaz is a writer, director, choreographer and activist, who leads the theatre troupe, “Guerrilla Girls on Tour.” She’s teaching, directing

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 - In another episode of the Conversations on Healthcare Podcast, we hear from Dr. Ernest Grant, president of the American Nurses Association, about the myriad challenges nurses have faced throughout the pandemic, and how they can be better supported. ~~~ Mark Trahant shares a commentary on recent happenings for Indian Country Today. ~~~ The recent warm weather has horticulturist Ron Smith itching for spring! He joins us to talk pruning, lawn preparation, drought damaging

Friday, March 12, 2021 - Jack Russell Weinstein joins us for "A Philosophical look at the Covid Relief Plan." Jack is a professor of philosophy at UND and the host of WHY? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life.” This weekend we will rebroadcast his show on a topic that relates to the covid relief plan, the idea of universal basic income with guest Rutger Bregman. ~~~ News director Dave Thompson joins us. A busy week at the Capitol will highlight our conversation. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews