Rep Jeff Hoverson talks to Stu Simonton father of wrestler and state health department

In this explosive episode of Open Range, North Dakota State Legislator Jeff Hoverson investigates a troubling incident that has sparked debate about government overreach and parental rights. When Stu Simonton's son, an unvaccinated high school wrestler competing at a Valley City tournament, was abruptly removed from his hotel room at 10:30 PM by order of the North Dakota Department of Health, a community was forced to confront uncomfortable questions about medical freedom and accountability. Stu Simonton, mayor and fire chief of Nitche, North Dakota, recounts the surreal night he received a call directing him to immediately retrieve his son from the tournament—not because the teen was sick, but because he was unvaccinated for measles following an alleged exposure at a previous event. Despite being told it was merely a "recommendation," the late-night directive had all the weight of a mandate, costing his son the chance to qualify for the state wrestling championship. Joined by Dr. Jake, the discussion explores the actual risk profile of measles compared to historical perspective and chickenpox, revealing that the 15 active cases in North Dakota hardly constitute an emergency. The conversation uncovers troubling patterns of selective enforcement—why was only Simonton's son removed when the entire tournament was theoretically exposed? Why has the Department of Health denied the incident occurred despite phone records proving otherwise? This episode connects current vaccine controversies to lessons learned during COVID-19, from Remdesivir protocols to Ivermectin suppression, asking whether North Dakota's health officials are thinking independently or simply following CDC directives without question. With calls for transparency, accountability, and open records requests, this show challenges viewers to determine who really are "the good guys" when it comes to protecting both public health and individual liberty. #MedicalFreedom #ParentalRights #NorthDakota #VaccineDebate #PublicHealthAccountability #OpenRange