Letters to the Editor

​Donaldcare vs. Obamacare

June 16th, 2017

To the editor:

I read the article by Jon Godfread, the current North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, in the May 25th issue of the Reader. He used the space allotted to him to to lambast the Affordable Care Act, while giving a more or less positive spin to the recent Republican bill called the American Health Care Act (ACHA), a proposal that was passed by the House of Representatives only, and by a slim majority. His theme was to have “an honest and truthful discussion regarding what…

Read more...


​State Sen. Wardner, NDSU budget cuts, and the Legacy Fund

May 3rd, 2017

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter as a follow-up to the one that I co-signed as one of the University Distinguished Professors at North Dakota State University. The letter, published in many regional news outlets a couple of weeks ago, was entitled “Budget Cuts to North Dakota University System Will Have ‘Long-Lasting, Perhaps Irreversible Impacts’ on Quality of Higher Education and Economic Recovery in ND.”

Before I go on, let me emphasize that the views I am expressing…

Read more...


Let’s look at the whole impact of New Americans To Our Area

May 3rd, 2017

To the editor:

Verifiable information and tax records that have been available to the city and commissioners for months show Commissioner Piepkorn’s recent assertion’s on a radio program about Lutheran Social Services are simply not true.https://tinyurl.com/zl2ore5

Commissioner Piepkorn was on air saying the following without any verifiable information provided. His on air assertions include:

1. Jessica Thomasson CEO of Lutheran Social Services makes $350,000 a year . Tax records…

Read more...


​NDSU Budget cuts

April 19th, 2017

To the editor:

Budget Cuts to North Dakota University System Will Have “Long-Lasting, Perhaps Irreversible Impacts” on Quality of Higher Education and Economic Recovery in ND, say University Distinguished Professors.

Although some concern has been expressed, there should be an outcry of outrage from the citizens and students of North Dakota and the region concerning the deep budget cuts to the University System being proposed by Governor Burgum and the ND State Senate, and endorsed by…

Read more...


​Legalize vehicular manslaughter?

February 1st, 2017

To The Editor:

A few years ago, you folks were generous enough to print my satirical commentary on Measure 3 (By the way, I make fun of my own state too). This time I have included an open letter below in response to the current proposal under way to facilitate accidental car-on-human injury or death. Once again, from your perspective within the state, you will know better than me as to whether this is behind the curve or adds to public discourse as much as any attempts at humor about…

Read more...


​Slated for demolition

January 16th, 2017

To the editor:

In the December 15, 2016 HPR cover story, “Art in a Hard Place: Downtown gentrification, the good, the bad and the unaffordable,” the Kilbourne Group’s General Manager, Mike Allmendinger, pats the company on the back for its preservation efforts. “Believe it or not,” he says, “as late as 13 years ago there were still buildings being torn down … today that would never happen.”

I certainly can believe it, since the very same article tells us that two Kilbourne…

Read more...


​Please do your research, Mr. Hagen

January 16th, 2017

To the editor,

How disappointing it was to read C.S. Hagen’s Dec. 18 article “Death by Oil: Remembering the Dakota 38” in the High Plains Reader. While I still ponder the tenuous link Hagen attempted to construct between the 1862 execution of 38 Sioux and today’s protests of Dakota Access Pipeline construction in Morton County, N.D., his narrative lacked historical and factual details that must be pointed out.

First, Hagen claims “little has changed” since 1862 in North…

Read more...


Botched by Moorhead City Council

December 12th, 2016

To the editor:

As one of 14 recent active candidates for the recently-vacated Moorhead Ward 2 City Council position, I want first to express my pride that so many good and decent residents stepped up to offer their talents and abilities for public service. The duties are surely great, the stress is undoubtedly heavy, and the pay is minimal for the hours necessary to represent the post with positive effect, all while best weighing public financial, economic and safety priorities.

That…

Read more...


​Support for both sides at Standing Rock

November 30th, 2016

To the editor:

I support the movement to not build the DAPL. I support the protestors. I support the law enforcement and emergency personnel.

I find it absolutely absurd that people think that if you support law enforcement you support the DAPL; or that if you do not support the DAPL, then you do not support law enforcement. In many news reports and people's personal Facebook statuses, I have seen so many generalizations about people that it's ridiculous.

I support the movement to not…

Read more...


​Whose illegal activities?

November 30th, 2016

To the editor:

There has been a lot of analysis coming from those who support the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). However, some of that scrutiny begs questions.

Several commentators focus on the non-Native or non-North Dakotan contingent present at the camps. Clearly, support for the water protectors is coming from all over the globe. What many North Dakotans fail to grasp is that this pipeline—and the future carbon dioxide emissions and other pollution it promises—is an international…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry NewSalem2C Tracker Pixel for Entry NewSalem1C Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans Tracker Pixel for Entry MidwestRoadTripAdventures Tracker Pixel for Entry Farrms Tracker Pixel for Entry nicholes

Recently in:

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…

Saturday, May 24, 7 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoBe a part of a 20+ year tradition: ten bands enter The Aquarium and just one leaves with the ultimate prize — 300 cans of Hamm’s beer and the coveted…

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.comPerhaps it was by IVF — the Know-Nothings are “concepting” notzeesIn the middle of the 19th century the Republican Party morphed to the Know-Nothing Party for a short time. Members quickly…

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 Of the many photographs that help tell the story “I Know Catherine, the Log Lady,” the one of David Lynch dressed as FBI Regional Bureau Chief (and later Deputy Director) Gordon Cole saying…

By Raul Gomez Modern Man was a gentle soul. If you were down or just wanted a friend, he’d be there for you. I remember the first day I met Modern Man. It was Jeremiah Fuglseth and me. He wanted to write about this legendary…

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…