May 26th, 2026
By Eli Liverani
Cholesterol is probably one of the first molecules I have ever heard of in my childhood. Most of the relatives on my mother's side had high cholesterol in their blood, and apparently, levels above a certain range are a risk of cardiovascular diseases. The treatment focused on their diet; limit dairy and egg consumption and lose weight. Some of them were successful just by changing their diet, but in some cases, they had to take some pills. Although they were able to get…
March 23rd, 2026
By Ellie Liverani
In November 2025, the FDA initiated the removal of the “black box” warning from Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The “black box” warning is a FAD safety warning for healthcare providers and patients about a drug with serious, life-threatening risks, such as cancer, suicide, and/or cardiovascular diseaseAs.
HRT will be “just like another drug.” Is it good news or bad news? So far, it is just news.
Is HRT dangerous? Or is it the miracle drug that has been…
February 16th, 2026
By Ellie Liverani
In January 2026, the 2026-2030 dietary guidelines for Americans were released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are supposed to be revolutionary and a “reset” from the previous ones. Are they? And if so, how revolutionary?
First, the renewal was due because dietary guidelines get reviewed every five years. So this was not an unexpected release as much as a routine task for the Department of Health. Second, it is important to reiterate that…
December 18th, 2025
By Ellie Liverani
At the beginning of the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the Grinch is introduced as having a smaller than average heart, but as the movie progresses, his heart increases three times its size. In the story, this means that the Grinch became a kinder and more compassionate creature. But in real life, a swollen heart can have different meanings and implications, including risk of heart diseases.
Indeed, the statistic tells us that the…
November 18th, 2025
sBy Ellie Liverani
The holidays are supposed to be magical: party, presents, fancy food, lights and sparks. You are looking forward to it. You work very hard, you put in long hours at work as well as at home. But then you accomplish everything, you are happy and ready for the fun part to start, but bam — you feel sick.
I have heard this story many times (and experienced it first-hand). But I always wonder. Is there a particular reason? Is it “real” or just…
October 15th, 2025
By Ellie Liverani
When we are sick, all we want is a cure. You go to the doctor, they give you a pill, you take it for a bit, then you are cured. It happens. But unfortunately, it is not always the case.
Sometimes there is no treatment. Some diseases can only be managed, such as autoimmune diseases (Lupus or Hashimoto disease, for example). There are treatments specific to females and others for males, specific to your age. But it is not that simple. And some…
October 6th, 2025
Press Release
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, Essentia Health is highlighting an innovative — and recently expanded — program that brings early breast cancer detection services to rural communities. Essentia’s mobile mammography trucks have added additional locations across the rural health leader’s footprint, from central North Dakota to western Wisconsin, bringing convenient mammography services to more patients. The program will reduce travel time and eliminate barriers…
September 16th, 2025
By Ellie Liverani
Loneliness is on the rise in North Dakota, where there is one of the highest rates of people living alone. The challenging winter can be a major contributor, yet North Dakota is not alone. In the scientific literature, studies on loneliness come from all over the world, and they all report similar findings.
Loneliness is a feeling; therefore, it is hard to measure. It’s distinguished from solitude. There is a lack of interest in seeking…
August 19th, 2025
By Dr. Marc Sapir, MD, MPH
jessica@pellienpublicrelations.com
Across America, families are quietly struggling with a rising challenge: how to care for aging parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and friends. Most seniors want to remain independent but lack the resources (sometimes the energy) they need to do so.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
During my nine years as the founding medical director of the Center for Elders’ Independence — a PACE program in Oakland, California — I…
August 19th, 2025
By Ellie Liverani
Significant updates to North Dakota’s medical marijuana will be implemented in August 2025, making medical marijuana available as a therapeutic option. It will be low-dose edible cannabis products.
Cannabis and marijuana (and the other endless slang words for them) have been around for millennia for both recreational and medical use. Even poets, artists, and politicians have admittedly enjoyed them. But what do we know about them?
Is medical…
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By Dr Christopher Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Sollera For nearly fifty years, this region has known us as Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. We have answered late-night calls. Sat in hospital rooms. Walked with victim survivors…
By Michael M. Miller Francie M. Berg, native of Hettinger, N.D., edited an impressive book, “Ethnic Heritage in North Dakota,” published in 1983. She grew up on a ranch near Miles City, Montana. Her son, Richard Berg, is…
June 6-7StatewideYou grab a line and I’ll grab a pole — and if you’re a North Dakota resident, you can head on down to your favorite fishing hole, no license needed (for this weekend, anyway). All other rules still apply…
By Sabrina Hornung As the school year comes to a close, a new crop of young people are starting a new chapter in their lives. As a former young person, I’d like to offer my unsolicited advice. As cliche as it may sound, be the…
By Ed RaymondWere women created to do the work of God?One of the first requests made by new Pope Leo XIV was to invite an expert on the alt-right conservative Catholic organization known as Opus Dei to brief him about its…
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 GionThe scarfing of canned fish and seafood products by online food influencer types is hard to miss on social media these days. Some of the consumed morsels range from exquisite to downright nasty. However, there are many…
June 3-6, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.FARGODOME, 2800 N. University Dr., FargoDo we dare call RibFest the ultimate summer kickoff in Fargo? Well, we just did. Enjoy succulent ribs, pulled pork, brisket and so much more. Featuring top notch…
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By Greg Carlson Filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan gives longtime pal Martin Short the celebrity documentary treatment in new Netflix movie “Marty, Life Is Short.” With a half century of show business experience under his belt, Short…
By Sabrina Hornung The Plains Art Museum has been a trailblazing force in the North Dakota art scene since its inception and it’s not slowing down any time soon. In fact, this summer they are preparing to break ground on a major…
Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…
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 Eli Liverani Cholesterol is probably one of the first molecules I have ever heard of in my childhood. Most of the relatives on my mother's side had high cholesterol in their blood, and apparently, levels above a certain range…
January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…
By Jim Fuglie I was out for a walk on a fine Bismarck spring evening, strolling down 4th St. alongside the state capitol grounds, when I noticed some dirt work being done on the spot where the former governor’s residence had…
