🚨 Icy Roads, Bison Football Contracts, and Thanksgiving Prep! 🦃
Episode Summary:
Hosts Bonnie and Jace broadcast the day after a severe snowstorm, with their main focus on the extremely hazardous road conditions across North Dakota and Minnesota, advising travelers to slow down and delay plans for the Thanksgiving holiday. The show features a major local sports announcement: NDSU Head Football Coach Tim Polasek's new seven-year contract extension. Discussions include the massive cleanup effort, the new $400 million North Dakota farm loan program, a financial update warning about a "fake correction" in the markets, and an interview with the Ag Director about new farming technology. They also share their personal Thanksgiving meal plans and talk with local musicians Kathy and Dan Brekke about their upcoming "Christmas Classics" shows.
Key Moments:
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Post-Storm Road Mayhem: The Red River Valley received 3 to 7 inches of heavy snow, resulting in 27 crashes, 75 vehicles sliding into ditches, and 13 jackknifed semis in West Central Minnesota alone. Authorities urge travelers to reduce speeds and heed "No Travel Advised" warnings due to slick and polished sheet ice.
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I-29 Closure and Reopening: The show provides critical updates, initially reporting that I-29 is closed from south of Fargo all the way down to Watertown, South Dakota. Later in the episode, they confirm the interstate has reopened but caution that "No Travel Advised" is still in effect due to ice and compacted snow.
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NDSU Football Coach's "Significant Raise": NDSU Head Football Coach Tim Polasek received a seven-year contract extension through the 2033 season, which includes a significant pay raise and more program resources. This sparks speculation about a possible future move for the Bison to the FBS level.
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Thanksgiving Travel and Preparation: Callers share real-time "Road Warrior" reports confirming "solid ice" on I-94 and I-29, reinforcing the danger. The hosts share details of their holiday meal prep, from making homemade stuffing and apple squares to using an electric roaster for the turkey.
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Financial Warning: Managing Partner Brian Kronk discusses a "fake correction" in the stock market, advising listeners not to be distracted by the short-term rise of "junk companies" and to hold onto quality investments, suggesting a market rotation will occur after the New Year.
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Ag Tech and "Hacker Heroes": Ag Director Bridgette Readel details John Deere's "bug bounty program," which pays ethical hackers over $1.5 million to find security vulnerabilities. She also introduces "Oz," an AI digital assistant pilot program from Land O'Lakes and Microsoft designed to help with crop protection.
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Cold Weather and Snow Forecast: Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki confirms the storm total of 3.2 inches at the airport, warns of a minor light snow event expected Friday night into Saturday, and forecasts an upcoming Arctic blast with sub-zero lows next week.
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Local Holiday Entertainment: Musicians Kathy and Dan Brekke discuss their variety show, "Christmas Classics," which will feature Nashville recording artist Doug Allen Nash and a mix of traditional holiday songs and humorous country classics like "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."