The Steve Hallstrom Show Episode 756: The Fauci Contempt Vote, Oil Price Clashes, and The Medora Verdict

Fresh off a two-day trip to Medora, host Steve Hallstrom returns to the Fargo studio to break down the latest local, national, and geopolitical headlines. This episode dives into a Senate panel's historic vote holding Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress, President Trump's surprising push for oil companies to slash gas prices, and an inside look at the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Plus, the show covers Minnesota's shrinking lake levels, a potential North Dakota special legislative session, and an expert discussion on the mechanics of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Key Moments Senate Panel Votes to Hold Anthony Fauci in Contempt: The Senate Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Senator Rand Paul, voted 8–5 along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times during testimony regarding the origins of COVID-19. Because he had already received a presidential pardon, senators argued the Fifth Amendment did not apply, prompting plans to refer the resolution directly to the Justice Department. Trump Challenges Big Oil Profits: In a move questioning wartime pricing, President Trump publicly criticized major oil giants like Exxon and Chevron, claiming they are making "too much money" during the conflict with Iran and urging them to cut retail fuel prices. Reflections on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: Host Steve Hallstrom delivers his top takeaways from visiting the newly opened $276 million Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. Describing it as an immersive museum rather than a traditional book library, he reassures listeners that Medora retains its historic small-town charm and has not been overrun. He also introduces his "family of four in Fessenden" guideline to evaluate the real-world value of state-backed projects for everyday North Dakotans. Northern Minnesota Lakes Facing Severe Lows: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued warnings regarding extremely low water levels across northern Minnesota lakes. Data shows parts of north-central Minnesota are 12 to 16 inches below normal precipitation over the past four years, requiring months of sustained above-average rainfall to recover. Potential North Dakota Special Session on Kratom and Military Museum: Senate Majority Leader David Hogue indicated North Dakota lawmakers may convene for a special session to address banning the herbal substance kratom and to resolve a fundraising shortfall halting construction on the state military museum in Bismarck. Federal Probe into Minnesota Classroom Material: The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the Minnesota…