Guest host Tim Flakoll fills in for Steve Hallstrom to anchor a wide-ranging, policy-heavy Tuesday edition live from the Fargo studio. Flakoll opens the broadcast with a blunt critique of unsportsmanlike behavior following the regional Legion baseball championship before shifting to critical local and state government developments. Cass County Administrator Robert Wilson drops by to detail the county’s newly approved, zero-debt preliminary budget. Plus, State Representative Scott Wagner breaks down the upcoming October special election on Fargo's proposed ward system, and North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong joins the line to outline his executive orders and special legislative session mandate to ban synthetic kratom. Key Moments Tim Flakoll Calls Out Legion Baseball Conduct: Guest host Tim Flakoll opens the show expressing deep disappointment over the post-game behavior of the Fargo Post 2 American Legion baseball team following their championship victory. Flakoll highlights crude, disrespectful gestures made by players on the field, challenging team leadership and coaches to hold young athletes accountable when representing the Fargo community on a regional stage. Cass County Passes $62 Million Balanced, Zero-Debt Budget: Cass County Administrator Robert Wilson joins the studio to review the county commission's unanimous approval of its preliminary 2027 budget. Wilson reports general fund revenues of over $62 million balancing against $61.9 million in expenditures, noting the county maintains a strict zero-bonding policy for general operations. The mill rate is capped and cannot increase before final approval in September, translating to a modest $11 annual property tax change on a $200,000 home. Public Safety Expansion and 192-Bed Jail Pod: Administrator Wilson details how Cass County utilized federal ARPA allocations to construct a 192-bed jail pod addition without taking on local bond debt or raising property taxes. The budget also expands critical public safety personnel, adding five positions to the State's Attorney's office and one to the coroner's office to manage population growth across the county's 204,000 residents. Representative Scott Wagner Targets the October Ward System Vote: State Representative Scott Wagner (District 45) analyzes the certified ballot measure attempting to transition Fargo from its current five-member at-large commission to a six-ward city council layout. Wagner questions organizers for scheduling a standalone special election on October 6th—costing taxpayers over $100,000—rather than placing the question on the high-turnout November general election ballot. The Historical Warning Against Ward-Based Patronage: Representative Wagner reveals that Fargo previously abandoned a ward system back in 1913 after residents found it fostered…

Host Steve Hallstrom opens a fast-paced, high-stakes August edition live from the Fargo studio, sharing a shocking personal survival story after an early-morning accident during marathon training. The show dives into global geopolitical shifts as President Trump pauses major strategic airstrikes to allow diplomatic talks with Tehran another window, triggering an immediate relief rally on Wall Street. Plus, Steve audits the city of Fargo’s multi-million dollar municipal personnel budget, tracks a $30 million building boom in Watford City, and sits down with U.S. Drought Monitor co-founder Dr. Mark Svoboda to unpack how soil moisture indices impact regional agricultural policy. Key Moments Steve's Early-Morning Intersection Collision: Steve opens the show with a shocking personal account after being struck by a pickup truck at 6:00 AM while navigating a roundabout during a 20-mile marathon training run. Despite being knocked to the pavement, Steve escaped major structural injury, sustaining only severe wrist bruising and shoulder soreness. He uses the incident to deliver a stern safety warning to regional runners and motorists regarding early-morning situational awareness. Trump Halts "World War II Scale" Strike on Iran: Financial markets rallied sharply after President Trump announced a temporary hold on a massive, planned military strike against Iran to give diplomatic negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz another chance to succeed. The sudden diplomatic pause caused WTI crude oil prices to plunge over 7% back under the $80-a-barrel threshold, sending the Dow soaring over 700 points in early trading. Fargo Personnel Overhead Triggers Tax Increase Concerns: City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg sounds a sharp warning regarding Fargo’s upcoming municipal budget parameters. Highlighting a staggering surge in city hall operational costs, Turnberg reveals that personnel and staffing overhead now consumes a massive portion of the municipal budget, making local property tax hikes nearly inevitable unless spending is drastically curtailed. The U.S. Drought Monitor Unpacked with Co-Founder Dr. Mark Svoboda: Dr. Mark Svoboda, professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-founder of the U.S. Drought Monitor, joins the program to explain how weekly drought maps are compiled. Svoboda addresses widespread public misconceptions, clarifying that the index is not merely a precipitation tracker, but a complex composite that factors in satellite vegetation health, soil moisture, groundwater, and evapotranspiration rates. He notes the weekly map directly governs over $30 billion in federal farm bill relief and livestock assistance programs. Watford City Commercial Valuations Jump 85%: Shifting to regional economic indicators, Watford City and…

Host Steve Hallstrom wraps up the final day of a scorching July with an action-packed, wide-ranging Friday edition. Steve breaks down a national security alert involving a coordinated cyber attack on 30 Minnesota municipal water systems, audits a shocking $650,000 cattle rustling case in eastern North Dakota, and analyzes the Commerce Department's controversial move to take equity stakes in private tech companies under the CHIPS Act. Plus, author Dr. Bradley Thayer stops by to discuss the ideological battle against communism, and Ag Director Bridget Riedel reports live from the Ag PhD Field Day in Baltic, South Dakota. Key Moments Radio Auction Recap: Steve celebrates the success of the station's massive radio and video auction event, which featured over $60,000 in donated items—ranging from PXG golf clubs to German backyard greenhouses—and generated $40,000 in winning bids for bargain-hunting listeners. Iranian Cyber Attack Hits Minnesota Water Grid: Federal authorities and the FBI launch an investigation into a coordinated cyber attack targeting operations technology across 30 community water systems in Minnesota. Preliminary intelligence points to "Cyber Avengers," an Iranian-linked hacking group, though public drinking water supplies remain safe and uncompromised. $650,000 Cattle Rustling Sentence in Colfax: Daniel Doctor, a 44-year-old Colfax, North Dakota man, is sentenced to prison for siphoning nearly 150 head of cattle from partner ranchers over several years. Doctor concealed the theft by fabricating records of a fictional out-of-state feedlot, inflicting severe financial damage on local ag producers. UND Medical School Department Chair Removed: The University of North Dakota removes Dr. Dennis Lutz as chair of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences OBGYN department. Lutz faces a civil lawsuit alleging he secretly used his own genetic material during fertility treatments in the 1980s without patient consent, which DNA testing recently confirmed. Massive Border Breach in Spain: Authorities in Spain scramble to respond after an estimated 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the North African enclave of Ceuta over a 24-hour period—an influx equal to 70% of the city's total population that resulted in 34 deaths. America's 100 Years War with Dr. Bradley Thayer: Dr. Bradley Thayer, author of "America's 100 Years War: How to Win Against Communism," joins the show to argue that the Cold War never truly ended. Thayer asserts that communist ideology simply shifted from the Soviet Union into American universities, media, think tanks, and progressive political platforms. Federal Equity Stakes Under the CHIPS Act: Steve raises…

Host Steve Hallstrom leads an energetic, news-packed Wednesday edition live from the Fargo studio, delivering sharp breakdowns on national health hearings, regional agriculture, and high-stakes cultural debates. Steve analyzes Dr. Anthony Fauci's dramatic Capitol Hill appearance where he repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment, unpacks fresh economic and crop updates with State Climatologist Daryl Ritchison, and examines rising tensions inside professional women's basketball. Plus, the episode highlights North Dakota's booming building valuations in Mackenzie County and breaks down the market logistics of regional food supplies. Key Moments Fauci Pleads the Fifth on Capitol Hill: Steve tracks a tense Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing chaired by Senator Rand Paul and featuring aggressive questioning from Senator Josh Hawley and Senator Ron Johnson. Former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times, declining to answer questions regarding pandemic policy decisions, financial disclosures, or $1 million in cash awards solicited by staff during his tenure. State Climatologist Addresses Airport Temperature Reading Biases: Daryl Ritchison, Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) and State Climatologist, joins the broadcast to clear up misconceptions surrounding recent heatwave data. Ritchison explains that urban airport sensors—such as the one at Bismarck that registered 107°F—are heavily biased by surrounding pavement and tarmac, whereas rural NDAWN stations reflect true agricultural conditions. He confirms July 2026 has been very warm due to dry soils, though still below historical extremes set in the 1930s. WNBA Culture Wars and Sophie Cunningham: On Best Thing I Heard All Day, Steve tackles the ongoing cultural friction surrounding Indiana Fever players Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. Steve highlights a post-game press conference where team media relations stepped in to redirect political questions from reporters, emphasizing the squad's sole focus on competitive basketball amidst rising external media commentary. Watford City Building Valuations Surge 85%: Steve highlights remarkable economic metrics out of western North Dakota. Year-to-date building permit valuations in Mackenzie County and Watford City jumped 85% year-over-year, rising from $12 million to over $30 million. Commercial and industrial development led the expansion, expanding nearly fourfold from $5.5 million to $20.3 million. The $60,000 Summer Savings Spectacular Auction: Steve previews a massive live radio and video simulcast auction hosted alongside Jay Thomas, Dean Wysocki, and Janae White. Featuring over $60,000 in retail items—including PXG iron sets, German backyard greenhouses, sides of beef, power tools, and luxury mattresses—the event features no reserve prices,…

Steve Hallstrom hosts a fast-paced Wednesday, July 29th edition live from the Fargo studio, delivering sharp analysis on international ceasefires, national accountability hearings, and local economic development. Steve recaps day three of the diplomatic pause between the U.S. and Iran, outlining President Trump’s firm stance as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House. The show breaks down a high-stakes Senate hearing where Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment, tracks fundraising milestones at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, and visits with State Climatologist Daryl Ritchison to clear up temperature reading biases across the region. Key Moments Dr. Anthony Fauci Pleads the Fifth Over 100 Times: Steve breaks down a fiery Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing chaired by Senator Rand Paul and featuring sharp questioning from Senator Josh Hawley and Senator Ron Johnson. Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times, refusing to answer questions regarding potential conflicts of interest, private diary entries, or $1 million in cash awards solicited by staff using federal resources during the pandemic. Senators highlighted contradictions between his early private fatality estimates (0.2%–0.3%) and his public testimony. TR Presidential Library Fundraising Surpasses $500 Million: Total fundraising for the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora has officially topped $500 million, beating its initial $450 million goal. The total includes $79 million in future pledges set aside to repay a $70 million state line of credit authorized by North Dakota lawmakers in 2023. Over 40,000 visitors have toured the facility since its grand opening on July 4th. State Climatologist Clears Up Urban Temperature Biases: Daryl Ritchison, North Dakota State Climatologist and Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN), joins the program to address recent extreme temperature claims. Ritchison explains that official airport readings can skew high due to surrounding pavement and urban heat, pointing out that rural NDAWN stations provide a more accurate climate baseline. He notes that while July 2026 has been very warm due to dry soils, historical records show much higher extremes during the 1930s. Mackenzie County Sheriff Disputing Secret Service Allegations: Mackenzie County Sheriff Matthew Johansson issued a formal statement denying claims that he attempted to enter a restricted Secret Service command post without authorization during President Trump's recent visit to Medora. Johansson clarified that he traveled to Billings County at the invitation of local officials to check on 12 deployed deputies…

Host Steve Hallstrom anchors an action-packed Tuesday edition live from the Fargo studio, delivering critical updates on international ceasefires, local commercial growth, and high-stakes political battles. Steve details Day 3 of the diplomatic pause between the U.S. and Iran as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Trump at the White House. The show examines newly highlighted entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci's private diaries, tracks Mike Lindell's fiery defense against intraparty immigration claims in Minnesota, and visits with Hector International Airport Executive Director Shawn Dobberstein to discuss record passenger numbers and potential regional expansion. Plus, Ag Director Bridget Riedel reports live from a community blood drive with an urgent update on regional crop conditions. Key Moments U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reaches Day Three: Steve reports on the fragile three-day pause in military strikes between the U.S. and Iran, giving diplomatic negotiations a window to operate as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the White House. President Trump expressed optimism that a long-term resolution could be negotiated, while firmly warning that the U.S. remains prepared to resume heavy military artillery operations if diplomatic efforts collapse. Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Passes $500 Million: Fundraising for the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora has officially crossed the $500 million mark, surpassing its initial $450 million goal following its July 4th grand opening. The total includes $79 million in future pledges designated to repay a $70 million state line of credit authorized by North Dakota lawmakers in 2023. Executive Director Robbie Loff confirms over 40,000 visitors have already toured the facility in its first two weeks. Mike Lindell Fights Back on Immigration and Amnesty Claims: In the primary race for Minnesota Governor, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell aggressively defended his platform on WDAY radio after facing accusations of supporting amnesty from primary rival Lisa Demuth and state GOP leaders. Lindell clarified that his proposed six-month pause on deportations was designed for national worker registration and tracking rather than amnesty. He proposed 90-day mandatory jail sentences for corporate executives who knowingly hire undocumented labor. Hector International Airport Sets Passenger Records: Shawn Dobberstein, Executive Director of Hector International Airport, joins the program to share an operational update. Dobberstein reports that passenger boardings are running 3.2% ahead of last year's record-setting pace. He details the ongoing terminal expansion—which will eventually scale the facility from five to nine gates—and outlines preliminary, exploratory discussions regarding the potential creation of…

Steve Hallstrom hosts a hard-hitting, data-driven Monday edition live from the Fargo studio, delivering an analytical breakdown of shifting geopolitical ceasefires, regional infrastructure investments, and national voting sentiment. Steve examines the fragile diplomatic pause between the U.S. and Iran following military escalations in the Strait of Hormuz. The show reviews a federal appeals court ruling that struck down executive limits on mail-in voting, details Kilbourne Group's newly released $834 million economic impact projection for the Fargo Convention Center, and analyzes Palantir CEO Alex Karp's viral commentary on the growing political divide among college-educated workers. Key Moments Fragile U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Holds Amid Diplomatic Push: Steve reports on a temporary pause in military strikes between the U.S. and Iran, initiated by regional mediators in Oman and Pakistan to allow diplomatic negotiations a window to prevent an all-out war. The halt follows weeks of kinetic friction surrounding commercial shipping corridors in the Strait of Hormuz. Financial markets reacted immediately, with WTI crude oil prices pulling back as Wall Street assesses the viability of a lasting peace agreement. Federal Appeals Court Blocks Mail-In Voting Restrictions: The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston issued a 2-1 decision upholding a lower court order that blocks the Trump administration's executive order attempting to restrict mail-in voting for the 2026 midterm elections. The court ruled that under the U.S. Constitution, state and local officials maintain the primary authority to administer federal elections, handing a procedural victory to the 23 states that filed suit. New Fox News Poll Shows 83% Support for Photo Voter ID: Steve breaks down a massive new national poll revealing that requiring a valid state or federal photo ID to prove U.S. citizenship before voting remains a overwhelmingly bipartisan 80-20 issue. The data shows 83% of all registered voters favor mandatory photo ID, including 96% of Republicans, 83% of Independents, 72% of Democrats, and 66% of self-identified Democratic Socialists. Fargo Convention Center Projected to Generate $834 Million: The show analyzes newly released financial projections from Kilbourne Group regarding the proposed $46 million Fargo Convention Center at the current Civic Center site. Proponents estimate the 86,000-square-foot facility could draw over 100,000 annual visitors, generating $834 million in net new regional spending and delivering a $27 million annual economic impact. Steve raises key questions regarding how local taxpayers and working families ultimately absorb infrastructure debt service versus the projected commercial benefits. Seattle Food Festival Shooting Triggers…

roadcasting live from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Steve Hallstrom kicks off this edition of The Steve Hallstrom Show with a simple challenge: "Let's do better!" From heated political debates in Minnesota to municipal fiscal watchdogs in Fargo and major regional agricultural breakthroughs, this episode covers the key issues impacting the area. Episode Summary Political Sparks in Minnesota: Speaker Lisa Demuth takes aim at fellow gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell's proposal to pause undocumented immigrant deportations for six months in exchange for conditional work permits. Canadian Wildfire Resolution: Senator John Hoeven introduces a resolution calling on the Canadian government to improve forestry management and hazardous fuels reduction to help prevent wildfire smoke in the U.S.. Inside the Fargo City Commission: New Fargo City Commissioner Chad Peterson discusses his first weeks on the job, why he voted against an $800,000 property tax incentive, and his concerns that the city overspent by millions on the police station purchase. The Great Amnesty Debate: Steve Hallstrom and guest co-host JT Thaden explore whether a middle-ground immigration policy could work—such as allowing gainfully employed undocumented workers to stay without voting rights or access to social benefits—prompting passionate reactions from listeners. Agriculture & Economic Growth: Ag Director Bridgette Readel breaks down current crop and drought conditions across the region, Brazil's expanding trade competition, and Agristo's massive $1 billion potato processing plant breaking ground in Grand Forks. Key Topics & Highlights National & Regional News: Segment highlights include President Trump's rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, alongside local weather and rainfall updates across North Dakota and Minnesota. Caller Perspectives: Radio callers weigh in on border enforcement, discussing federal proposals like the "Dignity Act" as well as domestic workforce needs. Fargo Fiscal Transparency: Chad Peterson shares his commitment to line-item budget transparency at City Hall and compares city spending against Cass County projects. Summer Savings Spectacular Preview: Steve previews an upcoming interactive radio and video auction event featuring thousands of dollars in DeWalt tools, beef packages, acoustic/electric guitars, and local entertainment packages. "If you can see a budget center that's gone from $100,000 to $150,000, you can ask why... It's my mission to go back and say, 'We're doing things wrong.'" — Fargo City Commissioner Chad Peterson

Steve Hallstrom hosts an action-packed Wednesday edition live from the Fargo studio, delivering critical updates on regional public safety, national economic shifts, and escalating military actions in the Persian Gulf. Steve details President Trump’s solemn presence at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of American soldiers killed in action and breaks down a high-stakes presidential ultimatum issued directly to Tehran. The show examines a new budget request from Fargo Police Chief Travis Stefonowicz to expand patrol forces, tracks a major conviction in Minnesota's massive pandemic fraud scandal, and features Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki to map out an expanding regional drought. Plus, United Valley Bank President Blake Trenbeth stops by for a local business spotlight. Key Moments Trump Issues "Bridge-for-Ship" Warning to Iran: Steve breaks down a major tactical escalation in the Middle East following an 11th consecutive night of U.S. airstrikes. As President Trump presided over a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for four fallen U.S. service members, he posted an explosive directive on Truth Social. Trump warned that moving forward, any Iranian attack on maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with the immediate destruction of a major Iranian bridge or power plant—including critical infrastructure targets located directly inside or adjacent to Tehran. Fargo Police Chief Requests 39 Total New Officers: Steve reviews a key proposal from Fargo's new Police Chief, Travis Stefonowicz, who is requesting city funding for nine new positions in his 2027 budget request. Stefonowicz aims to raise Fargo's officer-to-resident ratio from 1.4 to 1.6 per 1,000 citizens. To reliably cover training, leave, and shift rotations, Stefonowicz estimates the department ultimately needs a long-term addition of 39 officers to reach an operational baseline of 240 sworn cops. Pelican Rapids Man Convicted in $1.1 Million Fraud Scheme: In the latest chapter of Minnesota's Feeding Our Future scandal, 68th defendant Abderasheend Dual pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges. Dual admitted to submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims for over 500,000 nonexistent meals allegedly served to children in Pelican Rapids, pocketing $1.1 million in federal funds through fake shell companies. Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced it is deferring over $1 billion in federal Medicaid payments to Minnesota and California to halt suspected public welfare fraud at the source. Severe Drought Expands Across North Dakota and Minnesota: Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki joins the program to deliver a sobering weather forecast. Wysocki reports that the…

Steve Hallstrom hosts a fast-paced Tuesday edition live from the Fargo studio, dissecting major local municipal votes, global security escalations, and the ideological divide driving national political debates. Steve details a 10th consecutive night of U.S. airstrikes in Iran, clears up misconceptions surrounding American troop injuries in the Middle East, and analyzes new municipal spending patterns emerging from the Fargo City Commission. Plus, the show features Glenn Beck's breakdown of President Trump's trade negotiations with Canada, examines a controversial proposal to cap private investment returns, and catches up with Robbie Loff for a two-week progress report on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. Key Moments Middle East Escalation and Troop Injury Report: Steve reports on a 10th straight night of U.S. airstrikes against targets in Iran as energy markets push WTI crude oil above $85 a barrel. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed nearly 100 American service members have sustained injuries in Middle East base strikes since July 7th. However, Steve points out crucial context left out by mainstream media outlets: 96% of injured personnel have already returned to active duty, with the vast majority of cases diagnosed as minor concussions. Fargo City Commission Greenlights Infrastructure Spending: The Fargo City Commission approved a $170,000 security fence for the Fargo Police Department parking lot following 38 documented security incidents. The commission also approved an $800,000 Renaissance Zone tax exemption to support a $5.4 million renovation of the downtown Dakota Center. Newly elected commissioner Chad Peterson voted "no" on both measures, citing strict taxpayer accountability, while commissioner Nikki Galakson joined the majority in favor of both projects. The Democratic Socialist Double-Digit Profit Cap Debate: Steve reacts to a heated interview between Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum and New York DSA leader Gustavo Gordillo regarding housing and private enterprise. Gordillo argued that no individual or business has a constitutional right to double-digit returns on investments, advocating for strict rent freezes. Steve breaks down the economic dangers of capping investment returns, explaining how artificially limiting profits stifles small business creation, halts housing development, and degrades public pension funds. Glenn Beck Decodes Trump's Canadian Tariff Strategy: The show highlights a commentary from Glenn Beck analyzing President Trump's threat to levy tariffs on Canadian wildfire smoke. Beck draws a historical parallel to Benjamin Franklin's 1782 peace negotiations with Great Britain—where Franklin demanded the British cede all of Canada as an extreme opening gambit to secure…