Explore every episode of the podcast News & Views with Joel Heitkamp

10/25/24: Jack Zaleski retired in 2017 after 30 years as The Forum’s editorial page editor, and now works as a Columnist for The Forum. While filling in for Joel Heitkamp, Jim Shaw talks with Jack about the passing of their friend, Steve Stark, and then get into some news stories surrounding the presidential election. They also take calls and read texts from the KFGO listeners. 

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10/25/24: Jim Shaw is filling in for Joel Heitkamp on "News and Views," and is joined by Bruce Kirschbaum. Bruce is a producer and writer, and is best known for his work on The Ben Stiller Show, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Bruce shares memories of working on Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and tells the listeners what it was like working with people like Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. 

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10/18/24: Joel is broadcasting live from Colfax at a luxury real estate development, Colfax Meadows. He's joined by Richland County Commissioner, Nathan Berseth, to talk about the town and houses/lots available. Megan Kummer, the Richland County State's Attorney, also joins later to talk about the benefits of living in a town like Colfax, ND. 

Learn more about Colfax meadows on their website!

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10/17/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined in the studio by Sami Harwood and Maureen Bartelt for a conversation on everything Downtown Fargo. Sami is the Director of Marketing for the Kilbourne Group and Maureen is the Broker for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties. They give an update on living in the Black Building and the condos inside, as well as new and upcoming businesses in Downtown Fargo. 

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10/23/24: The KFGO studio is full again for another week of NFL picks! We have Joel Heitkamp, Jack Michaels, Rusty Halvorson, Tom Szymanski, and our guest picker, Dave Schultz. Dave is the General Manager and Head Golf Professional at the Fargo Country Club, and hopes to break Jack's winning streak. 

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10/23/24: After Senator Kevin Cramer refused to do a debate on the KFGO airwaves with news reporters as moderators, Katrina Christiansen joined Joel Heitkamp in the studio to talk with him and answer texts and calls from the listeners. She shares her views on everything from her opponent's attendance record, to the Farm Bill, to term limits. 

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10/22/24: Corey Mock represents Grand Fork's District 18 and is a former House Minority Leader and current ranking member of the Appropriations Committee (but is not running for reelection). Representative Mock joins Joel on "News and Views" to go over the statewide measures, specifically hitting on Measure 3. 

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10/22/24: Jen Pickett is the Recycling Coordinator for the City of Fargo, and Mary Aldrich is the Sales Manager at MinnKota EnviroServices. They talk about Cans for Cash coming up in November, America Recycles Day, and what you can and can't recycle. 

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10/21/24: Joel Heitkamp and former Governor of North Dakota, Ed Schafer, sit down together in the KFGO studio for another "Table Talk" segment. They share their thoughts on Donald Trump's recent comments on Arnold Palmer, the North Dakota Congressional race, and answer some calls from the listeners. 

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10/18/24: Jeff Kolpack took his first position at The Forum in 1990 covering North Dakota State athletics, and continues to write for them today. He has three other books to check out, but he joins Joel to talk about his newest book, "They Caught Them Sleeping: How Dot Reinvented the Pretzel." You can find this book, as well as his others on Amazon or at MinnDak Market in the West Acres Mall. 

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10/18/24: After the wildfires that recently hit western North Dakota, Joel Heitkamp is joined by Kerry Dockter and Beau Peterson to learn about platforms to help out our farmers and ranchers affected. Kerry Dockter is the President of the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, and Beau Peterson is the Livestock and Conservation Program Director for the North Dakota FSA. 

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10/18/24: While broadcasting live from Colfax, Joel Heitkamp is joined by the CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Ed O'Keefe. Ed is originally from Grand Forks, ND and now resides in New York City. He talks with Joel about his upcoming speaking appearance at Prairie Heights Church in West Fargo on Tuesday, October 22nd. He and Joel also talk about his new book, “The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President," and Ed gives an update on the Library being built in Medora, ND. 

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10/29/24: David Suppes is the President of the Fargodome Authority, and he joins Joel on "News and Views" to talk about the local Measure 1, regarding the Fargodome sales tax. David tells the listeners what the Fargodome needs from renovations, and how passing this measure would help the community. 

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10/28/24: Will Thompson and Todd Reisenauer are running for the ND State House in District 46 with the support of the Dem-NPL.

Will is a radio producer with teaching experience and grew up in District 46. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and will receive his Master’s degree in Communication from NDSU this spring.

Todd is a business consultant with over 21 years in Fargo’s software industry, and holds degrees in Sociology and Religious Studies from NDSU, and a Masters of Management from the University of Mary.

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10/29/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting live from North Dakota Farmers Union in Jamestown, and is joined on the phone by Minnesota's United States Senator, Tina Smith. They talk about former President Trump's recent rally in New York and some of his more aggressive comments lately, as well as polling in the race for President and some of Vice President Harris's running points. 

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11/08/24: Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi announces his resignation effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Gandhi’s official resignation will be brought before the Fargo Board of Education at its November 12 regular meeting. He will complete the 2024-25 school year in his current role before his resignation takes effect.

Joel visits with Dr. Gandhi on "News and Views" to talk about his decision and what he plans to do after the school year. 

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11/08/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined by the Director of North Dakota Game and Fish, Jeb Williams, to talk about the deer opener. Hunt safely folks!!

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11/04/24: Ahead of November 5th, Joel is joined by Senator Byron Dorgan to talk national politics, specifically some things former President Trump has recently said and done. Byron served as North Dakota Tax Commissioner from 1969–1980, US Representative from 1981–1992, and a US Senator from 1992–2011.

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11/04/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined on "News and Views" by the finance director and election supervisor for Cass County, Brandy Madrigga. She covers everything related to Election Day in Cass County!

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11/01/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting from Regent, ND, and is joined by two rural Democrats to talk about national politics. Joel, Chris Gibbs, and Aaron Krauter cover everything from RFK Jr. potentially serving as the Secretary of Ag to former President Trump threatening Liz Cheney. 

Chris Gibbs is an Ohio Farmer, and former Chair of the Republican Party in Selby County Ohio, serving for seven years until 2015. Last year, he was elected as the Chair of the Democratic Party in Selby County in Ohio. He’s also the Chair of Rural Voices USA and the Chair of Gateway Arts. 

Aaron Krauter served as the North Dakota Farm Service Agency (FSA) State
Executive Director for the USDA under the Obama administration. Aaron also served in the North Dakota State Senate for twenty years, where he was elected
to five 4-year terms. He sat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and from
2000-2003 served as Senate Minority Leader.

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11/01/24: State Representative Hamida Dakane is running for reelection in District 10, and talks with Joel about her campaign and goals for next term if she wins on November 5th. 

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11/01/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting from Regent, ND and is joined back in the KFGO studio by the President and CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau. Charley breaks down Measure 2 on the City of Fargo ballot, which covers a lodging tax to support a Convention Center in Fargo. 

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10/31/24: Happy Halloween!! The studio is full once again for another week of "Pick em or Stick em." Joel Heitkamp, Jack Michaels, Tom Szymanski, Rusty Halvorson, and our guest picker, Aaron Krauter all make their picks for the upcoming NFL games. 

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10/29/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting live from North Dakota Farmers Union in Jamestown, ND, and is joined by city officials for a conversation on Measure 4. Measure 4, if passed, would ultimately get rid of property taxes in North Dakota. Dwaine Heinrich is the Mayor of Jamestown, and Emily Bivens is the Executive Director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce. 

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10/29/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting from North Dakota Farmers Union in Jamestown, and is joined by Rob Lech for a conversation on Measure 4 and why he's against it. Dr. Lech has served as the Superintendent of the Jamestown School District since July 1, 2013. He previously held the role of superintendent with the Beulah Public School District in Beulah, ND and the Mt. Pleasant School District in Rolla, ND. 

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10/29/24: Joel is broadcasting live from North Dakota Farmers Union in Jamestown, and he is joined by Matt Perdue. Matt is the Government Relations Director for North Dakota Farmers Union, and explains to Joel and the listeners why he plans to vote against Measure 4. 

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10/31/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting from Regent, ND for some pheasant hunting, and is joined back in the KFGO studio by Al Carlson. Al is the former Majority Leader of the North Dakota House of Representatives, and talks with Joel about the statewide measures and a few local measures to Fargo. 

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11/08/24: Dr. Odermann is a North Dakota native and fled Kyiv, with her family, prior to the attacks on the city, and is now living in Germany She has been a political commentator in Ukraine and covered President Zelensky when she was a news anchor for state-run Ukrainian TV.

She and Joel have a conversation about the recent presidential election and how it'll affect the Russia-Ukraine war. 

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10/30/24: Ryan Braunberger is an independent contractor currently serving as a member of the North Dakota Senate for the 10th district since 2022 as a member of the Democratic-NPL Party, and serves as the Minority Caucus Leader. He joins Joel on "News and View" to talk about why he's running for re-election and what he hopes to achieve with another term. 

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10/30/24: Vice President Harris held a rally yesterday in Washington, D.C., and Joel is joined today by a North Dakota native and attendee at the rally. Chris Runge-Chacko is from western North Dakota and now lives in Washington, D.C. and talks with Joel about the turnout and message at the rally. 

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10/03/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined by Cass County Sheriff, Jesse Jahner, to talk about the upcoming Election Day. The Sheriff has been working with the county to prepare for Election Day on November 5th, and he explains to Joel and the listeners the precautions they've taken and training they've done with poll-workers to get ready for Tuesday. 

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10/30/24: After some heated debate on Monday, the Fargo City Commission voted 3-2 to direct city staff to prepare a winter warming plan. The approved motion, brought forward by Commissioner John Strand, gives city staff approval to run a program to keep the homeless population warm during the winter months. Last winter, the program warmed 40-50 people a night. (Read the full story here.) 

Joel Heitkamp talks with Fargo's Mayor Tim Mahoney about the topic, and specifically some comments made by Commissioner Dave Piepkorn about Downtown Fargo. 

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11/07/24: Chris Gibbs is an Ohio Farmer, and former Chair of the Republican Party in Selby County Ohio, serving for seven years until 2015. Last year, he was elected as the Chair of the Democratic Party in Selby County in Ohio. He’s also the Chair of Rural Voices USA and the Chair of Gateway Arts. 

Joel and Chris talk about what the future of ag will look under a Trump administration, as well as, how the National Democratic Party could reach more rural voters going forward. 

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11/07/24: The studio is full once again for another week of making our NFL picks. We have Joel Heitkamp, Rusty Halvorson, Too Tall Tom Szymanski, Jack Michaels, and the Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen all making their picks. 

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11/06/24: Charley Johnson is the President and CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau. He joins Joel Heitkamp on "News and Views" to talk about his win last night on the Faro ballot regarding the lodging tax. The 3% lodging tax on hotel rooms passed by about 52% to 48% and will be in effect for 25 years. Money generated from that tax will go toward building a convention center.   

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11/06/24: After an Election Night dominated by Republicans, Former United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp joins her brother on "News and Views" to share her thoughts. 

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11/06/24:Joel Heitkamp is joined by Congressman Kelly Armstrong the morning after the 2024 election. Congressman Armstrong won his election last night against State Senator Merrill Piepkorn to become the next Governor of North Dakota. 

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11/05/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined in the KFGO studio by Derrick LaPoint, the President/CEO at Downtown Moorhead Incorporated. 

DG Fuels, a company that produces sustainable aviation fuels, is planning a $5 billion plant in Moorhead. The new plant will produce 193 million gallons of low-carbon emission aviation fuel each year.

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11/04/24:Joel Heitkamp is joined in the KFGO studio by the Dem-NPL candidates running for US Congress and Senate in North Dakota. Katrina Christiansen is facing Senator Kevin Cramer on the ballot, and Trygve Hammer is facing Julie Fedorchak. In the interview, they cover everything from women's healthcare, to the Farm Bill that hasn't been passed yet, to tariffs. 

Reminder to the listeners that Kevin Cramer and Julie Fedorchak both declined to participate in debates hosted on KFGO, despite Joel Heitkamp not being a moderator. 

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11/15/24: Joel Heitkamp is broadcasting live from the Dakota Bowl at the Fargodome, and is joined by Congressman and Governor-elect, Kelly Armstrong. They talk about what he has left to do in his term as a Congressman, and what his first goals will be as Governor of North Dakota. 

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11/14/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined by Jonathan Martin, the Senior Political Columnist and Politics Bureau Chief for Politico. He also co-authored a best-selling book about Donald Trump and Joe Biden, called “This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future." He joins Joel on "News and Views" to talk about the campaign strategies for the Democratic party and how to reach more rural voters. 

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11/14/24: The studio is full for another week of "Pick 'em or Stick 'em!" It's Jack Michaels's birthday, and we surprised him with his friend, George Ellis, as the guest picker. We also have Joel Heitkamp, Tom Szymanski, and Rusty Halvorson all sharing their picks. 

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11/13/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined in the KFGO studio by former Fargo Broadcaster and KFGO Reporter Al Aamodt, as well as Jack Zaleski, former Editor of the Devils Lake Daily Journal and The Forum’s editorial page. They all share their thoughts on the results of the 2024 election, how media and news is changing, and they take calls and texts from the listeners. 

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11/12/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined by the newly-elected Cass County Commissioner, Joel Vettel. They talk about his goals for the office, particularly how to include rural Cass County in the discussions and school districts in the county. 

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11/12/24: Joel Heitkamp is joined in the KFGO studio by the President of North Dakota Farmers Union, Mark Watne. He joins Joel for a conversation on the Farm Bill, and the importance of passing it soon. He urges listeners to contact their legislators, and members of Congress to pass it. 

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11/11/24: Joel is spending his Veterans Day from Lisbon, ND at the North Dakota Veterans Home, surrounded by men and women that served our Country. He's joined by Army Veterans, David Dick and Jerry Mock, as well as Air Force Veteran Gary Bettmann. 

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11/11/24: Joel is broadcasting from the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon for another show on Veterans Day. He is joined by Pat and Carl Lee to talk about the life they built together, his service, and their home in Lisbon.

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11/11/24: It's Veterans Day! Joel is broadcasting live from the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon, ND, and is first joined by Dane Grebel. Dane recently took over as the Administrator for the North Dakota Veterans Home, and talks to Joel about the job. 

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11/28/24: Happy Thanksgiving from "News and Views!" Joel Heitkamp and Abby Miller are joined again by rancher and former State Senator, Steve Tomac. Steve is one of 18 kids, and he and Joel share stories of growing up in big families. 

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11/28/24: KFGO, Y94, Froggy 99.9, JACK FM & Matbus team up again to Stuff the Bus for YWCA Emergency Shelter, Red River Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Fargo Police Department Community Engagement Team!

Donations will be delivered to the YWCA for their annual “Unique Boutique” and to the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center’s Kid’s Closet. The Unique Boutique is an event which allows women and children residing at the YWCA emergency shelter a chance to give their families something new during the holiday season.

We want to make sure the women and children at the YWCA have gifts on Christmas morning this year, too!

Learn more at KFGO.com.

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