Archives: Episodes

🔥 Episode Summary:

Guest host Tim Flakoll takes the reins with a jam-packed episode featuring a lineup of fascinating guests, powerful local stories, and a touch of humor. From investigating a decades-old mystery with the Cass County Coroner’s office to unveiling updates on the future Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, this episode captures the heartbeat of North Dakota.

🎧 Tune in for deep dives on rural revitalization, higher education reform, and a dash of animal fashion flair. Oh, and there’s a presidential lazy river idea. You had to be there.

🎤 Featured Guests:

• Brent Sanford – ND University System Chancellor

• Christy Ross – Cass County Coroner

• Natalie Batisa – Death Investigator, Cass County

• Robbie Lauf – Executive Director, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

• Laura Larson – Owner, Best Friend’s Closet

• Natalie Perhus – Homeward Animal Shelter Event Coordinator

• Austin Erickson – WDAY News Reporter (with breaking news on Sen. Nicole Mitchell trial)

⏱️ Standout Timestamps:

• [0:03:00] – Jay’s Away, Tim’s In: Guest host Tim Flakoll kicks things off with farm talk, REO Speedwagons, and childhood stories.

• [0:25:10] – Higher Ed Shakeup: Chancellor Brent Sanford on workforce needs, dual credit expansion, and why 83% of ND grads stay in-state.

• [0:59:15] – Mystery in the Cemetery: The incredible cold case of an unidentified 1970s body—solved through a denture plate and military serial numbers.

• [1:23:40] – Presidential Library Countdown: Robbie Lauf shares exciting updates on the TR Library, the 351-day countdown, and the green-roof design overlooking Medora.

• [1:43:00] – Street Fair Style: Laura Larson chats about her pop-up shop, consignment secrets, and donut-safe shopping.

• [1:54:10] – Pawject Runway: Natalie Perhus previews Homeward Animal Shelter’s fabulous upcoming “Project Runway” fundraiser and highlights the ongoing animal adoption surge.

• [2:03:45] – BREAKING VERDICT: Austin Erickson reports the guilty verdict in State Senator Nicole Mitchell’s burglary trial.

🧠 Topics Explored:

• How dentures solved a 50-year-old cold case 💀

• North Dakota’s changing educational priorities 📚

• Construction countdown to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library 🏛️

• The truth about consignment shopping 💃

• Animal fashion shows & community creativity 🐶

• Breaking political news 🚨

✨ Highlight Moment:

“We’re not building a structure — we’re building a place of learning, of healing. The Badlands shaped Roosevelt. This library will shape the next generation.” – Robbie Lauf

📍 Location Shoutouts:

Fargo, West Fargo, Medora, Bismarck, Watford City, Detroit Lakes, Valley City

In this episode of Rocky's Downtown Hour, host Rocky Schneider takes listeners live to the heart of Downtown Fargo for the 49th annual Street Fair — a colorful celebration spanning 10 blocks with 200+ vendors, food courts, free concerts, and a parade of personalities. Rocky chats with local business owners and makers about their passions, their craft, and the community spirit that fuels Downtown.

Highlights include:

• Sally Leffler from Beyond Running shares her 18-year journey outfitting locals for every type of adventure (not just runners!) and why events like the Street Fair are essential to downtown vitality.

• Danny Bruckbauer of Ellery Stoneware dives into the deeply personal story behind his pottery brand — including whiskey cups inspired by his grandpa — and his love for bringing art with meaning back home to Fargo from L.A.

• Elizabeth Moore of Morioki brings the nerdy anime energy, bright colors, and creativity. She discusses everything from digital art to cosplay, hosting anime clubs, and helping the next generation tap into their creative spark.

🎶 With live music from The Deadbeats, mural walks, dog-friendly vendors, and even pirate parrots (really), this episode captures the quirky, authentic, and joyful heartbeat of Fargo.

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman recap the Minnesota Timberwolves' Summer League game against Phoenix (With a slight detour involving grilling and a hypothetical weekend trip across the country. Plus, how did Teddy Bridgewater get suspended from coaching high school football?

📅 Date Aired: July 17, 2025
🎙️ Host: Jay Thomas
📍 Location: Live from Cheyenne Street, West Fargo – 2nd Cruise Night of the Summer
🎧 Runtime: ~2.5 hours

🎯 Summary:

Broadcast live from the heart of West Fargo’s second summer Cruise Night, this episode of The Jay Thomas Show revs its engines with a mix of local flavor, car talk, wild weather, listener confessions, and community pride. Jay kicks things off with West Fargo’s favorite weatherman Dean Wysocki delivering a perfect-night forecast, then gears into stories about speeding tickets, ticket dodges, and even the time someone racked up a $15,000 fine.

The show features a surprise visit from Critter Crumbs founder Tim Mowen, who shares how his family business (started in Grandma’s garage!) became a mouse-eviction powerhouse. Jay and co-host Rich weave through car culture nostalgia, Cruise Night rules, and dog treat drama — including a Great Dane named Deuce who strolls through like he owns the place.

The episode closes with a parade of characters calling in to confess the biggest fines they’ve ever received — from $11 North Dakota violations to a shocking California freeway fiasco. Throw in a scandalous Coldplay concert CEO sighting and a Junkyard Brewing Oktoberfest preview, and you’ve got a wild ride from start to finish.

🕒 Standout Timestamps:

• 00:01:00 – 🔥 Hot Spring Spas sponsor spot opens the show.

• 00:07:15 – ☀️ Dean Wysocki delivers a spot-on Cruise Night forecast.

• 00:15:42 – 🌡️ A rare 43° morning in mid-July? Jay grills Dean on freak weather and climate trends.

• 00:27:10 – 🚗 Jay announces Cruise Night rules (spoiler: no burnouts allowed!)

• 00:33:30 – 🎤 Listener Jeff calls in about Rockfest in Grand Rapids.

• 00:39:12 – 🎫 "What’s your biggest ticket ever?" segment kicks off – chaos (and laughter) ensues.

• 00:49:00 – 🚨 $15,000 fine story from a trucker who forgot export papers at the Canadian border.

• 01:03:50 – 🐀 Tim Mowen joins live to share the origin of Critter Crumbs and mice-proofing secrets.

• 01:18:45 – 🧀 Jay and Rich debate: Mustard or cheese on a pretzel?

• 01:23:30 – 🍻 Junkyard Brewing’s taproom manager previews their Oktoberfest plans and pizza pairings.

• 01:35:00 – 🐍 A woman brings a service snake to Cruise Night (seriously).

• 01:43:20 – 📻 Surprise caller Gary questions the new West Fargo stoplight (and its traffic effects).

• 01:52:50 – 🐅 Kathy Diekman from Chahinkapa Zoo drops in to hype the zoo and carousel fun.

• 02:10:00 – 🏡 Jay and John Nasella talk home values, real estate, and Trump’s big housing ideas.

👥 Guests:

1. Dean Wysocki – Meteorologist, WDAY

2. Jeff (caller) – Rockfest-goer, Grand Rapids

3. Tim Mowen – Founder of Critter Crumbs and Mouse Mix

4. Seth (Junkyard Brewing) – Taproom Manager

5. Kathy Diekman – Director, Chahinkapa Zoo

6. John Nasella – Realtor, JK Property Partners

7. Multiple Local Callers – Shared confessions of their worst tickets and parking mishaps

💡 Highlights:

• Jay's claim: "North Dakota’s ticket fines are so low, it’s almost embarrassing."

• Live Cruise Night coverage, including event setup and food vendors galore.

• Debate of the night: Mustard vs. cheese on pretzels (or...marshmallow fluff?!)

• Jay’s hilarious dog treat saga featuring "Rolling Thunder" the Westie and Cash's greenie addiction.

• CEO caught cheating on the Coldplay concert big screen? The whole crew reacts in disbelief.

• $15,000 ticket story sparks wave of listener confessions, including a $643 speeding charge in California.

🍿 Bonus Content:

• Jay plans to petition for free property taxes for 65+ in North Dakota.

• Sneak peek at upcoming Cruise Nights: August & September.

• Why you don’t want to throw a cover on your classic car during winter (hint: mice love it).

🎯 Episode Overview:
It's a blazing Thursday morning on Bonnie and Friends, and the crew is serving up a sizzling mix of local updates, national quirks, and good old-fashioned banter. From National Hot Dog Day and ND Fair highlights to major shifts in real estate and public health, Bonnie, Jace, and friends keep things funny, sharp, and community-focused. Also: why are Barbie dolls being smuggled into North Korea?

🌭 0:00 – National Hot Dog Day!

• Free dogs at Costco, Sonic, and Kwik Trip

• Listener calls in with hot dog toppings debate

“Chili or kraut? There’s no wrong answer—unless it’s mayo.”

🌡️ 6:20 – Weather Outlook

• Mid-80s today with scattered storms possible

• Fire danger remains high in parts of MN/ND

“It’s that kind of day where sunscreen and an umbrella both make sense.”

🎪 9:30 – ND State Fair Preview

• Sawyer Brown, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll & more

• Jace shares tips on beating the crowds and best fair food hacks

“Pro tip: hit the mini donuts first. They run out by noon!”

💵 14:00 – Inflation & Consumer Prices Update

• Retail sales slightly up; grocery prices still a pain

• Bonnie: “If bacon hits $10, I’m switching to tofu—maybe.”

🏡 21:40 – Fargo-Moorhead Housing Snapshot

• Prices cooling in some areas, rent still high

• Debate: Is it better to buy now or wait until fall?

“Interest rates scare me more than a hailstorm in July.”

🦠 30:10 – New Virus Alert from CDC

• “Chapare virus” case in South America (ebola-like symptoms)

• No U.S. cases, but public health teams monitoring closely

“We just got used to leaving the house again...”

🪖 38:55 – North Korea’s Barbie Ban (Yes, Really)

• Smugglers caught bringing Barbie dolls into the country

• Bonnie: “Imagine risking jail time for Malibu Dreamhouse.”

🧻 44:20 – TP Shortage? Not Again!

• Supply chain hiccup rumored, but retailers downplay concerns

• Jace: “Buy what you need, not a 12-year supply, folks.”

🎤 51:00 – Listener Calls: Hot Dog Memories, Hometown Shoutouts

• Favorite fair foods, summer road trips, and a shoutout to Grandpa Ernie in Wahpeton

“He’s 94 and still mowing his own lawn.”

🚓 1:05:15 – Fargo Crime Roundup

• DWI arrests spike over the weekend

• Local police warn about fake charity scams popping up via text

🎵 1:22:00 – Music Rewind & Flatland Jams

• Recap of recent shows and what’s next in the lineup

• Listener texts in a request for Journey (which Jace gladly honors)

📦 1:35:30 – Amazon Prime Fallout & Retail Trends

• Post-Prime Day fatigue, shoppers now bracing for back-to-school sales

• Bonnie: “I blinked and they put out Halloween candy.”

🗳️ 1:48:00 – Election Year Talk Begins

• Local chatter picks up about school board and city council candidates

• Bonnie encourages listeners to “do their homework” early

📆 2:05:00 – Weekend Preview & Final Thoughts

• More fairs, festivals, and free events around the area

“Go outside, eat something deep fried, and tell your neighbor hi.”

📝 Episode Description:

On this lively edition of The Coffee Club Show, Bonnie and Janae welcome rising country artist Laila Noel for a heartfelt in-studio performance of her song “Don’t Forget the One”—a powerful tribute to female veterans that's bringing listeners to tears. 🌟 They chat about upcoming summer fun including the Fargo Street Fair, concerts at Sweet Shots, and North Dakota’s state and county fairs 🍗🎡. Plus, they dish on vintage nostalgia (CD burners and flip phones!), tackle the world’s “dumbest” animals 🐼, and laugh through retro snacks once considered “healthy.” Oh, and there's breaking entertainment gossip—including Michael Bublé’s shocking Super Bowl role, Paul Harvey’s lawsuit, and more!

📍 Highlights & Timestamps:

• 0:30 – Thursday vibes & Fargo Street Fair kickoff

• 1:02 – Car shows, state fairs & fair food favorites

• 3:14 – Wild news: Local lockdown threat & arrest

• 5:14 – Free Fargo pool days & nostalgic summer memories

• 6:49 – Flag parade for disabled veterans 🇺🇸

• 8:08 – Red River Valley Garden Tour & bee-saving tips

• 9:46 – House anxiety and 300 visitors in your yard!

• 12:30 – Question of the Day: Where do you really spend your money?

• 16:20 – Streaming overload & services you forgot you paid for

• 17:19 – 🎤 Special Guest Laila Noel (First Fargo performance!)

• 22:55 – LIVE Performance: “Don’t Forget the One” ❤️🇺🇸

• 28:00 – Laila talks music, inspiration, & her Nashville dreams

• 31:04 – High school music memories & awkward choir experiences

• 35:00 – Dirty Dancing, nostalgia, and legendary soundtracks

• 44:00 – Deodorant wars, street fair tips & scratch-n-sniff stickers!

• 52:00 – Celebrity headlines: Pete Davidson, Emma Watson & Ozzy

• 57:08 – Weather report & Gen Z things they’ll never experience

• 1:02:25 – Best movie soundtracks of all time 🎬

• 1:12:24 – Historical myths debunked: Napoleon, Vikings & witches

• 1:18:50 – George Washington’s teeth weren’t wooden?!

• 1:25:08 – First cars, ironing woes, and good deeds

• 1:35:48 – Junk foods that used to be healthy (Pop-Tarts, anyone?)

• 1:39:30 – That's a wrap! See you next episode ☕💬

👥 Guest(s):

• 🎤 Laila Noelle – Country artist performing “Don’t Forget the One” from her new EP Betting All

  • Find her music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon – just search “Laila Noel” (L-A-I-L-A N-O-E-L-L-E)

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to bring tissues. This one hits you in the feels. 🇺🇸

In this episode, Ricot Aladin sits down with Simone Wai, a community builder and the visionary force behind Folkways—a Fargo-based nonprofit fighting loneliness through vibrant public experiences. From launching the now-iconic Red River Market to hosting Night Bazaar and an enchanting Christmas Market, Simone shares how her background in marketing evolved into a mission to foster connection, belonging, and economic vitality.

They dive into Campus FM, an innovative mentorship and media program connecting college students with the community through paid content creation, helping them build skills, find jobs, and stay rooted locally. Simone also reflects on the power of mentorship, the courage to start imperfectly, and the importance of letting go of projects when their time has passed.

This episode is a masterclass in social impact, creative risk-taking, and the beauty of bringing people together.

Themes: Community building, mentorship, arts + gathering, career launching, social entrepreneurship, student engagement, nonprofit leadership

🎙️ “Running events is like opening and closing a business in one day.” – Simone Wai

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman recap the 2025 ND Lions All-Star Basketball games and put a bow on the 2024-25 school year. Plus, they recap the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

Description:

Bridgette goes live from the wheat fields and Dean holds down the studio while producer Addison is fast asleep at home. With a special guest from Peterson Farm Seed, Bridgette and Dean dig into crop conditions, ag tech, hail damage, and the surprising resilience of wheat. It’s part weather, part wheat science, and part tailgate party—all wrapped into one field-friendly episode.

🎯 Key Highlights & Timestamps:

🌦️ 0:00 – 4:02 | Storm Watch & Weather Outlook

• Dean details this week’s weather, including record-challenging lows (47°F overnight!) and upcoming heatwaves.

• Rain totals over the next 10–14 days could reach 1–2 inches across the Northern Plains—a welcome change for many farmers.

🎤 4:03 – 5:09 | Bridget Joins from the Field... Briefly

• Technical gremlins cause some early hiccups as Bridgette attempts to report live from the wheat field.

🚜 5:10 – 10:40 | Where’s Your Tractor Made?

• Bridget spotlights U.S. ag manufacturing:

  • Claas's U.S. combine production hits 10,000 units.

  • John Deere plans a $20B investment in American production.

  • Domestic sourcing is up for Case New Holland and others.

🌾 10:41 – 13:06 | In the Field with Kelsey Pelman (Peterson Farm Seed)

• Kelsey praises the wheat’s resilience after hailstorms.

• Minor wheat stem sawfly damage spotted, but no major threat.

• Discussing seeding rates and unexpected tillering.

👩‍🌾 13:08 – 17:54 | Wheat Recovery & What the Crop Needs Now

• Wheat is loving the current cool temps.

• A little rain now could supercharge kernel development.

• Dean teases a possible severe weather stretch in early August—right around harvest time.

📅 17:54 – 20:47 | Harvest Timing & Risks

• Discussing the risks of harvesting too early or too late.

• Wheat could hit 57–62 bushels/acre; quality looks high.

• Moisture and disease pressure will determine final yield.

🏆 20:47 – 29:11 | Rain Gauge Giveaway & Listener Interaction

• Listeners can win a National Weather Service-approved rain gauge and a $100 gas gift card by guessing yield.

• Bridgette and Kelsey estimate their field’s yield; Bridget’s optimistic guess: 62 bushels.

🧠 29:12 – 30:58 | Wednesday Weather Trivia!

• Question: What’s that earthy smell after it rains?

• Answer: Petrichor! One listener nails it and wins the prize.

🎙️ 30:59 – End | Wrap-Up & More Ag Wisdom

• The field can be harvested in a day—if the weather cooperates.

• Tips on nitrate levels in dry forage and straw use post-harvest.

• Listener Al shares insight on wheat straw used in plywood manufacturing.

🎯 Episode Overview:

It’s a Fair Week frenzy on today’s Bonnie and Friends! With fried food in the forecast and flatland music in the air, Bonnie, Jace, and friends are dishing out local news, lively debates, and just the right amount of “what the heck?!” From NFL suspensions and stamp hikes to heat warnings and Jace’s questionable math skills, this episode has all the Midwest charm and chaos you could want over morning coffee.

⏱️ Key Highlights & Timestamps:

🌩️ 0:00 – Weather & Storm Warnings

• Severe storm damage in Otter Tail County: barns and silos destroyed

• Air quality alerts continue

“You might want to cancel those lake plans... or bring a lifejacket and an umbrella.”

🥓 6:10 – Breakfast Gets Pricier

• Bacon prices are sizzling—up 6% from last year.

• Bonnie: “At this rate, bacon will be a luxury item by Labor Day.”

🐟 9:05 – ND’s 9 Million Walleye Fingerlings

• Game & Fish delivers a massive stocking update.

• Walleye dreams are alive and well across North Dakota lakes.

🚓 13:25 – Moorhead Police Standoff Ends Safely

• Bonnie recaps a tense situation involving a known suspect.

• Thankfully: “No shots fired, no one hurt.”

🎤 17:30 – Fair Recap: Lauren Daigle Shines

• Huge turnout for the Sunday show.

• Jace: “She had the crowd in tears... in a good way.”

🪱 22:40 – DARPA’s Robotic Worms Are Real

• Rescue missions? Infrastructure repair? Creepy? Yes.

• Bonnie: “I’m not ready for worms with Wi-Fi.”

📉 28:10 – CPI Inflation Data Preview

• All eyes on gas and grocery trends.

• Jace: “We’ll find out just how expensive that frozen pizza really is.”

🚗 36:00 – 0.41 BAC DUI Arrest in Fargo

• Driver crashes into a garage while shockingly over the limit.

• Jace: “How was he even upright?”

🎢 47:00 – Florida Zipline Fail

• A woman gets stranded mid-zipline and has to be lowered down manually.

• Bonnie: “Adrenaline and altitude are not for everyone.”

🐾 56:45 – Pet-Powered Lottery Win

• Cat accidentally reveals a missing $150K Powerball ticket.

• Bonnie: “That’s one expensive hairball.”

🎶 1:04:00 – Music Memories: Queen, Elton, & Aerosmith

• Jace shares wild trivia from the world of ‘70s rock.

• Includes a surprisingly PG rehash of Queen’s Bicycle Race video shoot.

🧠 1:17:30 – MN Passes Social Media Warning Law

• Minnesota becomes first state to require mental health pop-ups on social media.

• Bonnie: “Is it a solution? Or just digital duct tape?”

📬 1:25:40 – Stamps Are Now $0.78

• USPS raises Forever Stamp prices again.

• Jace: “If I’m paying 78 cents, I want glitter on the envelope.”

🏠 1:32:15 – Renting Is Now Cheaper Than Buying

• Home prices fall in 30% of U.S. markets.

• “You can either buy a house... or rent and afford air conditioning.”

📅 1:40:10 – What’s Coming Up

• ND State Fair preview

• Flatland Jams lineup tease

• More concert giveaways on tomorrow’s show!