Main Street

Thursday, October 15, 2020 - 2020 has been a year of big changes for most of us. Michelle Kommer is the outgoing commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. In this Prairie Pulse excerpt, she tells host John Harris about her new venture and reflects on her time in the public sector. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, “Comanche Bill.” ~~~ There is no question the global COVID 19 pandemic upended our idea of normal. For better or for worse, many people and organizations made

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - Dr. Farzad Mostashari chairs the COVID-19 Data Challenge, which seeks to mine online data submitted by Facebook to track COVID-19 as a way to identify pandemic hotspots. He visits with Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter in this excerpt from the Conversations on Healthcare podcast. ~~~ There’s talk of statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. In a commentary from Mark Trahant, he ponders the question of yet another state -- one for Native Americans. ~~~ Danielle

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 - “The Virginia Dynasty: Four Presidents and the Creation of the American Nation” is the latest book from historian Lynne Cheney. It focuses on the first four Virginia presidents--George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Dr. Cheney visits with guest host Rick Collin, a former instructor at the University of Mary, who is also a presidential historian. ~~~ The Age of Nature is a new PBS series that travels the world to explore innovative ways

Monday, October 12, 2020 - “Down Along with that Devil’s Bones, A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory and the Legacy of White Supremacy” is a new book from Connor Towne O’Neill, a producer on the NPR podcast White Lies, which is a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He joins us to discuss this deep dive into American history and the still-raging battles throughout the South. ~~~ Usually around this time of year, we’re able to share features about the latest inductees into the North Dakota Native

UND philosophy professor Jack Russell Weinstein joins us for a discussion of politics -- particularly the role of debates.~~~ News director Dave Thompson is here for his weekly discussion of the week in news. ~~~ Matt Olien reflects on the continuing turmoil in the film industry as it grapples with the pandemic.

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - We visit with Mindy Greiling, the author of “Fix What You Can, Schizophrenia and a Lawmaker's Fight for Her Son. Greiling served as a Minnesota state legislator for 20 years. Her book documents her family’s struggles and her legislative efforts to help improve the state’s mental health system. ~~~ Tom Isern Shares a Plains Folk essay, “Orphan Boy of the Black Hills.” ~~~ Sue Balcom is here for “Main Street Eats.” This week’s topic is pizza.

This week Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris debated in Salt Lake City. Mark Trahant shares a commentary on the curious relationship between the office of Vice President and Indian Country.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - Well-known North Dakota attorney Mark Schneider has turned his attention to writing fiction in a novel titled “She Has the Right of It.” It starts off with a story of growing up Irish Catholic in the Midwest, but soon becomes a tale of intrigue as the story shifts to Ireland. Mark joins us to discuss the inspiration for his foray into writing. ~~~ News director Dave Thompson reflects on the passing of North Dakota politician Mark Andrews, who served in the US House

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - Zach Raknerud is seeking the North Dakota seat in the House of Representatives. He joins us to discuss what distinguishes him from incumbent Kelly Armstrong. ~~~ As many organizations are discovering, going online is offering the advantage of reaching a greater audience. Today we learn about the 10 Minute Plays being staged by the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre. The plays come from writers around the country. It’s an ambitious project that means releasing a new play

Monday, October 5, 2020 - In the most ambitious operatic commission to emerge from the global pandemic, the newly formed Decameron Opera Coalition, featuring nine US-based companies and one creative team, will premiere Tales from a Safe Distance with a multi-week virtual release. The FM Opera Company is one of the participants, and here to tell us more is the opera’s general director, David Hamilton. ~~~ This week Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris debate in Salt Lake City. Mark