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Episode Summary:

In this solo, spirited edition of The Steve Hallstrom Show, Steve dives deep into what Fargo’s been buzzing about — from faith and civic engagement to football frustrations and local leadership.

Building on yesterday’s emotional talk about Commissioner Michelle Turnberg’s stand for conviction and faith, Steve reflects on the ripple effect it’s had across the community. He fields listener reactions, unpacks the latest Convention Center debate, and brings humor and heart to everyday issues that shape Fargo’s future.

Between football metaphors, faith reflections, and a few playful jabs at local headlines, Steve reminds listeners why showing up — in life, politics, and prayer — still matters.

Key Moments & Highlights:

🕒 (0:00 - 3:42)
Steve kicks off with reflections on the Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom ceremony and the outpouring of support for Michelle Turnberg’s bold stance on faith in public life.

🕒 (4:00 - 9:18)
🏈 Football & Faith: A wry take on the Vikings’ latest loss and how perseverance on the field mirrors perseverance in civic life. “Sometimes you just gotta play the next down,” Steve quips.

🕒 (10:10 - 17:25)
🗳️ Civic Courage: Steve reads listener messages about getting more involved in school board and city meetings. He challenges complacency and celebrates everyday citizens who step up.

🕒 (17:25 - 28:15)
🏗️ Convention Center Chronicles: Updates on Fargo’s four finalist sites. Steve weighs the pros and cons of each and calls for fiscal sanity and transparent decision-making.

🕒 (28:30 - 38:40)
💭 Faith in the Public Square: Steve dives into how faith informs leadership — not as a weapon, but as a compass. A heartfelt segment that connects belief with service.

🕒 (39:00 - 46:55)
🎙️ Hallstrom’s Closing Thoughts:

“If we all showed up with a little more faith, a little less fear, this city would be unstoppable.”
A reflective and empowering close that ties together faith, civic duty, and community pride.

Concordia Cobbers Football head coach Terry Horan and Moorhead Spuds Football head coach Kevin Feeney join host Greg Burd for the 2025 Coaches Corner Podcast! This week they discuss this past week’s games, confidence in a team on a weekly basis, and how coaches build confidence and what about a players head space each week getting ready for a game.  Plus, they preview this week’s upcoming games.   Sponsors: Third Drop Coffee Brady’s Service Camrud Foss Concrete

Episode Summary:

In this compelling Fargo-focused episode, Steve Hallstrom dives deep into the biggest stories shaping the region — from local crashes and health updates to national headlines — before turning the spotlight on the high-stakes race for Fargo’s new Convention Center.

Mayor Tim Mahoney joins Steve to reveal why four finalist sites are moving forward and how the city plans to choose a winner responsibly. Later, Commissioner Michelle Turnberg opens up in a candid, heartfelt interview about attending the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service, her renewed faith and courage in public life, and her viral call to name a new school Charlie Kirk Elementary.

Hallstrom closes the hour reflecting on the need for everyday citizens to “show up” at local meetings — a rallying cry for civic engagement and conviction.

Key Moments & Highlights:

🕒 (0:00 - 1:04)

Steve kicks off with “The Rule of Four” — four Convention Center finalists, four-car crash victims, and a fourfold rise in West Nile cases — setting up a lively afternoon show.

🕒 (2:16 - 6:52)

A preview of guests and hot topics: Mayor Mahoney at 4:20, Commissioner Turnberg at 4:40, and coverage of President Trump posthumously awarding Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

🕒 (10:11 - 20:30)

📍 Interview: Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney

Mahoney details how the Convention Center selection narrowed from nine to four sites:

• Brujala Site: strong design and green space appeal.

• Shields Arena: multipurpose potential.

• Downtown Site: energy and walkability.

• FargoDome: surprise “entertainment district” twist.

  He emphasizes fiscal responsibility — “a small loss is acceptable, but not a million-dollar one” — and reassures taxpayers that property taxes won’t rise to fund the project.

🕒 (21:07 - 25:09)

🎖️ Tribute Segment: The Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony

Steve transitions to the emotional White House moment honoring Charlie Kirk. Social media reaction ranges from cynical to deeply respectful of widow Erica Kirk’s grace and strength.

🕒 (25:09 - 34:17)

📍 Interview: Commissioner Michelle Turnberg

A deeply personal segment.

• Michelle recounts traveling to Phoenix for Kirk’s memorial — “life-changing,” she says.

• Shares her admiration for speakers like Vice President J.D. Vance, and witnessing Erica Kirk publicly forgive her husband’s killer.

• Explains how the experience renewed her resolve to “be bold, be brave, speak the truth.”

• Defends her call to name Fargo’s new school Charlie Kirk Elementary: “I stand by that 100%.”

🕒 (35:01 - 40:59)

Steve praises Turnberg’s courage:

“That woman’s a treasure… She’s in the war zone of local politics and doesn’t flinch.”

He urges listeners to attend local meetings — school board, city, county — arguing that civic presence itself is powerful advocacy.

🕒 (40:59 - 44:37)

💬 Community reflections:

Steve fields texts about civic involvement, jokes about running for office (“No interest — I like hanging with Addison”), and closes with a call to action:

“If we all went to just one meeting a month, it would change the direction of this city.”

The Need to Know Morning Show discusses a wide array of topics, from local weather (noting the absence of snow and the coming rain) and sports (Bison QB Cole Payton is Offensive Player of the Week ) to the latest political developments.

The hosts cover the absurdity of the upcoming "No King's Rally" planned to protest President Trump, reading the protest's press release and countering the claims of "authoritarian actions". A major segment is dedicated to an explosive investigative report by Peter Schweitzer regarding New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, whose family has deep financial ties to Qatar's royal family—the same family that harbored 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Schweitzer calls the election a "dark echo of the 9-11 terrorist attack".

In the final hour, Senator John Kennedy discusses his new book, How to Test Negative for Stupid, and breaks down the ongoing "Schumer Shutdown," calling it a reflection of the "absurd demands of the socialist wing of the democratic party". He is prepared to stay shut down rather than agree to undo a bill and spend $1.5 trillion. The show also celebrates Charlie Kirk's birthday as his family is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Standout Moments:

• Peter Schweitzer reveals New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's family is financially tied to the Qatari royal family that harbored 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, calling the election a "dark echo of the 9-11 terrorist attack." (00:11:00)
• Peter Schweitzer notes that the International Quran News Agency (Iran) and a news publication linked to Hezbollah (Lebanon) are cheering on Mamdani's campaign. (00:13:28)
• Host reads the press release for the No King's Rally to protest President Trump and questions what specific "authoritarian actions and overreach of power" the president has committed. (00:04:39)
• Dean Wysocki reports that temperatures will stay chilly, only reaching 50 today, with scattered showers in the afternoon, but a large storm system is not in sight yet. (00:06:18)
• Bridgette Readel discusses weed zappers, a new piece of equipment that uses high-power electricity to kill weeds and terminate cover crops as an alternative to late-season pesticides. (00:20:06)
• Jesse Watters quotes President Trump, who calls his peace deal with Israel and Hamas the "historic dawn of a new Middle East" and a new "golden age." (00:27:00)
• Senator John Kennedy describes the Senate during the shutdown: "It's like the game room in a mental hospital." (00:37:46)
• Senator John Kennedy states he would lock Senator Schumer and Katie Porter in a room and tell them they can't come out until they make a deal to end the government shutdown. (00:38:23)

Broadcasting live from the 19th Annual UAS Summit and Expo at the Alaris Center in Grand Forks, Scott and Kevin discuss the critical role of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, in national defense and their transformative commercial applications in agriculture and infrastructure. Key guests, Grand Sky founder Tom Sawyer and Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski, highlight the area's rapid innovation and economic growth, positioning Grand Forks as "the base of the future."

In the "Money, Markets, and Metals" segment, David Fisher of Landmark Capital explains the global "debasement trade" driving the bull market in gold and silver, and praises President Trump for securing deals with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. The hosts also take a moment to honor Charlie Kirk on his birthday, who is being posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Political commentary focuses on the "No King's Rally" absurdity and the ongoing Schumer shutdown, which Senator John Hoeven confirms Democrats are prolonging to coordinate with the rally.

Standout Moments:

• Host reflects on the UND hockey sweep over the St. Thomas Tommies, humorously using the derogatory term "cake-eaters." (00:01:21)
• David Fisher announces that major pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and AstraZeneca have signed deals allowing 100 million American patients to save up to 80% on prescriptions due to President Trump's "Most Favored Nation" negotiation. (00:03:57)
• David Fisher explains the "debasement trade," detailing how massive unmanageable global debt is forcing central banks to inflate their way out, driving a major bull market in gold and silver. (00:04:36)
• Host announces that President Trump is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk's family on what would have been his birthday. (00:10:48)
• Grand Sky founder Tom Sawyer explains that UAS technology is used for the "dull, the dirty, and the dangerous work," and notes that counter-drone development is critical for national defense after Ukraine used drones to decimate the Russian Air Force. (00:16:03)
• The hosts and a caller mock the absurdity of the "No King's Rally," pointing out that the rally itself proves there is no king in America, and reveal Democrats are coordinating with the protest to delay the government shutdown resolution. (00:20:47)
• Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski speaks about the area's relentless pursuit of UAS technology, stating that Grand Forks Air Force Base is now called "the base of the future." (00:33:04)
• Senator John Hoeven confirms the Air Force has picked Grand Forks Air Force Base for their Point Defense Battle Lab to develop counter-UAS technology, noting that the base is unique for having private sector companies operating on Air Force land. (00:36:09)
• Senator John Hoeven criticizes the "Schumer shutdown," stating Democrats are prolonging the issue and should open the government before dealing with their other issues. (00:37:12)

This episode of The Steve Hallstrom Show addresses the escalating national political crisis at the border, the growing economic debate over government spending, and continues the local discussion on Fargo's approach to homelessness.

Key Moments

National Crisis and Political Strategy

• The Southern Border Crisis Escalates: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new figures showing 435,000 illegal immigrant encounters in the previous month—the highest monthly total in U.S. history. President Biden's strategy is being criticized as a "massive mistake" designed to facilitate movement into the interior of the U.S..
• $2 Trillion Spending Showdown: The White House is engaging in intense debate over $2 trillion in requested spending, with Republicans signaling they will not support a bill. The dispute highlights a clash between funding military and aid to Israel versus maintaining or increasing federal social programs.
• Nikki Haley's Surge: Nikki Haley has emerged as a significant threat in primary polling, now within single digits of President Trump in key states like New Hampshire. The host notes that a failure by the Trump campaign to take Haley seriously could be a "massive mistake".

Local Issues: Homelessness and Education

• The "Victimology" Debate in Fargo: The host continued his critique of the city's approach to homelessness, arguing that policies are rooted in a "victimology" ideology that discourages accountability. This mentality is viewed as detrimental to the "fundamental principles of Western Civilization".
• Education Policy Critique: The segment includes criticism that American education prioritizes "feelings" over "facts". The host warns that emphasizing emotional validation over objective truth prepares students for "victimhood" rather than competence.

Markets and Money

• Oil and Gold Climb: WTI Crude Oil saw a sharp increase, finishing at $81.93 per barrel, while Gold continued its safe-haven rally, closing at a new record high of $4,142 per ounce.
• Mortgage Rates Ease: The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.12%, suggesting the market is beginning to price in expected rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.
• Targeting the Middle Class: The host argued that government policies are increasingly targeting the middle class. This segment posits that the middle class is uniquely vulnerable to high taxes and regulations because they are "neither rich enough for tax shelters nor poor enough for government subsidies".

The show begins with coverage of a historic day: President Trump's trip to Israel and Egypt to secure peace and the release of 20 hostages, with Trump declaring the end of an "age of terror and death". Mark Levin, "The Great One," argues that the peace deal must not be the end of the peace process, calling on the West and Arab nations to confront the root cause of the problem: Islamist terrorism. The hosts discuss what's next, including the rebuilding of Gaza, and JD Vance weighs in on Trump's unconventional diplomatic style that "actually got results". Also featured is an interview with Bridget Riedel on agricultural technology and a conversation with Mariah Prusha about her prepper mindset, including butchering chickens for bone broth and training with military veterans to gain self-sufficiency skills. The episode also includes a check of the weather and sports scores.

Standout Moments:

• President Trump declares a "historic dawn of a new Middle East" and thanks Arab and Muslim nations for pressing Hamas to release hostages. (00:00:27)
• Mark Levin's "think bigger" monologue warns that Islamist terrorism is the "greatest danger and threat" and must be eliminated for permanent peace. (00:05:43)
• Discussion of a listener text about the impact of the government shutdown on soybean farmers who are not receiving aid checks. (00:18:03)
• Bridgette Readel, ag director, discusses the upcoming WDAY Radio Farm Show on November 5th , and emerging technologies like "Power Pollen" for precision pollination. (00:25:28)
• JD Vance praises President Trump's "nonconventional leadership style" for achieving the peace deal and hostage release. (00:30:16)
• JD Vance addresses the "fake story" of a Qatari military base on U.S. soil, confirming they are only training pilots on existing air bases. (00:33:43)
• Travel Travel's Cindy discusses a hot deal for a trip to the Scottish Highlands in January out of Fargo for under $2,000. (00:37:05)
• Mariah Prussia shares her experience butchering chickens for soup with listeners and her motivation for learning survival and self-sufficiency skills, which she believes is a question of "when" not "if" they will be needed. (00:46:27)
• Mariah Prussia talks about her upcoming training, including learning how to forge knives, make salt from the wild, hand-to-hand combat, and special comms, some of which will be taught by retired Navy SEALs and Delta Force. (00:51:56)
• Mariah Prussia's motto, which she wants on a T-shirt, is: "I will not be SOLed" (00:54:19)

Host Scott broadcasts live from the Twin Cities, covering a monumental day in geopolitics: President Trump's trip to Israel and Egypt for peace talks, which is seeing the release of hostages. He also dives into domestic issues, including the debate over Obamacare subsidies and how they're driving up costs for consumers and contributing to government shutdown discussions. Scott chats with North Dakota Insurance Commissioner John Gottfried about health care reform and Newsmax's Greg Kelly about the geopolitical breakthroughs, calling it a "crowning achievement" of the Trump administration. The show wraps up with listener feedback on everything from the Trump-led peace efforts and the "Epstein files" to a bizarre story about "furry" chaperones on a school art field trip in the Midway School District.

Standout Moments:

• Scott reflects on the new name of the arena in the Twin Cities, saying "Grand Casino Arena" doesn't flow off the tongue. (00:00:27)
• Discussion of the UND hockey team's "destination game" against St. Thomas last night, which UND won. (00:01:05)
• Scott talks about a "quiet news day" that includes hostage releases and President Trump in Israel giving a speech, now headed to Egypt for a peace summit. (00:03:07)
• North Dakota State Tax Commissioner John Godfread is worried about rates going up in North Dakota because of changes in the Affordable Care Act. (00:04:36
• Bridgette Readel, ag director, shares details about the upcoming WDAY Radio Farm Show on Wednesday, November the 5th, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. (00:06:58)
• Discussion of "geomining" using plants like yellow daisies, canola, pennycress, and sunflowers to hyperaccumulate and extract nickel. (00:10:48)
• President Trump's speech in Jerusalem, discussing a "victory" and congratulating Bibi Netanyahu for having the courage to say "that's it," and that the hostages have been brought home. (00:13:30)
• Insurance Commissioner John Gottfried highlights that health care costs are the underlying cause of high premiums, and without reforming the system, insurance will be expensive. (00:23:07)
• A caller recounts how Obamacare allegedly caused the American Crystal Sugar lockout in 2010 and how good health care packages for employees have been decimated. (00:32:00)
• Listener Crystal suggests President Trump come to the Fargo Dome, where he'd fill the place, either coming or going from the opening day of the Theodore Roosevelt Library in Medora. (00:35:58)
• Scott reads a listener's text about a Midway School District art field trip where two chaperones identified as "furries" (one cat/fox, one bug) and acted in a way that made the middle school girl and her classmate uncomfortable. (00:40:11)

This episode, hosted by Andrew Sletten, on the one-month anniversary of the Charlie Kirk assassination, frames the growing homeless crisis in Fargo as a battle of ideologies, contrasting "freedom and responsibility" with the "victimology" mindset he argues is perpetuated by progressive policies.

Fargo's Homeless & Policy Debate

• The "San Francisco" Path: The host, who works and invests downtown, warns that Fargo is currently taking a policy path that has previously "ruined" West Coast cities like San Francisco. He attributes the core of the crisis not to poverty, but to untreated mental illness and drug addiction.
• The Problem with "Housing First": Sletten heavily criticized the "Housing First" initiative—a policy that prioritizes giving homeless individuals an apartment before addressing addiction or mental illness.

  • He cited a 12-year Harvard study and a National Academies of Science study suggesting this policy has led to no better outcomes and sometimes worse outcomes due to the lack of mandatory treatment.
  • The host noted that the cost of providing a full apartment without accountability is "astronomical" and "unsustainable".

• The "Victimology" Mindset: Sletten argued that a "victimology" mindset, prevalent in progressive policy, prevents holding individuals accountable for public actions like defecating on private property. He stressed that while trauma is real, holding individuals to a standard of responsibility is necessary to maintain a "polite society".
• The Ambulance Abuse Scheme: A former EMT shared a startling observation: homeless individuals in the downtown area would frequently call for an ambulance ride to Sanford Hospital (costing thousands of dollars) and then immediately sign themselves out upon arrival, using the ambulance as a "cheaper than Uber" taxi service. This resulted in emergency services being tied up and unavailable for life-threatening calls.
• Proposed Solution: Shelter First: Sletten proposed a "shelter first" approach that incorporates incremental, reward-based housing. He cited a study in Birmingham, Alabama, where success rates increased when individuals were offered private rooms as an incentive to pass a drug test.

The "What's on Your Mind" Friday edition opens with Kev (filling in for Scott, who is momentarily delayed ) providing a recap of the massive and enthusiastic Turning Point USA event honoring the late Charlie Kirk at the Chester Fritz Auditorium in Grand Forks the previous night. Chris Larson, from the news department, reports that nearly 2,000 people attended the event headlined by Glenn Beck, who opened with a profound, personal story on his life journey and shared his famous "question everything" philosophy.

The hosts dive into an extended "free-for-all" discussion on the healthcare crisis, prompted by a listener's question about how Obamacare premiums are going to increase by over 200% when the ACA enhanced tax credits expire. Caller James shares his experience with subsidized but "crappy" insurance, having to manage his income to avoid paying back subsidies. Caller Cindy, a leukemia patient, gives a powerful breakdown of how government, big pharma, and insurance companies have ruined the doctor-patient relationship, leading to insane costs with no price transparency. Scott and James argue that the current system is an unsustainable "dumpster fire," intentionally set up by socialist Democrats to bankrupt the federal government and force a single-payer system. Scott proposes a unique solution for North Dakota: using a slice of the Legacy Fund dollars to develop a state-managed risk pool and opt out of the federal health care mess entirely.

The episode also touches on the "Schumer Shutdown," criticizing the Senate Minority Leader for saying, "every day gets better for us" while military and law enforcement personnel have delayed paychecks.

Standout Moments:

• 0:04:18: Chris Larson recounts the massive crowd and emotional atmosphere at the Charlie Kirk memorial event in Grand Forks, noting only one single protester showed up.
• 0:05:43: The hosts discuss their bingo board for the Turning Point USA halftime show lineup, suggesting Jason Aldean, Ted Nugent, and Kid Rock.
• 0:07:05: Discussion about the "enhanced tax credits" in Obamacare, which they call the "dirty little secret" that subsidizes health care for people of means with taxpayer dollars.
• 0:10:04: Caller James explains the perverse incentive of the Obamacare subsidy, where if he makes too much money, he has to pay back the subsidy in a "sticker shock" moment.
• 0:15:52: Caller Cindy (a leukemia patient) explains the "dumpster fire" of the current medical system, saying she has "no idea" what anything costs when she goes to the hospital.
• 0:17:47: Scott suggests a mandatory "math proficiency test" for anyone entering Congress because many don't understand that "one plus one equals two".
• 0:18:29: Scott proposes North Dakota use its Legacy Fund dollars to opt out of the federal health care system and create a free state-run risk pool.
• 0:25:22: Glenn Beck's profound wisdom from the event: "Question with boldness even the very existence of God for if there be a God He must surely rather honest questioning over Blindfolded fear".
• 0:25:52: Glenn Beck praises Charlie Kirk, saying he "surpassed all of us" and was like a machine, clearly "a gift from God ordained now a martyr".