Plain Talk

North Dakotans who get their insurance through the individual market place will enjoy premiums next year which are, on average, about 20 percent lower. That's thanks in no small part to Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread. He talks about his campaign for re-election, and what he'd like to accomplish next in his office. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

North Dakota Auditor Josh Gallion announced his re-election plans and says things are "cordial" with his fellow Republican, Governor Doug Burgum, despite the latter snubbing the former's campaign announcement. This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob and Jay discuss a recent ACLU report suggesting we need fewer cops in schools and more counselors.

Dane DeKrey of the North Dakota ACLU talks about his group's desire to see cash bail ended in the state. He also talks about the group's recent report on the use of cops in schools. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Americans at living at historically high levels of prosperity, but we also see increasing rates of problems with things like anxiety. Why? Clay Routledge, a professor of psychology and behavioral science researcher from North Dakota State University, discusses ahead of an October 14 presentation he'll be making at the Cato Institute. Details: https://www.cato.org/events/search-for-meaning-in-age-of-abundance This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob and Jay talk about Trump's polling in North Dakota, the upcoming Yankees/Twins game, and why Americans are so sad amid so much prosperity.

Steven More, economic advisor to President Donald Trump, says on this episode that we need to let the American mining sector compete better globally. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob and Jay talk about how Rob makes everybody mad.

"I can't tell you how much time we've wasted on this," Congressman Kelly Armstrong says of the latest push from Democrats to impeach President Donald Trump. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob, the glinty-eyed capitalist, and Jay talk about the controversy over a company buying up mobile home parks. Also, as the cost of the farmer bailouts surpass the cost of the auto bailouts, were they worth it?

Senator Kevin Cramer talks about how the world better weathered the attacks on Saudi oil production thanks to America's energy renaissance. He also says he believes Iran was behind the attacks, but the question of how the U.S. should respond doesn't have an easy answer. This episode of Plain Talk brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of ND.

Can the North Dakota Ethics Commission regulate the speech of elected officials? Rob and Jay Thomas discuss.

Rob joins Jay Thomas on WDAY AM970 to talk about Walmart's changing gun policies.

Senator Kevin Cramer takes questions from listeners and talks about his recent visit to the southern border with Mexico. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Bill Prentice is the CEO of Meridian Energy, the company behind the construction of the Davis Refinery in western North Dakota. He says the new refinery will be so clean it will put out less pollution than the cars visiting nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park. He talks about the political and legal struggle to build the refinery. This episode of Plain Talk brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob and Jay discuss the cost to taxpayers and students of North Dakota State University Athletics. Also, lawmakers want ideas on how to spend the state's Legacy Funds, what would be the best way?

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions, and discusses what he sees as antisemitism among Democrats, the economy, and the budget. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, with Jay and Rob discussing Jeffrey Epstein, mass shootings, gun control, and red flag legislation.

Dane DeKrey, the new leader of the ACLU in North Dakota, says he'd like to see if he can find some common ground with conservatives. Also Chip Englander, pollster for Governor Doug Burgum's campaign, talks about the 2020 race. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

How can Democrats ever hope to win over rural, red state America when their supposedly moderate presidential front runner says he wants to eliminate fossil fuels? Which are important in all kinds of ways for both North Dakota, specifically, and rural American generally? Also Jodi Beauchene's friend was murdered in Fargo recently. Charges are pending in the case, but while they do she says some changes need to be made to North Dakota's domestic violence laws. This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Glenn Emery, a Vice President with Energy Transfer Partners, talks about his company's plan to increase capacity in their controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. Also, what can we really do to prevent mass shootings? This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofND.com.

Rob and Jay talk about the shootings in Ohio and Texas.

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions on this episode, and all of the questions had to do with his recent comments about discrimination against North Dakotans. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Rob guests hosts for Mike Kapel on WDAY AM970. Topics were the death penalty, Alerus Center finances, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong took listener questions.

Rob guest hosts for Mike Kapel on WDAY AM970.

Rush Limbaugh says fiscal conservatism is old and busted, and nobody ever really cared. If that's true, what does it mean to be a conservative? Is it all just cultural now? Also, Senator Kevin Cramer takes questions on the Mueller hearing, marijuana, the border wall, and other topics. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

North Dakotans came in almost last in the nation in a Harvard Study when it comes to optimism about economic mobility (the ability of people to become wealthier over their lifetimes). But, the study also shows that North Dakota was first in the nation when it comes to economic mobility. Why the disconnect between perception and reality? Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong answers listener questions. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

"I'm surprised President Trump cares so much about these congresswomen," Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the President's feud with "the squad." Cramer also takes listener questions. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

"We could be looking at upward of 175 to 179 thousand who have this issue," Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said of new, streamlined process that will allow those with minor marijuana-related convictions to apply for pardons. Also, the Legislature will allow local governments to double their traffic fines. Is that constitutional? And is it a big deal that state lawmakers get paid for absences? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, 07-15-19, talking about President Trump's recent comments about a group of female Democratic congresswomen among other topics.

President Donald Trump said media speech he doesn't agree with is not free speech because it's dangerous. But isn't the President of the United States saying something like that what's really dangerous? Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Senator Kevin Cramer defended his support for eliminating per-country caps on visas for high-skilled workers in response to listener questions. "I not only supported it I championed it," he said. Also, what happens when it's the news media sowing controversy and division in our country? This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

A sex worker masquerading as a massage therapist got busted in Minot. Massage therapists want a crack down to protect their industry, but would a better route be to legalize and license sex work? Also, ND University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott talks about his view for how to better manage the finances of the state's public institutions of higher education. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, with Jay and Rob discussing the citizenship question on the U.S. Census.

"I think we should all be happy that Democrats are finally acknowledging there's a crisis at the border," Congressman Kelly Armstrong says on this episode of Plain Talk. He also talks about the 4th of July holiday and the upcoming Mueller testimony before Congress. Also, the President of El Salvador blames conditions in his own country for the crisis at America's border. He's right. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

David Owen of Legalize ND talks about his group's new proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota. Also state lawmakers now say they'll abide by a legal opinion from Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem which found their law limiting the powers of the state Auditor was unconstitutional. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Talking baseball, the field of Democratic 2020 presidential candidates, and legalizing marijuana.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions on the border, abortion, and the Democratic presidential candidate debate. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Who does Senator Kevin Cramer think could be the toughest challenger to President Donald Trump? Former Vice President Joe Biden he says on this episode of Plain Talk. He also talks about the war over bias in the tech industry and the battle over border funding. Also the Red River Valley Democratic Socialists of America have formed a softball team, and say young people are attracted to socialism because who even remembers what East Germany was like any more? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Facebook has joined with a coalition of financial industry giants to issue its new currency. UND monetary economist David Flynn talks about what it all means. Also, Senator Bernie Sanders has announced a plan to pay off everyone's student loan debt. Is it really a free lunch? This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970. Talking about the 2020 elections, Joel Heitkamp suggesting Rob is a danger to his sister, and the Bernie Sanders plan for student loans.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong says on this episode of Plain Talk he'd have a "hard time" supporting a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. He also took questions about Iran, abortion, and federal pensions. Also, the energy industry has created a lot of opportunities for younger Americans as data from the U.S. Census shows. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Dr. Joshua Wynne, the current Dean of the University of North Dakota's medical school, will serve as the interim president for that institution. He says he wants the campus to focus on serving the public. Also, how much can we really do to save rural grocery stores? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Should burning the flag be illegal? Also, state Rep. Scott Louser (R-Minot) talks about the implementation of state ethics regulations that some left-wing commentators have suggested is, in and of itself, unethical. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

In this bonus audio from the Jay Thomas Show 06-17-19, Rob discusses legislation Senator Kevin Cramer is co-sponsoring which would create an exception from the 1st amendment for burning the U.S. flag. Also discussed is whether or not former Senator Heidi Heitkamp might run for governor.

Comedian Jon Stewart threw a fit during a congressional hearing over funding for 9/11 victims, but was it necessary? Also Congressman Kelly Armstrong address that issue and answers listener questions. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions about Social Security, the border wall, trade, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and wind energy. Also, North Dakota Democrats complain about there not being enough women appointed to chair interim committees, but at least two female lawmakers in the Democratic caucus turned down chair roles. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mark Friese, a Fargo-based defense attorney with the Vogel Law Firm, talks about the struggles courts are having with defendants who can't afford drug testing mandated by the Legislature. Also, a new study suggests that liberalized marijuana laws does not reduce opioid overdoses. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofND.com.

State Senator Janne Myrdal, a Republican from the Grafton area, talks to Rob about her objections to North Dakota State University partnering with Planned Parenthood. Also, an official from the North Dakota Democratic Party says coal is dead. Is he right? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On their weekly segment on WDAY AM970 Jay and Rob talk about the recent state audit concerning bus inspections, the controversy over removing the auditor's powers, and the North Dakota Democratic Party's opposition to coal power.