It is a packed Tuesday edition of What’s On Your Mind. Host Scott Hennen is fresh off a trip to Grand Forks for the "State of the Base" address, where he’s joined by Senator Kevin Cramer to discuss a massive win for North Dakota military history: securing a Minuteman III missile for the state's military museum. The duo also dives deep into the "Schumer Shutdown" and the frustrating legislative battle over funding ICE and Border Patrol.
Later, we meet the newly selected 16th President of NDSU, Dr. Marshall Stewart. We hear his bold vision for "learners for life" and his goal to supercharge student retention. The episode wraps with a vital "Trooper Talk" segment featuring Captain Brian Niewin of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, discussing the real-world impact of the state's primary seatbelt law and tips for de-winterizing your trailers as spring approaches.
Standout Moments & Timestamps
[00:01:45] A 60-Foot Legacy Senator Kevin Cramer explains the persistence required to secure a retired Minuteman III missile for the North Dakota Military Museum before the building’s walls were finished, highlighting the state’s massive role in the U.S. nuclear triad.
[00:05:50] The Middle East & Gas Price Fatigue Cramer addresses the "war fatigue" regarding Iran, arguing that while short-term pain at the pump is real, "cutting the head off the snake" now is a necessary bargain for long-term global liberty.
[00:15:30] Introducing President Marshall Stewart Listen to the first official comments from NDSU’s 16th President. Dr. Stewart discusses his "perfect effort" philosophy and why he views students as customers who deserve an elite experience.
[00:19:30] Moving the Needle on Enrollment Dr. Stewart sets a bold target to increase NDSU’s retention rate from 70% to 90%, emphasizing internships, global mindsets, and lifelong learning credentials.
[00:21:45] Grand Forks: The Tip of the Spear Senator Scott Meyer and Mayor Brandon Bochenski discuss the "State of the Base," the new Point Defense Battle Lab, and why Grand Forks is the leading ecosystem for counter-unmanned aviation.
[00:30:15] D.C. Update with Julie Fedorchak Congresswoman Fedorchak joins from Devil’s Lake to blast House and Senate gridlock, explaining why the House rejected a Senate bill that "completely zeroed out" funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
[00:35:40] Vision Zero & Driver Behavior Captain Brian Niewin breaks down why 96% of crashes are preventable and how the drive to reach zero fatalities depends entirely on changing driver behavior, not just engineering better roads.
[00:39:10] The 80 MPH Compliance Report In a surprising update, Captain Niewin reveals that speeding citations have actually decreased since North Dakota raised the speed limit to 80 MPH, as more drivers are now complying with the posted limit.