Main Street

Medicare & Medicaid turn 60—what's next for these vital programs? Plus, a ND news roundup, a Naked Gun reboot review, and a look at August's natural beauty on the prairie.

Minot voters reject extremism, olive oil meets art and science, and Prairie Public braces for major funding cuts as CPB shuts down.

How can healthy roles in youth sports help kids thrive? Plus: dying bur oaks, forgotten farm tech, Alaska wave energy, and climate stories from spuds to sprinklers.

Dr. Mark Strand explores rural public health challenges, while James Erdahl highlights NDSCS's hands-on collision engineering program and its career impact.

Aviation safety in Minot, Ari Aster's pandemic Western Eddington, ND news, and natural gems beyond Medora—from petrified forests to the Maah Daah Hey Trail.

Main Street explores college's purpose with Dr. Weinstein, dines at Fargo's Spaghetti Western, visits KKWE Native radio, and shares lunch with Marilyn Hagerty.

Ilonna Pederson previews the Winds of Change Tour; Tom Isern dives into a bullhead fishing craze; plus stories on tribal resilience and America's food miles.

Historians trace prairie identity, Dr. Strand rethinks youth sports, Michigan forests recover from disaster, and Tom Isern honors German-Russian heritage.

Dr. Brad Strand rethinks youth sports, Jill Wiese previews Bluegrass Goes Pink, Dave Thompson reviews ND news, and Matt Oliene covers a Fargo indie film.

News at Risk, Food with Heart, and a Forecast That's Partially Dry

From re-imagining health care and redefining drought to preserving prairie fruits and Indigenous homelands, these stories explore change, challenge, and resilience.

Bill Siemering, NPR's first program director and the author of its inspiring mission statement, recounts the network's early goal of honoring diversity by including a variety of American voices. Also, we hear how America's 18th century founders emphasized the importance of a free press and an educated citizenry to the success of their experiment in democracy. Features Pulitzer Prize-winning historians Gordon Wood (Brown University) and Annette Gordon-Reed (Harvard University).

Host Craig Blumenshine sits down with interior design expert Professor Susan Ray-Degges, film critic Matt Olien reviews the new Superman movie, and musician Tom Brosseau takes a trip to Medora, North Dakota.

Mainstreet host Craig Blumenshine sits down with Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane to explore the current climate of American politics. They discuss rising polarization, voter sentiment, and whether a viable third party could emerge as a response to growing dissatisfaction with the two-party system.Rick interviews Katie Chin. Katie is a featured speaker at the upcoming TEDx Fargo event coming up on Wednesday, July 23rd taking place at Brewhalla in Fargo. Katie is a celebrity chef, award-winning cookbook author, spokesperson, food blogger, and the Culinary Ambassador to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Katie is also the daughter of Leeann Chin, a famous restaurant name that you may recognize.

On Mainstreet, host Craig Blumenshine talks with journalist Allison Olimb about the role and importance of rural journalism in strengthening small communities. Plus, Director of Radio Ann Alquist sits down with John Dyste to discuss why independent grocery stores in small towns matter now more than ever, and why they're worth supporting.

Director of Radio Ann Alquist sits down with Director of Television Barb Gravel and Prairie Public President & CEO John Harris to explore the legacy of Lawrence Welk and the story behind the new documentary Lawrence Welk: A North Dakota Farm Boy. Plus, Main Street host Craig Blumenshine chats with Beach, North Dakota Mayor Walter Losinski, and we wrap up with a sneak peek into Mike Olson's latest playlist.

Explore a Japanese garden with 89-year-old Vern Hunter, catch up on North Dakota news with Dave Thompson, and review the high-speed drama of F1 The Movie with Matt Olien.

A Fargo botanic garden tour with Vern Hunter, food truck flavors at Red River Market, and a sobering look at deadly flash flooding in Texas with local ties and reflection.

UND's all-female flight team wins big, juneberries tell a deeper tale, tribal healthcare hits the road, fireflies flash for love, and hydropower faces headwinds.

We explore war's moral dilemmas, review North Dakota news, and reflect on Matt Olien's take on the movie The Life of Chuck, adapted from Stephen King.

We spotlight Men's Health Month with Dr. Eric Jacobson, meet Maartje Murphy of Cows & Co Creamery, and revisit deadly storms on Prairie Beat with firsthand accounts.

From men's mental wellness to ancient horse migration and prairie climate history—plus river conservation, plastic pollution, and farming for flood resilience.

Essentia Health leaders discuss tribal partnerships and policy reforms, while Pat Traynor outlines his vision for advancing health services across North Dakota.

We explore a youth-led mental health initiative, the return of tribal land to the Prairie Band Potawatomi, and a surreal comedy review of Friendship.

Merrill Piepkorn reflects on public service amid violence, Chef Paul Nimens shares food truck life, and Prairie Beat examines the deadly attack in Minnesota.

Medieval magic hits downtown Fargo, Indigenous skiers reclaim snowy space, Camp Recreation celebrates inclusion, and a tribute to Lawrence Welk's bubbly legacy.

Dr. Robert Polk's trailblazing journey and the legacy of the Chautauqua movement both reflect powerful traditions of service, education, and community in North Dakota.

A preview of Dr. Robert Polk's legacy, Bismarck's future with Mayor Michael Schmitz, this week's news and Matt's top female movie stars of all time.

Bluegrass festival fun, a patriotic reflection, whale research in Alaska, and a spotlight on missing Indigenous people. This episode covers culture, science, and justice.

Dr. Owen McKenna explores how climate & land use impact North Dakota's vital wetlands, crucial for wildlife & water quality. Ag debt on Harvest Public Media

Dr. Igor Koralnik discusses Long COVID care and research. Then, Fargo's Brad Stephenson celebrates 30 years of B.D.S. Books and reflects on his bookselling journey.

From Grand Forks' vibrant ArtFest to top news stories and a blockbuster film review, today's show explores creativity, current events, and cinematic thrills.

Explore North Dakota's railroading heritage at the Mandan museum, then savor seasonal cabin cooking with chef Sara Watson and special guest Molly Yeh.

A geologist discusses brine spill dangers, the ND Shakespeare Festival expands west, and Tom Isern explores Norwegian-American heritage on Syttende Mai.

We explore childhood resilience with therapist Becky Eissinger and dive into the transformative power of books with author Bruce Campelia and his Light Passers series.

We ponder purpose with UND's Dr. Jack Weinstein, catch up on headlines with Dave Thompson, and hear Matt Olien's bold picks for his top 10 favorite films ever.

Burger origins, Indigenous climate stories, prairie prayers, and a rat tale of love—it's a flavorful mix of history, hope, and heart on today's Main Street.

Co-hosts Erik Deatherage and Ann Alquist catch up with podcaster, columnist and journalist Rob Port about the 69th legislative session, what to watch out for in North Dakota politics and what it means to be a conservative in 2025.

Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman on regional healthcare issues. Plus, news with Dave Thompson and Matt Olien's countdown of favorite films #20 to #11.

Joan Danks shares insights from a new Alzheimer's Association report showing widespread public support for early detection and emerging treatments. Also, cases are rising in ND.

From award-winning elder care to folk ballads, fungi farming, and tribal firewood, it's a rich mix of people and place on Main Street.

UND launches the ND Center for Aerospace Medicine, and Sara Otte Coleman previews 2025 tourism highlights on the television service of Prairie Pulse with John Harris.