With host Scott Hennen calling in from a suspension bridge over a Norwegian fjord, guest host Michelle Comer takes over the desk for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Fourth Estate. Joined by local journalism legends Dale Wetzel, April Baumgarten, and Steve Halstrom, this episode flips the script on the people who usually ask the questions.
The panel pulls back the curtain on the “messy” reality of reporting, from breaking the Ray Holmberg case through open records requests to receiving death threats over COVID-19 blog posts. The conversation explores the heavy emotional toll of covering teen suicides, the “human side” of guarding an interviewee’s reputation, and how “citizen journalism” is changing the definition of news. Plus, Michelle inches closer to her dream of driving a Zamboni, and the crew discusses why 100% honesty is the secret to a successful relationship.
🎧 Standout Moments & Timestamps
[00:01:25] – The Zamboni Dream Michelle Comer reveals her ultimate life goal: not just riding on, but actually driving a Zamboni. Co-host Kevin Flynn provides a progress report on making that dream a reality with the Fargo Force.
[00:03:17] – Life as a “Geezer” Reporter Recently retired veteran political reporter Dale Wetzel jokes about his “veteran” status and explains why asking questions for 40 years means he has forfeited the right to ever refuse an answer himself.
[00:06:17] – Breaking the Holmberg Case Investigative reporter April Baumgarten details the “string-pulling” that led to the Ray Holmberg scandal, starting with a 48-hour window of 72 suspicious text messages discovered via an open records request to a local jail.
[00:10:05] – The Blowback of Truth Dale Wetzel reminisces about the case of North Dakota’s first blind legislator and the intense community backlash he faced for reporting on the man’s serial sexual harassment.
[00:13:02] – Two Million Views & Death Threats Steve Halstrom reflects on a COVID-19 blog post that went viral with two million views, bringing both national attention and terrifying death threats to his doorstep.
[00:18:16] – The Legislative Loophole A sobering look at transparency: The panel discusses how the North Dakota legislature has specifically exempted itself from open records laws, making it nearly impossible for journalists to access lawmakers’ emails.
[00:22:15] – Live from Stahlheim Host Scott Hennen checks in live from a hotel in Norway to discuss the “divine” beauty of the fjords and the “little health retreat” that comes from eating European produce without American preservatives.
[00:26:02] – The “Nothing Box”
Michelle and Kevin dive into relationship dynamics, discussing the “bowl of spaghetti” (female brain) vs. the “compartmentalized waffle” (male brain) and the legendary “Nothing Box” where men go to think about… absolutely nothing.
[00:30:15] – Dignity in the Red River Valley Jordan McCormick from the Furniture Mission joins for “Feel Good Friday,” sharing how they have gifted over 50,000 pieces of furniture to local families to ensure no one has to sleep on the floor.