News

​2023 HPR SUMMER EVENT CALENDAR

May 16th, 2023

May

Fargo Marathon

Now - May 20

Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday.

fargomarathon.com

Kids to Park Day

May 20

Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts, learning activities and more.

fargoparks.com

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)…

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A Historic Anniversary for Paradox Comics n’ Cards

April 16th, 2023

By John Showalter 

john.d.showalter@gmail.com

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…

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‘We Do Not Want to Expose Them to That’

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…

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News From the Bad Lands: The Bridge Is Back

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…

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​Fufeng Corn Processing Plant Falls Through, but Citizens Still Angry in Grand Forks.

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…

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Protecting or Restricting? North Dakota’s Anti-corporate Farming Law in Jeopardy

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…

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Fufeng Corn Processing Plant: Angry Citizens in Grand Forks

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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​‘Tis the Season: The Many Traditions of F-M Winter Holidays

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,…

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Proposed Carbon Pipeline

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.…

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​Eugene Butler Had a Secret

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…

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