Steve Hallstrom opens a heavy Tuesday edition following a weekend of tragedy and high-stakes security breaches. Steve dives into the “chilling” new details from an FBI affidavit regarding the attempted assassination of President Trump at the Hilton and explores why the Secret Service response seemed so “clunky.” Closer to home, the show analyzes the Fargo City Commission’s 3-2 vote to advance only two sites for the new convention center and welcomes Fargo Dome Authority Chair Dave Supas to explain why the Dome was left in the basement of the rankings. Plus, a look at Amber Gustafson’s bid for Clay County Attorney and a rare moment of grace from the Johnny Carson archives.
Key Moments
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The Friendly Federal Assassin: Steve breaks down the FBI affidavit for 31-year-old Cole Allen, the Californian charged with the attempted assassination of the President. Details reveal Allen planned the attack for weeks, traveling by train and checking into the Washington Hilton a day early. Steve demands to know why J.D. Vance was rushed off stage in seconds while the President was left exposed for nearly ten seconds.
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Fargo’s “Final Two” Site Selection: The Fargo City Commission voted last night to advance only the Brujala and Civic Center proposals for final consideration. Steve notes that Commissioner Denise Kolpak pushed for a side-by-side financial comparison of these top two, while Dave Pepcorn was the lone “no” vote, arguing that all four sites—including the Fargo Dome—should have remained under consideration.
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Fargo Dome Authority Responds: Dave Supas joins the program to address the Fargo Dome’s fourth-place ranking. He clarifies that while they originally disclosed a $12 million funding gap, they have a plan to close it by shrinking the ballroom to 40,000 square feet. Supas argues that attaching the center to the Dome creates a massive 130,000-square-foot floor space that would be the largest in its peer group.
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The “Tough on Crime” Campaign: Former judge and veteran Amber Gustafson joins the show to discuss her run for Clay County Attorney. She expresses alarm over a conviction rate below 60% and a string of seven mistrials since August, arguing that the community needs more effective prosecution to ensure a “healthy fear of authority” among criminals.
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Massive Fraud Raids in Minneapolis: Breaking news hits the show as federal authorities execute 22 search warrants across Minnesota. Steve reports that the DOJ is targeting “rampant fraud” of U.S. taxpayer dollars, with J.D. Vance vowing to be “relentless” in exposing those involved.
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The “Stupid” Convention Center Question: Steve references former Commissioner Tony Gehrig’s warning that while voters approved a tax for a convention center, they didn’t vote for a “boondoggle.” Steve echoes this sentiment, insisting that he will support a project only if it can prove it won’t lose money year after year.
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Minnesota’s New Flag Pushback: Steve cheers on the “movement catching on” as another city—Plainview, MN—votes to reject the new state flag in favor of the old one. He argues the new design does not represent the overall opinion of Minnesotans.
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Rhetoric from a Different Time: In “best thing I heard all day,” Steve plays a clip of Johnny Carson opening the 1981 Oscars following the Reagan assassination attempt. Steve notes the “class and grace” shown by Carson and the liberal Hollywood of the era, contrasting it sharply with today’s “blood sport” politics.