July 20th, 2016
By Chris Hennen
There have been too many tragedies in the United States lately. We’ve become numb to the death and destruction that fill our headlines. It’s almost enough to make you afraid to wake up in the morning and read the news.
Every time it happens, including most recently with the killing of police officers ambushed in Baton Rouge, there are many calls for people to come together, to listen more and to love each other more. It never happens. And I am starting to be afraid it…
July 13th, 2016
After a long, hard-fought campaign, Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton this week; and wasting no time, his supporters lashed out at him.
The endorsement was rumored to be in the works for weeks, as he negotiated and received concessions from Hillary which resulted in the most progressive Democratic party platform ever. He got support from her on the $15.00 minimum wage, a price on carbon pollution, expansions of her college affordability plan, and support for a public option on…
July 6th, 2016
The state of North Dakota’s rainy day fund may be out of money by the end of the year. The state relied on Moody’s analysts, who have consistently projected inaccurately; most importantly, the declining price of oil.
The state’s oil boom has cooled off sufficiently. Two years ago we had 187 active oil rigs in North Dakota. A year ago that number was 78, and as of this summer, 28.
State legislators told the Forum recently that we are in the middle of a “mental health crisis,”…
June 29th, 2016
It seems like everyone was shocked when Britain voted to leave the European Union last week, even people who voted for it. Of course in typical American fashion, most of us didn’t pay attention to the issue until after it happened.
But once it did happen, there was an immediate thought: will economic malaise and immigration furor lead to a Trump presidency? Is Brexit the early sign of a trend? Pollsters were wrong in the Brexit race and they’ve underestimated Trump pretty much from…
June 22nd, 2016
Last week we had a primary election in the state that also included an important Fargo city election. Republicans now have a majority on the Fargo City Commission in what has reliably been a progressive city, the most progressive city in the state.
But when you have 11 candidates as we saw in this last City Commission race and a lot of candidates in the two previous races, which also saw Republicans win, fractured coalitions in the Democratic party can lead to Republicans getting elected…
June 15th, 2016
We were all shocked and surprised but not surprised, to wake up to the news of the horrific attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people died just for having a good time. Almost immediately, our social media news feeds were filled with people pontificating about what happened before we even knew how or why. Such is life in the 24-hour news media cycle. It was definitely frustrating and sad, after so many mass shootings in recent years, to realize how we’ve come to accept…
June 1st, 2016
I don’t want to sound like a grumpy old man. But sometimes the kids piss me off. Let me explain. This weekend I attended the Soundset Festival in the Twin Cities, put together by Rhymesayers Entertainment, a hip hop institution based in Minneapolis and basically run by its biggest artist, Atmosphere.
It’s pretty amazing what Rhymesayers has done in 20 years of existence. To establish Minnesota as a force in the world of hip hop is saying something. They have been consistently…
May 25th, 2016
We’ve talked a lot and you’ve talked a lot about Bernie vs. Hillary and who should win. There are strong opinions on both sides. It’s an important race for the soul of the party and it will soon be decided.
But you know if you will really want to make a difference in your day-to-day life and have more of an impact, you should consider paying attention to and voting in local city races, as well as Legislative races. Sometimes hundreds of votes can decide a race. If more young…
May 18th, 2016
They are at it again. A breathtaking report from Valley News Live alleged that refugees are spreading disease in our region and we are all at risk. The only thing being spread in our region is fear, bigotry and racism from what is supposed to be an objective news outfit.
Health officials were quick to refute Valley News Live’s report, that everyone living in refugee resettlement areas was at risk of contracting tuberculosis. Just because the rates of tuberculosis infections are rising…
May 11th, 2016
Many were disappointed recently when Republican candidate for Governor Doug Burgum decided to endorse Donald Trump. Burgum has seen support throughout his campaign from progressives who feel he would be a good Governor with a strong business sense that doesn’t tow the party line on issues like gay rights and abortion. Because he was so out front on the Trump nomination however, he will see some of that support disappear.
Now Burgum states the obvious, saying he will support the nominee…
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By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…
Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…
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…
Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA syndrome is defined as a group of signs and symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition and any complex of symptoms of an…
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 The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As we continue to deal with the ongoing horrorshow of racism, misogyny and transphobia embraced by the current administration, films like “Sally” can serve as an important reminder that…
By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…
North Dakota play about mental health launches Midwest tour in AugustBy Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com A new one-act play inspired by patients buried in the Old Cemetery at the Jamestown State Hospital will tour festivals in…
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…
The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…
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@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…
