September 19th, 2024
Happy 30th Birthday HPR
By John Strand
Thirty years ago some gutsy UND student journalists hanging at Whitey’s in East Grand Forks got enough liquid courage to create their own damn newspaper. Then with drinks raised, they toasted the paper’s name, the High Plains Reader. The first issue was dated September 8, 1994.
There's been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Hundreds of editions, thousands of pages and bylines. Countless contributors and advertisers. The…
August 15th, 2024
We’re making progress.
By Sabrina Hornung
Yay Kamala! It is such a relief to see a candidate for POTUS who is actually capable of doing the job and preserving our representative democracy. And, of course, she’s female and endorsed by Hillary Clinton, the best-qualified presidential candidate of the century so far.
But after cruising social media for the last few weeks, it’s quite apparent that our nation has an extremely unhealthy attitude toward not only women,…
July 18th, 2024
Recovering from Pennsylvania
By John Strand
Holy shit, America! Is this a path we want to stay on? Is this the tipping point or brink we’re at? Is it a sign of more to come, or a come to Jesus moment where we decide enough is enough?
The unbelievable reality that a 20-year-old kid would decide to take a semi-automatic long rifle and attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a political rally in Pennsylvania yesterday is stunning beyond words. Thank God he…
June 20th, 2024
The WFF Unified School District?
By John Strand
Both the Fargo and West Fargo School Districts are strategizing their futures. This is necessary, because of immensely challenging financial and geopolitical changes facing both districts.
While both districts are weighing options, there’s one very glaring option missing that neither is considering, at least to our knowledge. We’re remiss when we do not put all potentialities before the decision makers and ultimately the…
May 16th, 2024
Our opinion: Has Fargo lost its cool?
By Sabrina Hornung
On April 24, The Forum reported that Zandbroz Variety would be closing its doors after 33 years, and the announcement hit like a ton of books.
Upon hearing the news, long-time regulars and former employees, affectionately referred to as “Zandbrozians,” reconnected with fellow Zandbrozians sharing the news and eulogizing the space and the spirit of Zandbroz with the certain somber tone of finding out that a…
April 18th, 2024
Is this a repeating pattern?
By Sabrina Hornung
sabrina@hpr1.comThere’s a quote circulating around the world wide web, misattributed to Sinclair Lewis: "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." According to The Sinclair Lewis Society, it sounds like something he would agree with but there’s no proof that he actually wrote or said it.
In Sinclair’s 1943 novel “Gideon Planish,” he wrote, "I just wish people wouldn't quote Lincoln or the…
March 21st, 2024
By John Strand
What’s that you just said? “Tell somebody who gives a shit”?
Stop reading this now if you don’t care about anyone else. Don’t waste your time. You’ll only get mad. Vocal. Obstinate. Unforgiving.
You know what we’re talking about. And you know who you are.
This is a liberal rag. You already know that. A liberal rag in a conservative state. So don’t feign victimhood if you’re reading about our advocacy of people and issues you simply don’t…
February 15th, 2024
By Sabrina Hornung
When one googles “What traits are desirable in a new employee,” some of the first words that pop up “from sources around the web” include “communication,” “team player,” “leadership,” “honest,” “reliable.” Now take these words and think: How do these words best apply to my preferred candidate on a local, state, and national level?
That’s our role as voters. We elect these candidates so they can represent us and to make…
January 18th, 2024
By Sabrina Hornung
sabrina@hpr1.com
Our Opinion: Reinvigorate that sense of wonder
This month’s focus at High Plains Reader is the State of the Arts. From a regional standpoint, we’re small but mighty – and there are so many organizations that go above and beyond that deserve a shoutout and are certainly worth a day trip. A quick google search can determine dates, times, and reservations, if needed.
The Ellendale Opera House and Ellendale Area Arts Council is located just an hour…
December 19th, 2023
Our opinion: Make your mark and consider volunteering.
By Sabrina Hornung
Last September, the Fargo Forum reported that the Kilbourne Group, along with Fargo’s finest elected officials, met with the Salvation Army behind closed doors to propose they leave their downtown home on Roberts Street. They have called that space home since 1904.
According to that article, Mayor Mahoney says there are no solid plans to move the facility but they have shopped around for a potential…
_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
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…
__300x100.png)
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…
