In this "working vacation" edition of the Need to Know Morning Show, Kevin Flynn joins live from the sunny Valley of the Sun in Arizona while Alex Taylor holds down the fort in the studio. The duo kicks off the week with a blend of travel logs from Kevin’s Southwest road trip—spanning the glitz of Las Vegas to the eight-lane freeways of California—and a deep dive into the political landscape.
The episode features extensive commentary from Mark Levin regarding voter ID laws and the role of ICE, alongside a heated discussion on the influence of foreign dark money in U.S. non-profits. Ag Director Bridget Riedel stops by to talk about the "Farm Bill 2.0" and why lamb might be the next big protein trend, while health expert Mariah Prussia shares tips on "resetting" after a burnout and the science behind collagen peptides. From Spring Training previews to "Do a Grouch a Favor Day," this episode covers the transition from winter's last gasp to the first signs of spring.
Standout Moments & Timestamps
[00:04:00] The Southwest Sabbatical Kevin describes his journey through Fountain Hills, AZ, and his "10,000 steps" trek in Las Vegas just to get a photo of the Sphere. He also recounts a hilarious first encounter with an EV rental car that he didn't realize was actually "on."
[00:17:00] The Voter ID Debate A breakdown of Mark Levin’s segment on why the majority of Americans (including 71% of Democrats) support voter ID, contrasting it with the "Jim Crow" narrative used by party leadership.
[00:24:00] Do a Grouch a Favor The hosts celebrate the quirky holiday "National Do a Grouch a Favor Day" and debate whether a favor can actually fix a grumpy person's disposition.
[00:35:00] The Las Vegas "Showgirl" Scam Kevin warns listeners about the tourist traps on Fremont Street, sharing his $20 lesson learned after taking a "free" photo with street performers in feather boas.
[01:05:00] Farm Bill 2.0 & The Rise of Lamb Bridget Riedel explains the updates to the Farm Bill focusing on rural development and makes a nutritional case for lamb, noting it has 40% more protein than beef.
[01:19:00] The Emerald Ash Borer Arrives A critical update for Fargo residents: the invasive emerald ash borer has been detected in the city, and Bridget advises on how to protect local trees.
[01:38:00] Rucking and Resetting Mariah Prussia discusses her recent 15-mile "ruck" with a 30-pound pack and explains why "putting your foot on the brake" for a vacation is biologically necessary to avoid cortisol burnout.
[01:52:00] Foreign Funding and "Machine" Politics Representative Jason Smith joins the conversation to discuss investigations into 501(c) non-profits allegedly funded by foreign billionaires to incite domestic unrest.
[02:01:00] Cactus League Kickoff A look ahead to Friday’s Spring Training openers in Arizona, featuring the Diamondbacks and Rockies, marking the official unofficial start of the spring season.