Archives: Episodes

02-06-26 Bonnie & Friends: Super Bowl Prop Bets, Olympic “Skimo,” and the Great Fry-Dip Debate

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

In this Friday installment of Bonnie & Friends, Bonnie Amistadi and Jace Denman prepare listeners for a high-stakes weekend of sports and a long-awaited break in the weather. While the morning started with a "windy bite" and falling temperatures, a massive 40-degree "melting day" is on the horizon. The duo dives into the final details of Super Bowl 60, including the obscure prop bets that have everyone talking—from the color of the Gatorade dump to whether the coin toss will favor heads or tails. Betweenrecaps of the Timberwolves' historic win in Toronto and the Wild's five-game winning streak, the team explores the grueling new Olympic sport of "Ski Mountaineering" and sits down with Samantha Christopherson from AFSP to discuss mental health advocacy.

Key Moments

  • Super Bowl 60 Countdown: Jace and "Big Game" James McCarty break down the Seahawks vs. Patriots rematch in Santa Clara, California. They explore the surge in sports betting and share quirky facts, like the specific recycled materials used in the game-ending confetti spectacle.

  • The "February Thaw": Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki promises a dramatic temperature swing, predicting a "conservative 40" degrees for Monday, which will feel like a heat wave after the recent sub-zero stretch.

  • Olympic "Skimo" Debut: Bonnie previews "Ski Mountaineering" (or Skimo), a new Olympic event where athletes must race both uphill (using carpet-like skins for grip) and downhill, often while carrying their skis on their backs.

  • Timberwolves End the Toronto Curse: Jace celebrates the Wolves' 128-126 victory over the Raptors, marking the franchise's first win in Canada in 22 years—a lifetime ago for many fans.

  • Mental Health Spotlight: Samantha Christopherson of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) discusses the "Out of the Darkness" walks and the critical importance of peer-to-peer support for loss survivors.

  • A "Bait Up" Trivia Challenge: Dean hosts a live trivia segment about last year’s cold snaps, awarding a "Bait Up" cup to a listener who correctly guessed that the region suffered through 14 consecutive sub-zero mornings in 2025.

  • Agriculture and Land Ownership: Ag Director Bridgette Readel reveals that Stan Kroenke (owner of the LA Rams) is now the largest private landowner in the U.S., holding over 2.7 million acres.

  • Friday Food Fight: The studio erupts over the "sweet and salty" debate: is dipping French fries in a milkshake a culinary masterpiece or a total pass? While some listeners swear by it, Bonnie and Jace remain firmly on team "Savory Only."

 

02-05-26 Bonnie & Friends: Vegas Dreams, Super Bowl Schemes, and the McNugget Caviar Craze

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

In this high-energy edition of Bonnie & Friends, hosts Bonnie Amistadi and Jace Denman recap the emotional finale of their massive "Valentine’s Day in Vegas" giveaway at Kingpin’s. The winner, Deanna Shackelford, took home the grand prize after a dramatic Wizard of Oz trivia tiebreaker against her own best friend. As the Red River Valley enjoys a rare February warm-up with highs near 40°F, the team dives into the latest sports news, including the Minnesota Wild’s five-game winning streak and the high-stakes trade rumors surrounding the Timberwolves and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Between local news updates on school meal legislation and a bizarre "McNugget Caviar" kit from McDonald's, the duo sits down with Callie Adamson Bakken of Matthew's Voice Project to discuss the urgent mission of supporting homeless students in the community.

Key Moments

  • The Vegas Tiebreaker: Deanna Shackelford clinches the "Valentine's Day in Vegas" trip after a tense trivia battle. In a display of true friendship, Deanna offered her runner-up friend, Becky, an extra spin of the wheel to share the glory.

  • Timberwolves' Toronto Curse Broken: Jace recaps the Wolves' 128-126 victory over the Raptors, marking the team's first win in Toronto since 2004—a "lifetime ago" for some of the crew.

  • McNugget Caviar? The team reacts to McDonald’s bizarre Valentine’s Day promotion: a kit that pairs Siberian Sturgeon Caviar with a $25 gift card for chicken nuggets, leading to a debate on "fancy" fast food.

  • Supporting Homeless Youth: Callie Adamson Bakken joins the studio to discuss Matthew's Voice Project, which works with school social workers to help over 850 homeless students in the Fargo-Moorhead area reach graduation.

  • Wild Olympic Break: The Minnesota Wild head into a three-week hiatus for the Winter Games on a high note after a thrilling 6-5 overtime win against Nashville, led by Matt Boldy’s hat trick.

  • Infomercial All-Stars: The "Question of the Morn" explores the best (and weirdest) things listeners actually bought from TV ads, ranging from George Foreman grills and "pajama jeans" to Jace's life-changing "Inspire" sleep device.

  • Super Bowl 60 Buzz: Anticipation builds for the Seahawks-Patriots rematch in Santa Clara, while Bonnie highlights a North Dakota barley farmer set to star in a high-profile Budweiser commercial.

  • Agriculture and Ethics: Ag Director Bridgette Readel reports on the skyrocketing prices of "Micro-Mini" Highlander cows and warns farmers about the risks of using AI to safeguard operations from activists.

 

02-04-26 Bonnie & Friends: Jackpot Winners, Couch Cushion Treasures, and the “Bactory” Soil Charger

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

In this high-energy Wednesday edition of Bonnie & Friends, Bonnie Amistadi and Jace Denman celebrate the big winner of their "Valentine’s Day in Vegas" giveaway following a dramatic party at Kingpin’s. While the Red River Valley is still shaking off a week-long deep freeze, warmer temperatures in the 20s and 30s are finally on the horizon. The duo discusses the "yo-yo" season of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a historic rankings boost for the NDSU women’s basketball team, and some truly bizarre science—including soil microbes that might one day charge your phone. Between local news and a deep dive into what’s hiding under your couch cushions, the team highlights several incredible nonprofits preparing for next week's Giving Hearts Day.

Key Moments

  • The Big Vegas Reveal: Deanna Shackelford of Fargo is crowned the grand prize winner of the "Valentine’s Day in Vegas" trip after a tense Wizard of Oz trivia tiebreaker and a final spin of the wheel. Deanna gains praise for her sportsmanship, offering her runner-up friend Becky a second chance to spin for the win.

  • Couch Cushion Archeology: The "Question of the Morn" leads to hilarious listener stories about what turns up in the furniture, from seven stray socks and Goldfish crackers to "Trucker Brian’s" car keys and Pauly from Idaho’s "retirement fund" of loose change and petrified French fries.

  • Timberwolves Rollercoaster: Jace recaps the Wolves' impressive win over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, noting that the team has now won three straight after a five-game losing skid.

  • The "Bactory" Soil Device: Ag Director Bridgette Readel shares a futuristic story about a UK company developing a device that captures electrons from soil microbes to power remote farm equipment—essentially turning the ground into a giant battery.

  • Avery Kunin’s Record Run: The NDSU women’s basketball team hits a program-high #1 ranking in the Mid-Major Poll, with standout Avery Kunin continuing her dominant season with multiple "Peak Performer of the Week" honors.

  • Laser Pointers and Federal Crimes: A scary report from Griggs County details a pilot being targeted by a laser while flying over Binford, a reminder that shining lasers at aircraft is a serious federal offense.

  • Giving Hearts Day Spotlight: Ashley Hamm from "Dear NICU Mama" and Rob Sweers from the "New Life Center" join the show to discuss their missions. Rob shares the exciting news that 32 new beds just went live at their retrofitted warehouse shelter to meet rising local needs.

  • Fluffy Cow Fever: Bridgette Readel discusses the skyrocketing prices of "miniature Highlander cows," which are selling for as much as $24,000 due to their social media popularity and "luxury" status.

 

Talk of the Town with Jon Adams: Sheriff Mark Empting on Protests, Policing, and Public Trust (02/04/26)

Talk of the Town with Jon Adams - Wednesdays 11am to 12pm on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

In a time of heightened tensions, viral videos, and loud opinions, how do we separate fact from fear?

On this episode of Talk of the Town, Jon Adams sits down with Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation about law enforcement, protests, ICE, and the reality of policing in Fargo-Moorhead compared to major metro areas like Minneapolis–St. Paul.

Sheriff Empting breaks down how interagency cooperation really works, why community policing matters more than ever, and what the public often gets wrong about officer training, accountability, and the so-called “thin blue line.” They also tackle immigration enforcement, peaceful protest versus confrontation, the impact of social media narratives, and why respect—on both sides—can be the difference between safety and tragedy.

This is not a soundbite conversation. It’s a grounded, human discussion about public safety, trust, and what it actually means to serve a community.

Whether you’re frustrated, curious, or just looking for clarity beyond the headlines, this is a conversation worth hearing.