Archives: Episodes

In this sizzling summer edition of Rocky’s Downtown Hour, Rocky kicks things off with barbecue and beats, previewing the iconic Happy Harry’s Ribfest — a four-day feast of ribs, music, and family fun hosted at the FargoDome. Guest Sarah Dykema from the FargoDome shares juicy details on the lineup, from Montgomery Gentry and Smash Mouth to bounce houses and deep-fried everything (Twinkies, Oreos... you name it!).

But it’s not all sauce and sunshine — Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski joins the second half for a candid conversation on downtown safety, homelessness, and new innovations in policing, including electric trikes, e-bikes, and real-time surveillance technology. With added officers on the way and ordinance updates in motion, downtown’s public safety gets a powerful upgrade.

Finally, Ashley Grooms from Interstate Parking jumps in to tackle Fargo’s parking myths. Turns out, downtown’s ramps are underused and safer than you think. Plus, new tech upgrades and better signage are on the horizon.

📢 Episode Description:
On this hazy yet fabulous Friday, Janae and Ronnie brew up a feel-good, info-packed episode of The Coffee Club! From smoky skies to silly TSA warnings, this show covers everything you need heading into the weekend. Expect laughs, nostalgia, and even a little public safety wisdom along the way.

Whether you're in the mood for fun facts, vet biker clubs, or learning which foods absolutely do not belong in the microwave—this episode's got it all.

🎧 Timestamps & Standout Moments:

• 0:00 – Weekend Vibes & Smoky Skies
  Start your Friday with a chuckle and a check-in on the Canadian wildfire haze drifting into town.

• 4:02 – “Pup of the Week” 🐾
  Meet Siggy, a smart and stubborn schnauzer who’s stealing hearts—and couches.

• 14:19 – Microwaves, Microplastics & Mayhem
  A hilariously relatable rundown of what not to microwave. Spoiler: grapes, fabric, and breast milk make the list.

• 27:45 – TSA Alert: “Juice Jacking” is Real 🧃🔌
  Find out why you might want to avoid those public USB charging stations at airports. (Bonus: A brief crash course in “tap pay” survival.)

• 36:30 – Flight Attendant Rules That’ll Surprise You ✈️
  From no eating in uniform to fake name tags and forbidden hair colors—these quirky airline rules will blow your mind.

• 59:12 – This Weekend’s Plans: Kayaking, Concerts & Car Shows
  Listeners share their weekend adventures—from Steve McQueen choppers to Static-X concerts and backyard fires.

• 1:04:23 – New in Town: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 🏍️🇺🇸
  Tom Krabbenhoft introduces Fargo’s brand-new chapter of the CVMA. Brotherhood, service, and a whole lotta horsepower.

• 1:24:41 – Mechanics' Pet Peeves & Car No-Nos 🚗
  Top habits that drive your mechanic nuts. (Yes, riding your brakes and ignoring strange noises made the list.)

• 1:33:17 – Did You Know? 💡
  Trivia nuggets like how Australia used to be called New Holland and what happens when you floss with your hair (ew).

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe!

Overview
In this freewheeling and fast-paced episode of The Jay Thomas Show, Jay and his co-hosts serve up a lively stew of state politics, school cell phone bans, cannabis legalization, gun laws, and some good ol’ Fargo flair. Governor Kelly Armstrong joins for an extended chat, answering pointed listener questions and giving updates on legislative drama, property tax reform, and school policies. The show also dives into the real-world impact of marijuana legalization across the Red River in Minnesota, complete with listener stories, spirited debate, and hilarious off-the-cuff moments.

🎯 Highlights & Timestamp Guide

⏱️ [1:49] – Weather Banter & "Banana Belt" Bragging
Jay opens with a sunny mood and Governor Armstrong pops in to claim it's “nicer in Bismarck,” prompting laughs and listener emails.

⏱️ [7:19] – Mining the Truth: Armstrong Talks Bula Mine
The Governor shares big news about the reopening of the Merlin mine in Bula, ND—a game-changer for national security and critical minerals.

⏱️ [9:01] – Remembering Cindy Schreiber Beck
A heartfelt moment as Armstrong reflects on the life and impact of aviation pioneer and ag leader Cindy Schreiber Beck.

⏱️ [10:23] – Veto Showdown: Legislative Drama Unpacked
Jay and the Governor discuss a confusing veto over housing funds, FTE debates, and whether a special session is looming.

⏱️ [12:05] – Property Tax Pain
The hot topic: Do reforms really bring relief? Armstrong explains the $1,650 credit and the new 3% cap on tax increases. Jay and callers aren't so sure...

⏱️ [24:00] – School Cell Phone Ban Incoming 📵
Jay and Armstrong debate SB 2354, which bans student cell phones in school during the day. Armstrong says it’ll improve mental health and learning. Jay shares teacher and parent reactions, both supportive and skeptical.

⏱️ [37:00] – Cell Phone Culture Wars
Why can’t students leave phones in cars? Are teachers addicted too? A cultural critique of America's phone obsession unfolds.

⏱️ [47:00] – Breaking News: Local Fatal Crash
Jay reports on a tragic car accident and reflects on the weight of delivering tough news live.

⏱️ [1:05:39] – Rogue Judges & Tariff Talk
The episode ramps up into political commentary about courts blocking federal policies. Jay and callers dive into debates about executive authority and resistance politics.

⏱️ [1:06:56] – Tribal Cannabis Store Opens in Moorhead 🌿
Jay explores Minnesota’s first off-reservation tribal dispensary, “Waabigwan Mashkeke,” with lots of laughs, some sticker shock, and big public response.

⏱️ [1:12:00] – Is Weed Worth It?💸
Callers and emailers weigh in on marijuana costs, from $12 joints to $375 ounces, and whether medical weed is affordable or just a pipe dream.

⏱️ [1:26:05] – Guns, Permits, and Minnesota Confusion 🔫
Jay tries to untangle Minnesota's gun laws with a string of informed (and not-so-informed) callers, sparking a mini-civics lesson with laughs along the way.

⏱️ [1:40:00] – Smells Like Skunk Spirit 🦨
The crew discusses the nose-wrinkling potency of modern weed and why today’s strains are a far cry from the mellow tokes of yesteryear.

💬 Listener Vibes

“Better grades, better minds—ditch the cell phones in schools!”
“Property taxes capped at 3%? That’s government math magic.”
“Jay, can you say ‘Waabigwan Mashkeke’ three times fast?”

📍Episode Location: Fargo, ND + statewide listener base
🎧 Where to Listen: Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your Jay Thomas fix.

In this episode of Professional Launch, host Ricot Aladdin dives deep into the real-world value of networking and relationship-building in early career development. He’s joined by Kurtis Karn, Associate VP of Talent Acquisition at KLJ Engineering, and Alex Cassett, a college intern with a knack for marketing and meaningful connections.

From Kurtis’ journey through pharmaceutical sales to his passion for mentorship and talent strategy, to Alex’s inspiring path from high school competitions to professional internships—this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt moments.

We explore:

• Why the best opportunities often come from relationships, not résumés

• The biggest misconceptions students have about networking

• How to make meaningful connections—even if you’re an introvert

• The magic of mentorship and building your personal board of directors

• How to use LinkedIn (and social media) wisely as a young professional

• Why in-person connections still beat digital handshakes (most of the time)

Whether you're a student, job seeker, or seasoned pro looking to pay it forward, this episode will inspire you to lean into community and connection to unlock new opportunities.

🔗 Plus, learn about the mentoring platform at ProfessionalLaunch.org and how you can get involved.

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.

Subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

In this sunshine-soaked Thursday edition of The Coffee Club, hosts Janae and Ronnie bring the weekend vibes early with updates on local events, feel-good community news, and a flavorful guest lineup. Highlights include Fargo Marathon road closures, vehicle safety trends in North Dakota, and a deliciously entertaining appearance from rising bluegrass star Aaron Neihus (and yes, he performs live in-studio!).

The show wraps up with foodie fun from Christine at Reese and Riley’s, who surprises the hosts with vegan-friendly dishes and a crash course in charcuterie evolution (spoiler: it used to be just a meat and cheese tray!). Add in quirky facts, Stefan Diggs yacht drama, and deep dives into McDonald's history, and you’ve got a morning blend as smooth as ceramic-coated SUVs.

🕒 Standout Moments & Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Small Talk & Weekend Vibes:

  One sleep ‘til the weekend! Plus, summer plant talk and why nobody’s going to the casino anymore.

  (“Hold the presses—I’m not going!”)

• 8:00 – Fargo Marathon & Road Closures:

  A deep dive into Saturday’s closures and reminiscing on marathon parties and 5K glory days.

  (“Remember the infamous jeans walk?”)

• 16:50 – Guest Interview: Aaron Neihus (Bluegrass Musician)

  His musical journey, fiddle roots, and a live performance of “Big Bear”—a song about his dad.

  (“This might make me cry.” “He hates this song.”) 🎶

• 36:00 – Potluck Picks:

  What would YOU bring? Tater tot hot dish? Minnesota sushi? Ronnie’s notorious roll-ups?

  (“He’s bringing a pot and wishing everyone luck.”) 😂

• 50:20 – Christine from Reese & Riley’s:

  Vegan lunches, rose balsamic, tofu takes, and yes, char-tables vs. charcuterie boards.

  (“Is that fake chicken? Try it, it’s good!”) 🥗

• 1:11:00 – Did You Know? & Listener Laughs:

  Weird food facts, strangers flirting in traffic, and how often people wake up grumpy (hint: it’s often).

  (“Only 65 happy days a year?!”)

• 1:24:00 – Pop Culture & TV Finales:

  From The Sopranos to Breaking Bad—top TV finales ranked (no Cheers? Blasphemy!).

  (“What about a quarter pounder in the UK?” “Royale with cheese.”)

☕️ Final Sips:

Icebreaker questions, invisible superpowers, tofu debates, and if moose should worry about killer whales (yes, apparently).

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman discuss the 2025-26 MSUM Dragon Men's Basketball roster with multiple players officially signing with the university. Plus, the NSC football season has a cool start for the 2025 season.

On this spirited episode of the Jay Thomas Show, Jay dives into the uproar surrounding local graduation ceremonies—complete with maracas, banging lids, and full-on chaos in the aisles. Listeners weigh in, and things get real. Later, Fargo Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney joins the show to unpack the city's newly approved public safety tax plan—what it covers, where the money’s going, and why some residents feel blindsided. Of course, Jay and the crew also meander down memory lane with tales of high school trouble, mooning buses, and the fine art of detention survival. It’s candid, chaotic, and classically Jay.

🎧 Standout Moments & Timestamps:

• [1:34] – Jay opens the show with a rapid-fire sponsor rundown and intro.

• [2:18] – The team debates Fargo’s controversial public safety tax vote.

• [5:21] – Listener email sparks heated discussion on chaotic graduation behavior at Shields Arena.

• [9:40] – Hooting, hollering, and maracas: Jay breaks down the mayhem at local ceremonies.

• [16:09] – Wild high school stories: teacher tosses student into lockers. Seriously.

• [24:15] – The mooning incident... and how it still haunts school bus history.

• [27:52] – Weather update: sunshine and storms ahead!

• [34:39] – Lawn & Garden Radio with Don Kinsler kicks off—rubber mulch, mildew, and mystery tree death.

• [41:56] – How long does a lawn live? Apparently, a century.

• [43:12] – Medieval lawn care? Don spills turf trivia you didn't know you needed.

• [45:40] – The Horseradish Apocalypse: a condiment that cleared Jay’s sinuses forever.

• [48:00] – More sponsors, Huey Lewis adoration, and boot sales.

• [55:08] – Mayor Mahoney joins for an in-depth breakdown of the city’s new tax and firefighter pay plans.

• [1:26:00] – Law enforcement, real-time crime centers, and the future of public safety.

• [1:44:00] – Graduation madness continues with listener calls: was it cultural celebration or complete chaos?

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.

Subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Today's guests are Matthew & Elenor Heuer from Heuer AgriDrone Service

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