Main Street

Wednesday, June 1, 2022 - Why does diversity matter in books? We visit with author and educator Dr. Dawn Quigley who recently presented on why she writes for the “We Need Diverse Books” collective. A citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, she spoke with young readers about her chapter book, Jo Jo Makoons. ~~~ Agriculture is a big emitter of greenhouse gasses – which are the biggest driver of climate change. But some farmers are taking on the issue by sinking the air’s carbon in the ground. Eve Abrams reports on how they do it. ~~~ Special Olympics North Dakota is sending 30 members to represent North Dakota at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, coming up next week in Orlando, Florida. Joining us is Braedan Hanson, director of sports, Special Olympics North Dakota.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - “Davey Bee’s Hit Song Vault” is a new podcast where North Dakota Rock Country Hall of Fame bandleader and broadcaster Davey Bee visits with his recording artist/art educator son, John David, as they relive the music of our lives. They join us to introduce this fun new project. ~~~ Nicole Donaghy, executive director of North Dakota Native Vote joins us to discuss efforts to help native communities gain better voting access. She’ll also preview an upcoming “native legislative forum” that will feature several Native candidates running for office. ~~~ Tom Isern shares this week’s Plains Folk essay, “The Dakotas.”

Friday, May 27, 2022 - With North Dakota’s primary approaching, there’s a scramble underway to address a poll worker shortage. Alicia Hegland-Thorpe visits with Burleigh Co election manager Erika White. ~~~ As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, we share a story from Harvest Public Media about roadside attractions. ~~~ Memorial Day is often seen as the beginning of summer. And summer can bring severe weather. In an episode of TellTale: Dakota Folklife and Stories, we hear about a tornado strike in 1946, narrated by David Swenson. ~~~ Dave Thompson joins us for a deeper look into some of the week’s news. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “Men,” a horror film starring Jessie Buckley.

Thursday, May 26, 2022 - A new exhibit is opening this Memorial Day weekend at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post. It’s called “Women of the Big Lake.” It celebrates the contributions to American Indian Arts by Margaret Hill, Maude Kegg, Cheryl Minnema, and Batiste Sam. Joining us to share the story of these remarkable Anishinaabe women is Rita Walaszek Arndt of the Minnesota Historical Society. ~~~ Earthworms might seem an odd topic for a segment titled “Main Street Eats,” but rest assured, Sue Balcom isn’t suggesting them for dinner. ~~~ During an archaeological dig cleaning his office, director of radio Bill Thomas unearthed some North Dakota history – an essay by Wendy Bilen about discovering her grandmother’s past in North Dakota.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022 - Fort Snelling is Minnesota’s first national Historic Landmark. It’s reopening to the public this Memorial Day weekend after more than two years of rehabilitation. And among the changes is a new interpretive plan that doesn’t shy away from unfortunate chapters in the fort’s past as it relates to the native population, Japanese Americans and others. Here to discuss the improvements and what you can see during a visit is Dr. William Convery, director of research at the Minnesota Historical Society. ~~~ Farmers in the Midwest are gearing up for a fight over pipelines cutting through their land.Three companies are proposing to use pipelines to move carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants. It recalls the experience farmers had with the Dakota Access Pipeline as Harvest Public Media’s Katie Peikes (PIKE-iss) reports. ~~~ A large community-engaged mural is slated to be installed at the end of the summer in Bismarck thanks to the efforts of the Northern Plains National Heritage Area. The first step in the project is an open call to the public. Alicia Hegland Thorpe visits with community muralist Greta Mclain from GoodSpace Murals to learn more.

Monday, May 23, 2022 - Jack Russell Weinstein joins us for Philosophical Currents as we discuss themes arising from current events. And one issue that touches on the divide between us, and affects numerous topics, is the reluctance or inability for people to change their minds. ~~~ Chuck Lura shares a Natural North Dakota essay, “The Buttercup Family.” ~~~ When a love for plants, a passion for a new art, and a family farm intersect, you get a vision of an unusual community space. With the help of an American Rescue Grant distributed through the North Dakota Council of the Arts, Ellen Knudsen Duffey is embarking on an ambitious plan to create a Stained Glass Greenhouse. Special contributor Brandi Malarkey visits with Ellen to learn more about the project.

Brandi Malarkey visits with Ellen Knudsen Duffey, who’s embarking on an ambitious plan to create a stained-glass greenhouse.

Friday, May 20, 2022 - A new community-based partnership under the Bush Foundation is working to indigenize the grant-making process, Alicia Hegland-Thorpe visits with representatives of the Good Relatives Collaborative. ~~~ The North Dakota primary election is right around the corner on Tuesday, June 14. And it’s proving to be a crowded field in a lot of local elections. Vote 4-1-1 is an initiative run by local chapters of the League of Women Voters to make knowing who’s running, and what they stand for, easier. Alicia Hegland-Thorpe visits with Whitney Oxendahl, the Vote 4-1-1 coordinator. ~~~ Matt Olien reviews “The Duke.”

Thursday, May 19, 2022 - Prairie Public production manager reflects on the life and career of Bob Dambach, long time television manager responsible for numerous award-winning projects. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, “Rhubarb Challenge.” ~~~ A feature on Terry Shannon, treasure hunter. ~~~ This week in our Main Street Eats segment, Sue Balcom talks about seed germination.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - Ron Vossler is a humanities scholar and speaker, and his writing focus has been the Black Sea Germans, a minority group once located primarily in the Ukraine, but now scattered world wide. He joins us to share some of that history as he comments on the current conflict in today’s Ukraine.http://www.ronvossler.com/