In this jam-packed Wednesday edition of the "Need to Know Morning Show," hosts Alex Taylor and Kevin Flynn navigate the shifting winds of North Dakota—from a welcome 40-degree warm-up to the chilling financial reality facing the city of Fargo. The episode features an urgent sit-down with City Commission candidate Tony Gehrig, who sounds the alarm on a staggering $1.5 billion municipal debt and the "broken" system of special assessments.
Meanwhile, the team checks in with agronomist Bridget Riedel live from a frozen Devil’s Lake for the unique "Agronomy on Ice" event. Plus, the show dives into the latest headlines, including the "smarter enforcement" drawdown of ICE personnel in Minneapolis, a mysterious disappearance involving a high-profile news family, and a look at the "mass deportations" promised by the current administration.
Standout Moments & Timestamps
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[00:01:15] – The Ruby Red Slipper Test: Kevin recaps a wild elimination party at Kingpins, where Wizard of Oz trivia and a high-stakes wheel spin sent one lucky listener to Vegas for Valentine’s Day.
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[00:11:15] – Power from the Dirt: Agronomist Bridget Riedel discusses "Bactory"—a new technology from the UK that uses soil microbes to generate electricity in farm fields.
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[00:12:45] – The SAVE Act Debate: The crew dives into the controversy surrounding voter ID requirements and the logistical hurdles of the SAVE Act for married women.
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[00:20:00] – The Minneapolis Drawdown: Tom Homan takes the podium to announce a 700-person drawdown of law enforcement personnel in the Twin Cities, citing "unprecedented cooperation" from local jails.
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[00:21:40] – Transparency & Body Cams: A major policy shift is revealed as the administration moves to prioritize full body-camera deployment for federal agents on the ground.
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[00:25:00] – Fargo is Broke: Candidate Tony Gehrig delivers a blistering critique of Fargo’s fiscal health, breaking down the $9,500 debt currently owed by every man, woman, and child in the city.
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[00:27:10] – The Special Assessment Trap: A deep dive into why Fargo is one of the only regions in the country where the city—rather than the developer—acts as the bank for new home infrastructure.