Plain Talk With Rob Port

Back in August, during an interview on Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said that Congress needed to renew subsidies for Obamacare marketplace policies to avoid a "death spiral" in the insurance market brought on by younger, healthier shoppers reacting to price spikes by giving up their policies. Well, it's December now. The year is almost over, and Congress hasn't acted. Not only have subsidies not been renewed, majority Republicans haven't even unveiled a plan to address that specific problem, or the larger challenge of spiraling health care and health insurance rates. On this episode of Plain Talk, Shelly Ten Napel, CEO of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, said many of the tens of thousands of families in our region that get their insurance through the federal marketplace could end up paying twice as much. "So, without the enhanced premium tax credits, your percent goes up to 9.16 for that family of four, which is $672 a month," she said. So, it's more than double 363 to um 672. And your annual for the year would be over $8,000." Ten Napel echoed Godfread's point about the "death spiral," pointiing out that younger and healthier insurance customers would probably react rationally to these sort of massive price hikes by leaving the market. "What we would expect is that probably healthy people will be the first people to drop coverage. So, those younger individuals, those people without current chronic conditions," she said. This would mean that "our risk pool's going to get sicker and so the costs are going to go up for everybody." Ten Napel said that, even as Congress wallows in dysfunction on this issue and others, there are things states like North Dakota can do to address health care, and thus health insurance, costs. More investment in preventative care, for instance, the neglect of which is akin to "refusing to pay for regular oil changes to save money." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the controversy over bonuses in the Retirement and Investment Office, the need for greater transparency when it comes to the economic incentives our state and local governments offer, and the perenially unsuccessful Rick Becker running for elected office, again, in the 2026 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

Back in August, during an interview on Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said that Congress needed to renew subsidies for Obamacare marketplace policies to avoid a "death spiral" in the insurance market brought on by younger, healthier shoppers reacting to price spikes by giving up their policies. Well, it's December now. The year is almost over, and Congress hasn't acted. Not only have subsidies not been renewed, majority Republicans haven't even unveiled a plan to address that specific problem, or the larger challenge of spiraling health care and health insurance rates. On this episode of Plain Talk, Shelly Ten Napel, CEO of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, said many of the tens of thousands of families in our region that get their insurance through the federal marketplace could end up paying twice as much. "So, without the enhanced premium tax credits, your percent goes up to 9.16 for that family of four, which is $672 a month," she said. So, it's more than double 363 to um 672. And your annual for the year would be over $8,000." Ten Napel echoed Godfread's point about the "death spiral," pointiing out that younger and healthier insurance customers would probably react rationally to these sort of massive price hikes by leaving the market. "What we would expect is that probably healthy people will be the first people to drop coverage. So, those younger individuals, those people without current chronic conditions," she said. This would mean that "our risk pool's going to get sicker and so the costs are going to go up for everybody." Ten Napel said that, even as Congress wallows in dysfunction on this issue and others, there are things states like North Dakota can do to address health care, and thus health insurance, costs. More investment in preventative care, for instance, the neglect of which is akin to "refusing to pay for regular oil changes to save money." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the controversy over bonuses in the Retirement and Investment Office, the need for greater transparency when it comes to the economic incentives our state and local governments offer, and the perenially unsuccessful Rick Becker running for elected office, again, in the 2026 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

While the Plain Talk team is taking the holiday off, we're bringing back one of our most-listened-to episodes of the past year — an interview that's become even more relevant as debates over data centers continue across North Dakota. In this replay, Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins joins the show to discuss the company's rapid expansion in North Dakota, including two operational data center projects and a third planned near Fargo. That expansion has sparked a high-stakes tug-of-war between the city of Fargo and the city of Harwood, each looking to annex the land and capture the tax revenue generated by the new facility. He also responds directly to concerns raised around the Harwood project, including public frustration over nondisclosure agreements signed by local officials, questions about transparency, and fears that large data-center power demands could drive up electric rates for residents.  Whether you've followed the Harwood–Fargo battle closely or you're just trying to understand what data centers mean for North Dakota's economy, energy grid, and future competitiveness, this conversation is worth a listen. We'll be back with a new episode on December 3 — enjoy the replay and the rest of your holiday weekend!

While the Plain Talk team is taking the holiday off, we're bringing back one of our most-listened-to episodes of the past year — an interview that's become even more relevant as debates over data centers continue across North Dakota. In this replay, Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins joins the show to discuss the company's rapid expansion in North Dakota, including two operational data center projects and a third planned near Fargo. That expansion has sparked a high-stakes tug-of-war between the city of Fargo and the city of Harwood, each looking to annex the land and capture the tax revenue generated by the new facility. He also responds directly to concerns raised around the Harwood project, including public frustration over nondisclosure agreements signed by local officials, questions about transparency, and fears that large data-center power demands could drive up electric rates for residents.  Whether you've followed the Harwood–Fargo battle closely or you're just trying to understand what data centers mean for North Dakota's economy, energy grid, and future competitiveness, this conversation is worth a listen. We'll be back with a new episode on December 3 — enjoy the replay and the rest of your holiday weekend!

Robin Nelson, a member of the Fargo School Board who is chairing a ballot measure committee aimed at universal school lunches, says her group tried to get their goal accomplished through the legislative process. It didn't work, so now they're taking their case to the voters. "We went through two legislative sessions, and we're thankful. There was some movement, but that is not what our goal was," she said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to expansions to the lunch program made by lawmakers. "We respectfully followed that process, and due to the overwhelming support through polls in the state of North Dakota that support this concept of universal school meals, the next logical step was to take it to the voters in an initiated measure." Nelson took questions on how the measure will work, including how it will cover school lunches served through the existing program in private and tribal schools, as well as what it will cost. When a bill similar to what Nelson and her group are looking to put on the ballot was considered by lawmakers earlier this year, the Department of Public Instruction estimated the cost at $140 million. "I think it's a fair estimate" of what this new measure would cost if implemented, Nelson said, though she also pointed out that a new fiscal note will be created through the ballot measure process. If the measure passes, it would shift the cost of paying for the school lunch program away from just parents, who foot the bill through user fees, and to the broader tax base. Nelson said it will also cut out some red tape at the schools which must currently levy and collect lunch fees. "We won't have to worry about collection efforts," she said. "It will save a lot of time on the back end. Also on this episode, my co-host Chad Oban and I discuss Sen. Kevin Cramer's tough trip to Halifax, and we respond to some reader messages. 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

Robin Nelson, a member of the Fargo School Board who is chairing a ballot measure committee aimed at universal school lunches, says her group tried to get their goal accomplished through the legislative process. It didn't work, so now they're taking their case to the voters. "We went through two legislative sessions, and we're thankful. There was some movement, but that is not what our goal was," she said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to expansions to the lunch program made by lawmakers. "We respectfully followed that process, and due to the overwhelming support through polls in the state of North Dakota that support this concept of universal school meals, the next logical step was to take it to the voters in an initiated measure." Nelson took questions on how the measure will work, including how it will cover school lunches served through the existing program in private and tribal schools, as well as what it will cost. When a bill similar to what Nelson and her group are looking to put on the ballot was considered by lawmakers earlier this year, the Department of Public Instruction estimated the cost at $140 million. "I think it's a fair estimate" of what this new measure would cost if implemented, Nelson said, though she also pointed out that a new fiscal note will be created through the ballot measure process. If the measure passes, it would shift the cost of paying for the school lunch program away from just parents, who foot the bill through user fees, and to the broader tax base. Nelson said it will also cut out some red tape at the schools which must currently levy and collect lunch fees. "We won't have to worry about collection efforts," she said. "It will save a lot of time on the back end. Also on this episode, my co-host Chad Oban and I discuss Sen. Kevin Cramer's tough trip to Halifax, and we respond to some reader messages. 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 is an increasingly intense debate among state lawmakers and leaders in the North Dakota University System about the impact online education is having on the state's public campuses. "My concern is about this conversation becoming so toxic," university system Commissioner Brent Sanford said on this episode of Plain Talk. Sanford -- who is now using the title "commissioner" instead of "chancellor" like his predecessors because the former is the term used in state law -- says he understands the concerns some lawmakers have, but also wants them to understand his argument, which is that most of the online students are a boon to the state. Sure, some of them might never step foot in the state, and it doesn't make a lot of sense for North Dakota taxpayers to subsidize them, but in the aggregate students taking online courses from our public institutions of higher education is a good thing, he argues. What needs to happen, Sanford says, is for the various campuses to better illustrate who we're talking about for lawmakers. "The chore I've been giving the presidents on this is you need to come back to the legislators with who these students are, how is there value from these students," he said. "Bismarck State allowed an online energy management bachelor degree, giving credit for the entire associate degree," Sanford continued, citing one example. Students currently working as electrical linemen "could finish that online, stay in their job, and all sudden they can be a grid operator instead of being a lineman." He also suggested that students seeking agriculture-related degrees could continue living on the family farm, and helping with things like planting and harvest, even as they take their classes. Sanford also discussed the NDUS efforts to fill four presidential vacancies at various institutions, including the departure of President David Cook from North Dakota State University. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the ongoing controversy around the 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 is an increasingly intense debate among state lawmakers and leaders in the North Dakota University System about the impact online education is having on the state's public campuses. "My concern is about this conversation becoming so toxic," university system Commissioner Brent Sanford said on this episode of Plain Talk. Sanford -- who is now using the title "commissioner" instead of "chancellor" like his predecessors because the former is the term used in state law -- says he understands the concerns some lawmakers have, but also wants them to understand his argument, which is that most of the online students are a boon to the state. Sure, some of them might never step foot in the state, and it doesn't make a lot of sense for North Dakota taxpayers to subsidize them, but in the aggregate students taking online courses from our public institutions of higher education is a good thing, he argues. What needs to happen, Sanford says, is for the various campuses to better illustrate who we're talking about for lawmakers. "The chore I've been giving the presidents on this is you need to come back to the legislators with who these students are, how is there value from these students," he said. "Bismarck State allowed an online energy management bachelor degree, giving credit for the entire associate degree," Sanford continued, citing one example. Students currently working as electrical linemen "could finish that online, stay in their job, and all sudden they can be a grid operator instead of being a lineman." He also suggested that students seeking agriculture-related degrees could continue living on the family farm, and helping with things like planting and harvest, even as they take their classes. Sanford also discussed the NDUS efforts to fill four presidential vacancies at various institutions, including the departure of President David Cook from North Dakota State University. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the ongoing controversy around the 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

Artificial intelligence is much on the minds of North Dakotans. Well, not just North Dakotans. It's on the minds of Americans, but here in North Dakota we're having debates about the construction of massive, power-hungry data centers that will serve AI companies, not to mention discussions about the appropriate role for AI in academic and business settings. One question in this debate that's on a lot of minds is, will AI come for our jobs? Revana Sharfuddin is a research fellow specializing in AI for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She recently spoke at North Dakota State University's Challey Institute as part of the Menard Family distinguised speaker series. On this Plain Talk, she said she understands the trepidation many feel about the emergence of AI. "The headline numbers are scary," she said, "and if we kind of say 'well, you know it's, another technology shock just just move along with the new world, don't worry about it,' I think we will be making a little bit of mistake even if we are champions of innovation." The fear of new technology isn't new. Today we use the term "luddite" to describe someone who is hostile to technology, but that term comes from a labor movement from centuries ago during the Industrial Revolution. At that time, workers were upset about new machines like the spinning jenny stealing their jobs. Today, it's voice actors and writers worried about AI taking over. One way to help address this problem, Sharfuddin said, is to make some changes to the tax code to allow businesses to better invest in their workers. Right now, investments in new technology (including AI) often bear all manner of tax advantages that investments in training, or re-training, human workers do not. It may not be a silver bullet to solve the problem, but it can help. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and dicussed the vote in Congress to release the Epstein files, and U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak drawing a primary challenge from military veteran Alex Balazs, who also ran against her in the 2024 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

Artificial intelligence is much on the minds of North Dakotans. Well, not just North Dakotans. It's on the minds of Americans, but here in North Dakota we're having debates about the construction of massive, power-hungry data centers that will serve AI companies, not to mention discussions about the appropriate role for AI in academic and business settings. One question in this debate that's on a lot of minds is, will AI come for our jobs? Revana Sharfuddin is a research fellow specializing in AI for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She recently spoke at North Dakota State University's Challey Institute as part of the Menard Family distinguised speaker series. On this Plain Talk, she said she understands the trepidation many feel about the emergence of AI. "The headline numbers are scary," she said, "and if we kind of say 'well, you know it's, another technology shock just just move along with the new world, don't worry about it,' I think we will be making a little bit of mistake even if we are champions of innovation." The fear of new technology isn't new. Today we use the term "luddite" to describe someone who is hostile to technology, but that term comes from a labor movement from centuries ago during the Industrial Revolution. At that time, workers were upset about new machines like the spinning jenny stealing their jobs. Today, it's voice actors and writers worried about AI taking over. One way to help address this problem, Sharfuddin said, is to make some changes to the tax code to allow businesses to better invest in their workers. Right now, investments in new technology (including AI) often bear all manner of tax advantages that investments in training, or re-training, human workers do not. It may not be a silver bullet to solve the problem, but it can help. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and dicussed the vote in Congress to release the Epstein files, and U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak drawing a primary challenge from military veteran Alex Balazs, who also ran against her in the 2024 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

Now that the government shutdown is over, Congress will need to figure out what to do about an impending spike in health insurance premiums for Americans (including tens of thousands of North Dakotans) who purchase individual plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Those premiums currently enjoy heavy subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress renews them, which would mean dramatic cost increases for the insured. On the other side of that coin is that years of fiscal profligacy, which has become particularly acute under the terms of Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, has left our nation with little capacity to continue them. We are already $38 trillion in debt, and adding a couple of trillion dollars more every year. But the debate over the subsidies is beside the point Marvin Lein said on this episode of Plain Talk. Lein is a retired healthcare professional with 30 years of senior healthcare administrative and CEO experience, including managing large multi-entity, private, for-profit physician practices. He served as CEO of Mid Dakota Clinic in Bismarck from 2013 to 2022. According to him, moving Americans to a single-payer system for delivering health care is the only sustainable path forward. "We've run the current model, the free market model, to the point where we can no longer bury, redistribute, hide systemwide costs," he said, and while we can have a debate about whether the status quo, where most Americans get their health insurance through a third party, is truly a "free market," he has a point. He recalled that when he started in 1994, the industry reacted strongly to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services setting price controls, fearing it would be "socialized healthcare" and "the end of healthcare." "Well, that didn't happen," he said, arguing that a Medicare-for-all plan could bring spiking prices under control. "Medicare is price setting. Medicare is managed delivery. Right? Medicare is much more like the European model than the insurance products that you and I purchase on the commercial marketplace. which is the old model that is failing has failed." Also on this episode, guest co-host Pat Finken and I discussed my story about a stalker in North Dakota's state house and the City of Fargo's ongoing efforts to annex a proposed AI data center despite objections from just about everybody else. 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

Now that the government shutdown is over, Congress will need to figure out what to do about an impending spike in health insurance premiums for Americans (including tens of thousands of North Dakotans) who purchase individual plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Those premiums currently enjoy heavy subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress renews them, which would mean dramatic cost increases for the insured. On the other side of that coin is that years of fiscal profligacy, which has become particularly acute under the terms of Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, has left our nation with little capacity to continue them. We are already $38 trillion in debt, and adding a couple of trillion dollars more every year. But the debate over the subsidies is beside the point Marvin Lein said on this episode of Plain Talk. Lein is a retired healthcare professional with 30 years of senior healthcare administrative and CEO experience, including managing large multi-entity, private, for-profit physician practices. He served as CEO of Mid Dakota Clinic in Bismarck from 2013 to 2022. According to him, moving Americans to a single-payer system for delivering health care is the only sustainable path forward. "We've run the current model, the free market model, to the point where we can no longer bury, redistribute, hide systemwide costs," he said, and while we can have a debate about whether the status quo, where most Americans get their health insurance through a third party, is truly a "free market," he has a point. He recalled that when he started in 1994, the industry reacted strongly to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services setting price controls, fearing it would be "socialized healthcare" and "the end of healthcare." "Well, that didn't happen," he said, arguing that a Medicare-for-all plan could bring spiking prices under control. "Medicare is price setting. Medicare is managed delivery. Right? Medicare is much more like the European model than the insurance products that you and I purchase on the commercial marketplace. which is the old model that is failing has failed." Also on this episode, guest co-host Pat Finken and I discussed my story about a stalker in North Dakota's state house and the City of Fargo's ongoing efforts to annex a proposed AI data center despite objections from just about everybody else. 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 Dakotans like to get a lot of work out of their public servants. Perhaps, in particularly, those working in the judiciary. The "judicial system has somewhere between 160,000 and 180,000 cases each year," Chief Justice Jon Jensen said on this episode of Plain Talk. Given that the state only has "55 district court judges," this creates "a pretty large case load that each one of our district court judges has to manage each year." Those judges also have to cover a lot of legal territory given that they're of general jurisdiction. "We don't have a criminal court judge, a civil court judge, a family court judge, or a juvenile court judge. Every one of our judges has to do every one of those things," Jensen said. "If you can imagine judges get up in the morning, they may have family law cases in the morning, criminal cases in the afternoon. It's a lot to ask from them at the district court level." Yet, despite this work load, Jensen pointed out that North Dakota judges operate at a high level. "We have docket currency rates that are at the top of the United States," he said, also noting that out of the 160,000 to 180,000 cases that are heard each year, the state only sees about "300 appeals per year." Jensen announced recently that, though he's committed to finishing the current 10-year term he was elected to on the North Dakota Supreme Court, which ends in 2030, he's stepping down as chief justice. But in doing so, he's reflecting on his accomplishments in that position, which includes increasing the pay for judges, as well as taking steps to lighten burdens. He called the state legislature "a very good partner" in raising pay, increasing staffing, and creating new judgeships. "We have some challenges coming up," Jensen was quick to add, which includes a reopening of online access to court records, something the court attempted years ago but shut down quickly after it became clear that lawyers and court officials weren't doing a good enough job redacting private information from the files. Also on this episode, guest co-host Pat Finken and I discussed the possible end of the government shutdown, the looming fight over what the government can do to address health care costs, and the legal challenge to North Dakota's corrupt practices law for politicians. 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 Dakotans like to get a lot of work out of their public servants. Perhaps, in particularly, those working in the judiciary. The "judicial system has somewhere between 160,000 and 180,000 cases each year," Chief Justice Jon Jensen said on this episode of Plain Talk. Given that the state only has "55 district court judges," this creates "a pretty large case load that each one of our district court judges has to manage each year." Those judges also have to cover a lot of legal territory given that they're of general jurisdiction. "We don't have a criminal court judge, a civil court judge, a family court judge, or a juvenile court judge. Every one of our judges has to do every one of those things," Jensen said. "If you can imagine judges get up in the morning, they may have family law cases in the morning, criminal cases in the afternoon. It's a lot to ask from them at the district court level." Yet, despite this work load, Jensen pointed out that North Dakota judges operate at a high level. "We have docket currency rates that are at the top of the United States," he said, also noting that out of the 160,000 to 180,000 cases that are heard each year, the state only sees about "300 appeals per year." Jensen announced recently that, though he's committed to finishing the current 10-year term he was elected to on the North Dakota Supreme Court, which ends in 2030, he's stepping down as chief justice. But in doing so, he's reflecting on his accomplishments in that position, which includes increasing the pay for judges, as well as taking steps to lighten burdens. He called the state legislature "a very good partner" in raising pay, increasing staffing, and creating new judgeships. "We have some challenges coming up," Jensen was quick to add, which includes a reopening of online access to court records, something the court attempted years ago but shut down quickly after it became clear that lawyers and court officials weren't doing a good enough job redacting private information from the files. Also on this episode, guest co-host Pat Finken and I discussed the possible end of the government shutdown, the looming fight over what the government can do to address health care costs, and the legal challenge to North Dakota's corrupt practices law for politicians. 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

"I'm optimistic that they're going to do it," North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to Congress approving an extension to enhanced subsidies for health insurance policies sold on the individual marketplace exchanges. "I'm hopeful that they do it because I think it's the it is the right thing to do." The subsidies are central to the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, with Democrats refusing to reopen the government without a deal to extend them, and Republicans saying they'll only cut a deal like that once the government is open again. Godfread, whose office approved new rates for the current open enrollment plan last week based on the assumption that the subsidies will be continued, has warned that without them millions of Americans, and tens of thousands of North Dakotans, would face dramatic cost increases. Despite his prediction, he does see the possibility where Congress doesn't renew them. "There is certainly a scenario and a reality where neither side wins on this," he said. "I think both sides are so dug into that somebody has to lose, and nobody wants to lose." Godfread says he's been working with North Dakota's federal delegation — Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, along with Rep. Julie Fedorchak — to get this point across. "The point, again, that I've made with our delegation is, guys, the consumers are the ones who are losing here." But even given his support for extending the subsidies, Godfread warns that's not going to fix anything. "It's a $440 billion subsidy over the life of this. It's very, very expensive," he said, saying the real solution is addressing health care costs. Godfread discussed different solutions to that, from increased price transparency to using regulatory authority to impose some price controls, but also said there's a point where the status quo is going to collapse and leave no choice but a complete take over. "That's exactly what I've said to our to our healthcare providers, in those conversations, that guys, you are advocating for a Medicare for all system," Godfread said. "And I said, we're going to get to a point where nobody can afford this stuff. The only person that can bail it out is going to be the federal government and then we're going to have Medicare for all." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discussed the ongoing problems at the North Dakota Commerce Department, when the government shutdown will end, and the federal lawsuit filed by noted advocate for dishonesty Brandon Prichard. 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

"I'm optimistic that they're going to do it," North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to Congress approving an extension to enhanced subsidies for health insurance policies sold on the individual marketplace exchanges. "I'm hopeful that they do it because I think it's the it is the right thing to do." The subsidies are central to the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, with Democrats refusing to reopen the government without a deal to extend them, and Republicans saying they'll only cut a deal like that once the government is open again. Godfread, whose office approved new rates for the current open enrollment plan last week based on the assumption that the subsidies will be continued, has warned that without them millions of Americans, and tens of thousands of North Dakotans, would face dramatic cost increases. Despite his prediction, he does see the possibility where Congress doesn't renew them. "There is certainly a scenario and a reality where neither side wins on this," he said. "I think both sides are so dug into that somebody has to lose, and nobody wants to lose." Godfread says he's been working with North Dakota's federal delegation — Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, along with Rep. Julie Fedorchak — to get this point across. "The point, again, that I've made with our delegation is, guys, the consumers are the ones who are losing here." But even given his support for extending the subsidies, Godfread warns that's not going to fix anything. "It's a $440 billion subsidy over the life of this. It's very, very expensive," he said, saying the real solution is addressing health care costs. Godfread discussed different solutions to that, from increased price transparency to using regulatory authority to impose some price controls, but also said there's a point where the status quo is going to collapse and leave no choice but a complete take over. "That's exactly what I've said to our to our healthcare providers, in those conversations, that guys, you are advocating for a Medicare for all system," Godfread said. "And I said, we're going to get to a point where nobody can afford this stuff. The only person that can bail it out is going to be the federal government and then we're going to have Medicare for all." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discussed the ongoing problems at the North Dakota Commerce Department, when the government shutdown will end, and the federal lawsuit filed by noted advocate for dishonesty Brandon Prichard. 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

This has not been a good week for President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement. Elections in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, California, and beyond seemed to see voters sending a message to Trump and his allies about the government shutdown and more. "Well, the first thing I think the president came out and said, 'Oh, the only reason that this happened is I wasn't on the ballot,'" former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said on this episode of Plain Talk reacting to the results. "President Trump was on the ballot in every one of those states and and the message was clear. We don't like the direction you're headed." "The more they ignore this, the the bigger the peril is for 2026," she added. Heitkamp argues that Republicans are tone deaf on issues like health care costs and SNAP benefits. "They want to double down on all the policies under the theory that those are working," she said, arguing that Trump, in particular, seems to have a disconnect with the electorate. "He believes his own headlines," Heitkamp said. "He believes that, you know, that people are mean. I mean, he really believes that Americans are mean. And, you know, he's going with the theory, and part of this is the longtime demonization of people who are on food assistance on SNAP." Democrats, meanwhile, seem to have found their message, Heitkamp said. It's not culture war issues. "It's called affordability, which I've been preaching for freaking ever," she said. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss a lawsuit from trollish political activist Brandon Prichard challenging a state law making it a misdemeanor to lie in political messaging, how Democrats can turn their victories this week unto success in next year's midterms, 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  

This has not been a good week for President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement. Elections in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, California, and beyond seemed to see voters sending a message to Trump and his allies about the government shutdown and more. "Well, the first thing I think the president came out and said, 'Oh, the only reason that this happened is I wasn't on the ballot,'" former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said on this episode of Plain Talk reacting to the results. "President Trump was on the ballot in every one of those states and and the message was clear. We don't like the direction you're headed." "The more they ignore this, the the bigger the peril is for 2026," she added. Heitkamp argues that Republicans are tone deaf on issues like health care costs and SNAP benefits. "They want to double down on all the policies under the theory that those are working," she said, arguing that Trump, in particular, seems to have a disconnect with the electorate. "He believes his own headlines," Heitkamp said. "He believes that, you know, that people are mean. I mean, he really believes that Americans are mean. And, you know, he's going with the theory, and part of this is the longtime demonization of people who are on food assistance on SNAP." Democrats, meanwhile, seem to have found their message, Heitkamp said. It's not culture war issues. "It's called affordability, which I've been preaching for freaking ever," she said. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss a lawsuit from trollish political activist Brandon Prichard challenging a state law making it a misdemeanor to lie in political messaging, how Democrats can turn their victories this week unto success in next year's midterms, 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  

"Imagine you're someone a family who is working a job or two or even three, and then all of a sudden, with a week before the end of the month, you learn that the money you had been counting on to purchase food for you and your family isn't going to be there on Saturday, November 1st," Karen Ehrens said on this episode of Plain Talk. "Probably you have rent due or you're a senior on a fixed income scraping by till the end of the month, looking forward to when you might get some help so you can buy groceries. And then you learn a few days before Saturday that that money won't be there." "It's beyond frustrating," she added. It's also unprecedented. "It's a never-before-seen event that's coming," she said. Ehrens is the U.S. Policy Manager for the Alliance to End Hunger, and she's referring to funding for food stamps running out due to the shutdown of the federal government. She is predicting a lot of suffering for vulnerable people. "Nationally, on average, four out of five households that receive SNAP benefits have a child, an elderly person, a person with disabilities," she said. "So, that's who gets SNAP first and foremost." But it doesn't have to be like this, she argued. "They could end this with a decision to release funds that are in an account, and transfer some money over that way, put enough money out around $8 billion to keep SNAP going through the month of November." This interview with Ehrens was recorded before Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced $1.5 million in state assistance to food banks and other programs to help mitigate the blow of halted funding, but she said that while it helps, it's nowhere near enough. "For every meal that's provided through the food bank network across the US, there are eight meals provided by SNAP. So, it's a big gap to fill." 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

"Imagine you're someone a family who is working a job or two or even three, and then all of a sudden, with a week before the end of the month, you learn that the money you had been counting on to purchase food for you and your family isn't going to be there on Saturday, November 1st," Karen Ehrens said on this episode of Plain Talk. "Probably you have rent due or you're a senior on a fixed income scraping by till the end of the month, looking forward to when you might get some help so you can buy groceries," she continued. "And then you learn a few days before Saturday that that money won't be there." "It's beyond frustrating," she added. It's also unprecedented. "It's a never-before-seen event that's coming," she said. Ehrens is the U.S. Policy Manager for the Alliance to End Hunger, and she's referring to funding for food stamps running out due to the shutdown of the federal government. She is predicting a lot of suffering for vulnerable people. "Nationally, on average, four out of five households that receive SNAP benefits have a child, an elderly person, a person with disabilities," she said. "So, that's who gets SNAP first and foremost." But it doesn't have to be like this, she argued. "They could end this with a decision to release funds that are in an account, and transfer some money over that way, put enough money out around $8 billion to keep SNAP going through the month of November." This interview with Ehrens was recorded before Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced $1.5 million in state assistance to food banks and other programs to help mitigate the blow of halted funding, but she said that while it helps, it's nowhere near enough. "For every meal that's provided through the food bank network across the US, there are eight meals provided by SNAP. So, it's a big gap to fill." 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

During their regular session earlier this year, North Dakota lawmakers formed its own version of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. It's a task force, as opposed to a department, and state Auditor Josh Gallion, who is participating in the meetings, said they've been calling it TOGE to avoid confusion with the federal efforts. But it's been making good progress, including reviewing a big problem the state has when it comes to implementing policy. Namely, that nobody bothers to define what the success of that policy might look like. "I think what we learned a lot was we don't have performance measures," Gallion said on this episode of Plain Talk. He pointed out that the state often creates things, like economic development programs aimed at creating jobs or drawing workers to the state, without any sort of a mechanism for measuring how many jobs were created, or how many workers were inspired to move here. "Is the money that we're putting into these programs, are they achieving desirable results? You know, if we're going to put a million dollars into a workforce program, is it affecting change? Is it moving the needle? Are we bringing workforce in? And how do we calculate some of that?" he asked. Gallion also addressed controversy over an audit of Stark County. The report from his office concluded that the county government was breaking state law capping general fund carry-over balances at no more than 75% of the previous year's revenues. That report also included a response from the county that said "we agree" with the finding, only the county says that Gallion's office added those words, and they didn't agree to it. "We wanted them to state we agree or disagree," Gallion said. "That should be the beginning of every response." He also claimed that the change was made only after consultation with Stark County, though a quote from the county auditor indicated that she didn't expect her county's comments to be modified. "I wrote our responses to the audit for Stark County and I don't think they should have changed them," Stark County Auditor/Treasurer Karen Richard told the Dickinson Press, "but I do appreciate them clarifying why they changed the language." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the standoff between Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan over new appointments to the state Ethics Committee. 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

During their regular session earlier this year, North Dakota lawmakers formed its own version of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. It's a task force, as opposed to a department, and state Auditor Josh Gallion, who is participating in the meetings, said they've been calling it TOGE to avoid confusion with the federal efforts. But it's been making good progress, including reviewing a big problem the state has when it comes to implementing policy. Namely, that nobody bothers to define what the success of that policy might look like. "I think what we learned a lot was we don't have performance measures," Gallion said on this episode of Plain Talk. He pointed out that the state often creates things, like economic development programs aimed at creating jobs or drawing workers to the state, without any sort of a mechanism for measuring how many jobs were created, or how many workers were inspired to move here. "Is the money that we're putting into these programs, are they achieving desirable results? You know, if we're going to put a million dollars into a workforce program, is it affecting change? Is it moving the needle? Are we bringing workforce in? And how do we calculate some of that?" he asked. Gallion also addressed controversy over an audit of Stark County. The report from his office concluded that the county government was breaking state law capping general fund carry-over balances at no more than 75% of the previous year's revenues. That report also included a response from the county that said "we agree" with the finding, only the county says that Gallion's office added those words, and they didn't agree to it. "We wanted them to state we agree or disagree," Gallion said. "That should be the beginning of every response." He also claimed that the change was made only after consultation with Stark County, though a quote from the county auditor indicated that she didn't expect her county's comments to be modified. "I wrote our responses to the audit for Stark County and I don't think they should have changed them," Stark County Auditor/Treasurer Karen Richard told the Dickinson Press, "but I do appreciate them clarifying why they changed the language." Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the standoff between Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan over new appointments to the state Ethics Committee. 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

Farmers and ranchers are in a particularly vulnerable spot amid this protracted shutdown of the federal government. President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies have driven up the cost of doing business, and complicated access to international markets, even as crop prices have come in below profitable levels. Trump's push prop up Argentinian President Javier Milei, an admirer and populist ally, through direct cash bailouts and quadrupling the beef imports from that country have also made life difficult for North Dakota ranchers at a time when farm and ranch bankruptcies are soaring. Also, farmers and ranchers, who typically don't have access to employer-backed health insurance policies, are major users of the insurance marketplace created by Obamacare. Federal subsidies for those plans are the primary bone of contention between Democrats and Republicans during the shutdown. North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has warned that if Congress doesn't renew those subsidies soon, those who get their insurance from the marketplace will face dramatic premium increases. It is in this environment that the North Dakota Farm Bureau, one of the largest and most importance agriculture advocacy groups in the state, is set to elect a new leader. Val Wagner, one of the candidates for that position, joined this episode of Plain Talk. "I personally just feel like the best way to have people understand where their food comes comes from, and for them to care about where their food comes from, is to talk to them about it, to have a relationship with them, so that they understand this isn't just some name on a box somewhere," she said. "That it really is a family that's behind all of this." She also addressed the complex politics around agriculture issues, particularly at a time when much of the pain farmers and ranchers are facing is being caused a president rural Americans voted for overwhelmingly. Wagner says that she wants to make the group less ideological than it has been in the past. "I really think that's our biggest thing, is that we need to re-engage those members that we have started to not hear from because they feel like sometimes the fringe is getting more attention than they are," 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  

Farmers and ranchers are in a particularly vulnerable spot amid this protracted shutdown of the federal government. President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies have driven up the cost of doing business, and complicated access to international markets, even as crop prices have come in below profitable levels. Trump's push prop up Argentinian President Javier Milei, an admirer and populist ally, through direct cash bailouts and quadrupling the beef imports from that country have also made life difficult for North Dakota ranchers at a time when farm and ranch bankruptcies are soaring. Also, farmers and ranchers, who typically don't have access to employer-backed health insurance policies, are major users of the insurance marketplace created by Obamacare. Federal subsidies for those plans are the primary bone of contention between Democrats and Republicans during the shutdown. North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has warned that if Congress doesn't renew those subsidies soon, those who get their insurance from the marketplace will face dramatic premium increases. It is in this environment that the North Dakota Farm Bureau, one of the largest and most importance agriculture advocacy groups in the state, is set to elect a new leader. Val Wagner, one of the candidates for that position, joined this episode of Plain Talk. "I personally just feel like the best way to have people understand where their food comes comes from, and for them to care about where their food comes from, is to talk to them about it, to have a relationship with them, so that they understand this isn't just some name on a box somewhere," she said. "That it really is a family that's behind all of this." She also addressed the complex politics around agriculture issues, particularly at a time when much of the pain farmers and ranchers are facing is being caused a president rural Americans voted for overwhelmingly. Wagner says that she wants to make the group less ideological than it has been in the past. "I really think that's our biggest thing, is that we need to re-engage those members that we have started to not hear from because they feel like sometimes the fringe is getting more attention than they are," 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  

This week Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced his appointment to replace Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who has been confirmed for a position in President Donald Trump's administration, but it's a somewhat unusual situation. Levi Bachmeier can't take office yet, because Baesler can't officially take her position in the federal government, because the government is shut down. But eventually the rancor in Washington D.C. will subside enough for Baesler to move up, and for Bachmeier to move in. In the mean time, the new appointee says he has resigned his seat on the State Board of Higher Education — "I submitted a resignation letter to the governor right after the press conference," he said on this episode of Plain Talk — and will be helping his replacement transition into his job as business manager for West Fargo Public Schools. As for his new job? "I have a responsibility to ensure that that the focus is on what's best for students," he said. The superintendent job is an elected one, and even though the four-year term he's taking over from Baesler just started this year, state law requires Bachmeier to appear on next year's ballot to have his appointment confirmed. The office is officially nonpartisan, but traditionally the candidates for it have sought endorsements from their political parties. The North Dakota Republican Party, which had endorsed Baesler in her three previous campaigns, has been taken over by a populist faction of Republicans and denied Baesler the party's endorsement at last year's state convention. How will Bachmeier, who, like Baesler, is a political moderate, handle that situation? "I'm a Republican. I'm a conservative," Bachmeier, a former district chairman for the NDGOP, told us. "I won't be seeking, you know, the the Democratic convention support." But he's not sure about seeking the NDGOP's endorsement either, saying he needs to "think really hard about what I do as a Republican when it comes to running for a nonpartisan seat." "I've been really focused on just thinking through how do I do the job well, and hope that if that's done well, the the politics will take care of itself," 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

This week Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced his appointment to replace Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who has been confirmed for a position in President Donald Trump's administration, but it's a somewhat unusual situation. Levi Bachmeier can't take office yet, because Baesler can't officially take her position in the federal government, because the government is shut down. But eventually the rancor in Washington D.C. will subside enough for Baesler to move up, and for Bachmeier to move in. In the mean time, the new appointee says he has resigned his seat on the State Board of Higher Education — "I submitted a resignation letter to the governor right after the press conference," he said on this episode of Plain Talk — and will be helping his replacement transition into his job as business manager for West Fargo Public Schools. As for his new job? "I have a responsibility to ensure that that the focus is on what's best for students," he said. The superintendent job is an elected one, and even though the four-year term he's taking over from Baesler just started this year, state law requires Bachmeier to appear on next year's ballot to have his appointment confirmed. The office is officially nonpartisan, but traditionally the candidates for it have sought endorsements from their political parties. The North Dakota Republican Party, which had endorsed Baesler in her three previous campaigns, has been taken over by a populist faction of Republicans and denied Baesler the party's endorsement at last year's state convention. How will Bachmeier, who, like Baesler, is a political moderate, handle that situation? "I'm a Republican. I'm a conservative," Bachmeier, a former district chairman for the NDGOP, told us. "I won't be seeking, you know, the the Democratic convention support." But he's not sure about seeking the NDGOP's endorsement either, saying he needs to "think really hard about what I do as a Republican when it comes to running for a nonpartisan seat." "I've been really focused on just thinking through how do I do the job well, and hope that if that's done well, the the politics will take care of itself," 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

On previous episodes of Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commisisoner Jon Godfread and Chris Jones, the former head of the state Department of Health and Human Services who is just wrapping up a stint as an adviser in President Donald Trump's administration, argued that health care pricing is opaque. They said that lack of transparency contributes to spiraling health care costs, and thus the rising cost of health insurance. Godfread, specifically, pointed to research his office has done in North Dakota -- he's called it a "secret shopper" study -- showing wide disparities in pricing for routine procedures between the state's hospitals. In some cases, the price difference is as much as 600%. For his part, Jones said that spiral prices for care, driving spiral prices for insurance, are bringing us "precipitously close to having a significant issue with access to health care." What do the people who charge those prices have to say about it? Tim Blasl, the president of the North Dakota Hospital Association, said that while care providers do make prices available, that's usually not what those providers actually charge. "Typically we don't collect those charges," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. "I would say 90 to 93% of our payments that we receive, whether it's from the federal government and CMS, or state Medicaid, or commercial, those have been sort of predetermined already. So even though we have a charge, we are not collecting what we charge." "We do have to establish a charge," he continued, "but, again, if you have insurance in this country, you are not paying what that charge is. You're paying that negotiated rate that's been determined between the payer and the provider." As for the secret shoppers? Blasl wondered if some of the differences could be the different ways hospitals calculate prices. A single procedure could require care from different groups within a hospital -- anesthesiology, radiation, etc. -- and when some hospitals provide a quote, they might be including prices for the entire bundle of care that procedure requires or just one part of it. During the legislative session earlier this year, Rep. Jared Hendrix, a Republican from Fargo, introduced House Bill 1594, which would have implemented new state-level requirements for price transparency from hospitals. Why did Blasl's organization oppose it? Because it was duplicative. "The state wanted to make it a requirement, you know back in the last session, and we felt that was just another layer, because it mirrored what the federal government was doing," Blasl said. "If you look at what that bill required hospitals to do, it's the same thing as what CMS requires us to do today," he continued. "We just felt like it's a federal requirement now, why should we be spending state dollars to monitor it on the state level when the feds do it already?" he added. 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

On previous episodes of Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commisisoner Jon Godfread and Chris Jones, the former head of the state Department of Health and Human Services who is just wrapping up a stint as an adviser in President Donald Trump's administration, argued that health care pricing is opaque. They said that lack of transparency contributes to spiraling health care costs, and thus the rising cost of health insurance. Godfread, specifically, pointed to research his office has done in North Dakota -- he's called it a "secret shopper" study -- showing wide disparities in pricing for routine procedures between the state's hospitals. In some cases, the price difference is as much as 600%. For his part, Jones said that spiral prices for care, driving spiral prices for insurance, are bringing us "precipitously close to having a significant issue with access to health care." What do the people who charge those prices have to say about it? Tim Blasl, the president of the North Dakota Hospital Association, said that while care providers do make prices available, that's usually not what those providers actually charge. "Typically we don't collect those charges," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. "I would say 90 to 93% of our payments that we receive, whether it's from the federal government and CMS, or state Medicaid, or commercial, those have been sort of predetermined already. So even though we have a charge, we are not collecting what we charge." "We do have to establish a charge," he continued, "but, again, if you have insurance in this country, you are not paying what that charge is. You're paying that negotiated rate that's been determined between the payer and the provider." As for the secret shoppers? Blasl wondered if some of the differences could be the different ways hospitals calculate prices. A single procedure could require care from different groups within a hospital -- anesthesiology, radiation, etc. -- and when some hospitals provide a quote, they might be including prices for the entire bundle of care that procedure requires or just one part of it. During the legislative session earlier this year, Rep. Jared Hendrix, a Republican from Fargo, introduced House Bill 1594, which would have implemented new state-level requirements for price transparency from hospitals. Why did Blasl's organization oppose it? Because it was duplicative. "The state wanted to make it a requirement, you know back in the last session, and we felt that was just another layer, because it mirrored what the federal government was doing," Blasl said. "If you look at what that bill required hospitals to do, it's the same thing as what CMS requires us to do today," he continued. "We just felt like it's a federal requirement now, why should we be spending state dollars to monitor it on the state level when the feds do it already?" he added. 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

"Banking has been on payment rails that are old and traditional," Don Morgan said on this episode of Plain Talk. "They were built in 1970. They're antiquated." Morgan is the president of the Bank of North Dakota, which recently announced a new blockchain currency called the Roughrider Coin — a "stablecoin," in the parlance of the industry. He came on the show to talk about how that will serve the interests of North Dakotans. The answer? It won't. Not directly. At least not at first. As Morgan's analogy about "rails" makes clear, the best way to think about this new currency is as infrastructure. This is a "blockchain-enabled transaction framework," Morgan said. Right now, when you make an online payment, or you swipe your debit card at the grocery story, your transaction is processed through a lot of computers that ensure that you're nor using a stolen car, or that you have enough available credit or account balance to cover the transaction. But this process can be slow, and expensive both for the businesses accepting the payments and their customers making them. Banks in our region will have the Roughrider Coin available to innovate when it comes to those sort of transactions. They'll be able to "begin to build a blockchain enabled digital transaction framework for banking," which would be the "first of its kind." The potential applications are numerous. Another example Morgan referenced was using the Roughrider coin as an on and off ramp for international currencies. North Dakota agriculture businesses frequently operate in various international markets, and navigating the various foreign currencies can be difficult. This coin could make it easier. Morgan also talked about North Dakota's new program aimed at helping furloughed federal workers and military workers through the government shutdown. The idea was implemented by the state Industrial Commission, which oversees the Bank of North Dakota, and it will facilitate 2% loans to furloughed workers for up to 90 days worth of their pay. "These are North Dakota residents living next to you," Morgan said, arguing that it's right for the state to step in and help smooth out any disruptions to their lives. 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

"Banking has been on payment rails that are old and traditional," Don Morgan said on this episode of Plain Talk. "They were built in 1970. They're antiquated." Morgan is the president of the Bank of North Dakota, which recently announced a new blockchain currency called the Roughrider Coin — a "stablecoin," in the parlance of the industry. He came on the show to talk about how that will serve the interests of North Dakotans. The answer? It won't. Not directly. At least not at first. As Morgan's analogy about "rails" makes clear, the best way to think about this new currency is as infrastructure. This is a "blockchain-enabled transaction framework," Morgan said. Right now, when you make an online payment, or you swipe your debit card at the grocery story, your transaction is processed through a lot of computers that ensure that you're nor using a stolen car, or that you have enough available credit or account balance to cover the transaction. But this process can be slow, and expensive both for the businesses accepting the payments and their customers making them. Banks in our region will have the Roughrider Coin available to innovate when it comes to those sort of transactions. They'll be able to "begin to build a blockchain enabled digital transaction framework for banking," which would be the "first of its kind." The potential applications are numerous. Another example Morgan referenced was using the Roughrider coin as an on and off ramp for international currencies. North Dakota agriculture businesses frequently operate in various international markets, and navigating the various foreign currencies can be difficult. This coin could make it easier. Morgan also talked about North Dakota's new program aimed at helping furloughed federal workers and military workers through the government shutdown. The idea was implemented by the state Industrial Commission, which oversees the Bank of North Dakota, and it will facilitate 2% loans to furloughed workers for up to 90 days worth of their pay. "These are North Dakota residents living next to you," Morgan said, arguing that it's right for the state to step in and help smooth out any disruptions to their lives. 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

"We've just made it so complex that the average consumer will never understand it." That's what Chris Jones said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the way Americans access and pay for health care. Jones is the former head of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, having served in that role under Gov. Doug Burgum, and he's just finishing up a stint in President Donald Trump's administration where he's advised Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Mehmet Oz. He argues that the maze of employer-provided benefits, government programs, premium subsidies, insurance companies, health care companies, and pharmacy companies that Americans must navigate when they're sick or injured just isn't working. "The system is broken," he says, and argues that the root problem for all of this is the cost of care. "It's the price, not the financing mechanisms." What can be done to bring down prices? Transparency is one thing. Americans often have no idea what their care will cost them until they get a bill in the mail, and thanks to the fact that most Americans see their coverage by a third party (an employer-provided insurance policy, or a government program) they have little incentive to find out. Jones also weighed in on the tug of war between Republicans and Democrats over health care during the ongoing government shutdown. He said that claims from Democrats that "nursing homes are going to close, benefits are being cut for kids and individuals with disabilities" culdn't be "further from the truth." He also supported new work requirements for Medicaid recipients scheduled to begin in 2029. These rules require enrollees between 19 and 64 to work, volunteer, or participate in a qualifying activity for at least 80 hours per month. Jones pointed out that we already have work requirements in place for programs like food stamps and welfare. "What I can't understand, morally, is why we think it's okay to work 20 hours a week for food and basic assistance that you need every single day, but to have you work the same amount of time for something you may never use, and that being cruel and unusual, I just can't reconcile in my brain," he said. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discussed Superintendent Kirsten Baesler's appointment to a position in the Trump administration and Gov. Kelly Armstrong's announced bridge loan program for furloughed workers. 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  

"We've just made it so complex that the average consumer will never understand it." That's what Chris Jones said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the way Americans access and pay for health care. Jones is the former head of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, having served in that role under Gov. Doug Burgum, and he's just finishing up a stint in President Donald Trump's administration where he's advised Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Mehmet Oz. He argues that the maze of employer-provided benefits, government programs, premium subsidies, insurance companies, health care companies, and pharmacy companies that Americans must navigate when they're sick or injured just isn't working. "The system is broken," he says, and argues that the root problem for all of this is the cost of care. "It's the price, not the financing mechanisms." What can be done to bring down prices? Transparency is one thing. Americans often have no idea what their care will cost them until they get a bill in the mail, and thanks to the fact that most Americans see their coverage by a third party (an employer-provided insurance policy, or a government program) they have little incentive to find out. Jones also weighed in on the tug of war between Republicans and Democrats over health care during the ongoing government shutdown. He said that claims from Democrats that "nursing homes are going to close, benefits are being cut for kids and individuals with disabilities" culdn't be "further from the truth." He also supported new work requirements for Medicaid recipients scheduled to begin in 2029. These rules require enrollees between 19 and 64 to work, volunteer, or participate in a qualifying activity for at least 80 hours per month. Jones pointed out that we already have work requirements in place for programs like food stamps and welfare. "What I can't understand, morally, is why we think it's okay to work 20 hours a week for food and basic assistance that you need every single day, but to have you work the same amount of time for something you may never use, and that being cruel and unusual, I just can't reconcile in my brain," he said. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discussed Superintendent Kirsten Baesler's appointment to a position in the Trump administration and Gov. Kelly Armstrong's announced bridge loan program for furloughed workers. 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  

President Donald Trump's deployment of the military domestically over the objections of local leaders has become a flashpoint in our national debate. The Trump has justified these deployments by citing lawlessness in places like Portland and Chicago, but at least one federal judge has found these claims to be "untethered in reality." North Dakota Rep. Julie Fedorchak has said in the past that a line Trump cannot cross is ignoring the courts, yet with these deployments, Trump is now ignoring court orders. How does she feel about that? She's maintaining her position -- "I think he needs to follow the courts like I've said before," she said on this episode of Plain Talk -- but she also told guest co-host Zach Raknerud and I that she hasn't been following the situation closely. "My conversations with the administration would be you've got to follow the courts, appeal it, and go through that process. That's how the system's designed," she said. Asked about Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread's assertion that cutting subsidies for health insurance premiums would create a "death spiral" for the insurance industry, Fedorchak said that's a problem that needs to be addressed, but not in the context of the government shutdown. "We want to address it. We want to address it, you know, as soon as we can, but you don't need to tie it to a continuing resolution to keep the government open," she said. She also accused Democrats of making federal health coverage for illegal immigrants a factor in the shutdown. "Democrat states like California and New York were using to provide funding, federal funding to cover illegal immigrants on Medicaid," she said. "They were using federal dollars to cover their state match for legal aliens. We closed that loophole in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and now by repealing this, they open up that loophole again. And they do indeed allow for coverage on Medicaid for illegal immigrants." On trade issues, Fedorchak said she's sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking for "some sort of a market facilitation a grant program" to help impacted farmers make it through "this fall," but she was also supportive of Trump's trade policies, accusing China of "weaponizing agriculture." Raknerud asked Fedorchak about some of the rhetoric coming from Republicans, casting Democrats as extremists and even "demonic." The Congresswoman said she's not supportive of speaking that way. "I believe in leading by example and that's what I'm doing," she said." I am one that tries to use measured language. I treat people with respect. I have zero tolerance for any sort of political violence or violence as a whole in any issue." Also on this episode, Zach and I discuss Trump's domestic troop deployments, the national debt, and the ongoing controversy around Rep. Dustin McNally's appointment in District 42. 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

President Donald Trump's deployment of the military domestically over the objections of local leaders has become a flashpoint in our national debate. The Trump has justified these deployments by citing lawlessness in places like Portland and Chicago, but at least one federal judge has found these claims to be "untethered in reality." North Dakota Rep. Julie Fedorchak has said in the past that a line Trump cannot cross is ignoring the courts, yet with these deployments, Trump is now ignoring court orders. How does she feel about that? She's maintaining her position -- "I think he needs to follow the courts like I've said before," she said on this episode of Plain Talk -- but she also told guest co-host Zach Raknerud and I that she hasn't been following the situation closely. "My conversations with the administration would be you've got to follow the courts, appeal it, and go through that process. That's how the system's designed," she said. Asked about Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread's assertion that cutting subsidies for health insurance premiums would create a "death spiral" for the insurance industry, Fedorchak said that's a problem that needs to be addressed, but not in the context of the government shutdown. "We want to address it. We want to address it, you know, as soon as we can, but you don't need to tie it to a continuing resolution to keep the government open," she said. She also accused Democrats of making federal health coverage for illegal immigrants a factor in the shutdown. "Democrat states like California and New York were using to provide funding, federal funding to cover illegal immigrants on Medicaid," she said. "They were using federal dollars to cover their state match for legal aliens. We closed that loophole in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and now by repealing this, they open up that loophole again. And they do indeed allow for coverage on Medicaid for illegal immigrants." On trade issues, Fedorchak said she's sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking for "some sort of a market facilitation a grant program" to help impacted farmers make it through "this fall," but she was also supportive of Trump's trade policies, accusing China of "weaponizing agriculture." Raknerud asked Fedorchak about some of the rhetoric coming from Republicans, casting Democrats as extremists and even "demonic." The Congresswoman said she's not supportive of speaking that way. "I believe in leading by example and that's what I'm doing," she said." I am one that tries to use measured language. I treat people with respect. I have zero tolerance for any sort of political violence or violence as a whole in any issue." Also on this episode, Zach and I discuss Trump's domestic troop deployments, the national debt, and the ongoing controversy around Rep. Dustin McNally's appointment in District 42. 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

After a federal judge imposed a new district map on the State of North Dakota, former Sen. Judy Estenson lost her seat in the state legislature. That's unfair, she argued in a recent letter to the editor of the Minot Daily News, and on this episode of Plain Talk. "I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters who elected me in 2022," Estenson said. "I am angry that a midcycle court order forced me from from office, deprived district 15 of its chosen senator, and reship district 9 in a way that made it nearly impossible for me or any Republican to win." Co-host Chad Oban rebutted that last claim from Estenson, pointing out that a Republican who ran with Estenson almost did win in the last election, even after redistricting, but the former Senator is correct that legal wrangling over North Dakota's district map has created headaches. The legal fight is still ongoing, too, making the map for the upcoming 2026 election something less than certain. Estenson, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump wand whose family is involved in ranching, also commented on the impact tariffs are having on production agriculture. As many as "20 to 30% of small farmers could go out of business and not be able to continue," Estenson, a former candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, told us. While she says she supports Trump's efforts to address "unfair trade practices," she's not certain what the future holds. "I don't think anyone really knows what the end result will be of all these tariffs. I certainly don't." Also on this episode, Oban and I discuss the absurd call on newly-appointed Rep. Dustin McNally to resign from his seat in District 42, the potential impact of data centers on power rates, and outlook for the Yankees and the Dodgers in the post season. 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

After a federal judge imposed a new district map on the State of North Dakota, former Sen. Judy Estenson lost her seat in the state legislature. That's unfair, she argued in a recent letter to the editor of the Minot Daily News, and on this episode of Plain Talk. "I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters who elected me in 2022," Estenson said. "I am angry that a midcycle court order forced me from from office, deprived district 15 of its chosen senator, and reship district 9 in a way that made it nearly impossible for me or any Republican to win." Co-host Chad Oban rebutted that last claim from Estenson, pointing out that a Republican who ran with Estenson almost did win in the last election, even after redistricting, but the former Senator is correct that legal wrangling over North Dakota's district map has created headaches. The legal fight is still ongoing, too, making the map for the upcoming 2026 election something less than certain. Estenson, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump wand whose family is involved in ranching, also commented on the impact tariffs are having on production agriculture. As many as "20 to 30% of small farmers could go out of business and not be able to continue," Estenson, a former candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, told us. While she says she supports Trump's efforts to address "unfair trade practices," she's not certain what the future holds. "I don't think anyone really knows what the end result will be of all these tariffs. I certainly don't." Also on this episode, Oban and I discuss the absurd call on newly-appointed Rep. Dustin McNally to resign from his seat in District 42, the potential impact of data centers on power rates, and outlook for the Yankees and the Dodgers in the post season. 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

Steve Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, the host of the "What's Ahead" podcast, and a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate is speaking at North Dakota State University later this month as part of the Challey Institute's Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series. He dropped by Plain Talk ahead of that speech to talk about some of the economic issues pressing on North Dakotans. Specifically, tariffs, which haven't just made selling crops and livestock harder for farmers and ranchers, but has also driven up their costs. "Tariff is another word for tax, and when you impose a tax you are imposing a barrier of sorts between buyer, seller, producer and consumer," Forbes said. He argues that sweeping and uncertain tariffs, that can change wildly day-to-day based on the whims of President Donald Trump, are slowing down the economy. He also thinks they're illegal. "Tariffs, because they're taxes, have to go through Congress, and most of those haven't gone through that kind of process," he said, adding that he hopes the U.S. Supreme Court will strike them down. But even setting aside they're legality, the tariffs aren't something Republicans should be supporting, Forbes said. "Republicans should not be in favor of tax increases," he told us. Forbes also criticized what he described as "weak dollar" currency policies from the Trump administration — "great countries don't trash their money," he said — and called for a "stable, strong dollar" which will lead to lower interest rates and prevent inflation. Forbes will be espeaking at NDSU on October 23 at 5:30pm. Click here for more information on how to attend in-person or virtually. 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

Steve Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, the host of the "What's Ahead" podcast, and a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate is speaking at North Dakota State University later this month as part of the Challey Institute's Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series. He dropped by Plain Talk ahead of that speech to talk about some of the economic issues pressing on North Dakotans. Specifically, tariffs, which haven't just made selling crops and livestock harder for farmers and ranchers, but has also driven up their costs. "Tariff is another word for tax, and when you impose a tax you are imposing a barrier of sorts between buyer, seller, producer and consumer," Forbes said. He argues that sweeping and uncertain tariffs, that can change wildly day-to-day based on the whims of President Donald Trump, are slowing down the economy. He also thinks they're illegal. "Tariffs, because they're taxes, have to go through Congress, and most of those haven't gone through that kind of process," he said, adding that he hopes the U.S. Supreme Court will strike them down. But even setting aside they're legality, the tariffs aren't something Republicans should be supporting, Forbes said. "Republicans should not be in favor of tax increases," he told us. Forbes also criticized what he described as "weak dollar" currency policies from the Trump administration — "great countries don't trash their money," he said — and called for a "stable, strong dollar" which will lead to lower interest rates and prevent inflation. Forbes will be espeaking at NDSU on October 23 at 5:30pm. Click here for more information on how to attend in-person or virtually. 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 Rob out for his daughter's wedding, Chad Oban hosts alongside longtime ad man and GOP strategist Pat Finken for a discussion on the state's transformation from a competitive two-party era to a durable GOP majority, what that's meant for business, and the way national fights over climate and immigration filter down to North Dakota.  Then Justin Kringstad, Executive Director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, lays out the nuts and bolts of getting Bakken gas east. Kringstad details the phased schedule, explains the ship-or-pay realities that make pipelines “extremely risk averse,” and makes the case for domestic supply security. They also dig into data centers, value-added ag, and why early landowner outreach matters. 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 Rob out for his daughter's wedding, Chad Oban hosts alongside longtime ad man and GOP strategist Pat Finken for a discussion on the state's transformation from a competitive two-party era to a durable GOP majority, what that's meant for business, and the way national fights over climate and immigration filter down to North Dakota.  Then Justin Kringstad, Executive Director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, lays out the nuts and bolts of getting Bakken gas east. Kringstad details the phased schedule, explains the ship-or-pay realities that make pipelines “extremely risk averse,” and makes the case for domestic supply security. They also dig into data centers, value-added ag, and why early landowner outreach matters. 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

Guest host Chad Oban and guest co-host Pat Finken sit down with Governor Kelly Armstrong for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, policy, and free speech. Governor Armstrong explains why the cure for bad speech is always more speech, why government crackdowns are dangerous no matter who's in charge, and how the real fight over information today doesn't happen on late-night TV. They also dig into the impact of North Dakota's new cell phone ban in schools and the rollout of the recently passed $1,600 property tax credit. Governor Armstrong also outlines major energy and infrastructure priorities, including a west-to-east gas pipeline, new data centers, and how North Dakota can stay competitive for business.  In the second half, Chad and Pat dive into party mechanics, populists vs. traditional conservatives and read listener texts. 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

Guest host Chad Oban and co-host Pat Finken sit down with Governor Kelly Armstrong for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, policy, and free speech. Governor Armstrong explains why the cure for bad speech is always more speech, why government crackdowns are dangerous no matter who's in charge, and how the real fight over information today doesn't happen on late-night TV. They also dig into the impact of North Dakota's new cell phone ban in schools and the rollout of the recently passed $1,600 property tax credit. Governor Armstrong also outlines major energy and infrastructure priorities, including a west-to-east gas pipeline, new data centers, and how North Dakota can stay competitive for business.  In the second half, Chad and Pat dive into party mechanics, populists vs. traditional conservatives and read listener texts. 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

Dustin McNally was chosen by Republicans in District 42 to replace former state Rep. Emily O'Brien, who resigned her seat to take a position in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's administration. But despite emerging from that process the winner, he called it a "clown show" and a "bad faith effort all around" on this episode of Plain Talk, describe it as something that doesn't serve the people well. Under North Dakota law, legislative vacancies are filled by the local committee for the political party the vacating lawmaker belonged to. This means the new lawmaker is picked in a small room where the populist faction of the NDGOP has shown it can win, often by controlling who gets to participate. That was the case in District 42, according to McNally, though the tactic backfired. An attempt to block participants who had paid their dues and paid their residency upon entering the meeting "pissed off some voters they brought to the meeting" and swung their votes to him. McNally, who makes no pretense about being a moderate Republican, said even though he won, he would have liked to have seen the party get far more participants. The final vote was just 20-17 in McNally's favor, meaning less than 40 votes were cast to elect someone to the Legislature. Even though O'Brien was just re-elected last year, the law requires that McNally's appointment be confirmed by the voters on the next general election ballot, which will happen before the next regular meeting of the legislature. McNally says he plans to run, and expects to face a primary challenger from the populist faction. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the City of Minot's decision to withdraw from the League of Cities over the organization's support for Gov. Kelly Armstrong's property tax plan, and the somewhat odd spectacle of activists who say voter ID laws are voter suppression encouraging voters to get IDs. 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

Dustin McNally was chosen by Republicans in District 42 to replace former state Rep. Emily O'Brien, who resigned her seat to take a position in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's administration. But despite emerging from that process the winner, he called it a "clown show" and a "bad faith effort all around" on this episode of Plain Talk, describe it as something that doesn't serve the people well. Under North Dakota law, legislative vacancies are filled by the local committee for the political party the vacating lawmaker belonged to. This means the new lawmaker is picked in a small room where the populist faction of the NDGOP has shown it can win, often by controlling who gets to participate. That was the case in District 42, according to McNally, though the tactic backfired. An attempt to block participants who had paid their dues and paid their residency upon entering the meeting "pissed off some voters they brought to the meeting" and swung their votes to him. McNally, who makes no pretense about being a moderate Republican, said even though he won, he would have liked to have seen the party get far more participants. The final vote was just 20-17 in McNally's favor, meaning less than 40 votes were cast to elect someone to the Legislature. Even though O'Brien was just re-elected last year, the law requires that McNally's appointment be confirmed by the voters on the next general election ballot, which will happen before the next regular meeting of the legislature. McNally says he plans to run, and expects to face a primary challenger from the populist faction. Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the City of Minot's decision to withdraw from the League of Cities over the organization's support for Gov. Kelly Armstrong's property tax plan, and the somewhat odd spectacle of activists who say voter ID laws are voter suppression encouraging voters to get IDs. 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 no secret that the rise of the internet and social media has upended the news business. We've been talking about it for decades. But the industry isn't dying, as many like to say, so much as changing. People still want their news. They just want it in different ways, and the news industry is rising to meet that challenge. That's what Cecile Wehrman, executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association, had to say on this episode of Plain Talk. Part of that challenge is convincing people that local news is worth paying for, especially in a time of subscription fatigue, but some of the challenges are even more fundamental than that. Many news consumers don't want journalism so much as cherry-picked facts and commentary that affirm what they already believe, and even upstream from that is the problem that many Americans don't like reading. "The last time I checked overall grades, it was 44% are reading at grade level," Wehrman said, referring to numbers from North Dakota proficiency testing. "There are some schools in western North Dakota where that number is as low as 29%." "It's a long play, but we have to be concerned about people not even liking or wanting to read. I mean, it's that fundamental," she continued. "Aside from all of the other distractions and questions about who's paying and who isn't paying and where the news is coming from and all of those things, if people don't like to read, newspapers don't have anything for them. And that spells disaster for our future workforce, our society, for understanding who to vote for, whether our rights are being taken away. And I mean, it's just that bedrock of an issue." Also on this episode, my co-host Chad Oban and I discussed the terrible murder of right-wing organizer and commentator Charlie Kirk, and the terrible way his death has been turned into content for the influencer industry, and a new wedge to drive between Americans of differing political sentiments. 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 no secret that the rise of the internet and social media has upended the news business. We've been talking about it for decades. But the industry isn't dying, as many like to say, so much as changing. People still want their news. They just want it in different ways, and the news industry is rising to meet that challenge. That's what Cecile Wehrman, executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association, had to say on this episode of Plain Talk. Part of that challenge is convincing people that local news is worth paying for, especially in a time of subscription fatigue, but some of the challenges are even more fundamental than that. Many news consumers don't want journalism so much as cherry-picked facts and commentary that affirm what they already believe, and even upstream from that is the problem that many Americans don't like reading. "The last time I checked overall grades, it was 44% are reading at grade level," Wehrman said, referring to numbers from North Dakota proficiency testing. "There are some schools in western North Dakota where that number is as low as 29%." "It's a long play, but we have to be concerned about people not even liking or wanting to read. I mean, it's that fundamental," she continued. "Aside from all of the other distractions and questions about who's paying and who isn't paying and where the news is coming from and all of those things, if people don't like to read, newspapers don't have anything for them. And that spells disaster for our future workforce, our society, for understanding who to vote for, whether our rights are being taken away. And I mean, it's just that bedrock of an issue." Also on this episode, my co-host Chad Oban and I discussed the terrible murder of right-wing organizer and commentator Charlie Kirk, and the terrible way his death has been turned into content for the influencer industry, and a new wedge to drive between Americans of differing political sentiments. 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 late June, terrible storms destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, and took lives in parts of the state around Enderlin, Spiritwood, and beyond. In late July, Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued a disaster declaration, asking President Donald Trump administration to release aid to the state. Weeks and weeks went by, until North Dakota's Federal delegation -- Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, and Rep. Julie Fedorchak -- sent their own letter to the Trump administration, indicating that state emergency funds had been depleted, and urging the president to act both on Armstrong's declaration for the June storms, and a more recent one from Sept. 2 related to tornadic storms in August. The Trump administration has been very slow in responding to these sorts of request, taking over a month on average compared to just a couple of weeks for previous administrations. And the declaration for the Enderlin/Spiritwood storm, in particular, took over 50 days before finally being acknowledged by Trump this week. "Look, it's absolutely shameful. You have a lot of Republican politicians failing a lot of Republican voters," state Rep. Zac Isa, the Minority Leader for the Democratic-NPL, said on this episode of Plain Talk (which was recorded before Trump finally acquiesced to Gov. Armstrong's request). "I take the back roads home from Bismarck and I drove through Page ,and Hunter, and the Arthur area. I saw the damage that windstorm did and and I can also look at electoral map," he continued. "I know there's a whole lot of Republican voters in that region. They expect Julie Fedorchak and John Hoeven and and Kevin Cramer to deliver, but those those guys are just rubber stamps for Trump. I mean, do they know there's ways to influence a president beyond kissing his ass all the time?" Ista argues the delegation could not"rubber stamp his policies until he authorizes a disaster relief for North Dakota." "It's just an absolute failure of any influence they might have," he continued. 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.

In late June, terrible storms destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, and took lives in parts of the state around Enderlin, Spiritwood, and beyond. In late July, Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued a disaster declaration, asking President Donald Trump administration to release aid to the state. Weeks and weeks went by, until North Dakota's Federal delegation -- Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, and Rep. Julie Fedorchak -- sent their own letter to the Trump administration, indicating that state emergency funds had been depleted, and urging the president to act both on Armstrong's declaration for the June storms, and a more recent one from Sept. 2 related to tornadic storms in August. The Trump administration has been very slow in responding to these sorts of request, taking over a month on average compared to just a couple of weeks for previous administrations. And the declaration for the Enderlin/Spiritwood storm, in particular, took over 50 days before finally being acknowledged by Trump this week. "Look, it's absolutely shameful. You have a lot of Republican politicians failing a lot of Republican voters," state Rep. Zac Isa, the Minority Leader for the Democratic-NPL, said on this episode of Plain Talk (which was recorded before Trump finally acquiesced to Gov. Armstrong's request). "I take the back roads home from Bismarck and I drove through Page ,and Hunter, and the Arthur area. I saw the damage that windstorm did and and I can also look at electoral map," he continued. "I know there's a whole lot of Republican voters in that region. They expect Julie Fedorchak and John Hoeven and and Kevin Cramer to deliver, but those those guys are just rubber stamps for Trump. I mean, do they know there's ways to influence a president beyond kissing his ass all the time?" Ista argues the delegation could not"rubber stamp his policies until he authorizes a disaster relief for North Dakota." "It's just an absolute failure of any influence they might have," he continued. 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 Pat Traynor, Gov. Kelly Armstrong's interim Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said that excessive use of cell phones and other digital devices is "probably the biggest public health threat that we have," I wrote that he was wrong, and accused him of stoking a moral panic. Traynor came on today's episode of the Plain Talk podcast to talk about it, and said that our devices leave us "continuously distracted." Referring to North Dakota's law law circumscribing cell phone use in public schools, he wondered how studens can be effectively educated when in a "constant distractive state." Since cell phones aren't going away in our society any time soon, does a ban on their presence in schools help or hinder our ability to teach kids how to deal with them responsibly? Traynor says that part is up to families. "Remember there's 24 hours in a day. Just from a standpoint of, parents still control the environment within which their kids grow up. Values. Norms," he said. "For instance, when you have a family meal together, are you present? And that goes for us, goes for me, with my kids and everything of the sort. But you're in charge of your family structure, as a parent or with guardians and others that take care of children." Also on this episode, me and guest co-host Kyler Collom, from The Dakotan, discussed the use of a religious litmus test in appointing state Rep. Kathy Skroch to replace former Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck in District 25, and the mounting controversy around a similar appointment process playing out in District 42, where Rep. Emily O'Brien resigned her seat to take a position in Armstrong's administration. 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 Pat Traynor, Gov. Kelly Armstrong's interim Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said that excessive use of cell phones and other digital devices is "probably the biggest public health threat that we have," I wrote that he was wrong, and accused him of stoking a moral panic. Traynor came on today's episode of the Plain Talk podcast to talk about it, and said that our devices leave us "continuously distracted." Referring to North Dakota's law law circumscribing cell phone use in public schools, he wondered how studens can be effectively educated when in a "constant distractive state." Since cell phones aren't going away in our society any time soon, does a ban on their presence in schools help or hinder our ability to teach kids how to deal with them responsibly? Traynor says that part is up to families. "Remember there's 24 hours in a day. Just from a standpoint of, parents still control the environment within which their kids grow up. Values. Norms," he said. "For instance, when you have a family meal together, are you present? And that goes for us, goes for me, with my kids and everything of the sort. But you're in charge of your family structure, as a parent or with guardians and others that take care of children." Also on this episode, me and guest co-host Kyler Collom, from The Dakotan, discussed the use of a religious litmus test in appointing state Rep. Kathy Skroch to replace former Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck in District 25, and the mounting controversy around a similar appointment process playing out in District 42, where Rep. Emily O'Brien resigned her seat to take a position in Armstrong's administration. 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  

A new North Dakota law which went into effect on August 1 states that "every regular meeting of a governing body of a city, county, township, school district, district park district, water resource district must include an opportunity for an individual to provide public comment." Over the last five years or so, school board meetings have become a flashpoint for the culture wars and other political battles, but in North Dakota and nationally. How does the state's school boards feel about this new public comment requirement? Amy De Kok, executive director of the North Dakota School Boards Association, says she doesn't see it having much impact. "Most of our school boards have little to no, you know, public attendance on at their regular meetings," she said, adding that "a large majority of our local school boards have been providing this opportunity to their community at the regular meetings for several years, some for more than a decade." While De Kok and her organization feel the legislation wasn't necessary, she argues it does some good in that it sets in law some limits on what sort of comment can take place. "What this bill does do that I think is positive is set some kind of guard rails for local our local boards, our local school boards and cities and counties and and whatnot to make sure that they can properly manage public comment," she said. The bill allows the government entities to which it applies to set time limits on comment, content limits (comments can be limited to only what's on a meeting's agenda), and it also allows them to prohibit any speech that's harassing or defamatory. She also said that, while school board meetings have been getting rowdy in recent years, things have "definitely calmed down since the pandemic." 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