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Tuesday, June 14, 2022 - Juneteenth is coming up on Sunday. This federal holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved black Americans. Coinciding with the holiday is an exhibit at the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County titled “Stories of Local Black History.” Special contributor Brandi Malarkey stopped by and toured the exhibit with communications manager Gabby Clavo. ~~~ We continue with more history as historian Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, “The Idea of North Dakota.” ~~~ When people think of jobs in agriculture, they might think of traditional jobs on a farm. But over the past few decades, the industry has changed. Now there’s a real need for people who are interested in science. St. Louis Public Radio’s Kate Grumke reports. ~~~ Speaking of jobs, we share a conversation with Carey Fry, of Job Service North Dakota as she visits with John Harris in an excerpt of this week’s Prairie Pulse television show.

On this date in 1919, North Dakota newspapers were quickly dwindling in number. Almost twenty-nine papers had gone out of business or changed ownership since April 1 of that year. The wave of failing newspapers began as a result of the Brinton Newspaper Law, which was passed in March of 1919 by the State Legislature. The law sought to reduce the number of official newspapers per county to a single publication. Prior to that, each of the fifty-three counties had three official newspapers, each printing notices required by the state, such as foreclosures and bank statements.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 - We recap North Dakota’s unusually interesting primary as news director Dave Thompson welcomes political observers Jack Zaleski of Forum communications; and Mike Jacobs, of the Grand Forks Herald. ~~~ Dr. Stephen McDonough discusses the "History of Public Health in North Dakota.” It’s a preview of his upcoming presentation at the Barnes County Museum.

The month of June in North Dakota saw many firemen’s tournaments over the years. These events had a long history beginning in the 1880s. Though they were typically held in June, two Dakota Territory tournaments took place in October of 1884.

An odd one from director David Cronenberg.

So maybe by now you know that I object to the lumping term, “the Dakotas,” in reference to the two sovereign states, North Dakota and South Dakota; likewise, that I regard the vernacular terms “West River” and “East River” as culturally interesting, but politically pernicious. In general, as a student of the Great Plains, I have come to believe that in our federal nation, the sovereign states are important and possess their own defining histories.

Friday, June 10, 2022 - Jack Russell Weinstein joins us to preview this Sunday’s “WHY? Philosophical Questions About Everyday Life.” His guest this month is Brian Huschle, vice president of academic and student affairs at Northland Community and Technical College in an episode titled “What Do Community Colleges Do?” They explore the role of two-year schools in higher education. ~~~ Dave Thompson is here for a discussion of the recent headlines. ~~~ And Matt Olien has this week’s movie review, the new horror film “Crimes of the Future.”

Irrigation has been crucial to North Dakota’s development. On this date in 1907 it was announced that western governors would gather for the National Irrigation Congress in Sacramento, California. Governors of sixteen western states and territories under the National Reclamation Act were expected to attend. The Federal Government was engaged in many reclamation projects throughout the west, and the National Irrigation Congress was an opportunity for the governors to have input into those projects.

Thursday, June 9 - A Concordia professor is being recognized for her work promoting French culture. Dr. Gay Rawson is now a Knight in the Order of Academic Palms. She visited with Ashley Thornberg. ~~~ Horticulturist Ron Smith is here for a spring garden and yard update. ~~~ Sue Balcom discusses the lawn’s most prevalent weed, dandelions.

We often hear birds singing or calling. But many times, the birds remain hidden amongst the vegetation, so identifying the bird is difficult. But now with the help of Merlin, a free app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, we can identify those birds. In this case it is a common yellowthroat, a yellow colored warbler with a black mask that is often heard while hidden in the vegetation on the margins of wetlands.