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Episode Summary:

Hosts Jace Denman and "Big Game" James McCarty cover the latest in sports and local news on a snowy Tuesday morning. The main topic of conversation is the incoming winter storm set to affect the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Key Moments:

• Weather Warnings: Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki confirms a Winter Weather Advisory for the FM area and a Winter Storm Warning for the Northern Valley. Precip is expected to start around 9:00 AM as a mix of snow and sleet, with the potential for freezing rain mixed in by lunchtime. The conditions will deteriorate rapidly in the afternoon, with winds whipping out of the northwest at 35 to 50 mph, making the evening commute "an absolute mess". Total snowfall is predicted to be about two to four inches in the FM area.

• Timberwolves Lose, Wild Win: The Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Phoenix Suns 108-105, snapping their five-game winning streak. Their shooting struggled, notably hitting only 11 of 42 three-point attempts. The Minnesota Wild had a successful night, scoring three unanswered third-period goals to win 4-1 against the Kraken in Seattle, splitting their road trip.

• Family Holiday Drama: James shares a comedic story about his father's plan to travel to Denver to see the Timberwolves play on Christmas Day, suggesting James handle all Christmas cooking and hosting duties by himself.

• Illegal Air Drop: A bizarre news story highlights a prison in South Carolina where a drone was intercepted trying to drop a package of contraband (steak, crab legs, weed, and cigarettes) for inmates.

• College Success Indicator: The Department of Education will add an "Earnings Disclosure" to the FAFSA process, giving students key financial data and showing which colleges have graduates who earn below the average high school graduate, helping prospective students make better data-driven decisions.

• Lottery Tickets: Listeners Cody and Jamie won Fargo Force tickets for the games this week.

Public Policy: Cale provides an overview of the new Center for Civic Engagement, a comprehensive initiative to increase civic engagement, candidate recruitment, and voter turnout, including leveraging the Vote FMWF website. He also previews the upcoming Minnesota legislative session, focusing on potential reforms to Paid Family Medical Leave and the pursuit of a substantial bonding bill.

Workforce: Jane introduces the new Workforce Forum event on January 28th, designed to bring together employers, educators, HR professionals, and policymakers. She shares an update on the Good Jobs Challenge Grant, which provides up to $5,000 for upskilling in agriculture/food, cybersecurity/IT, and advanced manufacturing. Jane also breaks down the importance of Work-Based Learning and the Chamber's four Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs): healthcare, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity/IT, and agriculture.

Events & Initiatives: Catherine discusses major changes to the Chamber’s programming, including sunsetting "The Pulse" in favor of more flexible roundtables and info sessions. The Annual Celebration will transition to a business-focused Annual Meeting in March with a keynote speaker, and the Chamber Choice Awards will be rebranded as "The Awards" in May. She also explains Innovate 28, a four-year collaborative campaign with the Economic Development Corporation focused on public policy, workforce, and business development, and highlights new advertising packages and opportunities to engage with the Health Tech Trade and Career Expo (HTTC).

The team encourages members and non-members alike to engage with the Chamber's numerous opportunities in 2026, including the DC and Minnesota Days at the Capitol, and emphasizes the Chamber's role as a resource for the entire business community.