Archives: Episodes

Join Bonnie Amistadi and guests every weekday from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on AM 970 WDAY for local news, weather, and conversation done right.

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📍 Episode Summary:
Live from Horace's Shooting Park, it's a wild ride on The Jay Thomas Show! Jay dives headfirst into Shields’ Shotgun Demo Day, interviews Bella from Shields, and talks about the best shotguns to test and buy (Benelli fans, take note!). But it's not all blasting clays—West Fargo’s ban on sleeping in storage units stirs up heated discussion with Commissioner Rory Jorgensen, and Jay’s callers do not hold back. We also hear from Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg about the push for a ward-based council system, and Lawn & Garden Radio returns with Don Kinzler’s horticultural wisdom (plus some rhubarb jokes for spice). Add in a surprise weather segment, a New Vision Security grand opening, and enough local flavor to fill a smoker—this is small-town talk radio at its finest.

🕒 Timestamps for Standout Moments:

• [00:00] – Opening Plug for Hot Spring Spas with “Hot Tub Vinny” and why every day is better below water.

• [02:30] – Jay previews today's packed lineup: gun demos, city politics, and sleepy storage unit drama.

• [10:00] – Interview: Bella from Shields — Shotgun demo details, gun types, ammo chips, and how to safely try before you buy.

• [20:10] – Jay’s foodie detour on Horse’s Patty Melt and hometown bar updates (yes, it’s got pimento cheese).

• [28:09] – Big Game James reports live from New Vision Security’s West Fargo grand opening.

• [31:52] – Lawn & Garden Radio with Don Kinzler kicks off — asparagus woes, rhubarb comebacks, and angry squirrels.

• [50:46] – Listeners call in with turf tragedies and tales of maple trees losing leaves.

• [1:11:10] – Commissioner Michelle Turnberg joins to debate Fargo’s possible shift to a ward-based city council system.

• [1:31:00] – West Fargo Commissioner Rory Jorgensen breaks down the storage unit sleeping ban and clarifies all the rumors.

• [1:46:15] – Aaron from Shields lays out demo day rules, gift card deals, and why this is the safest way to fall in love with a shotgun.

• [2:02:49] – Jay wraps up from the Guntry Club, teasing Thursday’s “game-changing” announcement.

🎯 Why You Should Listen:
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to buy a shotgun in North Dakota, fix a maple tree in distress, or defend your stance on storage-unit living—all in one afternoon—this episode’s your jam. Fast-paced, unpredictable, and loaded with personality, Jay and crew shoot straight (pun intended).

What really makes a great leader? In this inspiring episode, we dive into the heart of leadership with alumni and directors from the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber’s long-running Leadership FMWF program. Tyler invites guests Craig Bier, Samantha Dutzman, and Satari Campion to reflect on pivotal moments, community projects, and the challenges—and joys—of growth in both personal and professional leadership.

You’ll hear stories of mentorship, imposter syndrome, giant swings (yes, really), and the surprisingly life-changing power of “Tech-Free Tuesdays.” Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode is packed with honesty, humility, and actionable insight.

🎙 Hosts: Janae & Ronnie

📅 Air Date: Tuesday

⏱ Duration: 1 hour, 37 minutes

🎯 Summary:

Start your morning with laughter, relatable banter, and a touch of local flavor in this lively Tuesday edition of The Coffee Club! Janae and Ronnie dive into everything from bizarre sleep hacks (mouth tape, anyone?) to bug-repelling myths, the surprisingly serious art of keeping too many coffee mugs, and signs that maybe... just maybe... you’ve outgrown your partner.

Also on tap: free energy savings, crime updates, Fargo events, and nonprofit spotlights. It's witty, warm, and a bit chaotic—just the way your morning should be.

⏱ Standout Moments & Timestamps:

• [00:03:45] – “Mouth Tape & Foot Peels: Wellness or Weirdness?”

  The duo questions a new beauty and sleep trend while hilariously admitting they’ve never tried either.

• [00:12:18] – “How NOT to Repel Mosquitoes”

  Janae recommends rubbing oranges on your skin while Ronnie contemplates strapping dryer sheets to his legs.

• [00:25:42] – “Your Coffee Mug Hoarding Intervention”

  Ways to upcycle those dozens of mugs you refuse to toss. (Hint: mug chandelier? Yes, please.)

• [00:38:00] – “Question of the Day: Laughing at Inappropriate Moments”

  Listeners call in with tales of giggles in church, military drills, and even funerals.

• [01:03:15] – Nonprofit Spotlight: Resource Connect

  Ritchelle Aboah shares how her org is helping folks get to work with free transportation and job attire.

• [01:20:10] – “Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Partner”

  Thoughtful (and funny) reflections on respect, growth, and if it’s okay to find someone’s quirks suddenly... irritating.

• [01:30:00] – “Did You Know?”

  From powdered milk to moon vacations to powdered eggs, the weird trivia you didn’t know you needed.

✨ Listener Takeaways:

• Transportation matters! Learn how Resource Connect is solving a hidden challenge in workforce access.

• You’re not alone if your partner’s once-charming quirks now make you want to scream.

• If you’ve laughed in church or boot camp, you’re in good company.

• You can—maybe—repel mosquitoes with vinegar and a good attitude.

📢 Call to Action:

Like what you heard? Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Want to submit a pup for “Pup of the Week”? Go to WdayRadioNow.com!

Track Talk with Jason Berg!

Catch Track Talk Mondays 6:30pm - 8pm on WDAY Radio!

In this raw, rapid-fire episode of The Jay Thomas Show, Jay tackles everything from health hacks and wildfires to political shakeups in Fargo. Kicking off with a surprisingly steamy defense of saunas (they might just beat flu shots?!), Jay and Vinny chat wellness before pivoting into a smoky situation—literally.

With smoke from Canadian wildfires choking the Midwest, Jay questions government inaction, climate narratives, and the real dangers to public health. There’s a touch of satire, some heated debate over Fargo’s commission system, a candid interview with former commissioner Tony Gehrig, and an unexpectedly inspiring story about a teen graduating against all odds.

🔥 It’s local talk radio at its finest: passionate, punchy, and peppered with both laughs and outrage.

⏱️ Standout Moments (Timestamps Included):

• (0:00 – 1:22) – Jay & Vinny’s Hot Take on Saunas: Saunas vs. flu shots? Jay makes a surprisingly strong case for daily steam over syringes.

• (2:00 – 5:20) – Smoke on the Mic: Canadian wildfires trigger Jay’s smoky rant of the week. Is it climate change or just bad forestry?

• (7:14 – 8:02) – Fargo’s Hidden Housing Crisis: People living in storage units?! West Fargo takes preemptive action.

• (12:18 – 14:00) – Jay’s Sleep Apnea Saga: From CPAP struggles to high-tech implants. Real talk about a not-so-restful night’s sleep.

• (1:22:00 – 2:03:00) – Canadian Smoke = U.S. Sanctions?: Jay gets serious about cross-border smoke and demands real political action.

• (3:00:00 – 3:40:00) – Fargo Government Showdown: Former Commissioner Tony Gehrig explains why the city needs to ditch its outdated commission system.

• (4:20:00 – 4:40:00) – A Graduation That’ll Make You Cry: A listener plans a surprise for a teen who went from a 1.0 GPA to graduation in 12 days.

✨ Why Listen?

• ✅ Local issues with national relevance

• ✅ No-filter political analysis

• ✅ Wholesome human moments that hit you in the feels

• ✅ Jay’s signature smoky mix of humor and heat

🎙️ Summary:
Your favorite duo, Janae and Ronnie, are back at it again with a lively Monday morning chat that mixes smoky skies, vintage store nostalgia, and hard-hitting hygiene truths (yikes!). With wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada, the team reflects on hazy weekends and community resilience.

Special guest Scott Moen joins in to spotlight the Moorhead American Legion’s vibrant local presence and its upcoming Summer Blast event benefiting veterans. Get ready for tributes, dunk tanks, and steak nights!

In true Coffee Club style, it’s equal parts community, comedy, and “did-they-really-just-say-that?” moments.

🔥 Standout Moments & Timestamps:

• 0:01:00 – Kicking off with wildfire smoke woes and Canadian haze

• 0:12:30 – Remembering Alf Clausen, the Jamestown native who scored The Simpsons

• 0:26:10 – Local politics and the petition for ward-style government in Fargo

• 0:38:50 – Question of the Day: What can’t you leave home without? (spoiler: pew-pews and Diet Dr. Pepper)

• 0:54:00 – Paddlefish make a surprise return to the Minnesota River 🌊

• 1:00:45 – Stores we miss: from Toys R Us to Woolworth’s and KB Toys nostalgia

• 1:14:50 – Small Business Monday with Scott Moen from the Moorhead American Legion

• 1:24:30 – Common mistakes we all make daily — are you guilty? 👀

🎯 Vibe: Small-town talk show meets morning coffee banter with a splash of sass, a dash of community news, and full cups of charm.

When disaster strikes in America's heartland, every day counts. For farm families facing a health crisis, injury, or natural disaster, the inability to plant or harvest can spell financial ruin in a matter of weeks. Farm Rescue stands as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of rural communities coming together, providing emergency support when farmers need it most.

Founded in North Dakota by airline pilot Bill Gross twenty years ago, Farm Rescue dispatches volunteers and equipment to farms across ten states, ensuring crops get planted and harvested when farmers cannot do the work themselves. What's remarkable is the scale of impact achieved by just six full-time employees coordinating over 700 volunteers who commit at least a week of their time to help complete strangers save their livelihoods.

The stories behind each case reveal the harsh realities facing America's agricultural communities. From farmers battling cancer while trying to keep multi-generational operations afloat, to young families facing catastrophic injuries during critical planting seasons, to those struggling with mental health crises—Farm Rescue provides not just practical assistance but a lifeline of hope. Their reach has expanded well beyond their North Dakota origins to include Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, and Illinois, with plans to add five more states in the coming years.

What makes Farm Rescue unique is how it embodies the best traditions of rural America while adapting to modern agricultural challenges. Their fleet of equipment—including late-model planters, tractors, combines, and semis—allows them to efficiently serve families in crisis across vast geographic areas. The organization operates on a $4.5 million annual budget, with 85% going directly to operations, ensuring maximum impact for every dollar donated.

Want to be part of this remarkable mission? Visit farmrescue.org to learn how you can volunteer, donate, or refer a family in need. Together, we can ensure that a health crisis or natural disaster doesn't mean the end of a farming legacy that took generations to build.

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Contact the team at Pifer's

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2024-25 season. They discuss the recent ups/downs of the franchise, compare Anthony Edwards to other NBA stars as to when they won their first championship, and more. They also discuss if the 2024-25 season was a success or failure.

📝 Episode Summary (Apple/Spotify-style):

In this jam-packed Friday edition of The Jay Thomas Show, Jay and Ronnie gear up for a smoky weekend—literally. With Canadian wildfire smoke rolling in and the Fargo Marathon underway, it’s a wild mix of air quality alerts, marathon banter, and unpredictable weather.

But that’s just the beginning.

Jay dives deep into the good old days of television, honoring the late Loretta Swit (“Hot Lips Houlihan”) of MASH fame, triggering a hilarious and nostalgic tribute to the greatest classic TV shows ever. From Columbo to Miami Vice, from Rockford Files to CHiPs, listeners weigh in on their all-time favorites. Meanwhile, Jay's inbox blows up with street racing videos, panhandler accordion performances, and Minnesotans sounding off on a controversial new boating law coming this July.

It’s chaos. It’s comedy. It’s community.

🔥 Buckle up and get ready for:

• Boater license fury (01:58:00)

• The ultimate top 5 classic TV throwdown (01:06:30)

• Fargo traffic madness (01:20:15)

• A crash that’s got everyone talking (01:55:40)

• “Accordion Guy” goes on tour? (01:44:50)

• Jay’s favorite underrated ‘70s movie (02:03:00)

🕓 Timestamps of Standout Moments:

• 00:03:45 – Jay kicks off with “Hot Tub Vinny” and customer service shout-outs

• 00:14:10 – Red Wing boot nostalgia and winter footwear talk

• 00:45:30 – Wildfire smoke forecast and marathon health concerns

• 01:06:30 – Loretta Swit passes; sparks a TV throwback frenzy

• 01:20:15 – Fargo street racing crash debate + live listener reactions

• 01:44:50 – Accordion guy becomes an unexpected local legend

• 01:58:00 – Jay unleashes on Minnesota’s new boating license law

• 02:03:00 – Deep cuts: forgotten ‘70s gems like Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

🎧 Whether you're here for the laughs, the rants, or just a hit of hometown talk, this is Jay Thomas in full Friday form.