Archives: Episodes

Host Scott Hennen kicks off a high-stakes Monday exploring the "colossal battle of wills" in Minnesota. Following a tragic weekend shooting in Minneapolis, the show investigates the discovery of secret "Signal Gate" chat groups allegedly used by state officials to track federal agents. Scott is joined by former North Dakota Governor Ed Schaefer to discuss an "off-ramp" for the violence, while "Mr. Wonderful" Kevin O'Leary drops in to announce a major financial literacy initiative and fire back at "reckless media" following a legal victory.

The episode also dives into "Moorhead’s Minneapolis moment," with a deep dive into recent city council comments regarding ICE operations, and a look at the future of North Dakota’s ag economy with state senator Paul Thomas.

Standout Moments

[00:07:30] A Way Out: The Schaefer Proposal Former Governor Ed Schaefer offers a strategic solution to the Minneapolis standoff: a "50% pullout" of federal agents in exchange for full state cooperation in identifying and removing the "worst of the worst" criminal offenders.

[00:13:45] Trump Accounts:Kevin O’Leary’s Vision "Mr. Wonderful" joins the show to discuss "Trump Accounts"—a transformational plan to seed every child at birth with $1,000 invested in the S&P 500. O'Leary argues this is the key to bipartisan financial literacy and long-term independence from government reliance.

[00:16:15] Mr. Wonderful Unfiltered: Clearing the Name Kevin O'Leary addresses a recently dismissed lawsuit in North Dakota, slamming "bottom-feeder" lawyers and "reckless media" for shoddy journalism. He announces he is hiring an AI team to scrape every headline to ensure legal accountability for defamation.

[00:19:45] The "Trump Truce" and Signal Gate Scott breaks down the news of a phone call between Governor Tim Walz and President Trump. He contrasts the "olive branch" with reports of an encrypted Signal network involving the Lieutenant Governor used to swarm law enforcement.

[00:30:45] E15 and the Ag Crisis State Senator Paul Thomas recaps President Trump’s recent trip to Iowa. They discuss why year-round E15 is a "win-win" that could consume 2 billion bushels of domestic corn oversupply and provide a lifeline to struggling North Dakota farmers.

[00:35:10] Money, Markets, and Japan’s Warning Landmark Gold’s David Fisher explains why silver is up a staggering 56% this year. He draws a direct line between Japan’s failing bond market and the "Sell America" trade currently pushing investors toward physical gold.

[00:40:15] Moorhead: The New Minneapolis? The show closes with a critical look at the Moorhead City Council. Scott and Kevin Flynn analyze comments from Mayor Shelley Carlson and Councilwoman Lisa Borgen regarding "Constitutional Observer Training" and the city's stance on federal warrants.

The Jay Thomas Show from Wednesday January 28th, 2026.  Guests include your calls and emails.

In a heavy-hitting mid-week edition, Steve Hallstrom tackles the intensifying cultural war in Minneapolis and the moral crossroads facing the region. As "Operation Metro Surge" continues, Steve makes an impassioned plea to "stay the course" on law and order despite escalating protests and political fracturing. The show features a profound open letter from a Minneapolis pastor on the "parable of the Minnesota decline" and provides a sobering reminder of why federal enforcement began in the first place by reading the names of over 100 U.S. citizens killed by illegal migrants. Plus, the latest on North Dakota’s population boom and the ongoing debate over universal school meals.

Key Moments

• A State of 800,000: Steve highlights new data showing North Dakota has likely surpassed 800,000 residents, growing 50% faster than the rest of the country as births and migration outpace deaths and departures.

• The "Parable of Minnesota": Steve reads a powerful letter from Pastor Levi Secord of Roseville, who argues that "leftism is anti-civilization" and warns Christians that they cannot abandon the political sphere and expect to live in peace.

• The List You Won't Hear Elsewhere: To provide context for the ICE operations in the Twin Cities, Steve reads a "disturbingly long" list compiled by Fox Business anchor Liz McDonald, naming scores of Americans—including Lakin Riley and Kate Steinle—killed by illegal immigrants.

• Cancel Culture and Paul Allen: Steve defends Minnesota Vikings announcer Paul Allen, who faced backlash for jokingly asking if "paid protesters" get hazard pay. Steve provides research showing community organizer job postings with $45k–$65k salaries as proof that professional protesting is a reality.

• A Thaw in the Cold? A professional phone call between President Trump and Governor Tim Walz suggests a possible shift in cooperation as Tom Homan arrives in Minneapolis to oversee ICE operations.

• The School Lunch Debate Continues: Following the Senate's rejection of a universal free meal bill, Steve discusses Governor Kelly Armstrong’s take that the measure will almost certainly pass if it reaches a public ballot in November.

• Constitutional Observer Training: Hundreds gather at a Moorhead church to learn how to lawfully document ICE actions. Steve questions the "manufactured outrage" of the movement while acknowledging the high stakes of federal enforcement.

• The "Freest State" Playbook: Steve plays a clip of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis explaining how his state avoids Minneapolis-style chaos by legally requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Coaches Corner Podcast host, Greg Burd, of Flag Family Media is joined each week by MSUM men’s basketball head coach, Jason Kemp, and MSUM women’s basketball head coach, Karla Nelson. This week the coaches discuss team identity, players work ethic, and more.   The Coaches Corner Podcast is brought to you by: Valley Imports/Valley Pre-Owned Camrud Foss Concrete Third Drop Coffee Brady’s Service Center

In this intense and wide-ranging Tuesday edition of What’s On Your Mind, host Scott Hennen dives headfirst into what he describes as a "colossal battle between good and evil" currently playing out in the streets of Minneapolis. With federal agents clashing with organized activists and local leadership, Scott asks the fundamental question: Is unity even possible when one side thrives on dissension?

The episode features a deep-dive forensic analysis of the recent ICE-related shooting with retired NYPD Detective Harry Houck, an investigation into the "Signal Gate" encrypted messaging network used by protesters, and a "Trooper Talk" segment with Captain Brian Ewan on the dangers of winter driving and the consequences of disregarding law enforcement instructions. Plus, a look at why North Dakota’s clean coal is literally saving lives during the current Arctic blast.

Standout Moments

[00:05:30] The Parable of the Sower & Modern Chaos Dana from Williston joins the show to discuss a modern twist on biblical parables, comparing the current political unrest in Minnesota to the sowing of "weeds" by an orchestrator of chaos.

[00:15:20] Signal Gate: The Smoking Gun Scott breaks down the reports of a highly organized criminal enterprise in Minneapolis using the encrypted app Signal. He discusses how protesters are reportedly tracking ICE agents in real-time, documenting license plates, and swarming federal officers at hotels and restaurants.

[00:45:10] Forensic Analysis: The Alex Pretty Shooting Retired NYPD Detective Harry Houck joins the program to slow down the video of the recent fatal altercation in Minneapolis. He analyzes the "furtive moves" made during the scrum and argues that if local police had been allowed to provide crowd control, no one would be dead.

[01:06:45] The Holocaust Museum Rebukes Tim Walz Scott highlights the official statement from the U.S. Holocaust Museum regarding Governor Tim Walz’s comparison of illegal immigrants to Anne Frank, calling the rhetoric "deeply offensive" and a "despicable exploitation of genocide."

[01:32:00] Coal: The Backbone of the Cold Snap Jonathan Fortner of the Lignite Energy Council explains why the Midwest grid would have failed during the current deep freeze without coal. He reveals that wind power dropped to just 2% during the storm's peak, while coal provided north of 40% of the region’s electricity.

[01:55:30] Trooper Talk: 104 MPH in Zero Visibility Captain Brian Ewan of the North Dakota Highway Patrol shares a shocking story of a recent arrest on I-29 where a driver was clocked at over 100 mph while the road was officially closed due to whiteout conditions.

[02:11:15] Fresh Pursuit and the Dukes of Hazzard Law A fascinating listener question leads Captain Ewan to explain "fresh pursuit" laws—how and when North Dakota troopers can legally cross state lines into Minnesota to continue a chase.

Hosts Kevin Flynn and Alex Taylor navigate a high-tension Tuesday as the "Arctic meter" drops and political unrest in Minneapolis reaches a boiling point. The episode centers on the White House’s strategic personnel shake-up, dispatching "Border Czar" Tom Homan to Minnesota to lower the temperature following a tragic shooting during an ICE operation.

The team breaks down the "war of rhetoric" coming from Governor Tim Walz, explores the sophisticated nature of organized "ICE Watch" agitators, and asks why the media's tune has changed since the Obama era. Between the heavy political analysis, they find time for "Thomas Crapper Day," the science of short-stature corn, and the ultimate "true grit" leadership needed to stabilize a country on the edge.

Standout Moments

[00:11:03] The Homan Reset: "Daddy’s Home" A deep dive into why President Trump pulled Chief Greg Bovino and sent in Tom Homan. The hosts discuss Homan's history—including receiving the Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama—and argue that his "tough but fair" reputation is a signal to local officials that the "party is over" regarding non-cooperation.

[00:21:45] The Art of War in Minnesota Kevin applies Sun Tzu’s The Art of War to current events, explaining that the White House isn't "blinking" or "retreating." Instead, they are adapting tactics to subdue enemies without direct combat while exposing the "clown show" of local leadership.

[00:30:15] Encrypted Mayhem: Inside "Minnesota ICE Watch" The team analyzes reports of organized insurgents using the encrypted app Signal to track federal agents and document license plates. They highlight a chilling video of "orders" being sent to swarm agents, calling the movement both lethal and suicidal.

[00:33:10] Pranks and Bra Brands at the Hollywood Sign A lighter look at "Hollyweird" news, featuring Sydney Sweeney’s unauthorized publicity stunt involving stringing up bras on the iconic Hollywood sign to promote her new line.

[00:43:40] True Grit and the MP Logic A powerful conversation with a caller named Grant regarding "true grit" leadership. Kevin responds to a friend's "assassination" claims by using a military police (MP) analogy, questioning the logic of those who interfere with lawful warrants and then cry foul when tragedy strikes.

[00:46:20] Jonathan Turley’s Legal Analysis Professor Jonathan Turley weighs in on the Minneapolis shooting, noting the administration's initial "unforced errors" in their account while maintaining that Minnesota officials must stop using "Anne Frank" analogies for political gain.

[00:50:30] Caroline Leavitt Brings the Receipts White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt reminds the room that Tom Homan was "their guy" during the Obama administration, using old Washington Post headlines to subdue the "Nazi" and "Gestapo" narratives.

The Jay Thomas Show from Tuesday January 27th, 2026.  Guests include Jake Coulter and Matt Carlsen.

Disagreements don’t have to mean division. In a special 10 o'clock hour, Steve Hallstrom is joined by North Dakota State Representative Greg Stemen (R-Fargo) for an honest, "inside the ropes" debate on universal free school meals. While Steve remains a fiscal hawk, Stemen explains his pragmatic shift toward supporting the bill to prevent a permanent constitutional mandate. The show also dives into the "stunning" exit of Chris Maddell from the Minnesota GOP governor’s race, the return of cancel culture targeting a beloved Vikings announcer, and a look at why gold and silver prices are reaching historic new highs.

Key Moments

• The Stemen-Hallstrom Debate: State Representative Greg Stemen opens up about his co-sponsorship of the universal school lunch bill. He argues that passing it through the legislature allows for future budgetary control, whereas a successful ballot measure would enshrine the $70 million-a-year program in the state constitution forever.

• GOP Governor Race Stunner: Chris Maddell abruptly ends his bid for Minnesota Governor, citing the Trump administration’s "Operation Metro Surge" as a bridge too far. Steve analyzes the fallout as other Minnesota Republicans begin to distance themselves from federal ICE operations.

• The "Hazard Pay" Firestorm: Steve defends Minnesota Vikings play-by-play voice Paul Allen, who faced immediate "cancel culture" backlash after jokingly asking if paid protesters get "hazard pay" in the sub-zero cold. Steve argues that the reaction is manufactured outrage in an era where community organizing has become a professional industry.

• Gold and Silver Surge: Steve breaks down a historic morning in the markets, where gold officially topped $5,000 an ounce and silver climbed past $100 as traders react to global instability and aggressive tariff talk.

• The Alex Pretty Aftermath: Steve features an insightful analysis from combat veteran and gun expert Johnny Joey Jones regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretty in Minneapolis. Jones stresses that while the shooting was tragic, carrying a weapon into a high-stress police operation is a catastrophic lapse in common sense.

• Fargo Dome’s "Entertainment District": Dave Supas, President of the Fargo Dome Authority, shares his vision for a $200 million expansion that would include a hotel, connected walkway, and a "Dinkytown-style" plaza to revitalize the North side.

• Cockroaches and Construction: Steve clears the air regarding reports of pests at the West Acres Mall food court, confirming that a small, isolated problem found during demolition has been thoroughly addressed.

Hosts Kevin Flynn and Alex Taylor dive into a heavy Monday broadcast as the standoff between federal ICE agents and Minnesota state leadership reaches a fever pitch. Following a tragic weekend shooting of a local ICU nurse, the show explores the "battle of wills" in Minneapolis. Kevin delivers a fiery critique of what he calls "libtard nonsense"—the narrative that ICE is a "Nazi private army" hunting citizens—while Alex breaks down the discovery of secret Signal chat groups allegedly used by politicians to coordinate resistance.

Beyond the political powder keg, the team celebrates a Hairball concert weekend, previews a "rematch Super Bowl" between Seattle and New England, and gets a health and identity "reprogramming" lesson from Mariah Prussia.

Standout Moments

[00:12:00] The "Nazi Private Army" Rhetoric Kevin Flynn erupts over social media posts and media narratives claiming ICE officers are "Rounding up people of color like Nazis." Flynn argues that this rhetoric is a dangerous distraction from the multi-billion dollar fraud investigations currently plaguing the Walz and Frey administrations.

[00:15:30] Signal-Gate: Encrypted Insurrection? Alex Taylor breaks down reporting on secret Signal chat groups involving Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor and former staffers. The team discusses allegations that these groups provide real-time instructions to "vigilantes" to swarm federal agents, document license plates, and block law enforcement vehicles.

[00:19:45] The "Tough Guy Tim" Phone Call Breaking news: President Trump reveals a phone call from Governor Tim Walz requesting to "work together." The hosts debate if this is a sincere pivot or if Walz is folding under pressure from the Minnesota business community after weeks of "Gestapo" rhetoric.

[00:29:50] 60,000 Cases: Sam Olson’s Caseload An interview with 20-year Minnesota ICE veteran Sam Olson reveals the staggering scale of the operation: 60,000 active removal orders in the state alone, with 5,000 specifically targeting violent criminals and sexual predators.

[00:33:55] TSA’s New Real ID Fee A heads-up for travelers: Starting February 1st, those without a Real ID will face a $45 "confirmed identity fee" every time they fly, a process the hosts describe as "time-consuming but necessary."

[00:35:10] Unlocking the Warrior Potential Mariah Prussia joins the show to discuss her new "Soul Identity" journal. She explains her theory of balance across the four elements (Fire, Earth, Water, Air) and why she chose to write the entire book without the help of AI to remain "authentic."

[00:45:10] Law Enforcement Protecting Law Enforcement Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons discusses the deployment of 3,000 federal officers to Minneapolis. He highlights a grim new reality: the need to send law enforcement teams just to protect other law enforcement officers from violent agitators while they execute lawful warrants.

Host Scott Hennen opens a heavy Monday broadcast grappling with the "Ground Zero" of American civil unrest: Minneapolis. Following a tragic weekend involving a fatal altercation between federal agents and a local ICU nurse, the show explores the "battle of wills" between the Trump administration’s ICE operations and Minnesota’s political leadership.

The episode features a rare, long-form conversation with former North Dakota Governor Ed Schaefer on finding a strategic "off-ramp" to the violence, a political autopsy of "Signal Gate" with John Hinderacker, and a technical law enforcement breakdown of the Saturday shooting with retired Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Bob Kroll. From secret encrypted chat groups to the breakdown of moral character in public discourse, Scott and his guests ask the one question no one seems able to answer: How does this end?

Standout Moments

[00:07:30] The MSNBC vs. Fox News Filter Former Governor Ed Schaefer discusses the "source of truth" crisis. He describes how the same tragic incident is framed as "Nazi thugs shooting a nurse" on one network and "justified force against a domestic terrorist" on another, leaving citizens with no credible source of facts.

[00:13:15] A Proposal for Peace: The 50% Solution Governor Schaefer offers a potential way out: pulling half of the federal ICE agents out of Minnesota for six weeks in exchange for full cooperation from local sheriffs and the Minneapolis PD to target a specific list of the "worst of the worst" offenders.

[00:19:45] The "Tough Guy Tim" Pivot Scott breaks news of a phone call between Governor Tim Walz and President Trump. After weeks of "get the hell out" rhetoric, Walz reportedly requested to work together, signaling a potential "white flag" as the state faces intense pressure from the business community and looming fraud investigations.

[00:31:05] Signal Gate: The Encrypted Insurgency John Hinderacker from the Center of the American Experiment breaks down the discovery of secret Signal chat groups. He alleges that high-ranking Minnesota officials, including the Lieutenant Governor, are part of a coordinated effort to track federal agents' license plates and swarm arrest scenes.

[00:35:10] The Midterm Calculation A deep dive into the political cost of the Minneapolis conflict. Hinderacker argues that while Trump isn't on the ballot in 2026, he is "always on the Democrats' ballot," and the current chaos is being used as a turnout tool to fire up the radical left base.

[00:40:15] Forensic Analysis of the Nicollet Avenue Shooting Retired Lieutenant Bob Kroll provides a step-by-step law enforcement perspective on the shooting of Alex Pretty. He explains how Pretty was violating city ordinances by blocking traffic before interfering with a lawful arrest, and why "furtive moves" in a high-noise environment lead to split-second lethal decisions.

[00:42:10] The Concealed Carry Violation Lieutenant Kroll highlights a critical detail: the deceased was reportedly carrying high-capacity magazines without his permit on his person, violating the core training of concealed carry holders to stay away from protests and identify themselves immediately to law enforcement.