July 27th, 2023
By Faye Seidler
In 2015, The Forum published the information and faces of every North Dakota state representative, as well as whether they voted for or against LGBTQ+ protections. This created transparency and clarity. We knew where our elective body stood.
In 2023, North Dakota saw nearly 20 bills impacting the LGBTQ+ population, making it more difficult to effectively track our lawmakers. However, analysis shows that the majority of these bills came from two…
July 16th, 2023
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Governor Doug Burgum is welcoming crypto mining and data center companies into North Dakota, saying in a January 2022 news release that it will diversify the state’s economy and attract high-paying jobs. However, these companies have come under scrutiny for a variety of reasons, including their high energy use.
Although there are likely close to a hundred crypto mining operations in North Dakota, the…
June 12th, 2023
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Photo credit: Lew Ableidinger
North Dakota’s Commerce Committee during the legislature’s 2019 to 2020 interim session studied the decline of rural grocery stores in North Dakota. Almost 3.5 yearslater, a Senate Bill 2273, which allocates $1 million to preserve rural grocery stores and increase food access, was signed into law April 24.
The number of rural grocery stores in North Dakota has been declining. North Dakota lost 15…
May 16th, 2023
Fargo Marathon
Now - May 20
Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday.
Kids to Park Day
May 20
Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts, learning activities and more.
56560 Community Rummage Sale
Saturday, May 20, 8am-2pm, Cullen Hockey Center, Moorhead
Numerous sellers, food vendors all day. Clothing, furniture, wood-crafted items and more. Admission is $1, 17 and under free. (218)…
April 16th, 2023
By John Showalter
If you’re any stripe of dork, geek, nerd, or all of the above, Paradox Comics n’ Cards in downtown Fargo is practically a local institution. 2023 marks its thirtieth year of catering to the area’s comic fans and tabletop gamers.
Owner Richard Early has big plans to mark this auspicious anniversary for the store and recently I had the opportunity to interview him about those plans, as…
March 20th, 2023
Proposed Bills Could Take Books off Library Shelves
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
The passing of ND House Bill 1205 and ND Senate Bill 2360, which would prevent sexually explicit books from being in public libraries, has prompted national discourse over what some are considering “book bans.”
The North Dakota House and Senate each passed a bill to amend North Dakota Century Code 12.1-27.1, which focuses on obscenity control.
HB 1205 says a public library may not…
March 5th, 2023
By Jim Fuglie
jimfuglie920@gmail.com
It’s been a while since I brought HPR readers up to date on things going on out in the North Dakota Bad Lands. And trust me, there have been some things going on. And not all good things.
There have been a couple of elections out in Billings County, which is home to Medora, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the Little Missouri State Scenic River. And elections, as they say, have consequences. What’s been going on in Billings County…
February 12th, 2023
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Although the Grand Forks City Council voted 5-0 February 6 to cancel Fufeng, there are still unresolved issues.
The Chinese-owned corn mill processing plant Fufeng set off national security concerns for being about 12 miles from Grand Forks Air Force base. The Department of the Air Force in Washington D.C. sent a letter to North Dakota senators on January 27 saying Fufeng “presents a significant threat to national security.”
“We…
January 17th, 2023
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Governor Doug Burgum called for the removal of the anti-corporate farming law during the State of the State Address.
The anti-corporate farming law is a contentious topic. Some believe it is holding back North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers. Others believe the anti-corporate farming law is protecting local farmers and the environment.
“I urge this body to change the long downward trajectory of animal agriculture in North Dakota and…
December 16th, 2022
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Citizens came to speak before the Grand Forks City Council on December 6, sharing their concerns about the Fufeng Chinese corn mill project.
Fufeng is a $700 million corn processing plant that will extract ingredients for animal nutrition feed formulas. Fufeng has raised concern among citizens who say it will put a toll on local resources, they’re worried about Fufeng’s ties to China and they believe the city council is not…
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By Alicia Underlee NelsonMore than 1,000 pro-worker events are planned for Thursday, May 1 across the country, including rallies in Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Forks, Minot and Jamestown. East Grand Forks and Bismarck will host protests…
From concerts and car shows to Japanese art and Juneteenth celebrations, there's so much going on around the region this summer. This year's High Plains Reader Summer Events Calendar is back and bigger than ever. It's packed with…
June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…
By John Strandjas@hpr1.com One description that perhaps aptly describes the mental state of many lately is that they feel they are attached to a string. Or several strings. Call it the notion that people are played like puppets,…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comFor sale: White House in D.C. housing dung beetles and giant leechesI suspect someone close to Donald Trump has read “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,”because the Trump administration is…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com After a very inspiring conversation with Kayla Houchin of Sonder Bakehouse a few weeks ago, I decided that it’s an appropriate time to write a column about some of the sweet people who are involved…
Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Filmmaker Antonella Sudasassi Furniss constructs an engaging sophomore feature with “Memories of a Burning Body,” selected by Costa Rica to be entered for consideration as a possible Oscar…
By Raul Gomezraul@hpr1.com Minutes before Modern’s Celebration of Life opened its door at the Sons of Norway, I was fiddling with the bar computer, trying to pull up the playlists of Modern’s work I had set aside for the…
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There appear to be differences in the incidence of mental illnesses between men and women. For example, women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress…
By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…
By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson.nd7@gmail.com Our trucking business has me driving almost daily from gas plants in western North Dakota's oil patch to Canada. I haul natural gas liquids (NGLs) products we used to see flared off at…
