🎧 Episode Summary:
It’s a stormy summer Friday on The Steve Hallstrom Show, and the heat isn’t just in the weather. Steve kicks off with a dramatic recap of a severe thunderstorm system that swept through North Dakota—complete with baseball-sized hail and an ominous storm cloud so wild it made Instagram. He shares firsthand accounts of storm aftermath, discusses the dangers of driving in extreme weather, and teases a chat with meteorologist Dean Wysocki to break down what’s still ahead.
From there, Steve dives into the day’s top stories:
• A North Dakota company lands a $309M federal contract to build 27 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
• District 25 Republicans face a roadblock from the Secretary of State on filling a vacant legislative seat.
• Over 379,000 Americans became millionaires in 2024. What’s driving the millionaire surge?
• A new data center could be coming to East Bismarck—but is it all about crypto?
• Political fallout continues from the Twin Cities shooting, with Capitol security in the spotlight.
• Plus: A fiery but thoughtful debate on tax policy, wealth, faith, and fairness in America.
Key Segments & Highlights:
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(0:00 – 3:00) Headlines preview: border wall, GOP politics, and a millionaire milestone
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(3:00 – 20:00) Storm stories from the road: Steve recounts a wild drive through hail and eerie skies
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(20:00 – 29:30) Financial news: Stock markets idle, gas prices creep, and the Federal Reserve may cut rates
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(29:30 – 39:00) Big business: Fisher Industries’ huge border wall win & Bismarck’s crypto data center proposal
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(39:00 – 48:00) Political developments: GOP drama in District 25, guns at the Capitol, and national security tensions
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(48:00 – 55:00) Wealth boom: The U.S. sees a massive millionaire jump—what does it really mean?
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(55:00 – 1:01:00) Opinion time: Are tax cuts for the rich really unfair? Steve weighs in with biblical and economic insights
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(1:01:00 – 1:06:00) Tornado anniversary reflections & Steve's weekend plans (and weather woes)