Archives: Episodes

This week on Rocky's Downtown Hour, we celebrate National Bike to Work Day with longtime downtown bike advocate and Great Northern Bicycle Company owner Tom Smith. Rocky and Tom dive into how downtown Fargo has evolved since 1987, the rise of e-bikes, and why biking is the ultimate freedom machine. Then, we roll into all things lefse with Lindsay Lee and Mikaela from Unglued’s Craftatorium, previewing their Norwegian Constitution Day lefse-making class (yes, there will be butter and lingonberry jam!). Plus, Rocky shares community updates, volunteer vibes, and summer sneak peeks at Broadway Square. It's 40 minutes of local joy, from trash pick-up heroes to edible glitter beers. 💥🚲🥔

Today's guest is ND Highway Patrol Captain Brian Neiwind!

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You can watch WAG on Acres TV and YouTube.

You can listen to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are streamed.

The Coffee Club from Friday May 16th, 2025.  Guests include Jason Hicks of the FM Memorial Honor Guard and your calls and emails.

Tonight Big Game James McCarty and Jace Denman dive into the Minnesota Vikings' newly dropped 2025 schedule. Plus, they recap the Wolves - Warriors series.

The latest Jay Thomas Show delivers a high-energy, storm-chasing, black-licorice-eating, public policy rollercoaster with a North Dakota flair. From spontaneous weather updates to fiery city commission debates, Jay and crew keep it real, raw, and ridiculously entertaining.

⏱️ Top Moments (with timestamps)

0:00 – Hot Tub Vinny & the Opening Riff
A classic Jay Thomas intro, complete with local sponsor shout-outs and the usual blend of humor, weather, and real talk. Bonus: the phrase “Vinny Hot Tubs” might live rent-free in your head.

7:45 – Mowing Mayhem & Neighborhood Lawn Drama
Jay and Dean Wysocki debate lawn mowing etiquette in heatwaves. Turns out, even the grass is political in North Dakota.

12:50 – Weather Watch: Tornado Tracker Edition 🌪️
Jay and Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki deliver real-time updates on storm systems threatening Benson and Fergus Falls. The show takes a serious turn as confirmed tornado damage reports roll in.

32:00 – Licorice Showdown: Ice Cream That Divides a Nation 🍦
Black licorice ice cream sparks one of the most passionate debates in recent show history. Listeners call in, Jay is obsessed, and Dean's taste buds are shocked.
🍨 Hot Take: "It's disgusting." — Ronnie
🍨 Hotter Take: "It’s bomb." — Dean

1:01:45 – Jail Talk & Political Fallout
Caller confusion sparks clarification from Grand Forks Sheriff Andy Schneider about illegal immigration and jail overcrowding. Jay follows up with sharp commentary on local leadership miscommunications.

1:15:30 – Fargo Firestorm: Tax Promises vs. Pay Raises 🔥
Commissioner Michelle Turnberg joins to drop bombshells:

• Firefighters paid campaign costs themselves 💸

• Voters were misled about how the public safety tax revenue would be used

• Only 8% of funds go to actual firefighter raises?!
  The frustration is palpable.

1:44:20 – Horace Dust Bowl 2025
A listener from Horace describes living in a dust storm due to rerouted diversion traffic. Jay says what we’re all thinking: "Just treat the damn road!"

1:53:00 – Final Hour: From Dust to D.C. to Dairy
The crew loops back to dusty roads, swirling political tensions, black licorice candy nostalgia, and the looming question of whether Trump could or should pardon Derek Chauvin. Plus: updates from the Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton. 🐯

Today's guest is Brian Fuder from Red River Retention Authority!

Be sure to like and follow us on our Weather And Ag In Focus Facebook page.

You can watch WAG on Acres TV and YouTube.

You can listen to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are streamed.

Graduation is just the beginning — now it’s time to launch! 🚀 In this energizing episode of Professional Launch, host Ricor sits down with KLJ Engineering's Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant Travis Wilson to dish out real-world advice for new grads navigating the job market.

Whether you're staring at a blank resume, ghosted by recruiters, or wondering if LinkedIn is worth the hype (spoiler: it is), this conversation is packed with practical tips and career-building gems. Travis shares how to build meaningful connections, tailor your applications to stand out, and even impress recruiters when you don’t have internship experience.

💡 You’ll learn:

• How to avoid the biggest job search mistakes new grads make

• The right way to use LinkedIn to open doors

• What recruiters really look for in entry-level candidates

• The underrated power of thank-you notes and transparency

• Why soft skills, mentorship, and mindset are your ultimate superpowers

🎓 Whether you're about to walk the stage or just starting your career journey, this episode will help you launch with purpose and confidence.

👉 Connect. Grow. Launch. It all starts here.

It's a throwback Thursday full of laughs, local updates, and headbanging nostalgia! Janae and Ronnie kick off with some light-hearted banter about cold offices and protein snacks before diving into a whirlwind of topics — from hairband album rankings to Fargo’s pool grand reopening. Special guests drop in, including Mark Johnson (for a round of “Name That Tune”) and Christine from Reese & Riley’s, who brings high-protein treats and talks cholesterol-lowering olive oils.

This jam-packed episode includes live call-ins, trivia giveaways, small-town car part pranks, and more ‘80s rock references than a denim jacket with patches. 🎸👩‍🎤

If you like small-town charm with big energy and a killer soundtrack, you’re gonna want to hit play. Don’t forget to bring your spoon-balancing skills — fun fact, Janae’s got some.

📌 Highlighted Moments & Timestamps:

• [00:02:10] - “Thursday vibes & layering weather disasters”

• [00:06:40] - Christine's candy & high-protein snack chat 🍫

• [00:10:12] - Mark Johnson joins! “Name That Tune” begins 🎶

• [00:14:00] - Lazy River & $18M Island Park pool renovation 🏖️

• [00:23:30] - The "carburetor belt" prank on Mom 🚗🔧

• [00:34:45] - A passionate ode to Costco & Target rumors 🛒

• [00:42:10] - Question of the Day: “Fun fact about you” + spoon-balancing reveals 🥄

• [00:50:20] - 🎵 Beach Boys, Cake by the Ocean, Jessie's Girl — trivia madness!

• [01:02:30] - Christine from Reese & Riley’s on yogurt, oils & fighting cholesterol 💪

• [01:15:55] - 💀 20 Greatest Hairband Albums of All Time breakdown (feat. Poison, Def Leppard, Cinderella & more!)

• [01:30:10] - “Hairband Fridays” pitch + texting trends we need to retire 📱

Tonight Big Game James McCarty have another look at the NBA playoffs as the Conference Semifinals get heated. Plus, Pete Rose and others are removed from the MLB's permanently ineligible list.

On this lively edition of The Jay Thomas Show, Jay kicks things off with laughs and lifestyle tips before diving into the serious and sizzling issues affecting listeners across the upper Midwest. From a deep discussion on the explosive wildfires in northern Minnesota to passionate debates about taxes, Trump, and tree care, Jay, Don Kinzler, and callers bring heat, humor, and horticulture.  Plus Dan Parker of Northern News and Dustin Garylow. 

It’s local radio gold with weather forecasts, gardening hacks, community fire updates, and opinions as bold as a North Dakota spring storm. Oh, and brace yourself for an unexpected black licorice ice cream debate near the end.

⏱️ Standout Moments with Timestamps:

• 0:58 – Vinny’s questionable biking outfit sparks laughs and Facebook photo threats.

• 3:46 – Dean’s golf plans get weather-bombed. Jay delivers a full Fargo-area forecast with storm warnings.

• 7:10 – Hot gardening tips with Don Kinzler begin—including frost warnings and lawn-saving advice.

• 9:47 – First deep dive into the Camphouse Fire devastation in Minnesota – 15,000 acres and rising.

• 13:12 – Suspected campfire origins, 140+ structures lost – a chilling investigation update.

• 29:43 – Prepping for frost: Tomato tips, cardboard hacks, and a masterclass on not trusting 35°F.

• 38:30 – Growing peaches in North Dakota? You betcha. Karen shares her “contender” success story.

• 43:51 – Latest updates on Jenkins Creek Fire and Munger Shaw Fire – over 35,000 acres burning.

• 47:12 – A history lesson on forest mismanagement, spruce budworm, and logging policy blowback.

• 55:00 – Heated convo on North Dakota’s property taxes, plus Curtis drops a political curveball.

• 1:16:00 – Jay and Curtis spar (respectfully) over Trump, taxes, and the 2024 presidential race.

• 1:28:00 – Live update from Parker at Northern News on evacuation zones and wind-fed fire threats.

• 1:54:00 – How oil taxes could offset property taxes – and whether the billionaires are paying their dues.

• 1:56:00 – Black licorice ice cream?! Listener Terry calls in with a cult-favorite dessert recommendation.

🔥 Featured Segment:
"Firestorm in the Northwoods" (9:47–20:14)
A gripping look at the wildfires ravaging northern Minnesota. Eyewitness accounts, fire command details, and a suspected camper-caused disaster unfold live.