Podcasts about Red River Valley

Over 230 groups are setting up at the Fargodome for the Building Industry Association of the Red River Valley's 64th Annual Home and Garden Show. Laura with Magnifi Financial (who sponsored complimentary parking on Friday) gives us all the details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

02/24/26: Tom Spaeth is with Accent Kitchen & Bath and is a past President of the Building Industry Association. Exhibits at the Home and Garden Show include contractors, flooring, siding, spas, windows, water purification, decks, heating/air conditioning, interior decorating and design, kitchen and bath design, cabinetry, garage doors, financial lending, Spring Market and Garden Center vendors and more. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ETP Red River Valley Today with guest Lamar County United Way Executive Director Jenny Wilson - Jenny gives an update on rental and utility assistance and how it works. Eric and Jenny also talk about spring activities, including the Kids Marathon and scholarships. Of course, they conclude with some Bravo talk. 

Bryan Schinn Red River Valley Sportsmans Show

Host Scott Hennen returns with a heavy, fast-moving Tuesday edition that shifts from a glowing review of the new Melania movie to the grim reality of local and national tragedies. The episode centers on two disturbing disappearances: the high-profile kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie's mother and a heartbreaking local murder investigation in Fargo that has authorities searching landfills and rural properties for human remains. Between the true crime updates, Scott sits down for a civil but intense discussion with local activists whose "Red Hat" protest—inspired by WWII Norwegian resistance—has sparked a firestorm of debate in the Red River Valley. Plus, we meet a YouTube-famous student farmer, look at the future of real estate education at UND, and learn why the El Paso airport just went into a 10-day lockdown. Episode Highlights [00:01:10] Melania: The Movie Review Scott shares his impressions of the private screening of Melania. Whether you're a fan or a critic, Scott argues the film offers a powerful glimpse into the First Lady's life and her successful career before meeting Donald Trump. [00:10:00] The Red Hat Resistance In a standout moment of civil discourse, Scott is joined by Cheryl Rosted and Ivan Thompson. They explain why they wear red hats to protest ICE and the Trump administration, while Scott challenges their comparisons to Nazi-occupied Norway. [00:26:45] The "Stolen Land" Debate The team reacts to student-led ICE protests at Davies High School. Scott sounds off on the "scary" reality of students getting news from social media and the controversial narrative regarding indigenous land. [00:32:15] The Search for Isadora Wengel A somber update on the disappearance of 25-year-old Isadora Wengel. Authorities have arrested her boyfriend for murder and are now asking the public to look for a specific 27-gallon black tote with a red lid. [00:44:10] The Franson Department of Real Estate Interim Dean Patrick O'Neill joins to discuss a historic naming at the University of North Dakota. Thanks to a legacy gift from Bob Franson, UND is launching a specialized program to train the next generation of property developers. [00:52:15] Money, Markets, and Metals Landmark Gold's David Fisher breaks down why gold is up 18% year-to-date and what China's "digital yuan" surge means for the future of the U.S. dollar.

02/11/26: Tracee Capron is the Executive Director and Mike Meyer is the Director of Philanthropy for HIA Hospice, and they both join Joel Heitkamp in the KFGO studio. For over 40 years, Hospice of the Red River Valley has provided compassionate care across the region. Now, this legacy continues as HIA Hospice, offering vital support to individuals and families during life’s most challenging moments. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is a monumental Tuesday as the NDSU Bison officially punch their ticket to the FBS. Host Scott Hennen is joined by athletic director Matt Larson and interim president Rick Berg to break down the "muscle car" transition to the Mountain West, the $17 million move, and why your tailgating experience is about to get a major upgrade. But the headlines don't stop at the goal line. We go behind the scenes of the most talked-about Super Bowl commercial with a fourth-generation North Dakota barley farmer who shared the screen with the Clydesdales. Plus, we tackle the fiery debate over the SAVE Act, the "bigotry of low expectations" in voting laws, and an inspiring look at a local homeschool robotics team that is out-coding the competition. From political absurdity to high-tech student innovation, this episode covers the full spectrum of the Red River Valley and beyond. Episode Highlights [00:01:10] The Bison Leap to the Mountain West NDSU Athletic Director Matt Larson and Interim President Rick Berg discuss the whirlwind 72 hours that made the FBS move official. They address the "zero state funding" budget and why new opponents like Wyoming and New Mexico State will reignite the Fargo Dome. [00:08:11] The Franson Department of Real Estate UND Interim Dean Patrick O'Neill announces a historic naming for the Nistler College of Business. Discover how one alum is helping shape the next generation of land barons and real estate developers in Grand Forks. [00:12:15] From the Soil to the Super Bowl An exclusive interview with Brian Franson, the Coal Harbor farmer featured in the iconic Budweiser "American Icons" commercial. He shares what it was like to take the North Dakota family legacy to a global stage. [00:16:45] The Bigotry of Low Expectations Scott sounds off on Chuck Schumer's opposition to the SAVE Act. The team breaks down why requiring an ID to vote is common sense and responds to claims that it disenfranchises minority communities. [00:24:15] Building Homes, Changing Lives Habitat for Humanity's Pete Christopher joins to discuss their Giving Hearts Day goal of $250,000. Learn how "sweat equity" is helping local factory and office workers achieve the dream of homeownership. [00:29:45] The Future of STEM: Onward Robotics Meet the high schoolers from the Onward Community homeschool team. These students are building turret-mounted robots and preparing for the State Competition in Bismarck, proving that school choice fosters elite talent. [00:33:45] The "Red…

ETP Red River Valley Today with guest Paris City Manager Rose Beverly - Rose Beverly gives an update on the city's long-term plan. Eric and Rose also talk about public works and a new survey coming for Paris folks to participate in, going to long-term planning. 

Jill Christopher, with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley, joins Amy and JJ to talk about what's needed at the house - and, there is still time to get Sweetheart Ball tickets: https://rmhcfargo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ETP Red River Valley Today with PEDC Executive Director Maureen Hammond - Eric and Maureen talk about the latest happenings with the PEDC and how they court new business. They also talk about success in retaining some of the jobs that have recently been lost in the manufacturing sector. 

ETP Red River Valley Today with guest Janna Phan Fowzer - Girl Scouts - Cookie, cookie, cookies. It's that time. We talk about how the program works and the new cookie this year. Janna also talks about JOY. The glue that holds the Girl Scouts together. 

In this episode, guest host Trey Allis chats with Dr. Lindsay Pease of the University of Minnesota Crookston. An Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Nutrient and Water Management, Dr. Pease shares insights into her research on drainage, nutrient management, and soil health in northwestern Minnesota.  Tracing her roots in the western Lake Erie basin in Ohio to her current work in the Red River Valley, Dr. Pease reflects on the similarities and differences between these two flat glacial landscapes. She shares her experience of getting “deeper and deeper into drainage” and how this interest brought her to her position in Crookston, MN.Since 2019, Dr. Pease has conducted a 60-acre field experiment, studying crop outcomes in alternating drained and undrained sections. Through extreme weather conditions, she's gathered valuable information about how tile drainage impacts water quality and crop performance. She shares the outcomes of this research and talks about what she's learned about tile drainage and its impacts on the health of soil, water, and different types of crops.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:48 - From one glacial lake bed to another02:14 - Focus on drainage and soil health03:39 - Unique challenges in northwestern Minnesota05:31 - Crop rotation and nutrient cycling08:33 - A 60-acre field experiment10:53 - Drainage and extreme weather patterns12:16 - Wet seasons and nitrogen loss13:37 - Testing in drought conditions16:00 - Sugar beet drainage comparisons19:36 - Phosphorus runoff and water quality22:34 - Conservation practices for runoff control26:06 - Controlled drainage and lift stations30:40 - Future research directions33:18 - Upcoming learning opportunities36:03 - Closing thoughtsRelated Content:The Water Table Episode #69: A City Kid's Impact on Water Management Education with Dr. Lindsay PeaseFind us on social media!Facebook Twitter InstagramListen on these podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube MusicYouTubeVisit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

ETP Red River Valley Today with guest Children's Advocacy Center Executive Director Greg Kee - Eric talks to Greg about the latest at the Center. From how cases are handled to how the public can help out with their Rainbow Room. They also talk about the upcoming Sweetheart Soiree fundraiser. 

ETP Red River Valley Today with the United Way's Jenny Wilson - Jenny gives an update on partner agencies. Eric and Jenny also talk about the homeless problem in Lamar County. They take a look at what's ahead in 2026 for the United Way of Lamar County. 

As 2025 draws to a close, host Kevin Flynn dives into the explosive daycare fraud scandal currently rocking Minnesota. This episode features an exclusive conversation with Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who details her years-long struggle to implement basic oversight—only to be blocked by the majority. From "ghost" daycares with misspelled signs to the potential $9 billion price tag of state-wide grift, the team explores the "web of a mess" left behind by the Walz administration. Plus, a hard-hitting Trooper Talk segment on dangerous "raddiest" trucks in the Bakken and a deep dive into the global strategy of soybean and sugar beet markets. Standout Moments & Timestamps [00:03:15] National Bacon Day vs. Cultural Clashes Kevin discusses a bizarre supermarket incident in Dearborn and reflects on how "National Bacon Day" highlights the ongoing struggle for cultural assimilation in some American communities. [00:05:00] The $70 Billion Iceberg A look at the staggering fraud numbers across blue states, from $9 billion in Minnesota to a reported $70 billion in California, and why Scott Jennings argues that only jail time for elected officials will stop the cycle. [00:10:45] The Global "China Problem" Listener Jim Ball joins the show to discuss global strategist Peter Zeihan's predictions regarding China's aging population and why the Red River Valley remains the superior place to grow food. [00:15:30] Bakken Road Rage: "Bullet Holes and Duct Tape" A listener named Jerry confronts Captain Bryan Niewind about "raddy" sand trucks with bullet-ridden windshields and bald tires running rampant in North Dakota's oil country. [00:18:45] Speaker Lisa Demuth: The Whistleblower's Struggle Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth joins the show to explain how her 2019 bill requiring simple daycare attendance records was denied a hearing by Democrats. [00:20:15] "Quality Leering Center" and the Shredder Speaker Demuth reacts to the viral Nick Shirley video and reveals the shocking reality of "closed" centers that are still receiving state payments while document shredders hum in the background. [00:21:45] The "Committee Meeting" Bureaucracy Guest Mike Warner shares a story from the Obama administration about the "total incompetence" of a bureaucracy that only knows how to schedule the next meeting. [00:43:00] The "Dump Markets" of Sugar Mike Warner explains how European "dump markets" forced the U.S. to implement sugar tariffs to protect the $6 billion industry in the Red River Valley.

ETP Red River Valley Today with guests the RRVDSS - Eric talks to staff from the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society and the Reach Center with an update from the Center and all about their forthcoming Snowflakes and Dimaonds Gala. 

Blizzard conditions are impacting much of the Red River Valley today. Snow, falling heavily at times this morning, will total 3-4 inches, with totals closer to 2 inches for the Fargo-Moorhead area and Fergus Falls. Expect high winds gusting to 50-60 mph along the western edge of Minnesota as temperatures drop into the single digits. There's a chance of snow statewide Thursday.The first person charged in a scheme to defraud a state program for children with autism is expected to plead guilty Thursday morning. Asha Hassan is also charged with ripping off taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs.The 29-year-old is alleged to have bilked Minnesota's Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program out of more than $14 million and used some of that to pay kickbacks to the parents. Six Minnesotans are suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging that federal agents violated their rights while they were observing immigration arrests. The ACLU and several law firms filed the lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of the plaintiffs. They say federal agents detained or threatened people who were not breaking any laws.One of the men arrested by ICE agents at a construction site in Chanhassen last weekend has filed a petition in federal court seeking release.

Jill Christopher, with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley, joins Amy and JJ to talk about the holidays at the Ronald McDonald House. Find more here: https://rmhcfargo.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Record prices, local buyers, and a century of family history collide in a fast-paced look at how land really changes hands. We team up to unpack two headline auctions—a strong multi-parcel sale near Winner, South Dakota and a landmark $19 million, 14-parcel sprint outside Casselton, North Dakota—and share what these deals reveal about price discovery, timing, and who's actually bidding when great ground opens up.We start with the human side: fifth-generation stories, wagon trails that became field approaches, and heirs who know the farm by a tax bill more than a township road. Then we zoom into the mechanics that matter—parcel strategy, honest marketing, and the right lead time—so buyers can arrange financing and 1031 exchanges while sellers gain the confidence that comes from transparent competition. You'll hear why the Winner area's blend of cattle, crops, and pheasant hunting attracts diverse bidders, and how the Red River Valley's loam, drainage, and proximity to processors set the stage for rapid bidding and a decisive finish.The episode breaks down online versus live dynamics, explaining why high-stakes buyers sometimes prefer the focus of a screen while others feed off the energy in the room. We also tackle the market paradox: softer grain prices and higher rates, yet deep demand for quality acres. The throughline is simple—well-run auctions expose real value. Whether you're considering a family sale, eyeing a neighboring quarter, or weighing an investment that pairs production with recreation, you'll come away with a clear view of buyer profiles, pricing logic, and the preparation that turns uncertainty into action.If you found this useful, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves land, and leave a quick review to help more producers and families find us.Follow at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & FacebookContact the team at Pifer's

Ethanol plants work hard to keep up with corn harvest. Sugarbeet harvest wraps up in the Red River Valley. We look at cattle market fluctuations. North Dakota Farm Bureau will have a new leader soon.

"Stories 2": Neues von der Meisterin der Kurzgeschichte Joy Williams / "Ohnmacht des Völkerrechts": Der Professor für Völkerrecht Christoph Safferling im Gespräch über die Entstehung und den Status Quo des Völkerrechts / Meisterwerk lateinamerikanischer Erzählkunst: Gustavo Faverón Patriaus "Unten leben" / "Aufrecht": Das neue Buch zwischen Lebensgeschichte und politischer Philosophie von Lea Ypi / "So war die Welt": Louise Erdrich kehrt zurück ins Red River Valley

ETP Red River Valley Today with guest Tiffany Mabe - Rivercrest ISD Superintendent - Eric talks to Tiffany about the latest from Rivercrest ISD. How their bond election a couple of years ago is really coming to fruition now. They also discussed all of the new orders from the Texas Legislature and how they're being applied at Rivercrest. 

Texas Slim Rinehard 46-xx-xx First Song - Red River Valley

In this episode, Rebecca talks with longtime friend and former economic developer Justin Neppl about what it really means to reimagine economic development for small towns. For years, economic development has focused on the same things, but the future looks different. This episode is about collaboration, trust, and people-centered leadership and how they can come together to update traditional models to make futures brighter for our small towns. About Justin: Justin Neppl is a community-focused entrepreneur from Breckenridge, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife, Jamie, and their three children — Karsyn, Easton, and Addy. He is the co-owner of Tiny Tykes Inc., a growing childcare company that has recently begun franchising across the Upper Midwest, with the goal of helping both small and mid-sized communities expand access to quality childcare. In addition to his work in childcare, Justin has partnered with local stakeholders to revitalize Breckenridge's Main Street and address community housing needs — from rehabilitation projects to new construction. Through his partnership with GFY Custom Crafts, he is helping bring affordable, high-quality housing options to communities across Minnesota and North Dakota. Justin is also developing a craft distillery in his hometown that celebrates the agricultural heritage of the Red River Valley. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting a variety of game with his family and coaching youth hockey in the local association. His passion for entrepreneurship and rural revitalization drives his mission to make small towns stronger, more vibrant places to live and raise a family. In this episode, we cover: Why traditional economic development models are breaking down Why sharing the load and tapping into expertise is better than having one overextended leader Real-world examples of communities leading differently Why boards, councils, and communities' collaboration can be the make or break  Why reimagining economic development starts with people Links + Resources Mentioned: Tiny Tykes Franchise: https://tinytykesfranchise.com/ GFY Custom Crafts: https://www.gfycustomcrafts.com/home.html Hankinson YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR6OvMUaaBY&t=425s Sponsor Spotlight: Brodie Mueller and The Market on the Plaza In small towns, coffee is more than caffeine. It's community! Market on the Plaza roasts beans locally in Aberdeen, in small batches for the freshest, richest cup to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Stop in to grab a bag for home or linger over a cup with neighbors. Proudly local, always welcoming. This week's Small-Town Shout-Out is: Hankinson, ND! We talk about them twice in this episode, one for their CDC's efforts, and the other is for a YouTube clip (see show notes above) that showcases what it looks like to be welcoming and proud of your small town. We love it so much, Hankinson! We Want to Hear From You! Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two “participation dance” elements of the show: “Small town humblebrags”: Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.  “Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges”: Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that.  If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you!  Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at hello@growingsmalltowns.org Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!  

ETP Red River Valley Today with David House - Eric visits with David House, owner of David House Jewelry, but more importantly, a staunch advocate for all things Praris. They talk about the importance of local shopping dollars in the community. Also David's continued involvement in the Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Club and other community endeavors. 

Jill Christopher, the Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley, joins Amy and JJ the first Wednesday of each month on KFGO. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ETP Red River Valley Today with Guest Chisum ISD Superintendent Tommy Chalaire - Eric talks to Tommy about the new challenges from Austin. They also discuss finding and keeping teachers and how the schools are working to create more interest in the profession and the new testing that is happening to replace the STAAR test. 

ETP Red River Valley Today with Honey Grove ISD Superintendent Todd Morrison - Eric talks to Todd about the new challenges and red tape from Austin. They also discuss finding and keeping teachers and how the schools are working to create more interest in the professsion and the new testsing that is happening to replace the STAAR test. 

645. Part 2 of our interview with David Ballantyne about post Civil-War Reconstruction of the Red River Valley. He has given the history on the area in his book, Fractured Freedoms: Reconstruction in Central Louisiana. “Fractured Freedoms is a riveting history of central Louisiana from the 1860s to the 1890s, focusing on majority-Black Rapides Parish during Reconstruction. Using the region as a case study, Ballantyne reveals what is, in part, a rural Reconstruction success story, emphasizing the resilience of Black politics and the persistence of significant divisions among white residents that allowed the Republican Party to gain and maintain power there. It was only with the collapse of state-level Republican power in 1877 that Democratic forces in the parish were able to dismantle local Republican political control and gradually constrict Black freedoms" (LSU Press). Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Rebecca van Laer, "First Date."    She orders oysters, of course I don't know how to do this, to slip a three-pronged fork under the white flesh of some mollusk and wiggle soft globes of muscle from the black mass of shell, the lemongrass broth the dense gem swims in —     how to pop it out and into my mouth and then suck, savor the dense slip of it, then again: a sequence of teasing, eating, repeating, and this is only    our appetizer. I'm gulping My glass of pinot grigio, wet fingerprints along the stem because I can't pronounce the name of a single entrée, meet her eyes across a candelabra with the weight     of a fresco above her head, ridiculous cherubs entreating with their fat blue eyes. Beside, the dark drapes and the billowing shapes of tablecloths curtain off any eaves this conversation could fade into, so it's spotlight     perspective, precarious. She's tongue tumbling into me, an outpouring of asks until I spill sauce, a thin line of it down the buttons on my blouse — she dabs     at me with her burgundy napkin, freshly dampened for the task. I shut my eyes and feel the whirl of the room, the orangey angels and her dry palms pressed against my chest, wonder if I'll open up full-mouthed and mind-tied.   This week in Louisiana history. September 27, 1902. N.O. streetcar employees strike for 8-hr days and 25 cent per hr. minimum wage. This week in New Orleans history. The historic Saenger Theater reopened for the first time since Hurriane Katrina on September 27, 2013 with three performances by comedian Jerry Seinfeld; one on September 27 and two on September 28. The opening gala would be held October 3-6. This week in Louisiana. La Fête des Vieux Temps OCT 03 - 05, 2025 Friday 6PM Saturday 10AM Sunday 9AM 4484 Hwy 1, Raceland, LA. 70394 985-637-2166 Called the "Festival of Old Times" this event features a celebration of music, dancing, Cajun food, and arts & crafts show. This long standing event is a local favorite and showcases the true authentic Cajun culture of Lafourche Parish. Postcards from Louisiana. Royal Street Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

ETP Red River Valley Today with Cooper ISD Superintendent Amber Norris  - Eric Kauffman talks to Cooper ISD Superintendent Amber Norris about new challenges from state legislation to a new bond election for the Cooper ISD. 

As the midterm campaign approaches, the political winds are starting to kick up around Minnesota.Places that used to send Democrats to St. Paul or Washington no longer do — or at least not as much. Meanwhile, Republicans are working to head off the historical trend of the president's party losing ground.On this special broadcast of Politics Friday, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst heads to Moorhead, Minn., where he and his guests talk about the shift toward Republicans in the northwestern part of the state. Plus, we learn how the parties are trying to connect with voters in these tense political times.  Then, a conversation about the relationship between local, state and federal government and how it's also undergoing a makeover. What does that mean for how the public gets served? A county commissioner offers her take. Later, we'll meet the newest MPR News reporter based in Moorhead, followed by a politics panel with Dan Gunderson and Dana Ferguson. Guests: Sen. Robert Kupec is a Democrat representing District 4 — the Moorhead-Detroit Lakes area of the state. He is a former TV meteorologist for KVRR in the Red River Valley.  Paul Harris is the DFL chair for Clay County. Rodney Johnson is the Republican chair for Clay County.  Jenny Mongeau is the District 3 Commissioner for Clay County. Her current term expires in January 2027. Mongeau has served on the Board of Commissioners since 2015.  Dana Ferguson is a senior politics reporter for MPR News covering Minnesota politics and state government for Forum News Service. She has also reported on state legislatures in South Dakota for the Argus Leader and in Wisconsin for The Associated Press and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval is a reporter for MPR News based in Moorhead focusing on agriculture.   Dan Gunderson is a correspondent based in Moorhead. He covers general news for a wide swath of western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota with a focus on the environment, agriculture and Indian Country. He has been reporting for MPR News since 1987.      This discussion was recorded at the Trollwood Performing Arts School in Moorhead, Minn. on Sept. 17. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS. 

Jill Christopher, from the Ronald McDonald House of the Red River Valley, says their house needs some basic cleaning necessities! Clorox wipes, unscented laundry pods, Swiffer pads... Please consider helping families stay close! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Land to Table: Food Stories from Clay County explores the history and stories associated with food in Clay County. Whether it be Potato Days in Barnesville, spaghetti dinners in Dilworth, breweries in Moorhead, or the revival of Native American cuisine throughout the Red River Valley, food plays an important role in all of our lives and plays a key role in our identities. Land to Table highlights these and ways food has shaped the lives of Clay County residents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday, August 26th at 5:00 people across the Red River Valley will gather to send a clear message to billionaires and union-busters on Workers’ Labor Day: We built this country, and we’re taking it back. The theme for this event is “It’s Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security”. Joel is joined by the West Area Labor Council President, Mark Fromke, to talk about it. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

640. Bruce's son Kerr joins us for part 1 of our conversation with Josh Neufeld about his non-fiction graphic novel, A. D. After the Deluge. “A stunning graphic novel that makes plain the undeniable horrors and humanity triggered by Hurricane Katrina in the true stories of six New Orleanians who survived the storm. A.D. follows each of the six from the hours before Katrina struck to its horrific aftermath. Here is Denise, a sixth-generation New Orleanian who will experience the chaos of the Superdome; the Doctor, whose unscathed French Quarter home becomes a refuge for those not so lucky; Abbas and his friend Mansell, who face the storm from the roof of Abbas's family-run market; Kwame, a pastor's son whose young life will remain wildly unsettled well into the future; and Leo, a comic-book fan, and his girlfriend, Michelle, who will lose everything but each other.” Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Walt Whitman came to New Orleans for 3 months to write at the New Orleans Crescent. There he saw things he had not seen in New York. This poem is about one of those.  "I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing." I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing, All alone stood it and the moss hung down from the branches, Without any companion it grew there uttering joyous leaves of dark green, And its look, rude, unbending, lusty, made me think of myself, But I wonder'd how it could utter joyous leaves standing alone there without its friend near, for I knew I could not, And I broke off a twig with a certain number of leaves upon it, and twined around it a little moss, And brought it away, and I have placed it in sight in my room, It is not needed to remind me as of my own dear friends, (For I believe lately I think of little else than of them,) Yet it remains to me a curious token, it makes me think of manly love; For all that, and though the live-oak glistens there in Louisiana solitary in a wide flat space, Uttering joyous leaves all its life without a friend a lover near, I know very well I could not. This week in Louisiana history. August 23, 1714. St. Denis begins his exploration of Red River Valley. This week in New Orleans history. The grass-roots organization Levees.org, founded by Sandy Rosenthal and her son Stanford (while exiled in Lafayette after Hurricane Katrina) is devoted to educating America on the facts associated with the 2005 catastrophic flooding of the New Orleans region. On August 23, 2010 the group installed a Louisiana State Historic Marker which reads “On August 29, 2005, a federal floodwall atop a levee on the 17th Street Canal, the largest and most important drainage canal for the city, gave way here causing flooding that killed hundreds. This breach was one of 50 ruptures in the Federal Flood Protection System on that day. In 2008, the US District Court placed responsibility for this floodwall's collapse squarely on the US Army Corps of Engineers.” This week in Louisiana. Quad Biking Juderman's ATV Park 6512 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 Website Trails length: 5 mi/8 km Type: Swamp Elevation:130 - 160 ft/39.6 - 48.7 m     This 200 acre park has about 5 miles of marked woods trails, mud bogs and pits plus deep creek water crossings. The park is open every weekend but weekday riding is permitted if arrangements are made in advance. Park amenities include shaded picnic areas, air filling station, vault toilets plus an area for barbequing. The property also hosts various events throughout the year. Visitors should note that camping is not permitted and tire size is limited to 28 inches. The Gone Wild Safari Exotic Zoo is only a couple minutes away making this a good choice for a fun filled family weekend. Postcards from Louisiana. "The Hurricane." William Cullen Bryant. Sung by the Keller ISD 5th and 6th Grade Honor Choir. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

#canada #tricky #folktaleIn this story we learn why buying from rabbit might lead to you being eaten by a fox.Source: Canadian Fairy Tales by Cyrus MacMillanNarrator: Dustin SteichmannMusic: Wychwood - Un Canadien errant and Red River Valley (creative commons)Sound Effects: Bird and Rain by Dustin SteichmannPodcast Shoutout: Smoke and Mirrors podcastListener Shoutout: Lilongwe MalawiPicture credit: Tomah Joseph 1884

You can see it taking shape in pages of cursive in the letterpress copybooks of J. B. Power, Land Commissioner of the Northern Pacific Railway Company. Following the financial panic of 1873, he had to find some way to revive interest in land investment; he had all those land-grant sections on his hands, and no one was buying. The success of some modest homesteaders raising wheat, and the existence of a lot of discontented bondholders of the railway, gave Power an idea: let the holders redeem their bonds with railroad lands, jump-start big-time wheat farming on them, and initiate farming on a grand scale, bonanza farming, in the Red River Valley of the North.

ETP Red River Valley Today with Paris Public Library Director Connie Lawman - Eric talks to Connie about exciting programs at the library. Also about funding and the great resource that the Paris Public Library is. 

ETP Red River Valley Today with Tailored Rides - Eric Kauffman talks to Tailored Rides Executive Director Evelyn Walker and Media Coordinator Jenny Claussen about what's new at Tailored Rides Equestrian Therapy. They have their annual Farm to Table Fundraising breakfast, we meet the horse and hear some of their success stories. 

Water in the Red River Valley takes a path that may look odd on a map. That's because the Red River flows north to Lake Winnipeg in Canada. From there, it heads for saltwater, emptying into the Hudson Bay and eventually reaching the ocean. Somewhere along this route, lodged in a beaver dam or trucking downstream, are small wooden canoes that were decorated and launched by students from about 40 elementary schools in Minnesota and North Dakota. Each boat has a QR code and postcard instructing anyone who finds it to share the location. For more on the program called River of Dreams, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Taylor Lemieux and Ashley Loe. Lemieux is a watershed education coordinator for the International Water Institute, based in Fargo, and Loe is a fifth-grade teacher in Grand Forks, N.D.

New details have emerged in the shootings of Minnesota lawmakers. A grand jury has indicted the suspect on federal charges. Plus, we recap day one of the burglary trial for Democratic state Senator Nicole Mitchell. Traffic cameras in Minneapolis will crack down on speeding drivers. We learn about the new program. We hear how proposed federal cuts to public housing could impact Minneapolis residents that rely on housing vouchers. We are halfway through meteorological summer. What will the second half bring? Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner will join us with that answer.Each year Minnesota and North Dakota students launch mini-canoes in the Red River Valley. One of them may be floating down a river near you.The Minnesota Music Minute was ”Pouring Rain at Dawn” by The Jayhawks and “More to Me” by Amateur was the Song of the Day.

ETP Red River Valley Today with guest - Dr. Stephen Michael Benson, President, Paris Junior College - Eric talks to Dr. Benson about accomplishments in his first year. Also looked ahead to the future. They discussed the many opportunities at not only Paris Junior College in Paris but also their Sulphur Springs and Greenville campuses.  

07/10/25: Joel Heitkamp is joined by Robin Nelson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley. Joel asks Robin about how the federal funding freeze is impacting after-school programs in North Dakota. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget withheld $6.8 billion in federal education grants for the upcoming school year for further review. The total withheld for North Dakota is estimated to be about $25.4 million, based on what the state received in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Instruction. That represents about 15% of what the state receives annually in K-12 funding from the U.S. Department of Education, according to the Learning Policy Institute. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley is excited to launch this year's Table to Farm Dinner Series - a joyful celebration of local food and human connection. There are few things more magical than sharing a table and a meaningfully-crafted meal with others, so we invite you to gather with us at our farm to enjoy a chef-designed multi-course meal prepared by Heart N Soul Community Café, along with stories from local producers/partners, and fellowship and connection with our community. This year's events will be held on Thursday, July 10; Thursday, August 14; and Thursday, September 11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ETP Red River Valley Today with guests from City Square Paris - Eric talks to Rochelle Bass executive director and Laura Gonzales of City Square Paris. They talk about the many successes in 2024 programs available in 2025. 

ETP Red River Valley Today - with Guest Paris PD's Kimmie Snowton - Eric talks to Paris PD's Community Outreach Director Kimmie Snowton about upcoming events and community policing. 

#sioux #iktomi #folktalesIn the first story, we see a trickster sing a song to trick some ducks, only to be tricked himself. That isn't enough for the kids, so they ask for story number two. In the second story, the trickster wants to become an elk, because he thinks that they have an easy life. He finds out that there is no such thing.Source: Wigwam Evenings: Sioux Folk Tales Retold by Eastman and EastmanNarrator: Dustin SteichmannMusic: Wychwood - "Un Canadien errant" and "Red River Valley"Sound Effects: 328136__maynardkenmuir__ambience-monring-gardenPodcast Shoutout: Tabi-Tabi Podcast by EthanListener Shoutout: Phoenix ArizonaPhoto Credit: Iktomi. Digital. 2006. www.naomichanart.com