Main Street

Rural nurse training in North Dakota, Icelandic pioneer reflections, Indigenous climate leadership, America's protein debate, and the week's top water stories.

DSU Historian Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane previews Trump's address, while filmmaker Monica Medellin explores women's flag football's Olympic debut in The Future Is Flag.

Cattle fraud charges and crop insurance risks, Gateway STEM events, TV tech decoded with George Peck, plus Dave's weekly news review.

Prairie Plates spotlights India Clay Oven's award-winning Maharaja Burger, Prairie Beat covers measles, and we explore next-gen geothermal power.

NDSU and RAND target rural needs; pioneer immigrant journeys, Mesa Verde storytelling, and rising demand with uncertain funding for the 988 crisis lifeline.

ICE detention cases reach ND courts, TV vs. projector buying advice, and how Gateway to Science brings hands-on STEM to schools statewide.

Fighting hunger across the Plains, honoring Officer Jason Moszer's legacy, and supporting entrepreneurs through the North Dakota Women's Business Center.

From civics education and a forgotten prairie crop to Indigenous skiers and farm climate challenges, this episode explores democracy, culture, and change across the Plains.

Mountain West AD Tom Burman explains adding NDSU football, and ND Teacher of the Year Frannie Tunseth and Dr. Logan Rutten rethink professional learning for teachers.

From oilfield wastewater and lithium policy missteps to redefining what a “home theater” really is, Main Street explores energy innovation, regulation, and smart tech choices.

Award-winning Prairie Plates at Rosewild, a white paper on risk and resilience in America's food system, and what Fargo's emerald ash borer discovery means statewide.

A timely Philosophical Currents conversation with Jack Russell Weinstein on the rule of law, power, accountability, and democracy under strain.

Named Agriculturalist of the Year at the 100th Little "I," Jim Kirsch reflects on a lifetime in agriculture, education, and mentoring— from farm life to NDSU leadership.

A term limits lawsuit heads to the ND Supreme Court, Gateway to Science lets visitors fly, and Tech with Peck launches. Plus Dave Thompson's news review.

UND launches a new campus master plan, Fargo welcomes Maria's Homestyle Mexican, and a North Dakotan in Minneapolis shares a firsthand view of immigration enforcement.

Oil prices cool the Bakken as Williston's mayor weighs impacts, travel writer Alicia Underlee Nelson shares spring tips, Plains Folk explores pie melons, and dairies adapt.

Neurologist Dr. Ray Dorsey rethinks Parkinson's prevention, while Amanda Sayre from Dakota Medical Foundation explores how philanthropy strengthens community health.

A bill to save a rural hospital, winter STEM ideas for families, a powerful courtroom story, and the prairie roots of venison chislic.

From NDSU's 100th Little International to Fargo's Mezzaluna and a dangerous cold snap, this episode blends tradition, food, and weather safety across North Dakota.

Historian Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane on Trump's first year back in office, global water crises from Iran to the Colo. River, and how hybrid wheat could reshape U.S. farming.

Rural health funding, German-Russian heritage, winter STEM at Gateway to Science, news and a look at how researchers face major cuts under new federal policies.

Your ICE rights, the latest nutrition updates, Noodlezip's bold winter flavors, and how the Chickasaw Nation is restoring land and tradition.

Williston Mayor Howard Klug shares updates on growth, housing, public safety, and the city's long-term vision as Williston navigates rapid change and new community needs.

North Dakota faces a growing teacher shortage. We explore solutions: better pay, mentoring, workload fixes with Frannie Tunseth, UND's Dr. Diana D'Amico Pawlewicz.

A Closer Look with the Monitor: Farm stress; a Sudanese village visit; and fresh STEM bee learning - all woven with stories of challenge, kindness, and this week's news.

Mainstreet closes out the year by celebrating the people, places, and plates that make the region unforgettable. Rick Gion revisits some of Prairie Plates' most memorable food moments of 2025.We also remember journalist Marilyn Hagerty, with stories and a final conversation from someone who knew her well.

Today on Main Street, Mike Olsen stops by to share five of his favorite albums from 2025, highlighting the sounds that defined the year. Plus, philosopher Jack Russell Weinstein joins Philosophical Currents to explore the difference between happiness and contentment, why we often confuse the two, and how community, perspective, and purpose shape what it really means to live well.

Mainstreet welcomes author Lillian Joubert to discuss her North Dakota-set romcom novel Freelance Finance at Mistletoe Inn. We'll share a story from Fargo's live monthly storytelling event The Tell about how a group of supportive women became not just friends, but a family. And Tom Brosseau takes you to one of his favorite downtown Grand Forks eateries, Ely's Ivy.

A thoughtful mix of stories: a re-air of a candid conversation with ChatGPT, reflections on Christmas memories, and a Plains Folk essay on heritage, faith, and history across continents.

Adoption isn't one-size-fits-all. Catholic Charities ND experts discuss modern adoption, AASK, and why counseling, respect, and support matter at every step.

From the year's biggest North Dakota headlines to a tribute to Joe Ely, a news-year reflection, and a look at sensory support at the North Dakota Gateway to Science.

From a family-run flower operation in West Fargo to winter storms, flu pressures, a looming solar tax credit deadline, and festive wine-and-cheese tips for the holidays.

As ACA subsidies near expiration, reporters unpack Capitol Hill's impasse. Plus, a Plains Folk reflection on terroir and reporting from Savoonga on Arctic adaptation.

UND's Space Laser shows how light could transform satellite data. And, the GOD'S CHILD Project shares how holiday giving can triple its impact.

A pivotal North Dakota Supreme Court as the first woman to become Chief Justice is elected, cottonseed as protein, winter STEM experiments, and Californians' vivid memories of the Santa Ana winds.

Prairie Beat revisits Fargo homicide and data-center developments, Tom Isern explores prairie-to-Barossa German ties, and Prairie Plates spotlights the new Harry's Steakhouse.

Sam Graham-Felson shares fatherhood lessons from TR's Badlands, followed by David Benson explaining how health care tax credits help North Dakotans save on insurance.

Mayor Brett Lambrecht maps Wahpeton's growth, challenges, and vision, followed by a candid conversation with ChatGPT on how AI works, what it understands, and its future impact.

A landmark CO₂ storage ruling, prairie letters revealing lifelong friendship, and a preview of holiday happenings at Gateway to Science highlight today's trio of stories.

UND's Winter WUNDerland, Fargo's Norwegian Christmas feast, and Prairie Beat's look at flu, COVID, RSV, and new vaccines—plus statewide ag and utility updates.

Dietitian Sarah Tee shares ways to enjoy holiday food with balance, and Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe reflects on protecting the Everglades, culture, and community.

With very few exceptions, abortions are illegal in North Dakota, following the ND Supreme Court's ruling that upholds the state's highly restrictive law that's been held up in litigation. Craig Blumenshine talks with North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer about the very close decision.Another story from Fargo's live monthly storytelling event features a new mom learning to navigate impossible expectations when it comes to bringing a new life into the world. And, for our recurring feature, What Mike Olson's playing, a tribute to alt-folk-country troubadour.