Plain Talk

Rob and Jay talk about the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

Dan Conn is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Kinesiology at Minot State University. On this episode of Plain Talk, he discusses the challenges related to mobilizing, as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, remote education solutions on the short timeline state leaders like Governor Doug Burgum and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler are asking for.

Currently school districts have until April 1 to come up with a plan. Conn says this ask is "very taxing on teachers" and "may be unreasonable."

"The worst thing schools could do is overcomplicate things," he said, saying that many of the guidelines issued to school districts by Baesler's office are "daunting" and "overly bureaucratic."

Conn believes parents worried about keeping their kids learning during times of social distancing and quarantine should focus on engagement more than anything else. "I wonder if it would make better sense for parents to teach children things they already know," he said. Parents who know how to sew could teach that skill to their kids, for example.

"I think a lot of that is B.S.," Conn said when asked about concerns with students losing education momentum during what could be an extended break. "In terms of education going backward, I don't think it works that way," he said.

Dan Conn is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Kinesiology at Minot State University. On this episode of Plain Talk, he discusses the challenges related to mobilizing, as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, remote education solutions on the short timeline state leaders like Governor Doug Burgum and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler are asking for.

Currently school districts have until April 1 to come up with a plan. Conn says this ask is "very taxing on teachers" and "may be unreasonable."

"The worst thing schools could do is overcomplicate things," he said, saying that many of the guidelines issued to school districts by Baesler's office are "daunting" and "overly bureaucratic."

Conn believes parents worried about keeping their kids learning during times of social distancing and quarantine should focus on engagement more than anything else. "I wonder if it would make better sense for parents to teach children things they already know," he said. Parents who know how to sew could teach that skill to their kids, for example.

"I think a lot of that is B.S.," Conn said when asked about concerns with students losing education momentum during what could be an extended break. "In terms of education going backward, I don't think it works that way," he said.

Senator Kevin Cramer says Congress is aiming to get stimulus checks, a response to the coronavirus crisis, into the bank accounts of Americans by April 6.

That's what he said on this episode of Plain Talk. The legislation isn't finalized yet, but he expects each individual to get in the ballpark of $1,200 each. The cut off for the full amount would start at a $75,000 per-year income for individuals, or $150,000 per year for couples.

Cramer says he doesn't like calling this move stimulus. He says it's more about "providing a floor for the economy" during a bad time, adding that he's "not a big fan of it" but will support the payments and other stimulus measures.

Cramer also talked about a recent phone call he had with the ambassador for Saudi Arabia, calling on them to back down from a price war he says is intended to destroy American oil producers.

Also discussed was the impact stimulus efforts will have on the national debt and the possibility of Congress going to remote voting.

Senator Kevin Cramer says Congress is aiming to get stimulus checks, a response to the coronavirus crisis, into the bank accounts of Americans by April 6.

That's what he said on this episode of Plain Talk. The legislation isn't finalized yet, but he expects each individual to get in the ballpark of $1,200 each. The cut off for the full amount would start at a $75,000 per-year income for individuals, or $150,000 per year for couples.

Cramer says he doesn't like calling this move stimulus. He says it's more about "providing a floor for the economy" during a bad time, adding that he's "not a big fan of it" but will support the payments and other stimulus measures.

Cramer also talked about a recent phone call he had with the ambassador for Saudi Arabia, calling on them to back down from a price war he says is intended to destroy American oil producers.

Also discussed was the impact stimulus efforts will have on the national debt and the possibility of Congress going to remote voting.

During their weekly segment Rob and Jay Thomas from WDAY AM970 in Fargo talk about the coronavirus and its impact on the region.

During their weekly segment Rob and Jay Thomas from WDAY AM970 in Fargo talk about the coronavirus and its impact on the region.

"You need to do what's best for the state not what's best for the party."

That's what Mark Haugen, Democratic candidate for North Dakota Treasurer, said on this episode of Plain Talk.

He talks about some of the recent problems in the Treasurer's office, what he'd have done about them, what elements of his background commend him to hold this office, and how he'll convince voters in a deeply Republican state to trust a Democratic candidate.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

"You need to do what's best for the state not what's best for the party."

That's what Mark Haugen, Democratic candidate for North Dakota Treasurer, said on this episode of Plain Talk.

He talks about some of the recent problems in the Treasurer's office, what he'd have done about them, what elements of his background commend him to hold this office, and how he'll convince voters in a deeply Republican state to trust a Democratic candidate.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Ron Ness of the North Dakota Petroleum Council talks about the problems the state's oil industry is facing amid a slowing economy, coronavirus fears, and a price war set off by Russia and Saudi Arabia.

"The Bakken is one of the best oil resources in the world," Ness says, and it's "still going to produce oil."

Still, things are hard right now. "This is a very challenging period," he said.

The industry isn't asking for sympathy, but he knows some industry leaders in the state are already starting to make decisions regarding on-going investments in the state.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.