A seismic shift has arrived for North Dakota sports as NDSU officially prepares to move its football program to the FBS level. Steve Hallstrom breaks down the school's invitation to the Mountain West Conference, exploring everything from the million-dollar buy-in fees to the dream road trips Bison fans can expect in Hawaii and Las Vegas. The show also covers the fallout from Minnesota’s caucus night, the federal arrest of Don Lemon, and a Super Bowl halftime show that featured an unexpected gospel message. Plus, Steve sits down with Dr. Gilda Carle to discuss why the new Melania Trump documentary is defying the critics.
Key Moments
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Bison Football Levels Up: Steve details NDSU’s move to the FBS and the Mountain West Conference. He breaks down the $17 million in entry and reclassification fees, the jump to 85 scholarships, and a two-year postseason transition period. Sports Director James McCarty joins to discuss potential non-conference "giant-slaying" opportunities at stadiums like the LA Coliseum.
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Minnesota GOP Straw Poll: Following caucus night, House Speaker Lisa Demuth has emerged as the early frontrunner in the straw poll for Governor, leading Kendall Qualls and Mike Lindell. Steve also notes that Scott Jensen has withdrawn from the primary to seek the state auditor position instead.
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Kid Rock’s Halftime "Altar Call": Steve highlights the Turning Point USA halftime show, where Kid Rock surprised millions with a message about faith and a second chance through Jesus. Steve defends the performance as a genuine moment of reflection that transcended the typical Super Bowl spectacle.
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The Melania Movie Phenomenon: Dr. Gilda Carle, author of "Real Men Don't Go Woke," joins the show to analyze the success of the Melania Trump documentary. Despite a 10% rating from critics, the film holds a 99% audience approval, signaling a powerful and overlooked voting bloc of women 45 and older.
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Don Lemon Arrested: Steve discusses the federal arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon in California, tied to the disruption of a St. Paul church service. He argues that the federal charges are a necessary response to the "desecration" of a house of worship.
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Fargo’s 20-Year-Old Mayor Candidate: National Guardsman Jake Coulter announces his bid for Fargo Mayor. Steve applauds the young conservative’s initiative to tackle city spending.
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The F-5 Project Investigation: Steve notes that an open records request was denied by the North Dakota Attorney General, confirming an active investigation into the F-5 project following alleged financial irregularities.
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Roadway Realities: Captain Brian Niewind of the North Dakota Highway Patrol provides a winter safety update, noting that 2025 saw 85 traffic fatalities—a 20% reduction from previous years—thanks in part to the primary seatbelt law.