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North Dakota sent many of its sons to fight in World War I. Some called it the “War to End All Wars,” though it was not. In the spirit of patriotism, young men across the state joined the military to help win the “Great War.” The recruits, 31,269 in number, came from all corners of the state.

Excerpts from Studs Terkel's "Working" Tapes; the President and Vice President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO.

Wednesday, September 7, 2022 - We hear a story about two Montana families whose conflicts did much to shape the politics and economy of modern Montana. Bill Vaughn tells that story in “The Last Heir,” recounting twelve decades of triumphs and tragedies. He visits with Lauren Korn, host of The Write Question. ~~~ Music host Scott Prebys previews this weekend’s production of Die Fledermaus in a visit with Kenneth Bowles, vice president of the Western Plains Opera in Minot. ~~~ Tom Isern has a Plains Folk essay titled “The True Character of the Plains.”

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - What makes artifacts valuable? What are the guidestones of a good archaeologist? That and so many more questions as we visit with Dr. Andrew Clark, of the North Dakota Historical Society; and Liz France of the North Dakota Archaeologist Association. Among the topics … amateurs digging up old outhouse sites to find “items for posterity.” ~~~ The Whitestone Hill Memorial Horseback Ride is underway. It’s a ride from Fort Thompson in South Dakota to Whitestone Hill in North Dakota. The ride in memory of the tragedy that took place on Whitestone Hill in 1863, as Brigadier General Alfred Sully launched an attack against a village of Yanktonai, Santee, and Teton (Lakota) Sioux. Sully killed, wounded, or captured 300 to 400 people, including women and children. We visit with rider and ride organizer Jimmy Hallum. ~~~ Historian Tom Isern shares this week’s Plains Folk essay: “The Printer’s Towel.”

The grandeur of the plains is more subtle than most landscapes. It appeases the need for simplicity, filled with absences. Quiet, modest, and if one is not accustomed, lonely. However, for a faithful lover of the prairies, it holds not loneliness, but peace. This peace appealed to a group of Franciscan Sisters who made their home in Hankinson, North Dakota, in 1928. On this date in 1926, the location for the Sister’s intended community was selected.

Monday, August 29, 2022 - Our monthly Philosophical Currents conversation with UND professor Jack Russell Weinstein tackles a rich topic: equal protection under the law.

North Dakota saw a rash of bank robberies in 1935 and 1936 in Denhoff, Zap, Cummings, New Leipzig, Dickey and Maddock. In the Denhoff case, the robbers must have gotten spooked, because two boys found loot from the Denhoff robbery in a haystack!

On this date in 1923, a search was launched in pursuit of an organized crime group active in the Aneta area. Thieves had been targeting local farmers with innovative tactics. What was the crime, you may be wondering? These criminal masterminds were stealing chickens.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - “One Book, One North Dakota” is a recurring event organized by Humanities ND. The book selected for September is from North Dakota native Taylor Brorby: “Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land.” On September 25th there will be a free Zoom event with Brorby and moderator Tayo Basquiat. With that in mind, today we replay a visit with Taylor Brorby from earlier this summer.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022 - Fox Creek is the latest in the Cork O’Connor mystery series from Minnesota-based, NYT bestselling author William Kent Krueger. He’ll be speaking in Grand Forks and Fargo this weekend. ~~~ The risk of death from COVID-19 among indigenous people remains the highest among all racial and ethnic groups. Alicia Hegland-Thorpe visits with Dr. Loretta Christensen, director of the Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for providing federal health services to the country’s native population. ~~~ Midwest Flavor Fest is coming up this weekend in Mandan. It showcases food, arts & crafts, and music. And best of all, it’s free to attend. We visit with Phillip Schultz, the founder of BisMan Eats.