Cover image of show A Closer Look with the Monitor

A Closer Look with the Monitor

Podcast by Craig Blumenshine

English

News & politics

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About A Closer Look with the Monitor

This weekly podcast will highlight how policy decisions affect North Dakota residents.Host Craig Blumenshine from Prairie Public will speak with North Dakota Monitor journalists about their reporting, giving listeners a closer look at major topics in the news, from education and state policy to energy and agriculture topics.New episodes every Friday.For more information, visit www.northdakotamonitor.com/podcastsSubscribe to A Closer Look with the Monitor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

All episodes

22 episodes

episode Energy research and a quiet constitutional vote artwork

Energy research and a quiet constitutional vote

Uncertainty around federal grants forced layoffs of some employees at the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota and furloughs of even more. But Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach discusses how some of those workers are returning [https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/north-dakota-energy-research-center-brings-back-part-of-furloughed-workforce/] along with federal research dollars.  Plus, on Tuesday, North Dakota voters will decide a constitutional measure [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/04/21/voters-to-weigh-whether-north-dakota-constitutional-amendments-should-be-single-subject/] in the June 9th primary election. Monitor reporter Mary Steurer describes how that could change future constitutional amendments are written and  presented to voters. A Closer Look with the Monitor, hosted by Craig Blumenshine, is a partnership with Prairie Public’s Main Street program [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

5 Jun 2026 - 16 min
episode ND primary: Ballots, signatures and political influence artwork

ND primary: Ballots, signatures and political influence

This week on A Closer Look with the Monitor, Deputy Editor Jeff Beach talks to host Craig Blumenshine about some absentee ballots he saw get rejected in 2024 because of issues related to the voter’s signature.  Jeff explains why it’s important for voters who vote by mail to make sure they use a consistent signature [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/26/voting-absentee-mind-your-signatures-north-dakota-election-officials-say/] when they apply for a ballot and again on the envelope as they submit their ballot. He also talks about the process counties use to help voters rectify any potential issues with their ballot, and a new rule this year that requires absentee ballots [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/04/30/mail-in-ballots-for-north-dakota-june-primary-now-available/] to be received by Election Day. Monitor Editor Amy Dalrymple talks to Craig about Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s donations [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/27/north-dakota-lawmakers-candidates-trade-barbs-with-gov-armstrong-over-campaign-donations/] to legislative and statewide campaigns this primary and criticism from some Republican lawmakers and candidates. A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public’s Main Street program [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

29 May 2026 - 18 min
episode Federal funding proposal threatens North Dakota tribal colleges artwork

Federal funding proposal threatens North Dakota tribal colleges

The U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed more than $150 million in funding cuts to tribal colleges, universities and postsecondary programs. This week on A Closer Look with the Monitor, host Craig Blumenshine speaks with Monitor reporter Mary Steurer about the proposed cuts [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/12/federal-cuts-would-be-death-knell-for-north-dakota-tribal-colleges-campus-presidents-say/], and what students and administrators at North Dakota tribal colleges [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/15/cutting-tribal-college-funding-a-threat-to-learning-culture-self-determination-graduates-say/] say Tribal Nations would lose if the plan is approved. A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public’s Main Street program [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

22 May 2026 - 13 min
episode Seeking solutions for rural grocery stores, food deserts artwork

Seeking solutions for rural grocery stores, food deserts

Rural grocers are facing growing pressures from changing customer habits, rising costs and workforce shortages.  This week on A Closer Look with the Monitor, host Craig Blumenshine speaks with Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach about food deserts, efforts to help grocery stores remain viable [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/08/04/rural-grocery-store-pilot-project-aims-to-prevent-food-deserts-in-north-dakota/] and the creativity of store owners [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/13/rural-grocers-find-creative-ways-to-serve-customers-keep-doors-open/] to serve their communities.  A Closer Look with the Monitor is a partnership with Prairie Public’s Main Street program [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street].

15 May 2026 - 13 min
episode Tackling North Dakota’s workforce shortage with higher education, rural housing artwork

Tackling North Dakota’s workforce shortage with higher education, rural housing

This week’s episode explores two different efforts to address North Dakota’s shortage of workers: helping people get degrees faster and developing new housing in rural areas. Jeff Beach, deputy editor of the North Dakota Monitor, talks to Craig Blumenshine, producer and host of Prairie Public’s Main Street [https://news.prairiepublic.org/podcast/main-street], about the state’s new experiment with reduced credit bachelor’s degrees [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/01/dickinson-state-first-to-test-reduced-credit-bachelors-degree/].  Monitor contributor Ceilidh Kern joins Craig to talk about a rural housing shortage and a  regional effort [https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/04/regional-initiative-builds-rural-housing-to-drive-growth/] aimed at helping small communities attract workers, families and long-term growth.

8 May 2026 - 21 min
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