Archives: Episodes

01-20-26 Bonnie & Friends: Deep Freeze Dangers, Championship Dreams, and the “Barbie” Tariff Blunder

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

In this Tuesday edition of Bonnie & Friends, Bonnie Amistadi and Jace Denman prepare listeners for a brutal stretch of Arctic weather, with high temperatures struggling to reach 10 below zero and wind chills plummeting to 50 below. The duo breaks down Indiana University’s historic first-ever football national championship win over Miami and celebrates the Minnesota Wild’s high-scoring victory in Toronto. Between weather alerts, the team explores a series of bizarre headlines—from a grandmother hit with an $800 tariff on a $22 Barbie doll to a serial hitchhiking rabbit in Colorado. Later, experts from the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center join the studio to discuss the realities of human trafficking and stalking in the local community.

Key Moments

  • The Arctic Plunge: Bonnie and Jace warn of "dangerous, life-threatening cold" settling into the Red River Valley, offering tips on preventing frostbite and "finger splits," while Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki admits he’s been betting on city high temperatures with co-host Ronnie Lee.

  • Hoosiers Make History: Jace recaps Indiana's 27-21 thriller over Miami to clinch the FBS National Championship, noting the team’s incredible 16-0 season—a feat shared by only four programs in college football history, including the 2019 NDSU Bison.

  • The $800 Barbie: Bonnie shares a cautionary tale of a Boston woman who tried to gift her granddaughter a Canadian "pro hockey" Barbie, only to receive a massive FedEx bill after a decimal point error valued the doll at $2,200.

  • Girl Scout Cookie Shake-up: The team laments the discontinuation of "S’mores" and "Toast-Yay!" cookies while anticipating the new "Explore Mores"—a chocolate marshmallow toasted almond cream sandwich cookie.

  • Local Safety Spotlight: Sarah Stompro and Jodi Hudson from the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center provide a sobering look at how traffickers use "mental and emotional leverage" rather than "white vans" to exploit victims locally, particularly among indigenous populations.

  • Farming with Bridgette Readel: Ag Director Bridgette Readel explains the difference between "strip tillage" and "strip freshening" and introduces the "Farm Dog of the Year," a cattle herder recently honored by the American Farm Bureau.

  • Northern Lights & Solar Flares: Listeners share photos of vivid aurora borealis displays captured through cell phone lenses on the Minnesota side of the river following a massive solar flare.

 

01-19-26 Bonnie & Friends: Post-Blizzard Deep Freeze and the “Golden Child” Returns

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

In this episode of Bonnie & Friends, Bonnie Amistadi and Jace Denman navigate the aftermath of a brutal three-day blizzard stretch that paralyzed the Red River Valley. The duo provides critical updates on road reopenings, including the long-awaited clearing of I-29, while warning listeners about a dangerous "Arctic plunge" bringing wind chills as low as 50 below zero. "Big Game" James McCarty makes his triumphant (and slightly sunburnt) return from a Florida vacation, sharing humorous tales of theme park lines and family "jabs" from his mother. Between serious reports on local crashes and fire crews battling blazes in whiteout conditions, the team finds time to celebrate Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday and debate the best ways to avoid awkward family get-togethers.

Key Moments

  • The Great Blizzard Recap: Bonnie and Jace discuss the "gross" weekend weather, noting that while only about two inches of snow fell, high winds created life-threatening visibility and "polished" road surfaces into glare ice.

  • Highway 104: The team reacts to a shocking North Dakota State Patrol report of a driver cited for going 104 mph on a closed road with a juvenile in the vehicle during the storm.

  • James’s Florida Fiasco: James McCarty recounts his travel woes, including flight delays in Chicago and his mother’s perfectly timed "one-liner" about his weight during a family margarita night.

  • Dangerous Cold Ahead: Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki warns that while the snow has stopped, a "deep freeze" is settling in, with actual air temperatures dropping to 30 below zero by the weekend.

  • Family Get-Togethers: The hosts and callers tackle the "Question of the Morn," discussing whether they dread or look forward to family reunions, touching on everything from political rivalries to "living in a small house".

  • The "Baywatch" Reboot: Bonnie tries to convince James to audition for the new Baywatch series in California, suggesting he could be the "comedic relief" or a beachside informant.

  • Agricultural Strategies: Ag Director Bridgette Readel stops by to offer tips for farmers looking to lower their tax bills, including income averaging and donating commodities to charity.

  • Ticket Giveaways: The show wraps up with a flurry of calls as listeners compete for tickets to the Red River Valley Boat and Marine Products Show.

 

01-17-26 The Hockey Guys: Frozen Rivalries and the Golden Standard

The Hockey Guys

Buckle up and crank the heat for the "number one college hockey radio show in the nation." On this brutally cold morning, Coach Dean Wilson and the crew dive deep into a massive night of college hockey action, headlined by the University of North Dakota’s dominant shutout victory over the Denver Pioneers. With "Crazy Eddie" on assignment, the guys break down the grit, the glory, and the old-time hockey spirit that still defines the game today.

The episode features an exclusive interview with UND associate head coach Dane Jackson, who discusses the importance of goaltending depth and the "two-man forecheck" that has the Fighting Hawks soaring. From Olympic roster announcements to the legendary coaching trees of the Midwest, this is a masterclass in hockey culture, recruitment, and the relentless pursuit of a national championship.

Key Moments

  • Shutout at the Ralph The guys analyze UND’s 5-0 statement win over Denver. Coach Jackson highlights the "human nature" of back-to-back series and why veteran leadership from transfer portal players like Anthony Mangini and Ellis Rickwood is the secret sauce for a deep postseason run.

  • The Goalie Gauntlet A deep dive into UND's crease where Jan Spunar, Gibson Homer, and Zach Sandy are pushing each other daily. Coach Jackson explains why you need "more than one goaltender" to survive the grind of the national tournament.

  • Olympic Dreams and Three Generations Big news for the family tree: Brock Nelson makes the USA Olympic hockey team, marking three generations of Olympic participation. The guys discuss the "trifecta" of gold medals and the strength of the current USA and Canadian rosters.

  • Old-Time Hockey in the Big Ten Jeff and Dean recap Michigan State’s upset over Wisconsin, highlighting a "persisting misconduct" penalty and the physical "makeup calls" that brought a touch of 1920s grit back to the ice.

  • Building the Architect’s Staff Coach Jackson discusses his "all-UND" coaching staff, featuring Matt Smabee, Dylan Simpson, and Brian Chizik. The conversation shifts to leadership philosophy—why great head coaches aren't afraid to hire assistants who might be "smarter" or better than them.

  • The "Ham and Eggs" Commitment A legendary coaching analogy resurfaces: To win, do you want to be the chicken (who provides the eggs) or the pig (who provides the ham)? The guys explain why winning championships requires the "total commitment" of the pig.

  • North Dakota’s Golden Coach A tribute to David Hoff of Bottineau, who is leading the USA Olympic men’s para hockey team once again. The guys marvel at the athleticism of the para-athletes and Hoff’s calm, "Herb Brooks-style" ability to break down the game.

  • Teammates Turned Rivals The spotlight shines on the unique bond between Anthony Mangini (UND) and Eric Polkamp (Denver), former Brainerd High School teammates who are now clashing at the highest level of college hockey.