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…
December 14th, 2022
By Brittney Goodman
goodmanbritg@gmail.com
Whether you have a menorah, a nativity, an artificial or real tree, a kinari, a Krampus costume, or none of the above, the winter holiday season in the Red River Valley is a time of meaning and celebration for many, in a variety of formats. The holiday season includes religious and secular celebrations that include ceremony, food, and gatherings of family and friends.
And in our area, a white Christmas is usually a reality, like it or not. And,…
November 24th, 2022
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Summit Carbon Solutions approached North Dakota land owner Kurt Swensonin August 2021, requesting to lease out Swenson’s land to sequester, or store, carbon dioxide underground in the pore space, which is the part of soil containing liquid and gas about one to two miles underground.
After reviewing the proposed contract with the help of attorneys, Swenson said that no attorney in the state of North Dakota would recommend signing it.…
October 22nd, 2022
By Sabrina Hornung
sabrina@hpr1.com
Niagara is a peaceful farm town of about 50 or so residents. It is located on Highway 2 in the westernmost stretch of Grand Forks County. One would never have guessed that it was home to a serial killer in the early part of the 20th century. To this day, the story of Eugene Butler and his skeletons in the cellar remains one of our state’s most notable unsolved murder…
October 19th, 2022
By HPR Staff
submit@hpr1.com
Comstock House: Nooks and Crannies Flashlight Tour
Thursdays in October, 7:30-9 pm
Comstock House, 506 8th St. S, Moorhead
Lights out! This special tour allows access to parts of the house otherwise inaccessible to the public. Pre-registration is required: https://www.mnhs.org/comstock
Haunted History Downtown Tours (Bismarck)
Fridays and Saturdays in October at 7 and 8 p.m.
A walking haunted history tour of downtown Bismarck. Gunfights, stabbings, hangings,…
September 14th, 2022
By Laura Simmons
laurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu
Howes Township is frustrated with a court decision and a 2019 bill that lessened local control, giving it back to the state.
Howes Township has been fighting the addition of a concentrated animal feeding operation since 2016 when it was first proposed. The court’s decision in North Dakota Farm Bureau vs. Howes Township was released late July 2022, siding with each of North Dakota Farm Bureau’s claims, allowing a pig barn to be built…
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Grand Forks and Fargo-Moorhead will host pro-democracy rallies on April 19. These gatherings are just the latest in a string of protests against President Trump and his policies that have sprung up across the region in recent…
By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com You sent me a postcard in 1984. It’s a picture of myself, author Peter Matthiessen and a few more of us in Fargo, right after your Bismarck evidentiary hearing in October. We had scraped…
Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m. doors open at 7 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 N Broadway, FargoCheck out this cult classic on the big screen as a live band performs along with David Bowie’s vocals, all while basking in the Art Deco glory…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I feel like reading a newspaper is the equivalent of listening to music on vinyl. Not only is it analog, it’s an experience. I might be a little biased, but there's something about the rustling…
By Ed Raymondfargogadly@gmail.comThe wizards and kleagles in whites now wear blue suits and red tiesA hundred years ago, more than 30,000 members of the Ku Klux Klan from virtually every state in the Union wearing their white…
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 Given the volume of existing media material on the topic, longtime admirers of legendary documentarian Errol Morris might wonder why he would elect to become the umpteenth person to cover the…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Chad Nodland, "Artistic Freedom"On January 19, 2025, the last full day of Joe Biden’s presidency, he commuted Leonard Peltier's two consecutive life sentences to home confinement at his…
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 Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…
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 Gilbert Kuipersgilbertkuipers@outlook.com I live in North Dakota District 24 and have been challenging the district Republicans about their understanding of climate science for years. There has been no serious response to my…
