Hosts Kevin Flynn and Alex Taylor dedicate the episode to attacking the ongoing government shutdown, which they consistently label the "Democrat shutdown," now on its 29th day. They feature several Fox News audio clips (Tivo) of Republican leaders, including Senator John Thune and Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, slamming Democrats for using the suffering of American families—specifically SNAP and WIC recipients, and unpaid federal workers—as "leverage" for political gain. The hosts and their guests argue that the Democrats could end the shutdown immediately by passing a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) which they had previously voted for, but refuse to do so to force concessions like providing health care to illegal immigrants and restoring "pork" funding. The episode also touches on President Trump's successful foreign deals and local sports news.   Standout Moments:   The "Democrat Shutdown" Attack: Senator John Thune delivers a "fiery speech" where he details how the shutdown has hurt real people and notes that Republicans have voted 13 times to fund programs like SNAP, but Democrats have voted no to keep the government closed for leverage. (6:41) The Pork Problem: Senator Mark Wayne Mullen and JD Vance argue that Democrats are holding up the government to force the inclusion of $$1.5$ trillion in funding for waste, fraud, abuse, and health care for illegal immigrants into the reopening bill. (11:24) Democrat Poll Numbers Are Hurting: Fox News analysts discuss polling data showing that the shutdown is hurting Democrats, with the Republican Congress's net approval rating up 12 points with its base and 8 points among Independents. (15:58) New York's SNAP Share: It's revealed that almost 10% of the country's SNAP benefits—nearly $$700$ million of $$8$ billion a month—goes to New York, highlighting the state's significant stake in the funding fight. (16:16) Trump's Trade Successes: The host notes that President Trump was successful in meetings in South Korea and China, with China planning to buy a "ton of soybeans," hopefully emptying farmer's bins. (2:23) World Series Update: Toronto beats the Dodgers 6-1, taking a 3-2 lead in the World Series, with the host enthusiastically pulling for the Dodgers to lose. (4:12) Deer Season is Coming: Outdoors expert Steve Carney shares an incredible story of a large doe returning to his decoy after his first arrow shot hit the window of his ground blind, and gives an update on the upcoming North Dakota and Minnesota rifle openers. (18:24)

The main political focus is on the Schumer Shutdown and the revelation that 40 million Americans are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits (food stamps) starting November 1st. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins states the USDA is out of funds and unequivocally cannot issue benefits after October 31st, condemning Senate Democrats for having voted 13 times to keep the government closed as a means of political "leverage". Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, author of the book How to Test Negative for Stupid, also criticizes the Democrats for using the crisis for political gain, stating "even duct tape can't fix stupid". Kennedy notes that Democrats also voted no on a bill to fund the military and the SNAP program. The show dedicates time to the "Auto Pen" scandal, where the House Oversight Committee released a report alleging President Biden's political advisors covered up his cognitive decline. The report claims Biden's inner circle used the auto pen to sign pardons, commutations, and executive orders—some of which should now be declared null and void. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Jim Jordan argue that Biden was largely "checked out" of his presidency. On the economic front, fiduciary portfolio manager Brien Krank reports that the stock market is seeing "new highs" and real dollars are driving Mag 7 tech stocks higher. However, he warns of a "K-shaped economy," where industrials and technology are booming while the consumer side is struggling, marked by layoffs at major companies like Amazon and a consumer recession. The conversation touches on the beef market, with Brooke Rollins defending President Trump's proposal to import Argentinian beef to lower prices, arguing the low domestic cattle herd is the true problem. Sports, Weather, and Personnel Notes: Shohei Ohtani is praised as "not human" for pitching six strong innings the night after going on base nine times in an 18-inning game. His historic performance continued in the World Series, which is now tied at two games apiece. The Wild lost their fourth overtime game in 11 games, falling to the Jets 4-3. The local forecast calls for sunshine today and a high of 49 degrees. Flurries are possible for Halloween on Friday, but Sunday is expected to be sunny and 60 degrees. Dean Wysocki states that the winter outlook shows "no signs of any big cold air outbreaks". Bridgette Readel is off this week, preparing for the Ag Show on the radio next…

The Need-to-Know Morning Show on Tuesday opens with urgent weather news as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, is making landfall in Jamaica with catastrophic winds sustained at 175 mph and gusts over 200 mph. The island is bracing for two to three feet of rain and a 10-to-15-foot storm surge.   The show's main political focus is the Schumer Shutdown as it approaches one month. Majority Leader John Thune is featured, responding to House Minority Whip Catherine Clark's admission that Democrats are letting American families "suffer" for "leverage". Thune condemns the Democrats' demands, which include $1.5 trillion in new spending and taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants. The political segment also highlights the FBI foiling a plot to assassinate AG Pam Bondi, with the suspect being tied to violent rhetoric and having a history of felony stalking and domestic battery in Minnesota and Florida.   Finally, the show honors Fargo Police Officer Elliot Dugan for the Luther Family Ford Salute to Law Enforcement. Dugan, a Fargo native and Shanley High School graduate, discusses his career, including his recent start with the Red River Valley SWAT team and his role as a training instructor.   Standout Moments: 0:01:06 - Update on Hurricane Melissa's catastrophic impact with winds over 200 mph and feet of rain expected in Jamaica.   0:03:00 - Discussion on Democrats like Eric Swalwell demanding the destruction of Trump's White House ballroom after it's built.    0:09:56 - Senator John Thune highlights Democrats' "political leverage" strategy, stating they want families to suffer to push for illegal immigrant healthcare and other spending.    0:22:04 - FBI foils a plot to assassinate AG Pam Bondi; suspect linked to violent rhetoric and a history of stalking in Minnesota.   0:29:16 - Honoring Fargo Police Officer Elliot Dugan, who shares his experience as a training instructor and a member of the Red River Valley SWAT team.   0:33:04 - Final update on Hurricane Melissa: the western third of Jamaica will face the strongest winds, but the entire island is expected to have catastrophic damage.

The Need-to-Know Morning Show on Monday covers a range of intense topics, starting with the immediate effects of the ongoing government shutdown, which is now the second longest in U.S. history. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy details the stress on air traffic controllers and warns of increasing flight delays and cancellations as a direct result of the standoff. The core issue, Duffy states, is the Democrats' alleged push for $1.5 trillion for healthcare for illegal aliens. The show turns to devastating weather news as Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5, tracks for a catastrophic, slow-moving hit on Jamaica. The island is expected to see up to 40 inches of rain and a 9 to 13-foot storm surge.     Politics, Crime, and Survival In a deep dive into politics and crime, the show features a segment with investigative journalist Miranda Devine on the "Cocaine at 1600" Fox Nation special. Devine discusses the suspicious destruction of evidence within 11 days related to the bag of cocaine found in the White House. She reports that Secret Service sources indicate a partial match to someone in the White House was found through DNA analysis. This has led to the FBI and Kash Patel reopening the case.   Transportation Secretary Duffy also weighs in on a key legal battle, threatening to strip California of its ability to issue commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) because the state unlawfully issued over 60,000 licenses to foreigners. The host and his co-hosts also have a segment on the general state of the Democratic Party, asking, "What are they for?" and pointing out that their efforts, such as the fight for illegal immigrants to have Obamacare subsidies, are "loser leverage".     Personal Preparedness Health and wellness expert Mariah Prussia stops in to discuss her recent intense "mountain readiness" survival training in North Carolina. She recounts learning tactical preparedness, including how to pick handcuffs, night vision driving, and recognizing that preparedness is essential because it's not a question of "if" but "when" a serious situation will arise. Travel agent Cindy also checks in, giving an update on the travel chaos due to the shutdown and offering a great all-inclusive deal to Cozumel.     Timestamps for Standout Moments 0:08:44 - Dean Wysocki details the catastrophic forecast for Hurricane Melissa hitting Jamaica. 0:17:15 - Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary, warns of severe air travel disruptions due to the government shutdown. 0:22:56 - Duffy…

This episode of the Need to Know Morning Show dives deep into a massive NBA illegal gambling scandal, featuring connections to high-profile players, coaches, and even the mafia. The hosts discuss the FBI's two operations, "Nothing But Net" and "Royal Flush," which uncovered rigged betting on games, insider trading of player information, and elaborate poker scams involving four of New York's five major crime families. Former NBA player Damon Jones and Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups are mentioned as being connected to the investigation. The conversation includes clips from FBI Director Kash Patel and commentator Will Cain, who break down the sophisticated criminal scheme and address the controversial suggestion that the investigation is political retribution against the NBA. In other segments, the team covers local news and events, including the Fargo-Moorhead weather forecast—expect mild, breezy, low-60s weather for the weekend before cooler temperatures and rain move in early next week. They also celebrate National Bologna Day and United Nations Day. Sports talk includes the Minnesota Vikings' disappointing loss and North Dakota State Bison's basketball exhibition win. Finally, Beth Janssens and Lisa Gedros from Fargo Paranormal join the show to discuss the second weekend of paranormal investigations at Bonanzaville, sharing spooky stories of being touched and witnessing objects move on their own. They share details on how to join a ghost tour, including available spots on Halloween night, and talk about Fargo Paranormal's work investigating private residences.

Join Alex Taylor and Kevin Flynn for this Thursday's Need to Know Morning Show. They dive into the political hot button issues of the day, including the controversial Democratic move to launch an ICE tracker and the debate surrounding violent political rhetoric, featuring clips from Tulsi Gabbard and John Fetterman. They also discuss the dangers of illegal semi-trucking in America and the latest on White House renovations. On the lighter side, it's National Horror Movie Day, and the hosts share their classic favorites like Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist. They also cover the sports world, with updates on the Timberwolves season-opening win, the Wild's recent loss, and the full schedule of football and basketball action. Plus, get the latest weather forecast, an agricultural update on the New World Screwworm and Avian Flu, and a preview of the Zoo Boo event at Chahinkapa Zoo.

Kickstart your Tuesday with Kevin and Alex on The Need to Know Morning Show! In this lively October 21st edition, the guys swap stories from a weekend of home repairs gone sideways (double Band-Aids, anyone?), gripe about the relentless Fargo wind, and share a good laugh over caramel apple crisp and “Back to the Future” Day. But it’s not all small talk — they dig into headlines, from a mysterious “hunting stand” near Air Force One’s runway to Speaker Mike Johnson’s fiery comments about protests and politics. You’ll also catch sports updates (Blue Jays in the Series, local high school matchups), weather with Dino (“hang onto your hat!”), and a thoughtful farm and ag report from Bridget Riedel on corn diseases and harvest prep.

It’s a wild Monday morning on The Need to Know Morning Show as Kevin and Alex dive into everything from Vikings heartbreak and Alexa meltdowns to political theater and pumpkin-spice-level protest madness. An Amazon cloud outage kicks off the chaos, sending news sites into the digital abyss, while Trump headlines the weekend with talk of shutdowns, Chicago crackdowns, and the “No Kings” protest. The hosts unpack the spectacle, from Soros-funded rallies to frog costumes and Handmaid’s Tale cosplay, with their trademark mix of humor and disbelief. Then, it’s back to local roots—literally—with Bridget Riedel’s ag report on sugar beet struggles, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs shaking the market, and a chilly Midwest forecast ahead. Plus, a quick detour through Vikings woes, Lady Gaga rumors, and why you should probably buy your beef from a family rancher. 🔥 Highlights: Amazon’s massive AWS outage causes a national stir Trump vs. Schumer: The “No Kings” protest and D.C. cleanup “Forever Washington people” and political déjà vu Local agriculture: Sugar beet prices plummet 42% Fall weather outlook—bundle up, North Dakota!

Hosts Kevin Flynn and Alex Taylor check in from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the Need to Know Morning Show. The show is packed with political commentary and local news. Topics include the continuing government shutdown and the Democrats' resistance to reopening it, with clips from a "radical" CNN Town Hall featuring AOC and Bernie Sanders. The hosts and their guest, Speaker Johnson, mock AOC's arguments and discuss the rise of Marxist ideology within the Democratic Party. They focus on New York City mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani, whose socialist platform promising "free stuff" like rent freezes and free buses is criticized as an impractical "wolf in sheep's clothing". A bizarre national news story about an illegal immigrant from Montenegro who worked as a police officer in Illinois for a decade sparks a debate on border security, background checks, and the need for legal immigration paths for people seeking a better life. A caller shares a personal story of losing a good employee due to similar immigration issues. In sports, James McCarty gives updates on the Vikings vs. Eagles game, with Carson Wentz expected to start, and highlights the Sioux vs. Gophers hockey rivalry. The show also features Bridgette Readel for an Ag Update (including a celebration of Porktober and a look at China's pork production cutbacks) , and Quincy from Cars Tree Service offers advice on preparing trees for winter. Finally, Greg Jarrett provides legal analysis on the indictment of John Bolton. Standout Moments (Approximate Timestamps): 0:01: Kevin Flynn and Alex Taylor describe the annoyance of scanning radio stations only to hear the same two songs on different channels 0:09: The unbelievable story breaks: an illegal alien from Montenegro who overstayed his visa became a police officer in Illinois and was carrying a firearm for a decade. 0:15: A caller shares his frustration after losing a good employee who was sent back to the Middle East due to not having the correct legal status. 0:22: A caller details the rule in Cancun, Mexico, that a hospital requires over $10,000 cash upfront for treatment before they'll even look at you, highlighting the need for travel insurance. 0:33: In a clip from the CNN Town Hall, AOC is mocked for her childlike, demanding approach to the government shutdown, with Speaker Johnson responding, "bless her heart". 0:45: The hosts and Speaker Johnson criticize NYC mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani's socialist "free stuff" promises, which…

Hosts Kevin and Alex navigate a rainy, warm Thursday, providing weather, sports, and political updates. Senator Tim Sheehy's "common sense" approach to politics—secure borders, safe streets, cops are good, criminals are bad, boys are boys, and girls are girls—is praised as the antidote to Washington's chaos. The Supreme Court's debate on redistricting is featured, with a critique of Justice Sotomayor's views. In a bombshell report, Sandra Smith discusses how drug cartels are placing bounties on the heads of ICE agents. The show also features Bridget Riedel giving a surprising lesson on equine genetics, and Steve Carney offers an update on deer hunting and fishing conditions, noting the lack of ducks due to warm weather.   Political & Social Headlines Common Sense Warrior: Senator Tim Sheehy is hailed as a common-sense rock star, with hosts praising his simple statement of core American values: "Secure borders, safe street, cheap gas, cops are good, criminals are bad, boys are boys, and girls are girls". His background as a Navy SEAL and successful businessman who doesn't have to be in politics is highlighted. Cartel Bounties: A report from Sandra Smith's America Reports details how drug cartels are putting bounties on the heads of ICE agents. Nancy Pelosi's "Shut Up" Moment: Former House leader Nancy Pelosi is heavily criticized for her physical and cognitive state, particularly after snapping "Shut up!" at a reporter asking a simple question. The Race Card & Redistricting: The hosts criticize Democrats for using race in redistricting, arguing that voters of all colors are tired of victimhood and affirmative action.   Agricultural & Outdoors Report Equine Genetics Class: Bridgette Readel gives a surprise lesson in livestock genetics: A Mule is the product of a male donkey (jackass) and a female horse (mare). A Hinny is the offspring of a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny). Mules and hinnies are almost always sterile. Hunting & Fishing: Outdoors expert Steve Carney is seeing "scrapes" (where bucks paw the ground and rub scent) in the woods, indicating that the rutting season (best hunting) is about three weeks away. He notes that duck hunting is pathetic due to the lack of cold weather , but fishing is excellent as it's the best time of year for walleye.   Weather, Sports, and Culture Rainy Thursday: The morning starts with rain and thunder, and is expected to reach a high of 69°F. Drivers are warned…