Election 2020

Tuesday, October 20, 2020 - US Representative Kelly Armstrong joins us as we continue our conversations with statewide candidates. ~~~ “Tell Tale: Dakota Folklife and Stories” is a new project from the North Dakota Council on the Arts. It’s a collection of narratives describing the shared personal experiences and lore of life on the North Dakota plains. Employing interviews with senior citizens, it’s part of the Art for Life Program, which seeks to improve the emotional and physical health of elders through art and artist interaction. Joining us are state folklorist Troyd Geist, and Makoche Studios producer David Swenson.

Appearing on Main Street October 19.

Questions still surround what will happen in Legislative District 8, with the death of one of the candidates.

And Secretary of State Al Jaeger has asked for an Attorney General’s opinion.

One of the Republican candidates for the state House of Representatives position – David Andahl – passed away suddenly. Absentee voting had already begun, and Andahl’s name remains on the ballot.

Jaeger said he had an understanding of what the law said, but a number of questions have been raised. His letter to Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem asks some specific questions.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - Zach Raknerud is seeking the North Dakota seat in the House of Representatives. He joins us to discuss what distinguishes him from incumbent Kelly Armstrong. ~~~ As many organizations are discovering, going online is offering the advantage of reaching a greater audience. Today we learn about the 10 Minute Plays being staged by the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre. The plays come from writers around the country. It’s an ambitious project that means releasing a new play every Friday. Joining us is the FMCT’s artistic director Adam Pankow.

Appearing on the Main Street show.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 - In another candidate conversation, we discuss the issues confronting education with Brandt Dick, who is running for Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction. ~~~ After COVID-19 arrived in small towns, rural leaders were faced with a new challenge: getting food to hungry families safely. In one small Nebraska town, Harvest Public Media’s Christina Stella reports they’ve had to find new ways to feed families in need. ~~~ The Empire Theatre Company is going digital for its latest production, making a stage performance of “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” available statewide -- right in your home. Joining us to explain is Maddie Sharpe, production manager for the Empire Arts Center.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 - We continue our conversations with statewide candidates as we meet Mark Haugen, candidate for treasurer. ~~~ The FM studio crawl is adding virtual visits this year, an expanded feature that makes it accessible for folks who are homebound or who live anywhere -- across the state, or even the world for that matter! Joining us are two of the artists who will be fully virtual for the event, Kim Bromley and Jackie Anderson. ~~~ Tom Isern shares a Plains Folk essay, “A Handful of Roses.” ~~~ A number of serious topics are on the agenda for this year’s LGBTQ+ Summit in North Dakota -- like transitioning in the military, conversion therapy, and youth mental health. And like many events, it too is happening online. Joining us for a preview is Cindy Roholt.