Archives: Episodes

📋 Episode Summary:

In this jam-packed episode of The Jay Thomas Show, Jay kicks things off with “Hot Tub Vinny” from Hot Spring Spas, extolling the year-round benefits of soaking under the stars. Then it's time to dive into national and local issues with U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, who joins Jay for a wide-ranging town hall-style chat on topics like Iran’s nuclear capabilities, potential cyber threats, storm recovery in North Dakota, and reclaiming power for the states.

The show also swings by the Timber Creek Block Party for live check-ins, mouthwatering menus, and local vibes with Big Game James and Jace. Expect passionate callers, spicy commentary, and even a surprise from Master Sergeant Eric Martz, who raises serious alarms about cyber scams targeting veterans. Plus WF City Commissioner Rory Jorgenson discusses the seemingly never ending issues with the city and local business SheyWest Garden Center.

If you like politics with your pretzels and passion with your patio parties—this episode delivers.

🕰️ Standout Timestamps:

• [00:01] – Hot tub love: Jay’s ode to year-round soaking with Vinny from Hot Spring Spas

• [00:09] – Jay teases key topics: defense intel, uranium, and upcoming guests

• [00:14] – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer joins: setting the stage with Iran, intel, and skepticism

• [00:23] – Homeland security & sleeper cells: Senator Cramer weighs in on domestic risks

• [00:36] – The Golden Dome Act and North Dakota’s missile defense upgrade

• [00:41] – Caller segment kicks off: federal overreach, Trump, and restoring state power

• [00:52] – Federal lands for sale? Cramer unpacks the bill language and controversy

• [01:01] – Sober Ride, Vision Zero, and grocery giveaways—Jay reacts to Rob Port’s take

• [01:09] – Cybercrime & veterans: Master Sergeant Eric Martz shares his identity theft story

• [01:18] – Block Party check-in: Jace & Big Game James preview food, drinks, music & cars

• [01:24] – Tornado aftermath & federal disaster relief: Will ND get support?

👥 Guest List:

• Senator Kevin Cramer – U.S. Senator from North Dakota

• Hot Tub Vinny – Hot Spring Spas

• Big Game James & Jace – Live at Timber Creek Block Party

• Master Sergeant Eric Martz – Veteran speaking on cyber fraud

• Various Callers – Including “Ross,” “Maury,” and more, bringing heat and heartfelt concerns

📍 Local Flavor + Listener Love:

Expect updates on the Sweet Shots Car Show, upcoming weather (yep—more derechos), and shoutouts to local movers, groovers, and shakers. Whether it's about missile defense or milkshakes at Wahlburgers, Jay keeps the convo rolling.

📝 Episode Summary:

A jam-packed episode filled with storm recovery, auction gems, ag education, and sweet summer stats.

It’s been a rough weather week across the region, but the skies clear just in time for farmers and communities to rally. Hosts Dean and Bridgette welcome a studio full of guests — including 16-year-old wrestling and FFA standout Naomi Miller, auction expert Brad Olstad, and succession strategist Mike Downey from Uncommon Farms.

From storm damage auctions and crop insurance deadlines to strawberry trivia and next-generation farm transitions, this episode is the perfect blend of serious insight and fresh summer fun.

⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps:

0:03 – 2:00
🎯 Qualifier Time! — The $10K Grocery Giveaway rolls on!

2:00 – 5:30
🤼 Meet Naomi Miller — Student, wrestler, FFA & 4-Her talks about her busy life and local storm damage.

5:30 – 8:15
🚜 Live Auctions & Skid Steers — Brad Olstad from Steffes Group shares updates on hot auction items and how even storm-damaged equipment still sells strong.

8:16 – 10:20
🌪️ After the Storm — Insight on equipment insurance, assessing storm damage, and the emotional toll of losing shelterbelts and sheds.

10:24 – 11:35
🌽 Enderlin FFA Cleans Up — Students walk fields clearing debris. Photos shared on livestream.

12:00 – 13:21
🧑‍🏫 Ag Education + EPA Visits — Bridget previews her events with teachers and the EPA this week.

13:22 – 18:47
🌱 Uncommon Farms & NextGen Ag — Mike Downey explains how his team helps farms with financials, succession, and even “matchmaking” young and retiring farmers. (Think FarmersOnly meets legacy planning.)

18:48 – 19:48
🌪️ LRC Weather Prediction — Dean confirms Friday’s supercell was predicted by the LRC. Expect a repeat end of July/early August.

19:49 – 27:23
📊 Risk Management & Coaching Farms — Mike shares tips on keeping farms protected and how coaching helps keep family operations thriving long-term.

27:23 – 30:48
🏢 Corporate Farm Myths — 96% of Illinois farms are still family-owned despite popular misconceptions.

30:49 – 33:00
🌦️ Forecast Alert! — Severe weather possible Friday & Saturday night. Dean says it could resemble last week’s derecho (again 😬).

33:00 – 36:10
🍓 Strawberry Stats + Sweet Summer Facts

• 51,000 lbs per acre

• 200 seeds per berry

• 94% of U.S. households consume them
  Plus: "How many bushels do YOU weigh?" jokes ensue 🤣

📻 Podcast Summary:

Welcome to the Bonnie & Friends show on WDAY Radio – your daily dose of local headlines, weather banter, community updates, and some unexpected laughs! In this jam-packed episode, Bonnie and Jace cover everything from devastating storm updates to quirky listener stories like forgetting pants at home (seriously). Plus, there’s talk of foul-mouthed parrots, forgotten Fitbits, and an old-school debate on whether you should wash your jeans before wearing them.

You’ll also get the latest on Redhawks baseball, the Minnesota Twins’ pitching woes, upcoming NBA/NHL draft insights, and local community events including the third annual Sweet Shots Block Party. Oh, and did we mention a swearing parrot named Hendrix? Yep. Buckle up.

🎧 Catchy Moments & Time Stamps:

• [0:00] Weather + Tornado Aftermath
  Governor Armstrong and Walz tour damage sites after devastating storms. The team recaps Enderlin’s EF3 tornado and Bemidji’s hurricane-force winds.

• [1:16] True Crime Tidbits
  Drive-by shooting in Moorhead, BB gun incident in Fargo, and a federal “straw purchase” gun case involving Fleet Farm.

• [3:51] Morning Banter & “Is it Friday Yet?” Vibes
  Bonnie and Jace get real about long weeks and sticky weather. Relatable vibes galore.

• [4:47] Minnesota Twins Meltdown
  A deep dive into their “2 for 13” slump, injuries, and what’s going so wrong on the mound. Spoiler: it’s not great.

• [6:24] Redhawks Rally!
  Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks steal a 7-6 win from the Milwaukee Milkmen. (Yes, that's a real team.)

• [8:53] NBA/NHL Draft Preview
  Bonnie and Jace break down the Wolves’ picks and speculate whether a European sleeper might slide to #31.

• [11:49] Upcoming Events: Block Parties & Rodeos
  Sweet Shots Block Party tonight, plus the McLeod Stampede Rodeo this weekend. Yeehaw and bring sunscreen.

• [19:20] Hilarious Listener Responses
  QOTD: “What did you forget at home that totally threw off your day?”
  Top answers: pants, phones, Fitbits, even coffee creamer!

• [51:00+] Debate Time: Should You Wash New Clothes First?
  Bonnie goes full germ-phobe. Jace plays devil’s advocate. Verdict: maybe… if there are mice?

• [1:07:00] Hendrix the Swearing Parrot 🦜
  A rescue parrot who talks like Samuel L. Jackson is looking for a home – and not one with kids, please.

• [1:15:00] Gadget Talk: Wallets vs. Phones vs. Digital ID
  Are you really safer going wallet-free? Bonnie and Jace weigh the pros and cons of tech and tap-to-pay.

• [1:20:00+] Real Talk: Life, Loss & Gratitude
  A heartfelt section reflecting on recent storms, personal stories, and why it’s important to say “I love you” before heading out the door.

📋 Episode Summary (Apple/Spotify Style):

On today’s vibrant episode of The Coffee Club Show, hosts Janae and Ronnie return with stories from Vegas (🍔 Wahlburgers, $10 iced coffee?!), a deep dive into comfort food science (yes, chewing gum was an accident), and reflections on tornado recovery efforts in North Dakota. Plus, they chat with Cody Cashman, GM of the Red River Valley Fair, about upcoming nonprofit events, demolition derbies, and free fair fun. Listener calls, hilarious food confessions, and even debates over vegetables (who likes turnips?) make this episode a must-listen!

👥 Guests Featured:

• Cody Cashman – General Manager, Red River Valley Fair

• Dino (Dean Wysocki) – Local meteorologist with weather updates

• Caller Nikki – With a hot take on Worcestershire sauce

• Caller Julie M. – Rodeo ticket winner 🎟️

🔥 Standout Moments & Timestamps:

• [00:03:00] – Ronnie’s Vegas recap: Burgers, iced coffee, and resisting In-N-Out

• [00:10:00] – The Coffee Club gets “saucy” debating burger sauces and animal-style fries

• [00:18:00] – The wildest foods invented by accident – from chips to chocolate chip cookies 🍪

• [00:30:00] – Tornado aftermath & relief efforts in Enderlin and Hunter 🌪️

• [00:38:00] – Question of the Day: What’s the one food you’d eat forever? (Greek yogurt, pancakes, Porterhouse steak 🥩 – oh my!)

• [00:47:00] – 🎯 Cody Cashman talks free 4th of July events at the Red River Valley Fair

• [01:05:00] – History lesson: Top ways to die in the Old West… mercury and leeches?!

• [01:16:00] – Banana Ball baseball, celebrity cameos, and dreams of Savannah bananas

• [01:25:00] – 🥦 America’s favorite (and least favorite) veggies – Corn reigns supreme

• [01:30:00] – Childhood farm tales: pet lambs, Brussels sprouts, and awkward waiter jokes

💡 Fun Fact of the Episode:

Worcestershire sauce was originally a sauce someone forgot in a cupboard for years before realizing it was delicious. Fermented anchovies = accidental flavor bomb. 🐟😬

Episode Summary:
This week’s episode is jam-packed with energy, insights, and some serious dirt. Host Jason Berg kicks things off live from Midtown Tavern, hyping up the night’s specials and setting the stage for a thrilling lineup of guests from the world of dirt track racing.

The episode features:

• 🔊 Ruben Mireles, the voice of the World of Outlaw Late Models, sharing stories from the road, historic returns to legendary tracks, and what makes a great announcer tick.

• 🏁 Weston Olson, fresh off his first NOSA Sprint Car win, gets real about balancing racing with baseball, wrestling the cushion at River Cities, and why that first win hits different.

• 🏆 Tucker Peterson, new member of the NLRA winners’ club, discusses the grind of moving up from street stocks to late models, setup secrets, and racing alongside his powerhouse family.

• 💡 Hayden Koehmstedt , up-and-coming Lightning Sprint driver, talks confidence, clutch issues (literally), and why his next big finish might just be a checkered flag.

🔥 Key Moments & Takeaways:

📍0:00–2:30 – Welcome to Midtown Tavern 🍕🍔🍻 – food specials and a racing-packed lineup preview
📍2:30–10:00 – Ruben Mireles on Outlaws’ northern swing, announcer catchphrases (ding ding!), and his passion for telling racers' stories
📍14:30–23:00 – Weston Olson's emotional first win at River Cities, lessons from running Huset’s, and gratitude for family support
📍26:45–36:45 – Tucker Peterson breaks down his NLRA win, shock tuning woes, and why note-taking is everything in late models
📍46:40–54:30 – Hayden Koehmstedt reveals a big confidence boost, a sharp-looking new wrap, and what it’ll mean to get that first win at his home track

In this high-energy and heartfelt episode of Bonnie & Friends on WDAY Radio, Bonnie Amistadi, Jace Denman, and Bridget Riedel cover the aftermath of North Dakota’s devastating derecho and deadly tornadoes—with eyewitness stories, expert insights, and calls for community support. Power outages, twisted grain bins, and miracle escapes dominate early segments, but the mood lightens with a hilarious debate over ideal eating contest foods.

From storm survival to shrimp cocktail showdowns, this episode is a wild weather ride with a side of Minnesota nice.

📌 Key Moments + Timestamps:

• [0:00] Breaking Down the Derecho

  The team discusses the frightening storm system that spawned tornadoes and hurricane-force winds. Bridget describes the “train-like” roar and chaos in Hunter, ND.

• [8:55] Aftermath and Aid

  Three confirmed deaths near Enderlin. Local leaders coordinate cleanup efforts while power crews work nonstop.

• [22:30] Guest: Lynn Paulson from Bell Bank

  Lynn explains how farmers can navigate insurance and lending after severe ag damage. “Lead with your head, not your heart,” he advises.

• [35:12] Cybersecurity & Crops

  Bridget dives into how geopolitical threats like Iran might affect ag infrastructure and digital security in the Midwest.

• [1:10:40] Eating Contest Chaos 🍽️

  Listeners call in with their dream food challenges. Highlights:

  • Doug: Dry-rubbed baby back ribs

  • Janet: A massive steak... maybe

  • Jay: Powdered sugar donut balls

  • Bonnie: Chocolate popcorn

  • Roger: 50 jumbo shrimp (we salute you, sir)

  • Paulie from Idaho: Lasagna all the way

• [1:30:20] Power Outages and Portable Generators

  Tips and firsthand accounts from rural residents keeping freezers running and homes lit.

• [1:44:15] Bridget on Crop Devastation

  Leaves shredded. Fields scoured. “Some crops were just gone.” A sobering outlook for area farmers.

• [2:02:00] Pop Culture & Storm Relief

  Discussion turns to NBA Finals, sturgeon fishing, and the Great Grocery Giveaway.

In this gripping episode of Weather and Ag in Focus, Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki and ag expert Bridgette Readel recount the devastation left in the wake of a rare and catastrophic derecho that slammed through North Dakota. With sustained 100+ mph winds, entire communities—including Enderlin and Spiritwood—were left reeling from damage usually reserved for hurricanes. Bridgette shares her personal cleanup ordeal, and later, special guest Lynn Paulson, Senior VP of Ag Lending at Bell Bank, joins the show to offer vital guidance for impacted farmers. The episode also spotlights community recovery efforts, looming ag infrastructure issues, and unsettling global factors that could disrupt farming even more.

This is real-time resilience in action.

📌 Key Moments + Timestamps:

• [0:02] "The Freight Train Storm"
  Bridgette and Dean open the show, detailing the powerful derecho that tore through the region with hurricane-like force.

• [1:26] A Hurricane in the Heartland
  Dean shares that this was unlike anything he’s seen in 30+ years. Sustained winds, tornadic activity, and widespread damage.

• [3:05] Crops Scoured Like an SOS Pad
  Bridgette explains how young soybeans were shredded, with some fields left barren.

• [3:48] Upcoming Guest: Lynn Paulson of Bell Bank
  They preview a conversation about the financial implications of ag disasters.

• [6:18] Community Rallies for Cleanup
  Bridgette highlights the Enderlin FFA's effort to help farmers clean fields of debris.

• [7:42] 100x100 Miles of Damage
  They estimate the storm affected a swath nearly the size of a small state.

• [8:07] Derecho Ranked Among Worst Storms in U.S.
  Discussion about the potential national ranking of this event—possibly among the top 25 most damaging.

• [11:17] Lynn Paulson Joins the Show
  Lynn brings calm clarity, walking through the process of financial recovery post-disaster.

• [12:18] “Lead with Your Head, Not Just the Heart”
  Farmers are advised to take a breath before jumping into recovery decisions.

• [16:04] Insurance Triage and Patience
  A candid chat about the claims backlog and understanding what your policy really covers.

• [20:24] “I’m Not Going Out Like This”
  Lynn shares that while some may think of walking away, most farmers rise to meet the challenge.

• [25:09] AgViews Live Preview
  Lynn plugs the upcoming Bell Bank ag finance event, co-hosted with Dr. Dave Cole—open to farmers and non-farmers alike.

• [28:14] Farming as a Numbers Game
  Advice for producers: Know your breakeven points and prepare for generational wealth transitions.

• [33:12] Iran, Cybersecurity & Fertilizer
  Bridgette warns of geopolitical impacts, from fertilizer tariffs to cyber threats targeting agriculture.

• [34:44] Storm Scams & Cyber Hygiene
  Important reminders about staying vigilant against digital threats after a disaster.

• [35:26] Mental Health & Storm Recovery
  Final thoughts on resilience, stress, and the strength of the ag community.

In this gripping episode of the Jay Thomas Show, we take you inside the heart of one of the most destructive weather events in North Dakota’s history. A devastating derecho storm and powerful tornadoes tore through the region, leveling trees, ripping apart communities, and leaving a path of destruction from Bemidji to Enderlin. Hear firsthand accounts from local officials, meteorologists, and residents as they recount the chaos, cleanup, and incredible luck that may have spared cities like Fargo from even worse devastation.

Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki explains the rare meteorological setup — a potent combination of a derecho and a “wake low” — that produced sustained winds of over 100 mph and collapsed a tornado before it reached Fargo. You’ll also hear updates from city officials in Page, Hunter, and Bemidji, learn how volunteers are stepping up, and reflect on the eerie 68th anniversary of the 1957 Fargo tornado.

The auction landscape is constantly evolving, and Pifers Auction is at the forefront with their revolutionary approach to equipment sales. Their recent conversion of the Upper Midwest sale from a timed online-only format to a live auction with simulcast bidding has proven extraordinarily successful, drawing over 1,600 registered bidders from across all 50 states and countries including Mexico and Peru.

This broadcast takes you behind the scenes of what makes a modern auction work in today's global marketplace. A Ditch Witch boring machine that sold for $127,500 exemplifies how specialized equipment can now reach buyers from coast to coast, while a matched pair of 2023 John Deere 8R410 tractors commanding $365,000 each demonstrates the continuing strength at the premium end of the market. Perhaps most impressive was a 2024 John Deere 335P track skid steer with just 275 hours bringing a record-breaking $94,000.

The wheel loader market has shown exceptional strength, with machines headed to buyers as far away as Peru. What makes the new auction format particularly valuable is its flexibility - sellers no longer need to transport large equipment to a central location, saving significantly on freight costs while still benefiting from competitive bidding. As regional manager Chris Baer explains, "Not everybody wants to bring their equipment in. Freight's expensive...so why can't we sell it there and have a live auction?"

After several years of equipment appreciation during the pandemic era, the market has now stabilized into a pattern of normal depreciation - yet remains remarkably strong. The gap between new and slightly-used equipment values continues to create opportunities for buyers and sellers alike. Whether you're looking to acquire premium farmland like the upcoming 839-acre property bordering Custer State Park (with views of Mount Rushmore) or planning to consign to their classic car auction in Bowman, Pifers continues to connect exceptional properties and equipment with the right buyers.

Ready to experience the power of a truly global marketplace for your land or equipment? Contact the experts at Pifers Auction, Realty and Land Management today and discover what your assets might be worth in today's dynamic market.

Follow at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & Facebook

Contact the team at Pifer's

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman indulge in the upcoming 2025 football season. Plus, they give a few thoughts on the NBA Finals' Game 7 this weekend.