🎙️ Episode Description:
Steve Hallstrom kicks off a lively Monday show with political lightning, literal thunderstorms, and a full-on economic weather report. Joined by workforce expert Nancy Kelly and Minnesota GOP insider A.K. Kamara, Steve tackles everything from labor market slowdowns and job-hopping Gen Z-ers, to Minneapolis’s potential socialist mayor and what Nicole Mitchell’s resignation really means for the Minnesota Senate.
Meanwhile, downtown Fargo and downtown Minneapolis tell two very different tales — and we hear about condos, barndominiums, and a surprising real estate boom in… Colfax?
🕵️ Top Moments & Timestamps:
[00:00] – 🌤️ Weather, Weekend, and Molly Hatchet
Steve shares his weekend vibes, talks Grand Rapids rock shows, and gives a North Dakota weather wrap-up.
[06:30] – 📉 Economic Pulse with Nancy Kelly
Nancy Kelly of Labor Masters joins to discuss shifting labor trends:
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Fewer job-hoppers
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Gig workers struggling
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Businesses cautiously hiring
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Real estate slowdown
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Why 2025 grads are having a tougher time than expected
[36:00] – 🏘️ Colfax Is Booming!?
Steve and Nancy discuss the growth of Colfax, ND — with barndominiums, an $11M event center, and affordable rural living just 20 minutes from Fargo.
[45:30] – 🌆 Downtown Fargo vs. Downtown Minneapolis
Is downtown Fargo enjoying a revival? And has Minneapolis hit rock bottom? Nancy and Steve compare urban trends.
[51:00] – 📢 Hot Headlines: The 4 PM Rapid Fire Round-Up
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Nicole Mitchell’s resignation: What does her two-week timeline mean for MN’s Senate balance?
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Cass County finance director steps down
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ND wages up 4.6%
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Disaster declarations for tornado-affected counties
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Pheasant crow counts rising (yes, seriously)
[1:06:00] – 🏈 Sports Corner
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Bison football picked to win Missouri Valley
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Vikings training camp kicks off
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Steve hosting a WDAY Vikings preseason special (July 31)
[1:11:00] – 📰 News with Austin Erickson
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WWII vet’s remains finally identified
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Romance scams hitting rural ND hard
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Grand Forks budget woes
[1:17:00] – ⛅ Weather Check with Leah Jones
Storms are coming… but summer vibes continue.
[1:20:00] – 🗣️ Nancy Kelly Part 2: Labor & Faith
Nancy shares her perspective on Trump-era policies, interest rates, and why small business owners are stuck in a holding pattern.
[1:32:00] – 🎙️ Scott Hennen Joins In
The legendary ND broadcaster reflects on:
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Losing a dear friend
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The importance of faith in grief
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How local media shapes public discourse
[1:50:00] – 🏛️ A.K. Kamara: Socialists in Charge?
A.K. gives the lowdown on:
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Nicole Mitchell’s delayed resignation
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The Senate power play in Woodbury
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Why Omar Fateh’s rise in Minneapolis is worrying — even for Democrats
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The reality of ranked choice voting and soft crime policies