Plain Talk

Some time before the November general election, Fargo voters will have a special election concerning a proposal to city government from an at-large commission, where each member of the commission (except for the mayor) is elected by the whole city, to a ward system, where the city is split into jurisdictions each with a specific representative. "It would establish six wards and one person elected from each ward," former city commissioner Arlette Preston, an organizer behind this issue, said on this episode of Plain Talk. "The candidate would have to live inside the ward and be elected by people in the ward. So, it would also change from a commission form of government to a council form, which that will remove the commissioners as they are currently assigned certain portfolios and daily interactions with certain departments. It would remove them from that and allow for the city administrator to actually have direct oversight." Former Mayor Tim Mahoney has opposed this proposal, and one of his complaints is the cost. He's said it could cost the taxpayers as much as $500,000 to make the switch, but Preston dismissed that claim. "I have no idea where he got his numbers and he never really specified where they came from," she said. "There would be two additional people on the council versus what is currently the commission. So there'd be a total of seven people including the mayor versus now it's five. So those two additional people would add probably around 80,000 total in salary and benefits for two of them. That would be an annual cost." She also pushed back on Mahoney's claim that the proposal would lead to a weak mayor. She said that state law actually defines a system like this as promoting a strong mayor, because while the mayor would only participate in council votes as a tie breaker, he or she would have veto power. Also, with the mayor's job already having moved to a full-time position, whoever is elected to that position will be more involved in day-to-day administration. Preston says the change toward wards would make Fargo's leaders more accountable. "What this allows is to make sure that somebody does advocate for you," she explained. "Right now, when communications come into the commission, it goes to all five people." Living in a district that has a specific member of the city council to represent your area means they should be more responsive. "It really, I think, establishes a stronger sense of accountability to the constituents," Preston told us. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the fundraising failure for the proposed military museum at the state capitol in Bismarck, the decline in Canadian tourism, youth sports and extreme heat, the outcome of the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce's recent civics bee, and fatherhood. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Some time before the November general election, Fargo voters will have a special election concerning a proposal to city government from an at-large commission, where each member of the commission (except for the mayor) is elected by the whole city, to a ward system, where the city is split into jurisdictions each with a specific representative. "It would establish six wards and one person elected from each ward," former city commissioner Arlette Preston, an organizer behind this issue, said on this episode of Plain Talk. "The candidate would have to live inside the ward and be elected by people in the ward. So, it would also change from a commission form of government to a council form, which that will remove the commissioners as they are currently assigned certain portfolios and daily interactions with certain departments. It would remove them from that and allow for the city administrator to actually have direct oversight." Former Mayor Tim Mahoney has opposed this proposal, and one of his complaints is the cost. He's said it could cost the taxpayers as much as $500,000 to make the switch, but Preston dismissed that claim. "I have no idea where he got his numbers and he never really specified where they came from," she said. "There would be two additional people on the council versus what is currently the commission. So there'd be a total of seven people including the mayor versus now it's five. So those two additional people would add probably around 80,000 total in salary and benefits for two of them. That would be an annual cost." She also pushed back on Mahoney's claim that the proposal would lead to a weak mayor. She said that state law actually defines a system like this as promoting a strong mayor, because while the mayor would only participate in council votes as a tie breaker, he or she would have veto power. Also, with the mayor's job already having moved to a full-time position, whoever is elected to that position will be more involved in day-to-day administration. Preston says the change toward wards would make Fargo's leaders more accountable. "What this allows is to make sure that somebody does advocate for you," she explained. "Right now, when communications come into the commission, it goes to all five people." Living in a district that has a specific member of the city council to represent your area means they should be more responsive. "It really, I think, establishes a stronger sense of accountability to the constituents," Preston told us. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the fundraising failure for the proposed military museum at the state capitol in Bismarck, the decline in Canadian tourism, youth sports and extreme heat, the outcome of the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce's recent civics bee, and fatherhood. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Is North Dakota still open for business? That's a question we asked during an interview with Brooks Burgum, co-founder and CEO of Longwater, a private equity and alternative asset management firm. What prompts that question is what seems to be a growing, anti-development attitude among some political factionsin North Dakota. The state once marketed itself as an easy place to do business, but increasingly building things like transmission lines, pipelines, and data centers has become a fraught business. "Where would we be if no one built a railroad?" Burgum, who is the former governor's cousin, asked us. "We want to grow this country, we want to grow this state," he continued. "We've got to have pipelines. We've got to have railroads. We've got to have interstate highways. This concept of not on my land, not in my backyard, this NIMBY idea, yeah, it's scary to think about." But Burgum thinks the backlash against data centers may be less about the centers themselves than the economic and cultural change they represent. "If you think about all the fears we all have around AI, and it can be scary, and it's real, and there's so many things happening, the only physical manifestation of that, that people lash out at, is a physical data center, he said. "Like, 'I'm scared of AI. I don't know what's going to happen to my job, to my life, all sorts of different things.' There's one physical thing that has the shape and form of AI and it's a data center." Burgum also spoke about North Dakota's efforts to steer public dollars toward in-state investments, arguing for an expansive view of those efforts that includes, not just investing in companies in North Dakota, but creating opportunities for North Dakota-based investment managers. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban discuss the need for "proof of life" laws for politicians, the timing of Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee's resignation from the Legislature, and we responded to listener feedback. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Is North Dakota still open for business? That's a question we asked during an interview with Brooks Burgum, co-founder and CEO of Longwater, a private equity and alternative asset management firm. What prompts that question is what seems to be a growing, anti-development attitude among some political factionsin North Dakota. The state once marketed itself as an easy place to do business, but increasingly building things like transmission lines, pipelines, and data centers has become a fraught business. "Where would we be if no one built a railroad?" Burgum, who is the former governor's cousin, asked. "We want to grow this country, we want to grow this state," he continued. "We've got to have pipelines. We've got to have railroads. We've got to have interstate highways. This concept of not on my land, not in my backyard, this NIMBY idea, yeah, it's scary to think about." But Burgum thinks the backlash against data centers may be less about the centers themselves than the economic and cultural change they represent. "If you think about all the fears we all have around AI, and it can be scary, and it's real, and there's so many things happening, the only physical manifestation of that, that people lash out at, is a physical data center, he said. "Like, 'I'm scared of AI. I don't know what's going to happen to my job, to my life, all sorts of different things.' There's one physical thing that has the shape and form of AI and it's a data center." Burgum also spoke about North Dakota's efforts to steer public dollars toward in-state investments, arguing for an expansive view of those efforts that includes, not just investing in companies in North Dakota, but creating opportunities for North Dakota-based investment managers. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban discuss the need for "proof of life" laws for politicians, the timing of Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee's resignation from the Legislature, and we responded to listener feedback. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

North Dakota got a new crime report from Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office, and the numbers look pretty good. The rate of incidents per 100,000 citizens for the most serious "Group A" crimes was down 7.4% from 2024 to 2025. Crimes against persons (murder, assault, etc.) were down 3%, crimes against property were down 12.2%, crimes against society (drug and gun violations, etc.) were down 3.2%, and total statewide arrests were down 3.7%. But to hear Wrigley tell it, that's merely the plateau at the top of a rise in crime that he says necessitates the reform to sentencing laws he's been furiously campaigning for during multiple legislative sessions since taking office. He'll be pushing hard for it once again in the upcoming legislative session (there's no real doubt that he'll be easily re-elected in November over Democratic-NPL challenger tim Lamb), though he says he's asking for something different this time. "The proposal going forward, this is not the same we've done in the past," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. He says he's not asking for mandatory minimum sentences this time. Rather, he's asking for "truth in sentencing," or the requirement that some types sentences come with a prohibition on any sort of release before 85% of the sentence is served. "I lost," he said, referring to the debates over legislation he's backed in previous legislative sessions. "They don't want to have long mandatory sentences. They don't want to extend existing sentences. And so, Drew Wrigley lost that battle." During the interivew, Wrigley kept up his pattern of verbal assaults on the honesty and integrity of officials in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He accused them of "well-doumented prevarication" and even at one point used his fingers to do air quotes when he used the word "professionalism" for DOCR. When challenged about that, Wrigley walked it back, saying that DOCR's personnel are professionals, but insisted "they have shown no capacity to deal with recidivism" and, furthermore, do not have the "constitutional responsibility" for it. "They are the executive branch. They are to carry out the sentence the judicial judicial branch gave them. That's to be carried out by the executive branch, not altered as it is day one," he said. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

North Dakota got a new crime report from Attorney General Drew Wrigley's office, and the numbers look pretty good. The rate of incidents per 100,000 citizens for the most serious "Group A" crimes was down 7.4% from 2024 to 2025. Crimes against persons (murder, assault, etc.) were down 3%, crimes against property were down 12.2%, crimes against society (drug and gun violations, etc.) were down 3.2%, and total statewide arrests were down 3.7%. But to hear Wrigley tell it, that's merely the plateau at the top of a rise in crime that he says necessitates the reform to sentencing laws he's been furiously campaigning for during multiple legislative sessions since taking office. He'll be pushing hard for it once again in the upcoming legislative session (there's no real doubt that he'll be easily re-elected in November over Democratic-NPL challenger tim Lamb), though he says he's asking for something different this time. "The proposal going forward, this is not the same we've done in the past," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. He says he's not asking for mandatory minimum sentences this time. Rather, he's asking for "truth in sentencing," or the requirement that some types sentences come with a prohibition on any sort of release before 85% of the sentence is served. "I lost," he said, referring to the debates over legislation he's backed in previous legislative sessions. "They don't want to have long mandatory sentences. They don't want to extend existing sentences. And so, Drew Wrigley lost that battle." During the interivew, Wrigley kept up his pattern of verbal assaults on the honesty and integrity of officials in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He accused them of "well-doumented prevarication" and even at one point used his fingers to do air quotes when he used the word "professionalism" for DOCR. When challenged about that, Wrigley walked it back, saying that DOCR's personnel are professionals, but insisted "they have shown no capacity to deal with recidivism" and, furthermore, do not have the "constitutional responsibility" for it. "They are the executive branch. They are to carry out the sentence the judicial judicial branch gave them. That's to be carried out by the executive branch, not altered as it is day one," he said. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

You know what would be a big help to the level of discourse we're having around politics in North Dakota and the rest of the country? If more citizens had a stronger grasp on how their government works. Or, at least, had the honesty to admit when they don't understand the process. I've been reporting and commentating on politics for going on two and a half decades, and I can tell you that the state of civics education in this country is abysmal. It's hard enough to debate an issue with someone you disagree with. Now try it with someone who doesn't understand how the process unfolds. That's why we wanted to talk about the civics bee put on by the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce. Local competitions have already happened, and the state competition is scheduled to take place at the capitol building in Bismarck on July 10 with Plain Talk co-host Chad Oban as the master of ceremonies. "Having been the former mayor of Horace, North Dakota, I understand the whole civics thing," Kory Peterson, government affairs specialist for the GNDC, said on this episode. "The conversations about all the different aspects of things, having that political discourse of things like that, the kids, unfortunately, are seeing a lot of the negative that comes with the civil discourse. And this is a way to kind of promote a positive experience with civil, civic engagement." Peterson tested out some of the civics questions on us. Chad got them all right. I went 4 for 5 (that Supreme Court question was a tough one). Also on this episode, we talked about the odd far-right, far-left coalition the North Dakota Democratic-NPL seems to be trying to build for its candidates this election year. Plus, a conversation about ailing, aging politicians on the national level, and right here in North Dakota, clinging to office long past the point when they should have resigned. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

You know what would be a big help to the level of discourse we're having around politics in North Dakota and the rest of the country? If more citizens had a stronger grasp on how their government works. Or, at least, had the honesty to admit when they don't understand the process. I've been reporting and commentating on politics for going on two and a half decades, and I can tell you that the state of civics education in this country is abysmal. It's hard enough to debate an issue with someone you disagree with. Now try it with someone who doesn't understand how the process unfolds. That's why we wanted to talk about the civics bee put on by the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce. Local competitions have already happened, and the state competition is scheduled to take place at the capitol building in Bismarck on July 10 with Plain Talk co-host Chad Oban as the master of ceremonies. "Having been the former mayor of Horace, North Dakota, I understand the whole civics thing," Kory Peterson, government affairs specialist for the GNDC, said on this episode. "The conversations about all the different aspects of things, having that political discourse of things like that, the kids, unfortunately, are seeing a lot of the negative that comes with the civil discourse. And this is a way to kind of promote a positive experience with civil, civic engagement." Peterson tested out some of the civics questions on us. Chad got them all right. I went 4 for 5 (that Supreme Court question was a tough one). Also on this episode, we talked about the odd far-right, far-left coalition the North Dakota Democratic-NPL seems to be trying to build for its candidates this election year. Plus, a conversation about ailing, aging politicians on the national level, and right here in North Dakota, clinging to office long past the point when they should have resigned. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

With artificial intelligence issues -- and, specifically, the question of data centers -- set to be a top issue this election season and beyond, lawmakers in Bismarck have created a committee (not, specifically, a task force) to gather information and establish facts. Why a committee and not a task force? "We want it to be an official committee so it can all be on public record," Rep. Jonathan Warrey, who is chairing the committee, said on this episode of Plain Talk. "We can have public input and it becomes part of the legislative record in organizational session going into the next session." Warrey said that was an important first step given the amount of mistrust and conspiracy mongering around this issue. The goal of the committee is to cut through the noise of public opinion and get to facts. "Many people have passion or they've been impacted deeply by something," he said, "and I want to respect their opinion, but we have a job to do, and we really want it filtered through a lens of what are your credentials? What are your sources?"  "I want to make sure that anybody presenting information can source it and they've got some credential with it, too," he continued. Warrey, a Republican from District 22, said that one thing he, personally, isn't ready to accept is a moratorium on data center development that Democratic-NPL candidates like Vern Thompson and Trygve Hammer (along with a horseshoe coalition of far-right populists) have been calling for. "I don't like moratoriums and I don't like the symbol they send off to say 'nope we we dug our heels in we're not developing we're closed for business," he said. "And yet I appreciate and respect the feeling behind that too much too fast. Let's go to work and get this framework out for our decision makers and give them some resources around legal environmental structural power so that they can be informed." To achieve that goal, Warrey says he'd like this committee to produce a "playbook" to help local elected leaders understand the legal and regulatory issues around data centers. "So many of our township officers, our county commissioners, our city council members, they're not experienced with this," he said. "Developing a playbook to help our communities would be paramount, I think." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I talk about how artificial intelligence has made it so that there are no experts any more, because everybody is an expert. People with actual expertise are now drowned out by online mobs who can generate massive amounts of content in support of their ill-informed opinions and amplify it through social media. Also, with the 4th of July, and America's 250th birthday upon us, we talk about why patriotism shouldn't be partisan. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

With artificial intelligence issues -- and, specifically, the question of data centers -- set to be a top issue this election season and beyond, lawmakers in Bismarck have created a committee (not, specifically, a task force) to gather information and establish facts. Why a committee and not a task force? "We want it to be an official committee so it can all be on public record," Rep. Jonathan Warrey, who is chairing the committee, said on this episode of Plain Talk. "We can have public input and it becomes part of the legislative record in organizational session going into the next session." Warrey said that was an important first step given the amount of mistrust and conspiracy mongering around this issue. The goal of the committee is to cut through the noise of public opinion and get to facts. "Many people have passion or they've been impacted deeply by something," he said, "and I want to respect their opinion, but we have a job to do, and we really want it filtered through a lens of what are your credentials? What are your sources?"  "I want to make sure that anybody presenting information can source it and they've got some credential with it, too," he continued. Warrey, a Republican from District 22, said that one thing he, personally, isn't ready to accept is a moratorium on data center development that Democratic-NPL candidates like Vern Thompson and Trygve Hammer (along with a horseshoe coalition of far-right populists) have been calling for. "I don't like moratoriums and I don't like the symbol they send off to say 'nope we we dug our heels in we're not developing we're closed for business," he said. "And yet I appreciate and respect the feeling behind that too much too fast. Let's go to work and get this framework out for our decision makers and give them some resources around legal environmental structural power so that they can be informed." To achieve that goal, Warrey says he'd like this committee to produce a "playbook" to help local elected leaders understand the legal and regulatory issues around data centers. "So many of our township officers, our county commissioners, our city council members, they're not experienced with this," he said. "Developing a playbook to help our communities would be paramount, I think." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I talk about how artificial intelligence has made it so that there are no experts any more, because everybody is an expert. People with actual expertise are now drowned out by online mobs who can generate massive amounts of content in support of their ill-informed opinions and amplify it through social media. Also, with the 4th of July, and America's 250th birthday upon us, we talk about why patriotism shouldn't be partisan. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Some conservation advocates say political leaders like Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak are betraying Theodore Roosevelt's conservation legacy even as they attend the opening of a presdiential library dedicated to him. "When you see the attacks on national monuments, when you see national park staff being cut all across the board, it's hard to say, yes, these people are TR champions," John Bradley, executive director of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation, said in this episode of Plain Talk. "TR ended the Gilded Age, and it seems to be that we're right back in a Gilded Age where people with money and people with power and influence can run roughshod on our public lands, our national narrative," he continued. Bradley says that what his organization wants is balance. "We have an approach that it's not one or the other," he said. "It's not 'our public lands must be protected in in pristine wilderness,'" he said. "What we're seeing, though, is just a shift from a more balanced approach to this administration with their their drill baby drill policies." Brock Wahl, chair of the North Dakota chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said North Dakota's leaders aren't listening to his organization. "If they're not talking to us hunters in North Dakota, us residents, then whose opinions are they listening to?" he asked. Also on this episode, we discuss the complicated legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, and respond to listsener feedback on tuition waivers, the property rights issues around data centers, and a controversial survey conducted by the North Dakota Ethics Commission. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Some conservation advocates say political leaders like Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak are betraying Theodore Roosevelt's conservation legacy even as they attend the opening of a presdiential library dedicated to him. "When you see the attacks on national monuments, when you see national park staff being cut all across the board, it's hard to say, yes, these people are TR champions," John Bradley, executive director of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation, said in this episode of Plain Talk. "TR ended the Gilded Age, and it seems to be that we're right back in a Gilded Age where people with money and people with power and influence can run roughshod on our public lands, our national narrative," he continued. Bradley says that what his organization wants is balance. "We have an approach that it's not one or the other," he said. "It's not 'our public lands must be protected in in pristine wilderness,'" he said. "What we're seeing, though, is just a shift from a more balanced approach to this administration with their their drill baby drill policies." Brock Wahl, chair of the North Dakota chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said North Dakota's leaders aren't listening to his organization. "If they're not talking to us hunters in North Dakota, us residents, then whose opinions are they listening to?" he asked. Also on this episode, we discuss the complicated legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, and respond to listsener feedback on tuition waivers, the property rights issues around data centers, and a controversial survey conducted by the North Dakota Ethics Commission. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

There will be a lot to see when the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens in Medora next month. There will be traditional exhibits and artifacts and eight "adventure galleries" where visitors can learn from Theodore Roosevelt instead of just about him. Among the experiences available will be sitting around a camp fire and talking to characters from Roosevelt's era, a train ride experience simulating Roosevelt's frantic trip back to New York to be with his suffering family, a 14-minute canoe ride down the "River of Doubt," and an opportunity to interact with an AI-simulated version of Roosevelt himself. But one of Robbie Lauf's favorite features, he told us on this episode of Plain Talk, is the building itself. "We built what I think is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world," he said. Lauf is the executive director of the library, which he says will help change the shape of tourism in North Dakota, moving it from being, somewhat infamously, the last place people think to visit in the United States to perhaps a spot much higher on the list. "I hope this is an incredible story of what our state can do and when we dare greatly and put big ideas out there," he said. He also said the library is in a strong fiscal position, and hasn't yet touched the funds made available by the State of North Dakota. "The state of North Dakota put the first $50 million as a challenge grant to raise $100 million to access that 50. That is an endowment," he said. "So zero dollars of that $50 million has been spent on construction. Zero dollars of the earnings, frankly, have been spent. We have it siphoned off in a separate fund where it hasn't been touched, because that, for us, in the legislative intent, was for the operations and maintenance of a facility." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the potentially divisive distraction President Donald Trump's visit to the library opening festivities could cause. We also talk about some of the misguided partisan analysis around Fargo's recent local elections, and respond to listener feedback. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

There will be a lot to see when the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens in Medora next month. There will be traditional exhibits and artifacts and eight "adventure galleries" where visitors can learn from Theodore Roosevelt instead of just about him. Among the experiences available will be sitting around a camp fire and talking to characters from Roosevelt's era, a train ride experience simulating Roosevelt's frantic trip back to New York to be with his suffering family, a 14-minute canoe ride down the "River of Doubt," and an opportunity to interact with an AI-simulated version of Roosevelt himself. But one of Robbie Lauf's favorite features, he told us on this episode of Plain Talk, is the building itself. "We built what I think is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world," he said. Lauf is the executive director of the library, which he says will help change the shape of tourism in North Dakota, moving it from being, somewhat infamously, the last place people think to visit in the United States to perhaps a spot much higher on the list. "I hope this is an incredible story of what our state can do and when we dare greatly and put big ideas out there," he said. He also said the library is in a strong fiscal position, and hasn't yet touched the funds made available by the State of North Dakota. "The state of North Dakota put the first $50 million as a challenge grant to raise $100 million to access that 50. That is an endowment," he said. "So zero dollars of that $50 million has been spent on construction. Zero dollars of the earnings, frankly, have been spent. We have it siphoned off in a separate fund where it hasn't been touched, because that, for us, in the legislative intent, was for the operations and maintenance of a facility." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the potentially divisive distraction President Donald Trump's visit to the library opening festivities could cause. We also talk about some of the misguided partisan analysis around Fargo's recent local elections, and respond to listener feedback. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Vern Thompson began this political cycle running for the U.S. House, but when delegates to the Democratic-NPL convention gave their endorsement to Trygve Hammer instead, he shifted his focus to a race for Agriculture Commissioner. It also marked a shift in Thompson's strategy. Of late he, and Hammer, have been courting votes from the far-right populist wing of the North Dakota Republican Party, which is feeling disaffected after their candidates were trounced by more moderate Republicans in the state's recent primary. "I'm going after any vote that's out there," Thompson said of the strategy on this episode of Plain Talk. Thompson also took questions on his very vocal opposition to data centers. He's calling for the state to implement a one-year moratorium on the projects "so we can give communities the time they need to make informed decisions and weigh the benefits and the impacts." Though Thompson, who referred to the decision by some North Dakotans to support data centers as "greed" and a desire to "go take all the money they can get," claims he's not necessarily against the projects. "I'm not against industrial development. I'm all for it. We own a business. But the fact is, this is being pushed down our throats so fast by a lot of out-of-state multi-billionaire corporations and I just think we have to slow down." He also accused his opponent, Republican incumbent Doug Goehring, of being more loyal to those interests than North Dakota voters. "He's just going along with whatever the the big money out of state multi-billionaires want," Thompson said. "He's he's kind of gotten to be a corporate shill." Also on this episode, we discuss the controversy around long-time state lawmaker Rep. Jim Kasper, who suffered a brain bleed more than a year ago and still hasn't fully returned to work. Is it time for him to step aside so that someone more capable can represent the voters of District 46? If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Vern Thompson began this political cycle running for the U.S. House, but when delegates to the Democratic-NPL convention gave their endorsement to Trygve Hammer instead, he shifted his focus to a race for Agriculture Commissioner. It also marked a shift in Thompson's strategy. Of late he, and Hammer, have been courting votes from the far-right populist wing of the North Dakota Republican Party, which is feeling disaffected after their candidates were trounced by more moderate Republicans in the state's recent primary. "I'm going after any vote that's out there," Thompson said of the strategy on this episode of Plain Talk. Thompson also took questions on his very vocal opposition to data centers. He's calling for the state to implement a one-year moratorium on the projects "so we can give communities the time they need to make informed decisions and weigh the benefits and the impacts." Though Thompson, who referred to the decision by some North Dakotans to support data centers as "greed" and a desire to "go take all the money they can get," claims he's not necessarily against the projects. "I'm not against industrial development. I'm all for it. We own a business. But the fact is, this is being pushed down our throats so fast by a lot of out-of-state multi-billionaire corporations and I just think we have to slow down." He also accused his opponent, Republican incumbent Doug Goehring, of being more loyal to those interests than North Dakota voters. "He's just going along with whatever the the big money out of state multi-billionaires want," Thompson said. "He's he's kind of gotten to be a corporate shill." Also on this episode, we discuss the controversy around long-time state lawmaker Rep. Jim Kasper, who suffered a brain bleed more than a year ago and still hasn't fully returned to work. Is it time for him to step aside so that someone more capable can represent the voters of District 46? If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

"The public schools are state-run schools, and the state can certainly impose licensing requirements on the schools that it runs. It can have hiring qualifications for the teachers that it deems fit to teach in the public schools," Michael Bindas said on this episode of Plain Talk. "But private schools are meant to provide an alternative to the public school system. Something different. And this licensing regime makes it very difficult for private schools to do that." Bindas is a senior attorney for the Institute for Justice, which is representing the Capstone Academy, a Fargo-based private school, in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of North dakota's teacher licensing. Though the plaintiff's filings in the case do reference a cost burden, Bindas said that's not the primary argument. The larger issue, he claims, is that state licensing requirements for teachers ultimately restricts how they teach, and even what courses can be taught. As an example of the latter issue, Bindas alleged that a private school in the state couldn't offer a course in logic because the state didn't offer something like that as a subject matter choice teachers seeking a license. "They couldn't do it because the state didn't have a box for logic to be taught. And so therefore, the state says no teacher in the in the school was eligible to teach that course. That is absurd," he said. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban talk about that survey released by the Ethics Commission purporting to show that a strong majority of North Dakotans think their elected officials are unethical, something that clashes with the results of polls conducted with scientific rigor, not to mention the outcomes of recent elections. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

"The public schools are state-run schools, and the state can certainly impose licensing requirements on the schools that it runs. It can have hiring qualifications for the teachers that it deems fit to teach in the public schools," Michael Bindas said on this episode of Plain Talk. "But private schools are meant to provide an alternative to the public school system. Something different. And this licensing regime makes it very difficult for private schools to do that." Bindas is a senior attorney for the Institute for Justice, which is representing the Capstone Academy, a Fargo-based private school, in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of North dakota's teacher licensing. Though the plaintiff's filings in the case do reference a cost burden, Bindas said that's not the primary argument. The larger issue, he claims, is that state licensing requirements for teachers ultimately restricts how they teach, and even what courses can be taught. As an example of the latter issue, Bindas alleged that a private school in the state couldn't offer a course in logic because the state didn't offer something like that as a subject matter choice teachers seeking a license. "They couldn't do it because the state didn't have a box for logic to be taught. And so therefore, the state says no teacher in the in the school was eligible to teach that course. That is absurd," he said. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban talk about that survey released by the Ethics Commission purporting to show that a strong majority of North Dakotans think their elected officials are unethical, something that clashes with the results of polls conducted with scientific rigor, not to mention the outcomes of recent elections. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

When we asked Mike Thiesen why he's seeking a state Senate seat in Minot-area District 3, he told us that it stems back to being a "glutton for punishment." Thiesen is an electrician by trade -- he did his interview with us from a work trailer on a job site -- and currently serves as the mayor of Surrey, a community on the periphery of Minot. He's a candidate for the Democrat-NPL (he stressed the NPL part when I mentioned his partisan affiliation) and like most Democrats in North Dakota he's campaigning in a heavily Republican area. He says he can overcome that by bringing issues home. "I feel in Bismarck they get caught up in the national politics thing," he said. "I want to bring it closer to home and just make sure everything works." "I thoroughly enjoy being part of a community and I got this weird thing where I think I can help people," he said in another part of the interview. "I work really good as a team and I just think I can help. That's the gist of it." Thiesen is young, by political standards, and he thinks the perspective of someone who has school-age children, and is in the prime of their career, is missing in the legislature. If elected, he said school issues are one thing he'd like to take on. "We currently have $180 million worth of deferred maintenance in our schools across the state," he said. "That is an issue that's kind of near and dear to my heart, because living in Surrey, we're having issues with our school right now with some maintenance issues." Thiesen is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Bob Paulson. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I respond to reader feedback, and talk about whether Matthew Simon, current chair of the North Dakota Republican Party, should resign after the populist faction that gave him that just got wiped out in the June primary. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode.

When we asked Mike Thiesen why he's seeking a state Senate seat in Minot-area District 3, he told us that it stems back to being a "glutton for punishment." Thiesen is an electrician by trade -- he did his interview with us from a work trailer on a job site -- and currently serves as the mayor of Surrey, a community on the periphery of Minot. He's a candidate for the Democrat-NPL (he stressed the NPL part when I mentioned his partisan affiliation) and like most Democrats in North Dakota he's campaigning in a heavily Republican area. He says he can overcome that by bringing issues home. "I feel in Bismarck they get caught up in the national politics thing," he said. "I want to bring it closer to home and just make sure everything works." "I thoroughly enjoy being part of a community and I got this weird thing where I think I can help people," he said in another part of the interview. "I work really good as a team and I just think I can help. That's the gist of it." Thiesen is young, by political standards, and he thinks the perspective of someone who has school-age children, and is in the prime of their career, is missing in the legislature. If elected, he said school issues are one thing he'd like to take on. "We currently have $180 million worth of deferred maintenance in our schools across the state," he said. "That is an issue that's kind of near and dear to my heart, because living in Surrey, we're having issues with our school right now with some maintenance issues." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I respond to reader feedback, and talk about whether Matthew Simon, current chair of the North Dakota Republican Party, should resign after the populist faction that gave him that just got wiped out in the June primary. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

If there were a throughline for North Dakota's recent primary vote that ran from the top-of-the-ticket statewide races to local competitions like the Fargo mayoral race, it would be the rejection of belligerent ideologues in favor of pragmatic public servants. That's the argument Fargo's mayor-elect Josh Boschee made on this episode of Plain Talk. "North Dakotans want people who are going to get to work," Boschee said, as opposed to candidates who are "hung up on ideology." Voters want public servants, not talk radio hosts and influencers, it seems. Boschee, a long-time Democratic state Senator, won the nonpartisan race over City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg, a self-described "conservative" who has adopted a belligerent approach to elected office and remains in her current office. How will the new mayor contend with that sort of friction, which, in recent years, has become routine in Fargo's city government? He says he's ready for it. "I think some people want to frame it as, because we were two opponents, and we'll be working together, that there might be a lot of conflict, and that certainly may end up being true. But as you guys have seen me in the legislature, I mean, there are plenty of legislators that use a similar leadership style as Commissioner Turnberg, and I've been able to work with them, especially when we focus on the issues that we share." Boschee says he's focused on being a mayor for everyone in Fargo, including those who voted against him. "I've been in a lot of elections, and what I've learned, for one thing, is elections are about addition and not subtraction," he said. "And when you only focus on your base, you only focus on the people who are cheerleading you or pat you on the back every time you say something  or comment on Facebook, you're not going to grow your coalition." In his victory speech after the election, Boschee made reference to a recent Facebook post made by Fargo-area Rep. Desiree Morton, objecting to volunteers of Somali heritage volunteering to help the campaigns of Republican U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak and local legislative candidates. He told us he thought it was something important to highlight. "20% of Fargo are people of color. A good number of them are folks who come from other parts of the world," he said. "I've stood up to my legislative colleagues when they've said inappropriate things about other North Dotans, and that's not going to change in the mayor's office." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discussed the similarities between Boschee and Gov. Kelly Armstrong, despite their obvious ideological differences, as well as the decline of North Dakota's populist movement. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

If there were a throughline for North Dakota's recent primary vote that ran from the top-of-the-ticket statewide races to local competitions like the Fargo mayoral race, it would be the rejection of belligerent ideologues in favor of pragmatic public servants. That's the argument Fargo's mayor-elect Josh Boschee made on this episode of Plain Talk. "North Dakotans want people who are going to get to work," Boschee said, as opposed to candidates who are "hung up on ideology." Voters want public servants, not talk radio hosts and influencers, it seems. Boschee, a long-time Democratic state Senator, won the nonpartisan race over City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg, a self-described "conservative" who has adopted a belligerent approach to elected office and remains in her current office. How will the new mayor contend with that sort of friction, which, in recent years, has become routine in Fargo's city government? He says he's ready for it. "I think some people want to frame it as, because we were two opponents, and we'll be working together, that there might be a lot of conflict, and that certainly may end up being true. But as you guys have seen me in the legislature, I mean, there are plenty of legislators that use a similar leadership style as Commissioner Turnberg, and I've been able to work with them, especially when we focus on the issues that we share." Boschee says he's focused on being a mayor for everyone in Fargo, including those who voted against him. "I've been in a lot of elections, and what I've learned, for one thing, is elections are about addition and not subtraction," he said. "And when you only focus on your base, you only focus on the people who are cheerleading you or pat you on the back every time you say something  or comment on Facebook, you're not going to grow your coalition." In his victory speech after the election, Boschee made reference to a recent Facebook post made by Fargo-area Rep. Desiree Morton, objecting to volunteers of Somali heritage volunteering to help the campaigns of Republican U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak and local legislative candidates. He told us he thought it was something important to highlight. "20% of Fargo are people of color. A good number of them are folks who come from other parts of the world," he said. "I've stood up to my legislative colleagues when they've said inappropriate things about other North Dotans, and that's not going to change in the mayor's office." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discussed the similarities between Boschee and Gov. Kelly Armstrong, despite their obvious ideological differences, as well as the decline of North Dakota's populist movement. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, by his own admission, went out on a limb when he backed a slate of traditional Republican candidates this primary season against a populist faction that has captured control of the NDGOP and censured him, twice. The gamble paid off. Armstrong-backed candidates made nearly a clean sweep in the primaries, but if you ask the governor about it, all the credit goes to the candidates. "They knocked doors. They handed out palm cards. They didn't cut Facebook videos. They didn't complain," he said. "They went out there. They did the hard work it takes to win an election and they talked about moving North Dakota forward, not how bad they hated North Dakota. That's not what North Dotans want to hear." Armstrong was also critical of the excuses coming from the populist faction about why they lost the election. "Three things I've learned today. One is it's pretty hard to complain about turnout when you think a group of 30 people should decide who your candidate is," he said. "Two, anybody who disagrees with the opposing side is an uneducated voter. And three, anybody who disagrees with them is a is a special interest." "How about quit making excuses, quit being a victim, go win elections," he added. "Go out there and do the work." Armstrong also addressed populists -- particularly activist Brandon Prichard, whose group Citizens Alliance of North Dakota was very active in the primary -- trying to align with him in the last days of the election. "It's too cute by half by somebody who thinks he's smarter than everybody else," the governor said. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban analyze the primary results from around the state, as well as the mayoral and city commission races in Fargo. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, by his own admission, went out on a limb when he backed a slate of traditional Republican candidates this primary season against a populist faction that has captured control of the NDGOP and censured him, twice. The gamble paid off. Armstrong-backed candidates made nearly a clean sweep in the primaries, but if you ask the governor about it, all the credit goes to the candidates. "They knocked doors. They handed out palm cards. They didn't cut Facebook videos. They didn't complain," he said. "They went out there. They did the hard work it takes to win an election and they talked about moving North Dakota forward, not how bad they hated North Dakota. That's not what North Dotans want to hear." Armstrong was also critical of the excuses coming from the populist faction about why they lost the election. "Three things I've learned today. One is it's pretty hard to complain about turnout when you think a group of 30 people should decide who your candidate is," he said. "Two, anybody who disagrees with the opposing side is an uneducated voter. And three, anybody who disagrees with them is a is a special interest." "How about quit making excuses, quit being a victim, go win elections," he added. "Go out there and do the work." Armstrong also addressed populists -- particularly activist Brandon Prichard, whose group Citizens Alliance of North Dakota was very active in the primary -- trying to align with him in the last days of the election. "It's too cute by half by somebody who thinks he's smarter than everybody else," the governor said. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban analyze the primary results from around the state, as well as the mayoral and city commission races in Fargo. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

North Dakota is in the midst of a heated, divisive primary between traditional Republicans and populists. Who will win in key legislative races around the state? Who will advance to the general election in some of the competitive statewide races? Who will be the next mayor of Fargo, and will that ballot measure implementing a single-subject rule for proposed constitutional amendments pass? Me and co-host Chad Oban make our predictions. Also on this episode, Sen. Michelle Axtman, who is in the midst of one of those heated primaries in Bismarck-area District 7, talks about a new survey about technology in schools. Lawmakers passed legislation to ban cell phone use in schools by students, but what about technology that's provided by the schools? Are students on Chromebooks and tablets too much? Axtman and a coalition of other state leaders -- including Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong -- have commissioned a study asking for input from educators, administrators, parents, and the public. "I'm a STEM person as a pilot. Technology is a big part of learning that industry as well," she said. "None of us want to get rid of technology, wipe it out of the classrooms." But they are trying to find out what the right balance is. As for her primary race, Axtman admitted to being "nervous" about it, but added that nobody running for elected office should take it for granted. She says she's happy with the race she's running. "I'm really proud of the fact that we've focused on what things we are going to do if elected rather than slamming our opponents or doing anything like that," she said. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

North Dakota is in the midst of a heated, divisive primary between traditional Republicans and populists. Who will win in key legislative races around the state? Who will advance to the general election in some of the competitive statewide races? Who will be the next mayor of Fargo, and will that ballot measure implementing a single-subject rule for proposed constitutional amendments pass? Me and co-host Chad Oban make our predictions. Also on this episode, Sen. Michelle Axtman, who is in the midst of one of those heated primaries in Bismarck-area District 7, talks about a new survey about technology in schools. Lawmakers passed legislation to ban cell phone use in schools by students, but what about technology that's provided by the schools? Are students on Chromebooks and tablets too much? Axtman and a coalition of other state leaders -- including Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong -- have commissioned a study asking for input from educators, administrators, parents, and the public. "I'm a STEM person as a pilot. Technology is a big part of learning that industry as well," she said. "None of us want to get rid of technology, wipe it out of the classrooms." But they are trying to find out what the right balance is. As for her primary race, Axtman admitted to being "nervous" about it, but added that nobody running for elected office should take it for granted. She says she's happy with the race she's running. "I'm really proud of the fact that we've focused on what things we are going to do if elected rather than slamming our opponents or doing anything like that," she said. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

How does Sen. John Hoeven defined sucess? Before he recorded this interview with us at the Blue Rider Bar in downtown Minot, he'd been touring projects in the city, including what he described as a nearly culminated, decades-long effort to turn a former landfill and Superfund site into something useful for the community. "We're up here today talking about how we basically, this summer now, are going to get approval after 30 years for that landfill and we're going to turn it into a recreation site and it's going to start this summer,"He said. "But that was 30 years in the making and it didn't just happen on its own." "To me, that's that's what this business is all about," he continued. He sees the "Crack the Code 2.0" effort similarly. The original "crack the code" initiative began back when he was governor, and it was aimed at fostering horizontal drilling and fracking technology to unlock North Dakota's oil reserves. That preciptated the Bakken oil boom. The 2.0 initiative is about enhanced oil recovery, to unlock the 80 to 85% of oil in a typical well in North Dakota that's left behind. This is vital, because currently North Dakota's oil fields are in their decline phase. "We've already declined 400,000 barrels a day," Hoeven said. "And we can't punch enough holes anymore to stay at that level. We're going to continue to decline unless we use enhanced oil recovery techniques." But that's going to require carbon, and carbon pipelines, and right now those things are deeply unpopular with many landowners who need to sign on to make them possible. The opposition been so fierce, that a long-planned carbon pipeline from Summit Carbon Solutions that was to bring carbon to North Dakota is now going to Wyoming. "You got to win the hearts and minds, guys," Hoeven said of the Summit project, "and that's what didn't happen there." Speaking of which, Hoeven, a former governor, also weighed in on the accusations against current Gov. Kelly Armstrong which suggest he's doing something illegal by supporting his preferred legislative candidates. Hoeven says Armstrong is "doing what he's entitled to do." Sen. Hoeven also discussed the ongoing war in Iran, his efforts to stablize the agriculture economy amid trade wars and soaring input costs, and his reaction to President Donald Trump essentially ending Texas Sen. John Cornyn's career in Congress by endorsing his opponent Ken Paxton (Hoeven had been backing Cornyn). Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I talk about next week's June primary. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

How does Sen. John Hoeven defined sucess? Before he recorded this interview with us at the Blue Rider Bar in downtown Minot, he'd been touring projects in the city, including what he described as a nearly culminated, decades-long effort to turn a former landfill and Superfund site into something useful for the community. "We're up here today talking about how we basically, this summer now, are going to get approval after 30 years for that landfill and we're going to turn it into a recreation site and it's going to start this summer,"He said. "But that was 30 years in the making and it didn't just happen on its own." "To me, that's that's what this business is all about," he continued. He sees the "Crack the Code 2.0" effort similarly. The original "crack the code" initiative began back when he was governor, and it was aimed at fostering horizontal drilling and fracking technology to unlock North Dakota's oil reserves. That preciptated the Bakken oil boom. The 2.0 initiative is about enhanced oil recovery, to unlock the 80 to 85% of oil in a typical well in North Dakota that's left behind. This is vital, because currently North Dakota's oil fields are in their decline phase. "We've already declined 400,000 barrels a day," Hoeven said. "And we can't punch enough holes anymore to stay at that level. We're going to continue to decline unless we use enhanced oil recovery techniques." But that's going to require carbon, and carbon pipelines, and right now those things are deeply unpopular with many landowners who need to sign on to make them possible. The opposition been so fierce, that a long-planned carbon pipeline from Summit Carbon Solutions that was to bring carbon to North Dakota is now going to Wyoming. "You got to win the hearts and minds, guys," Hoeven said of the Summit project, "and that's what didn't happen there." Speaking of which, Hoeven, a former governor, also weighed in on the accusations against current Gov. Kelly Armstrong which suggest he's doing something illegal by supporting his preferred legislative candidates. Hoeven says Armstrong is "doing what he's entitled to do." Sen. Hoeven also discussed the ongoing war in Iran, his efforts to stablize the agriculture economy amid trade wars and soaring input costs, and his reaction to President Donald Trump essentially ending Texas Sen. John Cornyn's career in Congress by endorsing his opponent Ken Paxton (Hoeven had been backing Cornyn). Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I talk about next week's June primary. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Public Service Commissioner Jill Kringstad didn't attend the North Dakota Republican Party's state convention, alongside every other statewide Republican incumbent. Thus, she doesn't have the party's endorsement, but neither does her opponent, Chris Olson. She was appointed to her job by Gov. Kelly Armstrong, and has his backing, and told us, during a live recording of Plain Talk at the Blue Rider bar in Minot, that being on the campaign trail for the first time, she's enjoying talking to the voters. "Just to meet them and hear them and hear them talk about how they're saying, you know, we're telling our friends, we're telling our families." Data centers have been a hot topic this election cycle. Kringstad said the PSC is already involved in ensuring that those power-hungry developments don't drive up rates when they pull electricity from utilities regulated by the PSC, but that ultimately she's a regulator. The state probably needs some new laws for data centers, and the PSC doesn't make laws. "We're not here setting policy. What we're doing is we're operating within the confines of the laws and the rules that are passed by the legislature," she said, noting that there's an ongoing interim study about the issue, and that she expects a lot of debate over data centers during legislative session next year. We live in very polarized time, but Kringstad also acknowledged during the interview that she has some bipartisanship in her family. The candidate said she's been involved in Republican politics since she was nine years old, when her parents were helping out with then-Gov. John Hoeven's campaign, but her sister is a district chair for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. "We have different views on politics and that's ok," Kringstad said. "We don't discuss everything, but the things that we do discuss, we have very substantive back and forth discussions that are respectful and we always walk away and say, 'Okay, you have your opinion. I have mine. I just see things differently and I love you anyway.'" Also on this episode, Minot Mayor Mark Jantzer talked with me and co-host Chad Oban about how his community is handling a new budgeting reality after the legislature imposed a 3% cap on spending growth as a part of sweeping property tax reform. He explained that to manage the budget under these constraints, the city of Minot has primarily relied on utilizing its reserves to reduce property taxes over the last two budgets, but he warned that this is "not sustainable," and said that by 2027 the city would have to make cuts and find new revenues. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode.

Public Service Commissioner Jill Kringstad didn't attend the North Dakota Republican Party's state convention, alongside every other statewide Republican incumbent. Thus, she doesn't have the party's endorsement, but neither does her opponent, Chris Olson. She was appointed to her job by Gov. Kelly Armstrong, and has his backing, and told us, during a live recording of Plain Talk at the Blue Rider bar in Minot, that beingon the campaign trail for the first time, she's enjoying talking to the voters. "Just to meet them and hear them and hear them talk about how they're saying, you know, we're telling our friends, we're telling our families." Data centers have been a hot topic this election cycle. Kringstad said the PSC is already involved in ensuring that those power-hungry developments don't drive up rates when they pull electricity from utilities regulated by the PSC, but that ultimately she's a regulator. The state probably needs some new laws for data centers, and the PSC doesn't make laws. "We're not here setting policy. What we're doing is we're operating within the confines of the laws and the rules that are passed by the legislature," she said, noting that there's an ongoing interim study about the issue, and that she expects a lot of debate over data centers during legislative session next year. We live in very polarized time, but Kringstad also acknowledged during the interview that she has some bipartisanship in her family. The candidate said she's been involved in Republican politics since she was nine years old, when her parents were helping out with then-Gov. John Hoeven's campaign, but her sister is a district chair for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. "We have different views on politics and that's ok," Kringstad said. "We don't discuss everything, but the things that we do discuss, we have very substantive back and forth discussions that are respectful and we always walk away and say, 'Okay, you have your opinion. I have mine. I just see things differently and I love you anyway.'" Also on this episode, Minot Mayor Mark Jantzer talked with me and co-host Chad Oban about how his community is handling a new budgeting reality after the legislature imposed a 3% cap on spending growth as a part of sweeping property tax reform. He explained that to manage the budget under these constraints, the city of Minot has primarily relied on utilizing its reserves to reduce property taxes over the last two budgets, but he warned that this is "not sustainable," and said that by 2027 the city would have to make cuts and find new revenues. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Rep. Dawson Holle, a Republican from District 31, is involved in a four-way race for two House seats. He, along with fellow House incumbent Rep. Karen Rohr, didn't receive the NDGOP's convention endorsement. Many of the NDGOP's incumbents haven't been endorsed amid a rift in the party between traditionally conservative Republicans and a populist faction that wants to take Nort Dakota in a different direction. Holle says his losing the endorsement had as much to do with gamesmanship and geography as the intent of voters. "I think that there's a lot of things that go on behind the scene that often time people don't see see when it comes to a district as big as mine," Holle told us on this episode of Plain Talk (District 31 encompasses all or parts of four counties). "Our district meeting was on a Wednesday at 7:00 at night," he continued. "The weather was okay, but it was an hour and a half drive from my house, and trying to get supporters there is a hard time." Still Holle, who was, at 18 years old, the youngest person elected to the Legislature in state history, says he's not changing how he approaches the race amid intra party turbulence. "Affordability is hurting everyone," he said. "No matter what aspect or what industry you're in -- from farming where we've seen a lot of the costs have risen astronomically across the board, to it's just a single mom with three kids that just is trying to pay your bills -- affordability is really the breadandbut issue." Also on this episode, Josh Askvig, state director for the AARP, talked with me and guest co-host Megan Indvik about the prevelance of older voters in North Dakota's primary elections, as well as some of the generational friction between so-called "boomers" and younger generations, and the common ground these voters can find with one another. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Rep. Dawson Holle, a Republican from District 31, is involved in a four-way race for two House seats. He, along with fellow House incumbent Rep. Karen Rohr, didn't receive the NDGOP's convention endorsement. Many of the NDGOP's incumbents haven't been endorsed amid a rift in the party between traditionally conservative Republicans and a populist faction that wants to take Nort Dakota in a different direction. Holle says his losing the endorsement had as much to do with gamesmanship and geography as the intent of voters. "I think that there's a lot of things that go on behind the scene that often time people don't see see when it comes to a district as big as mine," Holle told us on this episode of Plain Talk (District 31 encompasses all or parts of four counties). "Our district meeting was on a Wednesday at 7:00 at night," he continued. "The weather was okay, but it was an hour and a half drive from my house, and trying to get supporters there is a hard time." Still Holle, who was, at 18 years old, the youngest person elected to the Legislature in state history, says he's not changing how he approaches the race amid intra party turbulence. "Affordability is hurting everyone," he said. "No matter what aspect or what industry you're in -- from farming where we've seen a lot of the costs have risen astronomically across the board, to it's just a single mom with three kids that just is trying to pay your bills -- affordability is really the breadandbut issue." Also on this episode, Josh Askvig, state director for the AARP, talked with me and guest co-host Megan Indvik about the prevelance of older voters in North Dakota's primary elections, as well as some of the generational friction between so-called "boomers" and younger generations, and the common ground these voters can find with one another. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

"It's hard to do enhanced oil recovery," Charles Gorecki said during a Plain Talk podcast interview from the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference. Gorecki is the head of the Energy & Environmental Research Center at the Univeresity of North Dakota. That organization conducts exploratory research explicitly driven by North Dakota's industrial and environmental needs. Stuff like how to reduce flaring, how to build safer pipelines and how to enhance oil recovery. The theme of the conference, which brings together all the major players in North Dakota's oil and gas industry, was "cracking the code," which is a reference to on-going efforts for enhanced oil recovery. Something that could perhaps set off a second oil boom, and prolong the oil and gas industry's prodigious contributions to North Dakota's economic prosperity and tax revenues. Gorecki said there are many promising paths to enhanced oil recovery, but using captured carbon emissions to unlock more oil from wells is one of the most promising. The problem? We don't have enough of it. "I've talked about CO2 being the thing that we need in massive quantities, hundreds of billions of tons to really unlock the Bakken," he told us. "For context, our coal fire power plants in the state of North Dakota produce annually about 30 million tons of CO2," he continued. "So it would take all the coal fire power plant CO2 emissions captured times three or more to really enhance that recovery to have what we would consider basically volumetrically a second boom in the Bakken." But getting that carbon to North Dakota has proven politically fraught. Opposition to a carbon pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions has caused that project to be rerouted to Wyoming, and while some of that outcome had to do with Summit's aggressive and ham-handed approach to landowners, there's no question that there's a noisy and organized movement against carbon pipelines in general. Gorecki told us "there's a lot of misinformation" about the issue. "We transport things in a number of different ways in this country. We transport them by truck, by train, by pipeline," he said. "And by far the safest way to transport large amounts of of liquids and gases is in pipelines." Also on this episode, me and guest co-host Alison Ritter talked about the controversies around data centers, and carbon pipelines, and whether too many in the public are taking North Dakota's economic prosperity for granted. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

"It's hard to do enhanced oil recovery," Charles Gorecki said during a Plain Talk podcast interview from the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference. Gorecki is the head of the Energy & Environmental Research Center at the Univeresity of North Dakota. That organization conducts exploratory research explicitly driven by North Dakota's industrial and environmental needs. Stuff like how to reduce flaring, how to build safer pipelines and how to enhance oil recovery. The theme of the conference, which brings together all the major players in North Dakota's oil and gas industry, was "cracking the code," which is a reference to on-going efforts for enhanced oil recovery. Something that could perhaps set off a second oil boom, and prolong the oil and gas industry's prodigious contributions to North Dakota's economic prosperity and tax revenues. Gorecki said there are many promising paths to enhanced oil recovery, but using captured carbon emissions to unlock more oil from wells is one of the most promising. The problem? We don't have enough of it. "I've talked about CO2 being the thing that we need in massive quantities, hundreds of billions of tons to really unlock the Bakken," he told us. "For context, our coal fire power plants in the state of North Dakota produce annually about 30 million tons of CO2," he continued. "So it would take all the coal fire power plant CO2 emissions captured times three or more to really enhance that recovery to have what we would consider basically volumetrically a second boom in the Bakken." But getting that carbon to North Dakota has proven politically fraught. Opposition to a carbon pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions has caused that project to be rerouted to Wyoming, and while some of that outcome had to do with Summit's aggressive and ham-handed approach to landowners, there's no question that there's a noisy and organized movement against carbon pipelines in general. Gorecki told us "there's a lot of misinformation" about the issue. "We transport things in a number of different ways in this country. We transport them by truck, by train, by pipeline," he said. "And by far the safest way to transport large amounts of of liquids and gases is in pipelines." Also on this episode, me and guest co-host Alison Ritter talked about the controversies around data centers, and carbon pipelines, and whether too many in the public are taking North Dakota's economic prosperity for granted. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Recently-appointed Department of Energy Undersecretary Kyle Haustveit says that when people talk about transitioning on energy sources, they aren't talking about reality. "We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind," he said on this episode of Plain Talk, recording with us from the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. "We consume more wood and dung or biomass today than we ever have before. Same with coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal." "The charts are all up and to the right," he added. Going forward, we need to start by asking what we need from our energy? Is it low prices? Low carbon intensity? "What do you have available in your region? How do we prioritize responsible development to maintain affordable, reliable, secure energy for the people that need it most?" he said we should be asking. Also, he says we need to grow to meet new demands for power. "For years, it's been far too easy to stop things and far too hard to start building things," he said, crediting President Donald Trump's administration with changing some of that. Also on this episode, Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte and Cass County State's Attorney Kim Hegvik join to celebrate North Dakota's drug courts or, to use the new terminology, treatment courts. These are specialized proceedings in the criminal justice system that still prioritize accountability for crimes, but also focus on helping people solve problems. They were called drug courts because they started out focusing on addiction, though these days there are lots of different types, including some specializing in the specific issues veterans might face. "Right now we run most of these at close to capacity, and so we have a pretty good population of people that have shown that they are high-risk, high need," Justice Tufte said. "So these aren't the lowest level, first-time offenders. These are people that by and large would be incarcerated if they weren't in a drug drug court or a treatment court program." Hegvik and Tufte said the treatment courts save the state money by keeping offenders out of jail, and they also reduce recidivism. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Recently-appointed Department of Energy Undersecretary Kyle Haustveit says that when people talk about transitioning on energy sources, they aren't talking about reality. "We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind," he said on this episode of Plain Talk, recording with us from the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. "We consume more wood and dung or biomass today than we ever have before. Same with coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal." "The charts are all up and to the right," he added. Going forward, we need to start by asking what we need from our energy? Is it low prices? Low carbon intensity? "What do you have available in your region? How do we prioritize responsible development to maintain affordable, reliable, secure energy for the people that need it most?" he said we should be asking. Also, he says we need to grow to meet new demands for power. "For years, it's been far too easy to stop things and far too hard to start building things," he said, crediting President Donald Trump's administration with changing some of that. Also on this episode, Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte and Cass County State's Attorney Kim Hegvik join to celebrate North Dakota's drug courts or, to use the new terminology, treatment courts. These are specialized proceedings in the criminal justice system that still prioritize accountability for crimes, but also focus on helping people solve problems. They were called drug courts because they started out focusing on addiction, though these days there are lots of different types, including some specializing in the specific issues veterans might face. "Right now we run most of these at close to capacity, and so we have a pretty good population of people that have shown that they are high-risk, high need," Justice Tufte said. "So these aren't the lowest level, first-time offenders. These are people that by and large would be incarcerated if they weren't in a drug drug court or a treatment court program." Hegvik and Tufte said the treatment courts save the state money by keeping offenders out of jail, and they also reduce recidivism. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

In this replay episode of Plain Talk, Rob and Chad speak with former North Dakota lawmaker Hamida Dakane about comments from President Donald Trump targeting the Somali community and the impact those remarks had across North Dakota and Minnesota. Dakane shares why the comments felt deeply personal, how children in immigrant families responded, and why she believes her community will continue moving forward despite the rhetoric surrounding immigration and identity. A former Fargo-area legislator and the first Black woman and first Muslim elected to the North Dakota Legislature, Dakane also reflects on her journey to North Dakota, the support she's found here, and why she still believes strongly in the region and its people. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, call or text 701-587-3141. Leave your name, where you're from, and your message — we may feature it on an upcoming episode.

In this replay episode of Plain Talk, Rob and Chad speak with former North Dakota lawmaker Hamida Dakane about comments from President Donald Trump targeting the Somali community and the impact those remarks had across North Dakota and Minnesota. Dakane shares why the comments felt deeply personal, how children in immigrant families responded, and why she believes her community will continue moving forward despite the rhetoric surrounding immigration and identity. A former Fargo-area legislator and the first Black woman and first Muslim elected to the North Dakota Legislature, Dakane also reflects on her journey to North Dakota, the support she's found here, and why she still believes strongly in the region and its people. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, call or text 701-587-3141. Leave your name, where you're from, and your message — we may feature it on an upcoming episode.

While Rob and Chad are out this week, we're revisiting one of the most talked-about interviews from the show — Fargo attorney Jay Greenwood's deep dive into the shocking wrongful arrest of Tennessee grandmother Angela Lipps. Lipps was arrested at gunpoint and jailed for months after Fargo Police used AI facial recognition technology to identify her as a suspect in a North Dakota bank fraud case. The problem? Evidence later showed she was in Tennessee at the time the crimes were committed. In this replay, Greenwood walks through how the case unfolded, why he believes law enforcement failed at multiple stages of the investigation, and what this incident says about the growing use of artificial intelligence in policing and criminal investigations. "It's just the best-case scenario for the Fargo PD is a nightmare," Greenwood says, describing the fallout from the case and the legal questions that remain unanswered. The episode also includes discussion on North Dakota's ongoing debate over data centers in coal country, plus listener feedback and commentary from guest co-host Jessica Bell.

While Rob and Chad are out this week, we're revisiting one of the most talked-about interviews from the show — Fargo attorney Jay Greenwood's deep dive into the shocking wrongful arrest of Tennessee grandmother Angela Lipps. Lipps was arrested at gunpoint and jailed for months after Fargo Police used AI facial recognition technology to identify her as a suspect in a North Dakota bank fraud case. The problem? Evidence later showed she was in Tennessee at the time the crimes were committed. In this replay, Greenwood walks through how the case unfolded, why he believes law enforcement failed at multiple stages of the investigation, and what this incident says about the growing use of artificial intelligence in policing and criminal investigations. "It's just the best-case scenario for the Fargo PD is a nightmare," Greenwood says, describing the fallout from the case and the legal questions that remain unanswered. The episode also includes discussion on North Dakota's ongoing debate over data centers in coal country, plus listener feedback and commentary from guest co-host Jessica Bell.

State Sen. Ryan Braunberger joined this episode of Plain Talk to discuss his run for North Dakota Secretary of State, election integrity, campaign finance transparency, redistricting, and the growing distrust many Americans have in public institutions. "I think we do a good job of running our elections," Braunberger said. "What I think the Secretary of State office could do better at is showing the receipts that we do good." Braunberger said North Dakota's elections are secure, but argued the state needs to do a better job educating the public on how elections actually work, including canvassing, vote counting, and voter ID verification. "Many politicians say elections are fine," he said, "but we don't tell them why they're secure and how they're secure." The conversation also covered campaign finance reporting, voter ID laws, redistricting fights, ballot measure transparency, and the challenge of maintaining trust in elections during a time of intense political division. Braunberger said he supports stronger enforcement of campaign finance laws and even suggested candidates who refuse to pay fines could potentially be barred from future ballots. Also on this episode, Rob Port and guest co-host Erin Oban discuss Measure 1 on the June ballot, voter ID access in rural communities, the lawsuit over North Dakota's political "false statements" law, and the growing challenge of balancing free speech with misinformation online. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode.

State Sen. Ryan Braunberger joined this episode of Plain Talk to discuss his run for North Dakota Secretary of State, election integrity, campaign finance transparency, redistricting, and the growing distrust many Americans have in public institutions. "I think we do a good job of running our elections," Braunberger said. "What I think the Secretary of State office could do better at is showing the receipts that we do good." Braunberger said North Dakota's elections are secure, but argued the state needs to do a better job educating the public on how elections actually work, including canvassing, vote counting, and voter ID verification. "Many politicians say elections are fine," he said, "but we don't tell them why they're secure and how they're secure." The conversation also covered campaign finance reporting, voter ID laws, redistricting fights, ballot measure transparency, and the challenge of maintaining trust in elections during a time of intense political division. Braunberger said he supports stronger enforcement of campaign finance laws and even suggested candidates who refuse to pay fines could potentially be barred from future ballots. Also on this episode, Rob Port and guest co-host Erin Oban discuss Measure 1 on the June ballot, voter ID access in rural communities, the lawsuit over North Dakota's political "false statements" law, and the growing challenge of balancing free speech with misinformation online. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode.

Our education is in decline. Lawmakers and other education leaders are lying about the use of Common Core curriculae. In fact, some of them intentionally want our schools and students to fail. That's what Charles Tuttle, a candidate for Superintendent of Public Schools, had to say on this episode of Plain Talk. "We've got a a major decline in our educational system. The direction hasn't changed," he claimed. "I think it's intentional," he continued, going on to say that he thinks "we've got a some that said when common core came in that they were going to dumb our kids down." Somewhat paradoxically, Tuttle said that school districts are spending too much money, but also that the state isn't investing enough. "We have the money. The state is not poor when it comes to money," he said. "So there should be no reason why we cannot fund every school in North Dakota. It says right in the constitution, the legislative assembly shall provide for a uniform system of free public schools throughout the state." He pointed to the school lunch debt that some schools carry as an example of something that should be the state's responsibility. So does that mean he supports a ballot measure that will likely appear on the November ballot to have the state cover the costs of school meals? Not necessarily. "The problem I have with that...is it goes in the constitution," he said, noting that the measure would be an amendment to the state constituiton and not statute. Also on this episode, me and guest co-host Erin Oban talk about Measure 1 on the June ballot, which would implement a single-subject requirement for constituitonal amendments proposed by ballot measure or the Legislature, and the controversy around the arrest of polarizing political organizer Jerol Gohrick, who is facing two felony counts of terrorizing after an altercation with a work crew operating on his land.

Our education is in decline. Lawmakers and other education leaders are lying about the use of Common Core curriculae. In fact, some of them intentionally want our schools and students to fail. That's what Charles Tuttle, a candidate for Superintendent of Public Schools, had to say on this episode of Plain Talk. "We've got a a major decline in our educational system. The direction hasn't changed," he claimed. "I think it's intentional," he continued, going on to say that he thinks "we've got a some that said when common core came in that they were going to dumb our kids down." Somewhat paradoxically, Tuttle said that school districts are spending too much money, but also that the state isn't investing enough. "We have the money. The state is not poor when it comes to money," he said. "So there should be no reason why we cannot fund every school in North Dakota. It says right in the constitution, the legislative assembly shall provide for a uniform system of free public schools throughout the state." He pointed to the school lunch debt that some schools carry as an example of something that should be the state's responsibility. So does that mean he supports a ballot measure that will likely appear on the November ballot to have the state cover the costs of school meals? Not necessarily. "The problem I have with that...is it goes in the constitution," he said, noting that the measure would be an amendment to the state constituiton and not statute. Also on this episode, me and guest co-host Erin Oban talk about Measure 1 on the June ballot, which would implement a single-subject requirement for constituitonal amendments proposed by ballot measure or the Legislature, and the controversy around the arrest of polarizing political organizer Jerol Gohrick, who is facing two felony counts of terrorizing after an altercation with a work crew operating on his land. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Ariston Johnson is Watford City-based attorney who is challenging incumbent Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte, who is in the process of wrapping up his first 10-year term on the court. There are actually two Supreme Court races on the ballot this cycle. Justice Douglas Bahr is running to have his appointment by Gov. Doug Burgum to finish former Justice Gerald VandeWalle's term confirmed by voters. Why is Johnson challenging Tufte and not Bahr? He said it's because defeating Tufte would mean a full term on the court. Also, Bahr, a former government attorney, has more of the experience Johnson believes the state's top court needs. "Frankly, if the election ballot offered Ari Johnson or Douglas Bar, I would vote for Douglas Bar because the court needs that. perspective," Johnson said on this episode of Plain Talk. He also addressed the increased politicization of the judiciary. At the national level, U.S. Supreme Court justices are now routinely referred to by their ideologies. In other states, like Wisconsin, judicial elections have become hyper-partisan affairs. So far, that hasn't happened in North Dakota, and Johnson says he doesn't want it to. "I am myself generally apolitical. I don't bring my politics to work and I would not bring them to the Supreme Court," he said. "It is a nonpartisan race and it should be a nonpartisan job." "If the law compels a decision, then the Supreme Court should make that decision. If the law is wrong, the legislature should write a better law," he continued. "Judges shouldn't decide policy and they shouldn't decide law. They should apply the law under our constitutional system with the checks and balances." Also on this episode, me and former Gov. Ed Schafer, who served as a guest co-host, discussed the tragic passing of state Rep. Liz Conmy, the complications existing term limits laws impose on the process of appointing her replacement, and whether Measure 1, which would reform those current term limits laws, is something voters should support. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Ariston Johnson is Watford City-based attorney who is challenging incumbent Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte, who is in the process of wrapping up his first 10-year term on the court. There are actually two Supreme Court races on the ballot this cycle. Justice Douglas Bahr is running to have his appointment by Gov. Doug Burgum to finish former Justice Gerald VandeWalle's term confirmed by voters. Why is Johnson challenging Tufte and not Bahr? He said it's because defeating Tufte would mean a full term on the court. Also, Bahr, a former government attorney, has more of the experience Johnson believes the state's top court needs. "Frankly, if the election ballot offered Ari Johnson or Douglas Bar, I would vote for Douglas Bar because the court needs that. perspective," Johnson said on this episode of Plain Talk. He also addressed the increased politicization of the judiciary. At the national level, U.S. Supreme Court justices are now routinely referred to by their ideologies. In other states, like Wisconsin, judicial elections have become hyper-partisan affairs. So far, that hasn't happened in North Dakota, and Johnson says he doesn't want it to. "I am myself generally apolitical. I don't bring my politics to work and I would not bring them to the Supreme Court," he said. "It is a nonpartisan race and it should be a nonpartisan job." "If the law compels a decision, then the Supreme Court should make that decision. If the law is wrong, the legislature should write a better law," he continued. "Judges shouldn't decide policy and they shouldn't decide law. They should apply the law under our constitutional system with the checks and balances." Also on this episode, me and former Gov. Ed Schafer, who served as a guest co-host, discussed the tragic passing of state Rep. Liz Conmy, the complications existing term limits laws impose on the process of appointing her replacement, and whether Measure 1, which would reform those current term limits laws, is something voters should support. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

North Dakota doesn't typically see competitive judicial races, particularly for the state Supreme Court. But even when voters do have a choice, the candidates themselves are prohibited by ethical considerations from campaigning the way other candidates do. They can't tell voters how they'd rule on a particular case, or, for incumbents, why they ruled the way they did on previous cases. But judicial candidates can be "reassuring people that that you understand the proper role of the court and that that you will apply the law as it's written and not become somebody that people worry will stray outside into policy aspects," Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte said on this episode of Plain Talk, featuring former Gov. Ed Schafer as a guest co-host. Tufte is concluding a 10-year term he was elected to in 2016, and campaigning for a new one. Tufte is facing a challenge from Watford City attorney Ari Johnson, who will be on a future episode of Plain Talk. Tufte says that a big part of the job is ruling on the law, and not public opinion. "We have to have a thick skin. We have to expect people will criticize our written opinions and find flaws, gaps or areas of disagreement ,and how we express our legal reasoning and how we apply to the the law to a particular case," he said. "But you have to just apply the law in every case regardless of what kind of person is before you, rich or poor or on one political team or the other, or part of one industry or another." "A lot of people focus on results rather than methods," Tufte added, noting that when the courts aren't producing the results the people want, they should ask legislators and executive branch officials for change. Also on this episode, Mark Watne, formerly the president of North Dakota Farmers Union, gives an agrarian perspective on North Dakota's ongoing efforts to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Go to ND250.com to learn more. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

North Dakota doesn't typically see competitive judicial races, particularly for the state Supreme Court. But even when voters do have a choice, the candidates themselves are prohibited by ethical considerations from campaigning the way other candidates do. They can't tell voters how they'd rule on a particular case, or, for incumbents, why they ruled the way they did on previous cases. But judicial candidates can be "reassuring people that that you understand the proper role of the court and that that you will apply the law as it's written and not become somebody that people worry will stray outside into policy aspects," Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte said on this episode of Plain Talk. Tufte is concluding a 10-year term he was elected to in 2016, and campaigning for a new one. Tufte is facing a challenge from Watford City attorney Ari Johnson, who will be on a future episode of Plain Talk. Tufte says that a big part of the job is ruling on the law, and not public opinion. "We have to have a thick skin. We have to expect people will criticize our written opinions and find flaws, gaps or areas of disagreement ,and how we express our legal reasoning and how we apply to the the law to a particular case," he said. "But you have to just apply the law in every case regardless of what kind of person is before you, rich or poor or on one political team or the other, or part of one industry or another." "A lot of people focus on results rather than methods," Tufte added, noting that when the courts aren't producing the results the people want, they should ask legislators and executive branch officials for change. Also on this episode, Mark Watne, formerly the president of North Dakota Farmers Union, gives an agrarian perspective on North Dakota's ongoing efforts to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Go to ND250.com to learn more. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

What is civil asset forfeiture? It's the process through which law enforcement can "seize your property on the basis of suspicion that it's involved in a crime," Patrick Reasonover told us on this episode of Plain Talk. What's worse? The cops often get to keep the proceeds. Or, at least, their departments do. Reasonover is one of the producers of the documentary, "When Cops Become Robbers," which was recently screened by the Challey Institute at North Dakota State University. The film tells the stories of three people who had their money and property taken by law enforcement despite not having been involved in any crime. It also includes interviews with people on both sides of the issue. But the conclusion of the film is that civil asset forfeiture isn't anything like justice. "They need not arrest you or charge you with the crime," Reasonover said. "You need not be convicted for them to take and keep your property. You have to then prove the innocence of the property that it was not used to commit a crime or is the proceeds of a crime in order to get it back." In North Dakota, lawmakers have passed some reforms for civil asset forfeiture in recent legislative sessions. Police must now adhere to the "clear and convincing evidence" standard for linking seized property to a crime. There is also a conviction requirement, though it's a weak one, as it does not apply if the owner fails to contest the forfeiture in court or if the owner reaches a settlement with the state. State law also still provides a financial incentive for law enforcement to seize property by allowing them to keep the proceeds up to $200,000 per year (after which the revenues go to the state's general fund). Worst, perhaps, is that North Dakota still allows "equitable sharing" agreements with federal law enforcement, which is a handy way to do an end-run around state law. Reasonover says that's exactly how it was designed to work. "What's important to know about this equitable sharing loophole is it actually wasn't really designed as a loophole," he said. "The federal government designed this system to work exactly as it's working. They wanted to incentivize local police jurisdictions to get involved in the drug war. They wanted them to actively go out, pull over and seize money. And they wanted to incentivize them to do it." Local law enforcement still gets to keep the majority of the revenue from the seized property. "If they make it a federal seizure, which is super easy to do, then the local jurisdiction sends 20% of the money to the feds," Reasonover said. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban talk about the Afroman kerfuffle, the problem with always "backing the blue," and a conspiracy theory about the Byron Noem revelations. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

How hard is it to do revenue forecasts for the State of North Dakota, which is heavily dependent on revenues from commodity-driven industries like agriculture and energy? On this Plain Talk, Joe Morrissette, director of the Office of Management and Budget, gave one example: For 1$ that oil prices move, there's a roughly $36 million swing in state revenues. The war in Iran hasn't just driven oil prices $1 over projects. It's as much as $30 over, with no real certainty on where it will level off. "It's a significant significant swing in the state's financial picture in just a short time," Morrissette said. Still, all that additional revenue isn't expected to change production activity -- oil and gas producers aren't going to invest heavily in chasing a price that's probably not going to be sustained -- and doesn't change the state's budget picture all that much. "Even though we've got this inflow of oil tax revenues, it's really not changing significantly," he said. "Changing a little bit, but not significantly changing our budget challenge in the next biennium." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I react to all the controversy stemming from the North Dakota Republican Party's divisive and dismal state convention. The populist activists who now control the party are attacking incumbents for not attending the convention, yet many of them have skipped past conventions, and even campaigned against convention-endorsed candidates. Former lawmaker Rick Becker, for instance, participate in a press conference that was critical of incumbents for skipping the convention. Yet Becker skipped the 2026 vacation to take a vacation in Belize. In 2024, he campaigned against convention-endorsed candidate Alex Balazs for the U.S. House. In 2022, he campaigned against convention-endorsed Sen. John Hoeven in the U.S. Senate race. Plus, we react to some listener feedback, including one message which argues that Democrats ought to use the votes some Republican lawmakers cast against approving a school meals bill against them this cycle. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive