Archives: Episodes

Announcing the WDAY Radio Farm Show

WAG: Weather and Ag In Focus on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

☁️Watch Weather & Ag in focus LIVE! 🌾 💬Leave a comment, 📞 701-293-9000, or 🌐 weather@flagfamily.com or AG@flagfamily.com Join WDAY Ag Director Bridgette Readel & Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki as they break down Weather and Agriculture topics.

 

Bonnie & Friends: Fall Chill, Life Skills, and a Crisis Center’s Rising Need

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

This episode, recorded on Monday, October 6, 2025, marks a definitive return to seasonal fall weather after a two-week heatwave. The hosts discuss the weekend's nail-biting local sports, essential life skills for young people, and a critical conversation with the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center about the growing need for their services.

 

Key Moments

 

  • Fall Weather Takes Over: Temperatures have finally turned, with a chilly morning and a high of 60∘F expected today and tomorrow. Frost advisories are out for 17 counties in North Dakota, although Fargo is expected to stay above freezing. Warmer temperatures in the 70s are expected to return by the end of the week, with a chance of rain over the weekend.

  • Vikings Win, Local Teams Triumph:

    • Vikings Escape London: The Minnesota Vikings secured a dramatic 21-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in London, thanks to a game-winning touchdown pass from Carson Wentz to Jordan Addison with 25 seconds left. The Vikings head into their bye week at 3-2.

    • Local Football Thrillers: MSUM Dragons walked off Minot State 40-37 in overtime on their homecoming. NDSU pulled away late to defeat No. 6 Illinois State 33-16.

    • Pick Six Winner: Linda S. won the Pick Six contest, beating seven other contestants who got all six games right, by accurately predicting the score of the Vikings game within two points.

    • Fargo Force Home Opener: The Fargo Force fell to Sioux City 2-1 in a shootout in their home opener.

  • Question of the Morning: Essential Life Skills: The question asks what life skill every young person should be taught. Popular answers included:

    • Manners and Respect (especially for elders).

    • Money Management (budgeting and understanding personal finance).

    • Cooking/Meal Prep and Laundry.

    • Good Communication (with eye contact).

    • Handwriting Thank You Notes and Sympathy Cards.

  • Rape and Abuse Crisis Center Sees Increase: Jody Hudson and Sara Stompro from the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center report a continuing increase in individuals needing services. They stress that domestic violence is an abuse of power and control that includes psychological and emotional abuse, not just physical violence.

    • Funding Gap: Their service volume is increasing, but funding is not keeping pace, resulting in a $500,000 funding gap for 2025.

    • Community Support: The center conducts outreach in schools (from second grade through high school and college) and runs a No Violence Program for individuals who have used violence. Their big Harvest Moon Fling fundraiser this week is sold out, but the silent auction will be open online for public bidding.

  • Fire Prevention Week: The Fargo Fire Department is focusing on preventing fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in items like phones and laptops, urging the public to buy certified products and recycle batteries properly.

  • Hunting Update: James McCarty's attempt at duck hunting over the warm weekend was largely unsuccessful; hunting conditions remain poor due to high temperatures and a lack of rain, which keeps migratory birds from moving south.

  • Dairy Innovation: WDAY Ag Director Bridgette Readel mentions a new product, Oikos Fusion, a nutrient-dense cultured dairy drink tailored for individuals seeking weight loss, featuring 23 grams of complete protein and zero sugar.

 

The Hockey Guys: The Boys Are Back in Town

The Hockey Guys

The Hockey Guys return to the airwaves to drop the puck on the 2025–26 college hockey season — with classic banter, sharp analysis, and plenty of Ham’s beer in hand. From NIL millionaires to Gopher comebacks and the UND locker room’s new leadership core, this episode has all the early-season buzz. Coach Dane Jackson joins live to share his vision for North Dakota Hockey’s future — grit, skill, and heart.

Whether you’re a lifelong UND diehard or a Gophers loyalist, this episode hits the sweet spot between old-school hockey talk and modern college dynamics. Grab your favorite cold one, sit back, and enjoy a lively hour of puck passion, locker room laughs, and insider insight.

⏱️ Episode Highlights:

  • 0:03 – 0:45 → Opening Faceoff: The Hockey Guys are back! Morning chaos, inside jokes, and “Crazy Eddie” returns to the booth.

  • 0:46 – 7:28 → The NIL Era Arrives: The crew breaks down Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and the money game in college hockey — “Is he really worth three-quarters of a million?”

  • 7:29 – 11:18 → Recruiting Rivalries: Can the Gophers keep Minnesota talent, or will St. Thomas steal the spotlight?

  • 11:18 – 16:44 → Call-Ins & Camaraderie: Listeners phone in from Deer Camp and the car radio — with laughs, weather reports, and a little hockey mixed in.

  • 16:44 – 25:38 → Coach Dane Jackson Joins: UND’s new head coach dives into leadership, player chemistry, and the legendary Ironman workouts.

  • 25:38 – 29:39 → Culture of Champions: Coach Jackson lays out UND’s “grit meets skill” blueprint — compete, create, and attack the inside ice.

  • 33:12 – 37:04 → Analysis & Banter: The crew breaks down UND’s identity, character vs. talent, and the eternal “grinders vs. playmakers” debate.

  • 37:05 – 39:55 → Weekend Rundown: Scores and surprises from Alaska to Wisconsin — and which teams to watch as early favorites.

  • 39:56 – 40:09 → Final Whistle: Shoutouts to sponsors, local youth hockey, and a big “cheers” to the new season.

 

What Happens When Ag Teachers Drive the Bus: Students Win, Communities Grow, and Careers Ignite

Kevin Pifer America's Land Auctioneer - Pifer's Auction, Realty and Land Management

Ever wonder how a shy teenager becomes the person who can run a meeting, lead a team, and shift an 18‑speed without grinding a gear? We sit down with educator and rancher Colby Steeke to trace that journey—from a ranch in southwest North Dakota to a 1,300‑student CTE powerhouse where agriculture education meets real-world opportunity. The story starts with roots: parents who teach ag, sisters who show goats across the Midwest, and mentors like the late Butch Howland who believed travel and exposure could change a student’s life. Then it accelerates—Denver Stock Show meat judging champions, late-night practices, and the kind of high expectations that turn small-town programs into statewide standouts.

We open the doors to the Southwest Area CTE Academy in Dickinson, where seven partner schools share 18+ programs ranging from diesel mechanics and heavy equipment to floriculture, food science, and health pathways. You’ll hear how mobile CDL and heavy equipment simulators give teens safe, high-fidelity reps on 10-, 13-, and 18-speed transmissions, and how a USDA-certified mobile meat processing trailer turns pork loins into chops while teaching food safety, value-add, and entrepreneurship. Colby makes a compelling case for SAEs, scholarships, and travel—from state leadership conferences to national convention—as the engines that build confidence, networks, and career clarity for students who may never step on a farm but will shape the future of food and fiber.

We also tackle the ROI question head-on. Not everyone needs a five-year degree to build a good life. Many agriculture-adjacent careers—welding, CDL, precision ag, HVAC, dental assisting, agronomy tech—start with certificates or two-year programs that pay back fast and meet urgent local needs. Along the way, social media gets reframed as a teaching tool: TikTok Tuesdays, classroom-ready clips, and a national community of ag teachers swapping ideas that work. If only one percent of Americans farm, then ag education is how the other ninety-nine percent learn what feeds and clothes them—and how thousands of students find real, respected careers. Subscribe, share with a parent or student who needs options, and leave a review with the skill you wish school had taught you.

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

Contact the team at Pifer's

 

Bonnie & Friends: Summer’s Last Hurrah, Homecoming Mania, and Naked Bike Protests

Bonnie & Friends on AM 970 and FM 93.1 WDAY

This Friday episode of Bonnie and Friends, airing on October 3rd, is a high-energy preview of a packed local sports weekend before an abrupt shift to fall weather. The hosts also cover bizarre news, hunting, and the weekly food fight.

 

Key Moments

  • Final Summer Warmth & Weather Change: Today and Saturday will be mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 89∘F today and winds up to 25 mph. This ends two full weeks of warm weather. A drastic cool-off starts Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 65∘F, followed by highs of only 60∘F on Monday and 58∘F on Tuesday. Light frost is possible next week.

  • Homecoming Weekend Sports Preview: The Fargo-Moorhead area is hosting multiple homecoming events and high-stakes football games.

    • High School: Tonight, Fargo Shanley (No. 1) takes on Fargo Davies (No. 2) at 7:00 PM. Moorhead plays at Eden Prairie.

    • College: Concordia Cobbers (1:00 PM kickoff) and MSUM Dragons (Noon kickoff) both celebrate homecoming on Saturday.

    • NDSU Bison are on the road against No. 6 Illinois State at 6:00 PM (ESPN+).

  • "Keep It Weird Portland" Protests: The hosts discuss an emergency protest in Portland, Oregon, where naked bicyclists planned to ride to show opposition to National Guard troops being deployed in the area.

  • Friday Food Fight: How Do You Like Your Steak? The weekly segment asks listeners for their preferred steak preparation. The overwhelming majority of responses favor medium rare.

  • Local Hockey Ticket Giveaway: The show is giving away tickets to two different Saturday hockey games: one pair of e-tickets to the UND Hockey exhibition game against Manitoba (6:07 PM puck drop) and six tickets to the Fargo Force Home Opener against Sioux City (6:05 PM puck drop).

  • Hunting & FM Legion Riders: Jace Denman is taking the morning off to scout for ducks. The segment also promotes the FM Legion Riders' first breakfast of the season this Sunday (8:00 AM–Noon) at the Moorhead American Legion, with proceeds going to Patriot Assistance Dogs (PADS).

  • The Cheese Flavor to Miss: Ag Director Bridgette Readel shares a humorous food alert: Laughing Cow Pumpkin Spice Cheese.

 

Rocky’s Downtown Hour Episode 024: Mean Girls, Taylor Swift & Beer Poking

rocky's downtown hour

It’s October 3rd—aka Mean Girls Day—and Rocky’s Downtown Hour is serving up fall vibes, pop culture nods, and community highlights. Rocky kicks things off with Taylor Swift’s latest release before diving into Fargo’s packed weekend lineup. From Oktoberfest at Drekker Brewing (yes, there will be beer poking and stein-holding contests) to live music, markets, and cozy fall traditions, it’s a celebration of the season.

Special guests include Annie Wood from Tellwell Story Company on the power of storytelling and creative spaces, Carly Monplaisir from Drekker with all the Oktoberfest details, and Carly Pritchard from Jade Presents previewing upcoming concerts at the Civic Center—including Marc Rebillet and Young Gravy.

Whether you’re a Swiftie, a beer lover, or just here for the fall fun, this episode captures everything downtown has to offer on this sunny October day.