Episode Summary:
Host Steve Hallstrom covers a busy Monday, including a major political upset in college football, a huge aid package for farmers, encouraging local education data, and a check on the financial markets. The weather in Fargo is snowy and a little breezy, but gas prices are down, with some places hitting $2.17 per gallon.
Key Moments:
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FCS Playoff Upset: Hallstrom discusses the "historic upset" where the expected national champion North Dakota State Bison were eliminated early from the FCS playoffs. The Bison offense was sluggish, having more punts than first downs, and the season-ending turnover by quarterback Cole Payton (who broke his thumb on the play) sealed the fate of the team.
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$12 Billion Farm Aid: President Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers impacted by the recent trade war. $11 billion is allocated to the new Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for row crop farmers.
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North Dakota Students Improving: New statewide testing results show North Dakota students are becoming more "choice-ready," rising from 71% to 73% in the last school year, meaning they are better prepared for the workforce, military, or post-secondary education. The four-year graduation rate also improved by 2%.
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Interview with Val Wagner: The new North Dakota Farm Bureau President, Val Wagner, discusses the challenges for young farmers and the importance of open communication between the agricultural community and state government officials in Bismarck. She stresses that Farm Bureau's priorities include property tax rights and mental health for farmers.
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Millionaires from 401ks: Fueled by three straight years of market gains, the number of 401k millionaires is doubling since the end of 2022. Fidelity reports 654,000 401k millionaires as of the third quarter.
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Financial & Political Updates: The stock market closed down slightly, but there is an 87% expectation of another quarter-point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this week. Co-host Scott Hannon joins to discuss his trip to Washington, D.C., and Minnesota GOP candidates for governor, including the possibility of Mike Lindell entering the race.
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Local Issues: Fargo is sending out $75 invoices for sidewalk snow removal to property owners who failed to clear snow and ice within 24 hours of a snow event. Also, the Fargo Park District is investigating a cyber security event.
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Travel Opportunity: The Travel Traveler agency offers a seven-night trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, in January (average high 79°F), flying out of Fargo for $1,538 per person.