Episode Summary:
Host Steve Hallstrom and producer Addison Ldiscuss a packed news day on December 10, 2025. The Federal Reserve Board's decision to lower interest rates by a quarter percent is a central topic, with analysis on its impact on small businesses and the overall economy.
The show features a deep dive into local news, including the Fargo School Board's defeat of a tax incentive for a proposed downtown apartment complex. Hallstrom and guest J. Thomas later debate the implications of such tax breaks and city spending.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to an interview with Dustin Mitzel, CEO of Happy Harry's, who shares the infuriating and threatening experience of dealing with shoplifters who stole nearly $3,000 worth of high-end tequila from his store. He discusses the measures they are taking to combat organized retail crime and protect their employees.
Other key stories include:
-
The Trump administration's removal of nearly 10,000 commercial truck drivers from US roads for failing to speak English proficiently.
-
News from PepsiCo about eliminating hundreds of products, including some snack chips varieties.
-
A North Dakota farmer facing a massive fine for violating state and federal seed laws.
-
The first woman, Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, appointed as North Dakota's Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
-
A moving "Warm Your Heart Wednesday" feature honoring Dana Fitterer of Bismarck.
-
An update on a World War II soldier from North Dakota, Staff Sergeant Irvin Ellingson, who was finally identified after 80 years.
Key Moments:
-
Federal Reserve Rate Cut: Discussion on the quarter-point interest rate reduction and its significance for small businesses and consumer confidence.
-
Shoplifting at Happy Harry's: CEO Dustin Mitzel recounts the brazen theft of high-end tequila and the challenges of protecting employees and inventory, highlighting the national issue of retail crime.
-
Fargo Tax Break Showdown: The Fargo School Board narrowly votes down a tax abatement for a downtown development, sparking a larger debate about city spending and the new state-imposed property tax cap.
-
Trucker English Proficiency: The removal of thousands of commercial drivers for not meeting English language requirements, and the necessity of the law for road safety.
-
Seed Law Violation Fine: The unexpected story of a North Dakota farmer hit with a $60,000 penalty for violating state and federal seed laws, marking the largest penalty of its kind in the state.
Would you like to hear more about the impact of the interest rate cut on small businesses, or perhaps the story of the World War II soldier's identification?