Main Street

Monday, March 6, 2023 - North Dakota’s Gateway to Science has a brand new building! Craig Blumenshine gets a tour from Beth Demke, executive director. ~~~ Across the Midwest and Great Plains, statewide weather monitors record data for farmers, researchers and emergency responders. The information helps with storm warnings, climate science, crop insurance and more. As Harvest Public Media’s Elizabeth Rembert reports, financing for many of those state networks is on shaky ground. ~~~ In an episode of “Poetry from Studio 47” Patrick Hicks profiles poet Sandy Longhorn. ~~~ A BirdNote episode about turkeys.

Sarah Matthews is the executive director of the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center. We learn about the important work being done to help victimized children in an excerpt from the Prairie Pulse television show with host John Harris. ~~~ First Link, Prairie Public and Tellwell are partnering on a student film festival which is welcoming short videos on the themes of suicide prevention and mental health. Director of radio Bill Thomas visits with Jeremy Brown, outreach director for FirstLink, and Tim Wollenzein, education services manager for Prairie Public. ~~~ Dave Thompson is here for our weekly news update. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Triangle of Sadness.”

Thursday, March 2, 2023 - Antonia Gonzales is the founder and host of National Native News. She’s visiting North Dakota on the occasion of the 8th Annual NDSU Press Party. Antonia contributed to one of the books being featured at the event: “Rethinking Rural: Reflections on the Past, Insights for the Future.” ~~~ Tom Isern has this week’s Plains Folk essay, “Who Feeds Them All.” ~~~ Sue Balcom is here for Main Street Eats in an episode titled “Getting Ready to Plant.”

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 - When people are having a tough time, it’s easy to ask, “how can I help?” Special contributor Brandi Malarkey explores ways we can actually be helpful in her project, “Practical Kindness.” Today we hear what it takes to run for office the first time. Then Brandi explains more about the Practical Kindness project. ~~~ The WE Rise event from the North Dakota Women's Network helps women running for office. The free event is coming up in Bismarck March 5-6. We visit with Interim Executive Director Kayla Schmidt and Board Chair Amy Ingersoll.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - North Dakota and a number of other states are considering legislation regarding transgender issues. Those issues are complex, involving a lot of emotion and instinctual reactions. Dr. Kirsten Benson has done considerable research on transgender people. She’s a former faculty member at NDSU, and is now an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling at Appalachian State University. She joins us to discuss her research and how it might inform the decisions legislators face. ~~~ Sex trafficking is a serious problem, and indigenous women are disproportionately affected. Joining us is Ejaz Khan who is filming a movie titled “Trapped.” It’s a fictional narrative film that tells the story of sex trafficking in a small North Dakota Town.

Monday, February 27, 2023 - UND Philosophy professor Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein is here for our monthly episode of Philosophical Currents, a day we take a philosophical dive into a current topic. Today we tackle the metaverse.

Friday, February 24, 2023 - Our monthly Journalists Roundtable will take a closer look at the current legislative session. In addition to Prairie Public news director Dave Thompson, we welcome special guests Jeremy Turley, Forum Communications reporter based in Bismarck; and Jack Dura, reporter with the Bismarck Tribune. ~~~ Matt Olien Reviews "Women Talking."

Thursday, February 23, 2023 - Last year, the North Dakota department of corrections created a new position, a director of diversity and cultural competency. Erica Thunder was named to the post, and in this excerpt from the Prairie Pulse television show, she discusses her role with host John Harris. ~~~ The need for quality child care far outweighs the supply, and it’s worse in rural areas. Harvest Public Media’s Xcaret Nuñez reports. ~~~ Tom Isern has this week’s Plains Folk essay, “The Whole Aspect of Nature is Transformed.” ~~~ Sue Balcom is talking about potting soil in another episode of Main Street Eats.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - What does it mean to want to become a teacher today and how is the training of teachers in North Dakota evolving? Dr. Yvonne H. Cannon, Assistant Professor in the Division of Education at Mayville State University, talks about the challenges and opportunities for students who aspire to become teachers. ~~~ Dr. Travis Hoffman, assistant professor and sheep extension specialist at North Dakota State University brings us up-to-date on the state’s sheep industry. His work and research aims to support an integrated supply chain for sheep, lamb, and wool production as part of the land grant mission to help North Dakota and Minnesota sheep producers.

Tuesday, February 21, 2021 - Despite the life-altering trials in Bill Vossler's life – being abandoned by his father at age three, the painful Biblical rantings of Apocalypse Granny, and the effects of an alcoholic home – he was "saved" by an empty lot across the street where he discovered fossils identified by the Smithsonian, a curiosity and love of nature, creating his own baseball stadium, delivering newspapers, and reading – all of which nurtured in him a joy of being alive. He recalls the events in his memoir “Days of Wonder.” ~~~ The Ridge Treatment and Reentry Center is for people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Part of their treatment includes yoga. We visit with instructor Sara Van Ostrand, and Director of Clinical Services Tom Frei. You can read more in paper from the National Institute of Health on yoga and addiction. ~~~ Jessie Veeder shares an essay titled “Heritage Cooking.”