Main Street

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.

Buckle up for a Mainstreet episode that's all planes, trains, and automobiles, as the Prairie Public team swaps stories of their own bad holiday travel adventures. Then we shift from travel troubles to comfort food on Prairie Plates, where Rick Gion takes us inside Pheasant Cafe in Mott, North Dakota.In this week's Prairie Beat, the holidays are here and so are the simmering pots, stacked plates, and stories. We're serving up the must-know food safety tips to keep your family's Thanksgiving both delicious and worry-free.

We'll talk to a trailblazer from Mali, UND Aviation student Noumousso Diane, who is poised to become the West African country's first woman commercial pilot.

Jack Russell Weinstiein reflects on the death of one of his musical heroes, reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, who passed away earlier today. And hear the story of Fargo Thanksgiving shopper, whose search for a rare holiday bird led to a confusing encounter in the check out lane. We'll hear about a Minnesota rock band whose all female members find empowerment and confidence through their music.

Ethics debates intensify amid commission deadlock, STEM learning comes alive with hands-on experiments, and snowy owls and meteor showers highlight winter's arrival.

Chef Chris Dietz spices up Thanksgiving on Prairie Plates, then Prairie Beat examines SNAP recovery post-shutdown and a brewery's concerns. Plus, Valley City honors its WWII legacy.

Value-based care leads rural health innovation, agrivoltaics grows food and opportunity, Brother Placid shares prairie wisdom, and Lyle Wilds offers a candid path to redemption.

ND's growing veteran homelessness crisis with ND Monitor reporter Michael Achterling, plus an in-depth conversation with Community Options - how they support residents.

A powerful hour on health and hope: addressing intimate partner violence in care settings, raising lung-cancer awareness with early screening, and expanding STEM education across ND.

Dr. Cullinane breaks down the federal shutdown's end, Prairie Plates visits Fargo's 1889 Kitchen, and The Tell shares a sharp airport story about trust and humanity.

From adaptive riding in Lisbon to jacaranda blooms in Australia, plus a veteran's recovery and a deepening farm labor crisis—four stories of resilience and connection.

North Dakota's Civil Air Patrol trains future aviators, while the Fargo-Moorhead Fencing Club builds skill and camaraderie with “Make Friends and Stab Them.”

From Duke Ellington's historic Fargo concert to small-town legends, storytelling, and corn detasseling—Main Street brings you music, history, and heartland voices.

Lindsay Breuler on creating a new children's museum, Geoff O'Gara reflects on Dick Cheney's life and legacy, and Montana's sweet way to reduce bear conflicts.

Historian John Monsky previews “American Heart in WWI,” a Carnegie Hall Tribute, followed by Charles Spira's moving memory of survival as a hidden child in Belgium.

Horace residents face steep special assessments as city leaders explain the law. Then, Tom Isern recalls a 19th-century railway hunting coach built for Dakota adventures.

From ethics to eerie encounters to urgent food aid—today's Main Street explores where morality meets law, ghosts meet gastronomy, and communities face hunger.

From America's most deadly drug to prairie hunting tales, Texas bats, and an Oklahoma minerals fight - Main Street explores health, history, nature, and Native land.

Levi Bachmeier outlines his vision for North Dakota's schools, then North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling explores the statewide shortage of sign language interpreters.

From North Dakota's tourism milestones to spooky science fun and a cross-country mural journey, this episode highlights creativity, curiosity, and community spirit.

From the pop culture of the 1980s to Fargo's culinary creativity and a new state education leader, Main Street rewinds, celebrates, and looks ahead across North Dakota.

Dr. Rebecca Hug shares how to sharpen your focus, Midwest growers raise pumpkins the size of cars, and clear skies promise dazzling meteor showers across the prairie.

From rebuilding civility to surviving deportation, a musical collaboration, and a wild college tale - Main Street shares stories of empathy, artistry, and resilience.

We honor art visionary Laurel Reuter, review the week's news, explore fall vines, and visit Bismarck's Gateway to Science for new “If/Then” STEM exhibits.

Barak Goodman on American Experience: Kissinger, Fargo's Patty Hagen stirs up soup and pie day memories, and Prairie Beat unpacks rising health premiums.

Alicia Blaufuss, an Essentia Health-Wahpeton nurse practitioner, brings new hope for rural mental health, Tom Isern recalls duck-hunting dangers, and low Mississippi levels squeeze farmers.

Frannie Tunseth, North Dakota's 2026 Teacher of the Year, shares her passion for helping every child succeed. Plus, free planetarium shows this Saturday at VCSU!

From Lisbon's century-old Scenic Theatre to border town life, prairie duck hunts, and fall STEM fun—Main Street explores North Dakota's stories of culture and community.

Chef Andrew Doan serves up game day eats, Prairie Beat revisits the Enderlin EF5 tornado, and Tie Lasater explains how spending now can drain your retirement.

Dr. Debora Dragseth reflects on 100 years of DSU Blue Hawks football with a new book including legacy, and the lasting bond between Dickinson State and its community.

Tim Wetsch shares his journey with Primary Progressive Aphasia, followed by PBS CEO Paula Kerger on the future of public media, trust, and local connection.

Vaccine myths and trust in science, Oktoberfest fun at Würst Bier Hall, and how supporters power hands-on STEM learning at Gateway to Science.

NDSU President David Cook shares plans for a new AI-focused Honors College, plus Prairie Beat investigates the dark side of digital childhood in North Dakota schools.

From renewing Jamestown's historic Voorhees Chapel to rabies panics on the prairie and the fight for rural broadband, Main Street explores history, fear, and the future.

Furniture Mission helps families in crisis create homes with dignity, while Cinema 100 previews a fall lineup of indie films, global stories, and community conversations.

Explore Finland's happiness lessons, hear harvest insights from ND farmers, and discover simple, hands-on science activities to try at home this fall.

Go inside baseball with Christopher Krick, preview Norsk Høstfest with Searle Swedlund, and hear how North Dakota's new school cell phone ban is changing classrooms.

Essentia Health drives significant economic regional impact, while prairie communities of the past faced rabies scares, rumors, and “mad dog” panics.

Dr. Cullinane unpacks political violence and free speech, then journalists Kitty and Marie Felde retrace their grandparents' 1925 Model T honeymoon.

Youth healing at Home on the Range, Fargo's Walk to End Alzheimer's, Dave Thompson's news review, and a heartfelt tribute to columnist Marilyn Hagerty.

From workforce growth at the Fusion Conference to Robert Redford's legacy, the impact of heavy news on well-being, and Fargo's Moonrise Café community hub.

Michael Osterholm & Mark Olshaker on vaccine policy, rabies fears on the prairie, toxic water in Illinois, North Dakota's jumping mice, and the Karuk Tribe's cultural burning.