It's over! After an early June election failed to yield a clear-cut Republican nominee to be South Dakota's next governor, two months of more mud-slinging campaign ads on your television set came to a screeching halt on Tuesday night— an early halt. That's because Gov. Larry Rhoden's Republican primary runoff win over first-time political campaigner Toby Doeden was called by 8:08 p.m. The final score in percentage of votes— Rhoden 71, Doeden 29. How did Rhoden — the 67-year-old rancher and welder from West River who became Kristi Noem's lieutenant governor and ascended to governor one Noem took a job in the Trump administration — turn the tables so wildly on bombastic auto dealership owner Doeden, who notched the most votes of the four Republican candidates in the June 2 primary? Sioux Falls Live editor and veteran South Dakota political reporter Patrick Lalley breaks it down over Happy Hour beers at Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls, where all the world's problems are solved.

Last summer, Frederick joined Happy Hour to walk through his over 40 years in broadcasting, including nearly 30 years calling play-by-play for University of Sioux Falls football and basketball. At the time, Frederick had just retired from calling hoops and was about to find out what life was like without spending winter Friday and Saturday nights traveling the cold and snowy interstates and highways of the Dakotas and Minnesota in the NSIC. Now, he's traveling the entire country and the globe. Hear his accounts of France, Spain, Utah, and the Western railways on an Amtrak train. Does Frederick miss calling basketball? What advice does he have for those who have retired (or are about to retire), and how they can spend all that free time happy? And, how about the '26 Cougar football team?

It's time to go camping. The Jackrabbits, Coyotes, and Minnesota Vikings all launch their preseason practices this week. Happy Hour blasts off the month leading up to the season's kickoff with a glimpse into the three-horse quarterback race at USD and the two-horse race in Minnesota, plus the only horse SDSU hopes to ride in 2026. To some, Chase Mason may appear to be more hype than reality, considering the former University of Nebraska baseball player has only started nine games in his career at QB1. But the Happy Hour host explains why the 6'5 gunslinger with blazing speed should light up the Missouri Valley Conference Football season. Meanwhile, Coach Dan Jackson explains Mason's progress in leadership and health during the offseason. Hear first year Coyote coach Matt Vitzthum's description of the three QBs jockeying to replace Aidan Bouman. What factors will determine who wins the job? When "Coach Vitz" plans on making the call? Meanwhile, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell whipped up another word salad in depicting the competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy, but a recently retired Vikings legend provided a little more candor and clarity about where things might truly stand.

What happens when three friends who share the love of their favorite college's sports teams decide to get together and start a podcast about those teams? For the hosts of the USD fan show The Howling Podcast, their two years of shows have involved not just talking about the Coyotes, but also welcoming those who play and coach in Vermillion. And having fun with them. Name an A-lister on any USD athletic squad and they have been a guest: Athletic director Jon Schemmel, football coaches Travis Johansen and Matt Vitzthum, basketball coaches Eric Peterson and Carrie Eighmey, volleyball coach Leanne Williamson, new softball coach (and viral sensation) Shannon Pivovar, and plenty of standout athletes have all been guests. Ask the hosts, and the show is about much more than just opining about USD and interviewing guests. It is about community and growing that community. With the first football game looming on Aug. 29, and the first show of their third season looming six days before that — on a Sunday night, their normal live show time — hosts Mark Wendt, Chad Birger, and Jordan Decker joined the Happy Hour host to take a peek into their world. How did The Howling Podcast start? What are the show's objectives? Why has it resonated with USD fans? What are their favorite guests and moments from the two seasons and over 60 shows? How do they feel about where the athletic programs are headed in a competitive and ever-changing Division I landscape? I world? What is unique to being a USD fan? How do they feel about the fans of the other Div. I school in South Dakota? And, yes, what are their opinions, as fans, on things like a possible football exploration of the FBS and how NIL and the transfer portal have meant constant roster shifting? Cheers! (Oh, and thanks, Coors Light!)

A year ago, Augustana baseball luminary Jordan Barth was in the midst of an All-Star season for Sioux Falls Canaries when he joined Happy Hour for a chat. The Birds eventually played for the American Association championship, with Barth playing a major role. The day after the season ended, he was already talking to manager Mike Meyer about returning for the 2026 season. Then, a phone call a couple months later in November changed everything. Things are a bit different now. Like, mind-blowingly, life-changingly different. Barth has joined the $500 million traveling baseball circus known as "Banana Ball," a barnstorming exhibition professional league similar to the Harlem Globetrotters and WWE. Like those other two operations, Banana Ball has scripted and choreographed entertainment moments that the athletes rehearse before their performances. But the baseball is real, and so is Barth's emergence as one of his league's best players... again. The shortstop known for his dazzling "web gem" fielding plays and "Barth Bomb" home runs is also top five hitter in the six-team league. But there is way more to this gig than playing ball. Barth hit a home run in front of over 102,000 fans in Texas A&M's football stadium, sang a Kendrick Lamar tune after hitting a walk-off home run in El Paso, and serenaded a full Chris Brown song to his wife on their four-year anniversary in Nashville. So, what is it like becoming a baseball celebrity in a skyrocketing league that has swept America by barnstorm? Barth takes us into that wacky world in a 28-minute Happy Hour reunion. Before the Barth chat, the Happy Hour host recaps a wild weekend of local and regional sports in the sweltering summer heat: * USD's all-time leading Div. I rusher Travis Theis is turning it up in Canada * USD's all-time track and field icon Chris Nilson won his seventh USA outdoors national championship. Why was this one special? * The entire SDSU football team took a trip to a Canaries game last week, with Dan Jackson throwing out two first pitches and an offensive lineman belting out "Sweet Caroline" * The Canaries and Twins heated up at home. How? * The world's No. 1 golfer gave the PGA Tour stop in the Twin Cities a much-needed shot in the arm, but a rookie phenom stole the show. * Oh, and perhaps you heard... LeBron James is not going to be a Minnesota Timberwolf. The Happy Hour host and video producer Cordell Wright break down The King's decision to take his talents to Philadelphia and if the Wolves can still win a title without him

The King is taking is talents to Philadelphia even though our biased host and his video producer, both Timberwolves fans, feel he would have a better shot at a title in Minneapolis.

Are the Wolves still in the running to reach a first-ever NBA Finals without the No. 2 player of all time?

A year ago, Augustana baseball luminary Jordan Barth was in the midst of an All-Star season for Sioux Falls Canaries when he joined Happy Hour for a chat. The Birds eventually played for the American Association championship, with Barth playing a major role. The day after the season ended, he was already talking to manager Mike Meyer about returning for the 2026 season. Then, a phone call a couple months later in November changed everything. Things are a bit different now. Like, mind-blowingly, life-changingly different. Barth has joined the $500 million traveling baseball circus known as "Banana Ball," a barnstorming exhibition professional league similar to the Harlem Globetrotters and WWE. Like those other two operations, Banana Ball has scripted and choreographed entertainment moments that the athletes rehearse before their performances. But the baseball is real, and so is Barth's emergence as one of his league's best players... again. The shortstop known for his dazzling "web gem" fielding plays and "Barth Bomb" home runs is also top five hitter in the six-team league. But there is way more to this gig than playing ball. Barth hit a home run in front of over 102,000 fans in Texas A&M's football stadium, sang a Kendrick Lamar tune after hitting a walk-off home run in El Paso, and serenaded a full Chris Brown song to his wife on their four-year anniversary in Nashville. So, what is it like becoming a baseball celebrity in a skyrocketing league that has swept America by barnstorm? Barth takes us into that wacky world in a 28-minute Happy Hour reunion.

Behold, the "John-o-logue' for Monday, July 27. What a red-hot weekend it was in so many ways — outside and in local sports!

* USD's all-time leading Div. I rusher Travis Theis is turning it up in Canada * USD's all-time track and field icon Chris Nilson won his seventh USA outdoors national championship. Why was this one special? * The entire SDSU football team took a trip to a Canaries game last week, with Dan Jackson throwing out two first pitches and an offensive lineman belting out "Sweet Caroline" * The Canaries and Twins heated up at home. How? * The world's No. 1 golfer gave the PGA Tour stop in the Twin Cities a much-needed shot in the arm, but a rookie phenom stole the show. * Oh, and perhaps you heard... LeBron James is not going to be a Minnesota Timberwolf. The Happy Hour host and video producer Cordell Wright break down The King's decision to take his talents to Philadelphia and if the Wolves can still win a title without him

Tis the season for not just anticipating the upcoming football season, but enjoying the lighter side of the personalities we'll be watching on the gridiron and sidelines. Few personas shine brighter than former South Dakota State offensive coordinator Jason Eck, a rising head coaching star in the profession who has ignited an instant revival at New Mexico. A former offensive lineman and OL coach, Eck's larger-than-life yet every man vibe can be felt in his 1-on-1 chat during Mountain West Conference Media Days on "Hot Mic with Dom Izzo" last week. The Lobos are picked to finish second in the league that now includes North Dakota State. Yes, Eck has a colorful past with the Bison from his days in Brookings, when he displayed a precursor of viral moments to come in tweets directed at NDSU... and Izzo, a fixture in Fargo for 20 years, was more than happy to bring that up. That enjoyable and engaging chat is part of this week's "South Dakota Sports Lounge," a weekly show providing some of the best conversations on Forum Communications' daily shows in South Dakota and North Dakota. Also this week: * South Dakota State legendary receiver Cade Johnson joined Happy Hour with John Gaskins to tell stories about his three decorated seasons (2017-19) around other SDSU icons like John Stiegelmeier, Taryn Christion, Dallas Goedert, and Jake Weineke. * Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, the reigning Walter Payton Award winner as the FCS' most outstanding player, describes his childhood as the son of the only YSU quarterback to lead the Penguins to two national championships. * The dean of MVFC coaches Brock Spack is well-liked and universally respected by other conference coaches... and so is his mustache. Midwest Sports+ correspondent Zach Borg focuses in on an uber-ballyhooed upper lip.

The Jackrabbit and Coyote football teams both start official practices next week. Who are the players Zim is most anticipating watching, and what storylines loom the largest for both squads? * The Minnesota Twins continue to live in the lingering limbo of "buyer or seller" as the Aug. 3 trade deadline nears... but why does Zim think they should act like a team going places? * The Sioux Falls Canaries have ripped out of the All-Star break on a five-game heater. Why? And why should there be belief they'll be title contenders again? * After Happy Hour spent some time on the legacy of T. Denny Sanford earlier in the week with Patrick Lalley, Zim offers his own perspective on what Sanford (specifically, his money) had done for the sports landscape in Sioux Falls and South Dakota.