Steve Hallstrom kicks off a high-energy Monday edition with a mix of "Big Dance" basketball fever and heavy-hitting national news. While the NDSU men celebrate their Summit League title, the 28-win Bison women face a heartbreaking NCAA tournament snub. Steve breaks down a surprising cultural shift at the 98th Academy Awards and delivers a sobering breakdown of how the national debt—now surging toward $39 trillion—is effectively a "war tax" on your family's mortgage. Plus, a monthly sit-down with Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak on D.C.'s "vigorous agenda" and an update on the seventh American casualty in the war in Iran.
Key Moments
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Bison Basketball: Tournament Snubs and Seeds: Steve analyzes the NDSU men’s tournament draw against a potential Final Four contender in Buffalo. He voices strong frustration over the Bison women being left out of the NCAA field of 68 despite a stellar regular season, noting they will host Chattanooga in the women's NIT as a number one seed instead.
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The Oscars' Cultural Vibe Shift: In a surprising twist, Steve highlights moments from the Academy Awards that suggest a return to traditional values. He discusses Nicole Kidman sharing that going to church "centers" her and Best Actress winner Jessie Buckley dedicating her Oscar to the "beautiful chaos of a mother's heart".
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The $1 Trillion Interest Crisis: Steve breaks down a chilling CBO projection: the U.S. is on track to pay over $1 trillion in interest alone this year. He explains how this debt forces the Treasury to flood the market with bonds, crowding out mortgage money and driving 30-year fixed rates back above 6.25%.
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Monthly Visit with Julie Fedorchak: North Dakota’s lone Congresswoman joins the show to discuss the strategic necessity of military action in Iran. She also defends her decision to skip the state GOP convention, citing her "demanding" work in D.C. and the need to prioritize the June primary over a "sparsely attended" convention.
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Operation Epic Fury Update: A somber report confirms a seventh American service member has died in the war in Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reports that U.S.-Israeli strikes have diminished Iran's missile launches by 90%, even as the regime names the late Ayatollah’s son as his successor.
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The Save America Act Standstill: Steve explores the Senate’s upcoming procedural vote on the Save America Act. He breaks down the "talking filibuster" strategy that could force Democrats to explain their opposition to a photo ID requirement supported by 84% of Americans.
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The Minnesota Flag Rebellion: The movement to fly the original 1957 state flag spreads to Elk River. Steve argues this local pushback is a rejection of "virtue signaling" and a longing for the "old Minnesota" where common ground was the standard.
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A "Full Service" Gas Station Flashback: Steve shares a funny interaction at a local car wash where an employee offered to pump his gas for a dollar. He and producer Addison reflect on the rare "full service" experience and the vanishing era of self-service-only stations.