July 10th, 2019
Every time there’s a big dumb internet controversey winds down I can’t help but think what the next big thing that’s going to come along and piss off the internet. Whether it’s a bunch of yokels blowing up overpriced coolers, people threatening to boycott wranglers, folks smashing coffee makers or kids eating laundry tide pods for 15 seconds of fame and an ambulance ride. This week’s proof that the internet is contributing to our de-evolution and even more proof that Americans…
June 26th, 2019
By Gary Olson
olsong@moravian.edu
When categorizing my class background I’ve invariably replied “working class” but in truth that was more aspirational than factual. My father was either unemployed or underemployed and died of a heart attack at age 46 while working as a night shift orderly at a veteran’s hospital in Fargo, ND. I was 12-years-old, with a 7-year-old brother, and thereafter our family income consisted of whatever my mother earned from doing infrequent odd jobs and…
June 19th, 2019
Wallethub just released a listing of the most fun states in America. Minnesota ranked number seven, South Dakota ranked number 31, and North Dakota ranked number 40. All based on experts examining restaurants, movie theatres, golf courses arts programing, skiing facilities, marinas, fitness centers, access to National Parks and state, local and personal expenditures on Parks and Rec services per capita.
North Dakota ranked very high on “Highest state and local expenditures on parks…
June 12th, 2019
I think Steve Earle described the current state of pop country music best when he said, “The best stuff coming out of Nashville is all by women except for Chris Stapleton," he said. "The guys just wanna sing about getting f***ed up. They're just doing hip hop for people who are afraid of black people.”
Talk about having Thundercat “Sight beyond sight” with the relatively recent uproar surrounding Little Nas X and his collaboration with Wrangler. In case you haven’t heard a…
June 5th, 2019
Cue the Alice Cooper because “School’s out for summer!” Last week we spotlighted a ridiculous number of music, art, food, and cultural festivals that were going on throughout the region throughout the summer. While pouring our blood sweat and tears into that dreaded list I couldn’t help but think man, if anyone’s bored this summer they’ve got to be doing something wrong. Then I started rethinking and overthinking that statement. What do you do when you have a shoestring…
May 29th, 2019
Being as the summer is upon us, HPR this week put a special focus on festivals, events and activities for you to do across the region in the coming months. This is a keeper issue.
There’s no doubt we are fortunate to have the wealth and abundance of culture in our own back yard or within a short drive.
You’ll also notice lots of destination options that get you out of town for a brief moment, easily within a day’s drive. These events reflect the best of what those towns have to…
May 22nd, 2019
It’s that time of year again. Recent grads are unleashed and set out to make their mark on the world.
It’s funny how something can be simultaneously liberating and terrifying. If we could spread any pearls of wisdom to these young adults, we’d tell them the world is your oyster. Seize every opportunity. One of the best ways to learn is by making mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes, but make sure you learn from them.
To quote Albert Einstein, “The definition of insanity is…
May 15th, 2019
On May 10, we lost the godfather of Fargo subculture, Tom Tepley. He was a businessman, husband, father, collector and the man behind Discontent -- and a unifying force who provided a space for the weirdos, myself included.
I had the pleasure of working for him at the Moorhead Discontent in the early 2000s and I believe that if it wasn’t for that experience and the people I met while working there, I wouldn’t be where I am today. In honor of Tom we reached out to a few folks to…
May 8th, 2019
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend over $160 on Mom this year, and total spending will reach $19.9 billion. It’s the most popular day for dining out and the third biggest day of the year for Hallmark Cards. The other two are Christmas and Valentine’s Day. It’s also the second biggest day for gift giving.
I’m not a mother, though I do have a 23 pound cat at home. My favorite memories of Mother’s Day don’t revolve around elaborate brunches,…
May 1st, 2019
Now that North Dakota’s biennial legislative session is over, we can all breathe out a big sigh of relief. But that’s not to say there won’t be lingering indigestion.
In retrospect, and from the vantage point of those on the outside looking in, it’s truly unfortunate to see such a disproportionate sense of balance, or actually to see the total lack of balance. It’s a one-pony (or elephant) show. The old adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely comes to mind, yet we won’t…
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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 The writing/directing partnership of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck has to be one of the most curious cases of crazy connect-the-dots career moves in recent cinema. From short documentaries and…
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…
