Episode Description:
[cite_start]Host Scott Hennen broadcasts live from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., covering the ongoing federal government shutdown and the breaking news of Nancy Pelosi's retirement. [cite_start]The first hour includes a post-election chat with Moorhead Schools Superintendent Brandon Lunick about a successful referendum [cite_start], and a deep dive into investment strategies for farmers with John Howe. The second hour features Dr. [cite_start]Beth Sanford on the critical importance of Vitamin D for health, including its link to lowering dementia risk [cite_start], and Parker Jackson of the Goldwater Institute who shares the alarming story of a Wyoming mother facing retaliation from school officials for exercising her First Amendment rights. [cite_start]Finally, Mark Watney from the North Dakota Farmers Union discusses the multi-year financial pressures facing farmers, the mental health crisis in farm country, and solutions through value-added agriculture and trade stability.
Standout Moments:
| Time | Topic |
| 00:05 | [cite_start]Scott opens from the Capitol, immediately discussing the government shutdown and the breaking news of Nancy Pelosi's retirement[cite: 5, 6]. |
| 01:07 | [cite_start]Discussion of California's successful Prop 50 and the gerrymandering effort that could give Democrats five new House seats[cite: 12, 18]. |
| 02:35 | [cite_start]Moorhead Schools Superintendent Brandon Lunick explains the newly successful, two-part school referendum and growth challenges[cite: 41, 47, 51, 57]. |
| 04:12 | [cite_start]Lunick highlights a major flaw in the state's school funding formula: more new square footage ironically lowers capital dollars per pupil[cite: 73, 74]. |
| 06:40 | [cite_start]Discussion of Nancy Pelosi's immense wealth gain while in public office[cite: 135]. |
| 10:49 | [cite_start]Pelosi soundbite where she snaps at a heckler, saying, "I can speak louder than anybody... I can outshout you, you B.I. itch"[cite: 239, 243]. |
| 14:02 | [cite_start]John Howe (Financial Wealth Solutions) explains his goal to "keep the farm in the family and the family on the farm" using tax code intricacies like defined benefit plans[cite: 410, 450]. |
| 14:58 | [cite_start]Pelosi is heard saying, "It's called the wrap up smear," describing a tactic used to destroy opponents by getting false smears reported as fact[cite: 350, 351, 353]. |
| 20:00 | [cite_start]Dr. Beth Sanford explains that North Dakotans cannot generate Vitamin D from sunlight from approximately October 1st to April 1st[cite: 484]. |
| 21:00 | [cite_start]Dr. Sanford discusses studies linking low Vitamin D in midlife to higher risk of dementia, and how Vitamin D impacts the length of DNA telomeres[cite: 505, 507]. |
| 23:19 | [cite_start]Attorney Parker Jackson tells the story of Kari Cochran, a Wyoming mom sued for stalking by school officials for criticizing their handling of her son's bullying (which led to his suicide)[cite: 551, 561, 573, 578]. |
| 24:43 | [cite_start]Jackson explains "SLAPP" (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) lawsuits and notes North and South Dakota lack anti-SLAPP protections[cite: 589, 594, 595]. |
| 26:17 | [cite_start]Mark Watney (ND Farmers Union) discusses the mental health crisis and rising bankruptcy among farmers due to multi-year debt and low commodity prices[cite: 637, 639, 650]. |
| 28:50 | [cite_start]Watney advocates for government support for food production, truth in labeling (Country of Origin Labeling), and investment in agriculture infrastructure to stay competitive[cite: 658, 660, 667]. |