Main Street

Friday, June 9, 2023 - Vanessa Williamson is co-founder & CEO of Farmented Foods, which has been selected as a participant in the inaugural gener8tor North Dakota accelerator experience, a program that provides coaching, capital and connections for startups. ~~~ Harvest Public Media’s Elizabeth Rembert reports on the pallid sturgeon’s struggle to survive in the Missouri River. ~~~ Dave Thompson recaps the news of the week. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Spider-man Across the Spider-verse.” ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay.

Thursday, June 8, 2023 - Jack Russell Weinstein joins us to talk about animal rights. It’s a preview of “Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life,” which airs Sunday at 11am. Jack’s guest this month is Jeff Sebo, the author of “Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves: Why Animals Matter for Pandemics, Climate Change, and Other Catastrophes.” ~~~ Longtime entertainer and educator Penny Andrist -- known on stage as Penny and Pals, is retiring. Penny has released more than a half dozen albums and traveled regionally performing for kids and the young at heart for more than 30 years.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - Reporter Todd McDonald covered today’s big announcement from Governor Burgum. He joins us to share his observations from the event. ~~~ Here to discuss the Burgum candidacy are Nicholas Bauroth, professor of political science at NDSU; and Forum Communications columnists Rob Port and Jim Shaw.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - Kathleen Grissom is the author of “Crow Mary,” a novel based on the life of Goes First, a Crow woman who lived in the late 19th century. It’s the result of 10 years of research. Grissom is a New York Times bestselling author and we’ll learn about the heroic tale of Crow Mary, much of which is set in the upper Midwest. ~~~ "Prairie Yard & Garden" was recently added to Prairie Public's television lineup. It comes to us from Pioneer PBS in Minnesota. We visit with show host Mary Holm, a native of Strasburg, North Dakota; and Mike Cihak, the executive producer.

Monday, June 5, 2023 - Our monthly Journalists Roundtable takes a look at the recent news from across the state. Hosted today by Matt Olien, he’s joined by news director Dave Thompson and special guests Michael Standaert, reporter for the North Dakota News Cooperative; reporter April Baumgarten of Forum Communications; and Jack Zaleski, columnist with Forum Communications.

Friday, June 2, 2023 - The Bus-eum is back! Once again, traveling historical exhibits are touring the Midwest in a retrofitted school bus. Some two dozen European students are participating in this educational project, bringing history alive and engaging the public in discussions, using films, presentations and publications. ~~~ Dave Thompson is here for our weekly discussion of the recent headlines. ~~~ Matt Olien gives high marks for the new film, “You Hurt My Feelings.”

Thursday, June 1, 2023 - North Dakota native Clay Jenkinson is a humanities scholar and author, best known for his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson on the Thomas Jefferson Hour. The show is now transforming, and he joins us to introduce his new show, "Listening to America." ~~~ The small town of Carson, 60 miles southwest of Bismarck came up with a creative way to keep its grocery store, and the town, afloat. Special Contributor Sabrina Hornung talks with Valerie Martinez of the A&S Country Market about its relationship with the local thrift store. ~~~ The Great American Folk Show with host Tom Brousseau can be heard each Saturday at 5 here on Prairie Public. Today we share an excerpt from a recent show as Tom visits a roving tea truck called Namaste Chai.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 - We’ve had the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and soon there’s the Belmont, and the racing season in North Dakota will also start soon. Joining us to talk about thoroughbred racing and breeding in North Dakota is Hannah Miller, of Gackle. ~~~ A Harvest Public Media report on rural dating. ~~~ Dr. Ken Foster, Concordia College Community Engagement Director, discusses the school's climate action plan in an excerpt from the Prairie Pulse television show with host John Harris. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, “The Wordsworth of Emmons County.”

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - Stacy Schaffer is the founder and executive director of the 31:8 project. The organization works to address issues regarding human trafficking. She joins us to discuss issues of human trafficking in North Dakota, and she’ll preview the group’s Bakken Human Trafficking Summit, coming up June 7-8. ~~~ We get an update on the Welk Homestead Historical Site from site manager Brian Grove. They have a big event coming up this weekend.

Friday, May 26, 2023 - The Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman, ND is a repository for the regional and natural history within 100 miles of Bowman. Darrah Steffen, paleontology curator, and museum administrator Jean Nudell discuss the museum’s history and plans for the future. ~~~ Chuck Lura shares a Natural North Dakota essay on Metigoshe State Park ~~~ Bill Thomas stops by the Plains Art Museum to visit with departing director and CEO Andy Maus. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Book Club: The Next Chapter.”