The Steve Hallstrom Show Episode 678: The "Affirmative Action Myth," City-Owned Groceries, and the Heritage Middle School Shooting

Steve Hallstrom broadcasts live on a gorgeous Thursday morning, navigating a news cycle that ranges from local workplace violence to national debates on racial standards. Steve welcomes Jason Riley of the Manhattan Institute to dismantle "the affirmative action myth" and explores a radical plan for city-owned grocery stores in New York City. The show also provides chilling details on the shooting at Heritage Middle School, an update on a 1981 cold case arrest, and a look at why 80% of Americans are now uniting behind voter ID requirements. Key Moments The Affirmative Action Myth: Senior Fellow Jason Riley joins the show to preview his upcoming talk at the Chally Institute. Riley argues that affirmative action is a "bill of goods" that creates suspect accomplishment and takes a psychological toll on the black community. He notes that nearly 70% of Americans—including majorities of all racial groups—favor colorblind policies over race-based preferences. Heritage Middle School Shooting Details: Steve reports on the 40-year-old construction worker, Garmonu Wiles, accused of shooting a co-worker just 60 yards from the Horace school. Wiles, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, faces attempted murder charges after the dispute was witnessed by children in a nearby classroom. Fargo’s Chief Process: Fargo City Commissioner Dave Pepcorn joins the program to explain why he voted against fast-tracking interim chief Travis Stefanowicz to the permanent role. While Stefanowicz has overwhelming support from area law enforcement, Pepcorn insists on a thorough search process to ensure the "very important hire" isn't rushed during a political season. City-Owned Grocery Stores: Steve critiques New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s plan to launch "La Marqueta," a chain of city-owned grocery stores designed to address "food insecurity". Steve and guest Kevin Flynn argue the plan ignores basic math and will ultimately fail due to a lack of competitive accountability. The Epstein File "Redactions": Steve shares comments from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding the Epstein files. Blanche asserts that the DOJ has released everything allowed by law, noting that while public documents have redactions to protect victims, any member of Congress can view the full, unredacted files in a secure setting. Transgender Identification Crash: Citing data from the San Francisco Standard, Steve highlights a 72% decline in 16-year-olds identifying as non-binary on California driver's licenses over the last two years. He suggests this may be an indication that the "mind virus" is beginning to wane among the…