Episode Summary: In this lively solo edition of The Steve Hallstrom Show, guest host Scott Hennen takes the mic for a fast-moving mix of faith, politics, Medicare insights, and the future of artificial intelligence — all delivered with his trademark Midwestern warmth, wit, and conviction. Scott opens with personal reflections about handwritten letters, family legacies, and a saying from his mother that anchors the show’s theme: “Coincidences are God’s sealed orders.” From there, he dives into timely talk about Minnesota’s new paid family leave law and what it means for small business owners, then touches on political divides in the Minnesota GOP — asking whether the conservative movement can find common ground again. Later, he welcomes Michelle Kommer from High Road Partners to demystify the Medicare enrollment maze, offering practical advice for seniors navigating plan changes. In the final segment, Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, joins Scott to explore how North Dakota is becoming a surprising hub for AI data centers — or, as Cummins calls them, “intelligence factories.” Scott closes with gratitude, reflection, and a reminder that faith and innovation can — and should — move hand in hand.

Episode Summary: In this solo, spirited edition of The Steve Hallstrom Show, Steve dives deep into what Fargo’s been buzzing about — from faith and civic engagement to football frustrations and local leadership. Building on yesterday’s emotional talk about Commissioner Michelle Turnberg’s stand for conviction and faith, Steve reflects on the ripple effect it’s had across the community. He fields listener reactions, unpacks the latest Convention Center debate, and brings humor and heart to everyday issues that shape Fargo’s future. Between football metaphors, faith reflections, and a few playful jabs at local headlines, Steve reminds listeners why showing up — in life, politics, and prayer — still matters. Key Moments & Highlights: 🕒 (0:00 - 3:42)Steve kicks off with reflections on the Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom ceremony and the outpouring of support for Michelle Turnberg’s bold stance on faith in public life. 🕒 (4:00 - 9:18)🏈 Football & Faith: A wry take on the Vikings’ latest loss and how perseverance on the field mirrors perseverance in civic life. “Sometimes you just gotta play the next down,” Steve quips. 🕒 (10:10 - 17:25)🗳️ Civic Courage: Steve reads listener messages about getting more involved in school board and city meetings. He challenges complacency and celebrates everyday citizens who step up. 🕒 (17:25 - 28:15)🏗️ Convention Center Chronicles: Updates on Fargo’s four finalist sites. Steve weighs the pros and cons of each and calls for fiscal sanity and transparent decision-making. 🕒 (28:30 - 38:40)💭 Faith in the Public Square: Steve dives into how faith informs leadership — not as a weapon, but as a compass. A heartfelt segment that connects belief with service. 🕒 (39:00 - 46:55)🎙️ Hallstrom’s Closing Thoughts: “If we all showed up with a little more faith, a little less fear, this city would be unstoppable.”A reflective and empowering close that ties together faith, civic duty, and community pride.

Episode Summary: In this compelling Fargo-focused episode, Steve Hallstrom dives deep into the biggest stories shaping the region — from local crashes and health updates to national headlines — before turning the spotlight on the high-stakes race for Fargo’s new Convention Center. Mayor Tim Mahoney joins Steve to reveal why four finalist sites are moving forward and how the city plans to choose a winner responsibly. Later, Commissioner Michelle Turnberg opens up in a candid, heartfelt interview about attending the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service, her renewed faith and courage in public life, and her viral call to name a new school Charlie Kirk Elementary. Hallstrom closes the hour reflecting on the need for everyday citizens to “show up” at local meetings — a rallying cry for civic engagement and conviction. Key Moments & Highlights: 🕒 (0:00 - 1:04) Steve kicks off with “The Rule of Four” — four Convention Center finalists, four-car crash victims, and a fourfold rise in West Nile cases — setting up a lively afternoon show. 🕒 (2:16 - 6:52) A preview of guests and hot topics: Mayor Mahoney at 4:20, Commissioner Turnberg at 4:40, and coverage of President Trump posthumously awarding Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 🕒 (10:11 - 20:30) 📍 Interview: Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney Mahoney details how the Convention Center selection narrowed from nine to four sites: Brujala Site: strong design and green space appeal. Shields Arena: multipurpose potential. Downtown Site: energy and walkability. FargoDome: surprise “entertainment district” twist. He emphasizes fiscal responsibility — “a small loss is acceptable, but not a million-dollar one” — and reassures taxpayers that property taxes won’t rise to fund the project. 🕒 (21:07 - 25:09) 🎖️ Tribute Segment: The Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony Steve transitions to the emotional White House moment honoring Charlie Kirk. Social media reaction ranges from cynical to deeply respectful of widow Erica Kirk’s grace and strength. 🕒 (25:09 - 34:17) 📍 Interview: Commissioner Michelle Turnberg A deeply personal segment. Michelle recounts traveling to Phoenix for Kirk’s memorial — “life-changing,” she says. Shares her admiration for speakers like Vice President J.D. Vance, and witnessing Erica Kirk publicly forgive her husband’s killer. Explains how the experience renewed her resolve to “be bold, be brave, speak the truth.” Defends her call to name Fargo’s new school Charlie Kirk Elementary: “I stand by that 100%.” 🕒 (35:01 - 40:59) Steve praises Turnberg’s courage: “That woman’s…

This episode of The Steve Hallstrom Show addresses the escalating national political crisis at the border, the growing economic debate over government spending, and continues the local discussion on Fargo's approach to homelessness.   Key Moments     National Crisis and Political Strategy   The Southern Border Crisis Escalates: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new figures showing 435,000 illegal immigrant encounters in the previous month—the highest monthly total in U.S. history. President Biden's strategy is being criticized as a "massive mistake" designed to facilitate movement into the interior of the U.S.. $2 Trillion Spending Showdown: The White House is engaging in intense debate over $2 trillion in requested spending, with Republicans signaling they will not support a bill. The dispute highlights a clash between funding military and aid to Israel versus maintaining or increasing federal social programs. Nikki Haley's Surge: Nikki Haley has emerged as a significant threat in primary polling, now within single digits of President Trump in key states like New Hampshire. The host notes that a failure by the Trump campaign to take Haley seriously could be a "massive mistake".   Local Issues: Homelessness and Education   The "Victimology" Debate in Fargo: The host continued his critique of the city's approach to homelessness, arguing that policies are rooted in a "victimology" ideology that discourages accountability. This mentality is viewed as detrimental to the "fundamental principles of Western Civilization". Education Policy Critique: The segment includes criticism that American education prioritizes "feelings" over "facts". The host warns that emphasizing emotional validation over objective truth prepares students for "victimhood" rather than competence.   Markets and Money   Oil and Gold Climb: WTI Crude Oil saw a sharp increase, finishing at $81.93 per barrel, while Gold continued its safe-haven rally, closing at a new record high of $4,142 per ounce. Mortgage Rates Ease: The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.12%, suggesting the market is beginning to price in expected rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Targeting the Middle Class: The host argued that government policies are increasingly targeting the middle class. This segment posits that the middle class is uniquely vulnerable to high taxes and regulations because they are "neither rich enough for tax shelters nor poor enough for government subsidies".

This episode, hosted by Andrew Sletten, on the one-month anniversary of the Charlie Kirk assassination, frames the growing homeless crisis in Fargo as a battle of ideologies, contrasting "freedom and responsibility" with the "victimology" mindset he argues is perpetuated by progressive policies.   Fargo's Homeless & Policy Debate   The "San Francisco" Path: The host, who works and invests downtown, warns that Fargo is currently taking a policy path that has previously "ruined" West Coast cities like San Francisco. He attributes the core of the crisis not to poverty, but to untreated mental illness and drug addiction. The Problem with "Housing First": Sletten heavily criticized the "Housing First" initiative—a policy that prioritizes giving homeless individuals an apartment before addressing addiction or mental illness. He cited a 12-year Harvard study and a National Academies of Science study suggesting this policy has led to no better outcomes and sometimes worse outcomes due to the lack of mandatory treatment. The host noted that the cost of providing a full apartment without accountability is "astronomical" and "unsustainable". The "Victimology" Mindset: Sletten argued that a "victimology" mindset, prevalent in progressive policy, prevents holding individuals accountable for public actions like defecating on private property. He stressed that while trauma is real, holding individuals to a standard of responsibility is necessary to maintain a "polite society". The Ambulance Abuse Scheme: A former EMT shared a startling observation: homeless individuals in the downtown area would frequently call for an ambulance ride to Sanford Hospital (costing thousands of dollars) and then immediately sign themselves out upon arrival, using the ambulance as a "cheaper than Uber" taxi service. This resulted in emergency services being tied up and unavailable for life-threatening calls. Proposed Solution: Shelter First: Sletten proposed a "shelter first" approach that incorporates incremental, reward-based housing. He cited a study in Birmingham, Alabama, where success rates increased when individuals were offered private rooms as an incentive to pass a drug test.

This episode, hosted by Andrew Sletten, dives into the concept of a spiritual "Great Awakening" sweeping across the country and the world, bolstered by current events and guest discussions. The show also covers important local news and a deep dive into the strength of the recent Enderlin tornado.   Key Moments   The Great Awakening Discussion: The show opens with the question: "Are we experiencing a great awakening in our country?" Guest Cornelius Williams, a traveling minister, agrees, noting a "spiritual rebirthing" where people are turning away from the hopelessness of "post-modernism" and "soberly seeking for a divine encounter with God". Revival of the Bible: Williams points to a revival of interest in the Bible, citing data showing an increase in Gen Z going to church at higher rates than prior generations and an uptick in Bible sales in Russia. Revival of Righteousness: The discussion links the spiritual awakening to a "revival of righteousness", seen in a decline in partying and substance abuse among Gen Z, and a focus on sobriety and clear-mindedness. Historic Peace Deal Reached: President Trump is believed to have brokered an historic peace deal to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The deal reportedly includes the release of hostages held in Gaza, a prisoner swap, and the end of the war. Enderlin Tornado Ranked Among Worst in U.S. History: New research upgraded the June 20th Enderlin tornado's classification to an EF5, making it the first EF5 in the U.S. since 2013. Extreme Winds: Estimated top wind speeds were 266 miles per hour, a conservative estimate based on damage analysis. Train Cars Thrown: Researchers focused on 33 train cars blown off the track, including an empty oil tanker weighing 72,000 pounds that was thrown 500 feet into a field. Court Upholds North Dakota Bans: A Burleigh County judge upheld the North Dakota law that prohibits medical professionals from performing sex reassignment surgeries on minors, including prescribing puberty and hormone blockers. The Missouri parental consent law for minors seeking an abortion was also upheld by a court. Local Non-Profit Spotlight: Jordan McCormick, Executive Director of the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley, discusses his mission to provide furniture to individuals and families in crisis, helping them live with "dignity" and "respect". Service Model: They act as a furniture bank (like a food bank) and serve clients referred by 45 local organizations, including the YWCA, Red Cross,…

This episode, recorded on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, dives into a renewed local controversy over a children's book, the continuing national impact of the government shutdown, and an interview on the soaring prices of gold and silver.   Local & Political Fallout   Controversial Book Back on Moorhead School Shelves: The children's book "Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness" is back on the library shelves at Moorhead Public Schools after no formal request for reconsideration was submitted under policy 606. The book, recommended for ages 4 to 8, has drawn heavy criticism for framing whiteness as a system of racial oppression, including a section detailing a "contract with whiteness". The host argued the content is "way too heavy, way too advanced, and way too loaded" for young children. Activist Faith Dixon to Plead Guilty to Fraud: Local Black Lives Matter activist Faith Dixon is expected to plead guilty to felony theft charges related to defrauding the state of thousands of dollars through a non-profit organization and selling food from the Great Plains Food Bank. The plea deal is rumored to reduce her three felony charges to misdemeanors and limit her jail time to 11 months, which would keep her out of state prison. The host and listeners expressed outrage at the leniency of the proposed sentence. Government Shutdown Relief and Continuing Stalemate (Top 5 at 5): The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved a short-term, low-interest loan program (2% interest) for furloughed federal employees and local U.S. armed forces members, covering up to three months of base pay. The Senate again rejected a funding proposal to end the shutdown, which is now in its second week. Democrats are reportedly focused on Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. The shutdown is delaying federal disaster relief funds for the June tornadoes, totaling over $11 million. Fargo Crime Data: Fargo police data shows gun-related incidents remain down this year compared to the highest year on record (2022). As of the end of August, Fargo reported 18 shootings and shots-fired incidents combined. North Dakota Appointments: Kirsten Basler was confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Nicholas Chase was confirmed as the new U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota.   Business, Finance, and Markets   Gold Hits $4,000: Gold hit the $4,000 an ounce level for the first…

This episode, recorded on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, covers a major protest by Minnesota school board members regarding transgender athlete policies, the latest in the search for a murder suspect in Fargo, and an interview with an expert on how Artificial Intelligence will fundamentally change careers and daily life.   Key Moments School Board Rebellion on Transgender Athletes (Top 5 at 5): More than 100 Minnesota school board members signed a letter urging the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to comply with federal Title IX law by barring transgender athletes from girls' sports. This comes as a 10-day deadline expires Friday, after which Minnesota risks losing $1 billion in federal funding. Lisa Atkinson, a signing board member, stated the issue is about protecting female athletes and that the MSHSL's 2015 policy does not align with federal law. Fargo Murder Suspect Still at Large: Fargo police are still searching for 20-year-old Tyreek Jones, who is wanted in connection with a deadly downtown shooting that occurred on August 3rd. Police Lieutenant Tom Shaw stated the search has gone national and the investigation has not slowed down. Credit Card Debt Reaches Record High: Credit card balances in the U.S. hit $1.21 trillion in the second quarter of 2025, a 2.3% increase from the prior quarter and tying last year's all-time high. The AI Revolution: Marc Beckman, CEO and author of Some Future Day: How AI is Going to Change Everything, discusses the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence across finance, defense, health, and creative industries. Job Impact: AI will eliminate jobs across both blue-collar (factory workers) and white-collar (lawyers, accounting) sectors. Optimism vs. Fear: While acknowledging job losses, Beckman remains optimistic, stating new technologies give an advantage and create new opportunities for people who are curious and keep learning. Adaptation: He advises beginners to start by using simple AI search engines like ChatGPT or Perplexity, saying the tools are out there and accessible for anyone who knows how to read. Creative Careers: Beckman predicts man will beat machine in fields requiring human creative ingenuity, such as the arts, creative lawyering, and creative accounting. Government Shutdown Update: Congresswoman Julie Fedorchuk (R-ND) stated she is back in Bismarck and frustrated that the government shutdown continues. She laid blame on Senate Democrats, noting they had previously voted for the same spending levels in March. The Democrats are reportedly holding out to restore $200 billion in health…

This episode, recorded on Monday, October 6, 2025, covers major news about the Enderlin tornado upgrade, the uncertain future of Vikings QB Carson Wentz, and a look into employee satisfaction within Fargo city departments. The host also shares personal details about completing the Twin Cities Marathon. Key Moments Enderlin Tornado Upgraded to EF5 and Debate: The June 20th tornado that hit Enderlin, North Dakota, has been officially upgraded to an EF5, with peak winds exceeding 210 mph, making it the nation's first EF5 in 12 years and the first in North Dakota since 1957. Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki joins the show to discuss the debate within the meteorology community, stating a well-respected meteorologist believes "cherry-picked information" was used to justify the EF5 rating, suggesting slight exaggeration. Carson Wentz's Future as Vikings QB: The Minnesota Vikings secured a 21-17 comeback win against the Cleveland Browns in London. Carson Wentz led the game-winning drive, throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds left. Wentz finished the game completing 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. When asked if Wentz would remain the starter after the bye week, Coach Kevin O'Connell was vague and "noncommittal". Fargo City Departments Morale: Exit interviews from multiple Fargo city departments revealed a troubling pattern of employee complaints within the Communications Department, where management was described as "intense, rude, demeaning, and manipulative". However, interviews from Fargo Fire and Fargo Police departments were largely positive, though nearly all cited pay as the primary reason for leaving. Soybean Aid Imminent: President Trump is planning a "substantial aid package" to US soybean farmers to help them survive China's ongoing boycott of American beans. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson said the public could expect news of this support as soon as Tuesday. Twin Cities Marathon Personal Best: The host shares details about running the Twin Cities Marathon yesterday, where the starting temperature was around 70∘F, which was "way too warm". Despite the heat, he was able to achieve a personal best time and finished in the top 30 for his age group. He is on a three-year plan to qualify for the Boston Marathon, needing to cut four minutes off his time by the time he turns 60. Teddy Roosevelt Library Credit Line: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation has tapped $53 million of a $70 million line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota to cover construction costs…

This episode, recorded on Friday, October 3rd, covers major geopolitical developments, the ongoing US government shutdown, and critical local news, including a deep dive into the political and social issues facing Minneapolis and Minnesota. The conversation features an interview with the producer of the documentary A Precarious State.