In this high-energy President's Day broadcast, Scott Hennen takes the show on the road to "The Hive" in Grand Forks, North Dakota—a burgeoning tech accelerator at the heart of America’s UAS and space revolution. The episode explores how North Dakota is transforming into a national security powerhouse, featuring deep dives into counter-drone technology, quantum computing, and the state's growing "Space Valley" ecosystem.
Beyond the tech, Scott honors the holiday by reflecting on the leadership of George Washington and modern-day impacts of the presidency. The program also features a final, staggering tally from Giving Hearts Day and an inspiring "Salute to Service" highlighting how local Lions Clubs are saving the vision of North Dakota’s children. It’s an episode that bridges the gap between the founding of a nation and its high-tech future.
Standout Moments & Timestamps
[00:05:15] Countering the Bad Actors Tom Sawyer, president of Grand Sky, breaks down the massive shift in military focus toward "Counter UAS." He explains how North Dakota is leading the charge in detecting and tracking the "bad drones" that threaten domestic infrastructure and high-profile events like the Super Bowl.
[00:09:11] What is Quantum, Anyway? Tony Belzano of Q-Station attempts to explain quantum computing to the non-technologist. The discussion covers how "extreme computing" will allow drones to prioritize 40 simultaneous threats in a nanosecond—a capability that is both exciting and terrifying.
[00:15:30] The Modern vs. Founding President Scott Hennen shares his personal reflections on President's Day, naming Donald Trump the most impactful president of his lifetime while offering a moving tribute to George Washington’s decision to "stop serving" and return to his vine and fig tree.
[00:26:25] Radios Where Verizon Won’t Go Cody Larson of Persistent Systems, a Park River native, showcases the MPU-5 radio technology. He explains how these "mobile ad hoc networks" provide life-saving communication redundancy for nuclear deterrence missions and hurricane rescue efforts.
[00:30:15] Following the Dark Money A startling segment featuring congressional testimony from Josh Hawley’s hearing reveals that over $60 million in "shadow money" from NGO networks has been funneled into coordinated protest and riot activity in Minnesota.
[00:31:45] $31 Million for Giving Hearts Pat Traynor of the Dakota Medical Foundation joins for the final Giving Hearts Day recap. He reveals that 40,000 donors generated over 70,000 donations, hitting a massive milestone of $228 million raised since the event's inception in 2008.
[00:35:10] The First Family’s Passion Governor Kelly Armstrong and First Lady Kirstie Armstrong discuss the impact of the state's recent cell phone ban in schools. They share "unsolicited positive feedback" from parents and the noticeable shift in student communication and mental health.
[00:39:20] Sight for Kids: A Nose for News Lion Julie Schwartz shares a heartwarming "Salute to Service" story about a six-month-old baby whose vision was saved by a Lions Club screening. The baby’s first act after getting glasses? Reaching out to grab her mother’s nose, which she could finally see.