Letters to the Editor

​Is Measure 8 really necessary?

October 30th, 2014

To the editor:

ND Ballot Measure 8, which will establish a state law to require all public schools to start after Labor Day, sounds harmless and amenable on the surface. I have yet to find any compelling considerations with regard to positive educational delivery impacts, but wholeheartedly respect that proponents support it for family reasons. I respectfully request voters to consider some of the lesser known factors involved and whether they want or need to give up local control.

No…

Read more...


​Yes on Measure 7

October 30th, 2014

To the editor:

John Strand's recommendation to HPR readers to keep North Dakota's 51-year-old, antiquated and convoluted "pharmacy ownership law" is short-sighted and not in the best interest of consumers in Fargo-West Fargo and throughout North Dakota.

John is, however, correct when he says "North Dakota's small towns are experiencing a resurgence." This is particularly true in the "oil patch." But, then he goes on to express totally groundless fears, perpetrated by mostly urban…

Read more...


No on Measure 5

October 29th, 2014

To the editor:

North Dakota has a lot of young people wanting to get into production agriculture. Measure 5 would take North Dakota’s money, drive up land prices and compete against these kids. Ninety-six percent of the funding for this measure comes from out of state groups. Don’t make it harder for these young farmers and ranchers to get started than it already is. Who would you rather have own North Dakota’s land in 30 years — these young people who are growing up and living…

Read more...


​Vote on Nov. 4

October 29th, 2014

To the editor:

As a candidate for the ND Senate from District 41, I have had the pleasure of meeting many nice people while walking the district and knocking on doors these past three months. I have listened to concerns and heard possible solutions. I am ready to take action on these as your next senator. As we approach the election day on Nov. 4 I would encourage all to be sure to cast your ballot. Your vote is important no matter who you vote for. Just do it. It’s democracy in…

Read more...


​Measure 1 cannot ban abortion

October 29th, 2014

Betting’s letter about Measure 1’s grammar (Grand Forks Herald, Oct. 23) is so totally off, in more ways than one.

Though I too dislike the “passive voice,” that rule of style doesn’t apply to “legalese.”

Measure 1 is well-written precisely because of its passive voice -- that’s part of what keeps it from being “self-executing.”

According to the ND Supreme Court, “[A] constitutional provision is non-self-executing wherein it merely establishes general objectives,…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry concordia Tracker Pixel for Entry Bismarck1 Tracker Pixel for Entry farrms Tracker Pixel for Entry Blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry EmpireAUG2021 Tracker Pixel for Entry nicholes

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com The business of Indian Hating is a lucrative one. It’s historically been designed to dehumanize Native people so that it’s easier to take their land. ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,”…

By Johnathan Campbell history@nd.gov Since Halloween is just around the corner, I thought I’d share three mysterious — and mildly creepy folktales — that have been shared about the Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site,…

Thursday, November 7, 8 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, FargoThe Minneapolis indie rock duo Bad Bad Hats hits the Fargo stage promoting their brand new, self-produced album titled “Bad Bad Hats.” Their name came from a song…

By Jim Fugliejimfuglie920@gmail.com As a political columnist, I know I should be writing an election preview for the issue of this paper that comes out just a couple weeks before what is being labeled, once again, as “the most…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWill We Ever Recover from the Trump Virus of Universal Hate?Just a month ago, the primary doctor of 336 million U.S Americans,U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory on the mental…

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 In this land of hotdish and ham, the knoephla soup of German-Russian heritage seems to reign supreme. In my opinion though, the French have the superior soup. With a cheesy top layer, toasted baguette…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Writer-director Nicole Riegel’s sophomore feature “Dandelion” is now playing in theaters following a world premiere at South by Southwest in March. The movie stars KiKi Layne as the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Ted Martin, retired educator and western North Dakota native, currently has his art on view at Mind Virus Counter-Culture Books and Media. The exhibition features Martin’s colorful ink drawings…

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 John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

Rynn WillgohsJanuary 25, 1972-October 8, 2024 Rynn Azerial Willgohs, age 52, of Vantaa, Finland, died by suicide on October 8, 2024. Rynn became her true-self March 31, 2020. She immediately became a vocal and involved activist…

By Jim Fugliejimfuglie920@gmail.com Okay, so last month I promised you a woman President of the United States. So much for my predictability quotient. Lesson 1: Never promise something you can’t control. And nobody, not even…