701 Civics

How many times have you opened the mail and got that letter from your clerk of court calling you for jury duty? What is it that makes people cringe when they get that letter? And do you really get a jury of your peers? On this podcast, we look at the experience of the host and his recent experience as a potential juror. Spoiler - it was pretty interesting to be a part of the jury process. North Da...

In this interview, Kathleen Tweeten, the President of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, shares the history, mission, and current initiatives of the League. Topics include voting rights, civics education, election integrity, and ways to get involved in promoting democracy. Learn about their new initiatives and outreach, including their new, free, Legislative Guide for voters and classroom...

On this podcast, Garrett Anderson, North Dakota Boys State Deputy Director of Recruitment visits and lets us know the history, mission, and purpose of North Dakota Boys State, as well as how North Dakota high school Juniors can apply to participate in the program. Discover how North Dakota Boys State educates young men about civics, leadership, and government through a hands-on, mock government ex...

This episode covers recent legislative and judicial developments in North Dakota, including special sessions, school funding initiatives, and judicial elections. It also provides some insights into state politics, legal processes, and upcoming changes in the judiciary. Key Topics Special legislative sessions and their purpose School funding initiatives and constitutional measures North Dakota Supr...

In this episode, Bryan interviews Jennifer Kallenbach, a dedicated social studies teacher and the state coordinator for the We the People program in North Dakota. Jennifer shares her journey from growing up in Wisconsin to teaching in North Dakota, emphasizing the importance of civics education in fostering informed and engaged citizens. The We the People program, initiated in the 1980s, aims to e...

In this enlightening conversation, Brad Hawk, the Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, discusses the commission's role as a liaison between tribal nations and state government. He shares insights on the commission's responsibilities, communication strategies, and initiatives aimed at education and community engagement. The conversation also touches on the chall...

In this conversation, Nathan Rivard, a Public Affairs Officer for the North Dakota National Guard, discusses the structure, missions, and community impact of the National Guard. He explains the dual role of the Guard in serving both state and federal needs, the variety of missions they undertake, and the diverse job roles available within the organization. Rivard also highlights the training that...

As the United States gears up for the monumental 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, North Dakota is preparing to celebrate its unique story and contributions to American history through the ND250 initiative. This comprehensive program aims to unite communities across the state in a celebration that reflects North Dakota's rich heritage and invites ever...

North Dakota Social Studies teacher Amber Severson discusses her experiences being selected by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to participate in professional development that is geared for rural educators. She emphasizes the need for students to engage in respectful, civil dialogue while recognizing the legal frameworks that govern political beliefs. National Constitution Center S...

Have you ever wondered why you get called to jury duty so frequently? Or why a judge appears to have given an extra-lenient sentence to a person convicted of a serious crime? On this episode, I visit with the Sally Holewa, the North Dakota State Court Administrator. Ms. Holewa has spent her entire career in courts, from Minnesota to North Dakota, and in 2022 received the Warren E. Burger Award for...

Did you know that, in North Dakota, people don't actually receive prescriptions for medical marijuana? If you didn't, you are not alone. We'll find the answers to a lot of questions surrounding medical marijuana in North Dakota. On this episode, we visit with Jason Wahl, the Director for Medical Marijuana in North Dakota. It's an interesting conversation around a subject that many...

The episode covers a governor's mistake that almost cost the state $35 million, fights within political parties that left voters without representation, and why lawmakers want to build a new office building after 100 years. These stories teach us that democracy needs constant care and attention from regular citizens to keep working properly.

In this episode, we sit down with Arik Spencer, the CEO and President from the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), the state's premier non-partisan business advocacy organization. Joining us is Mallory Humann, the Program & Event Coordinator for GNDC to discuss the Civics Bee in North Dakota and why the GNDC is helping to sponsor the Bee. The GNDC represents a diverse membership that incl...

In this episode, we cover the final step in the process of following a bill to declare October 1st as 'North Dakota Constitution Day'. In the first two installments, we followed the process of getting an idea turned into a bill, a committee meeting, and passage in the House of Representatives. Now, we see what takes place in the Senate, and discuss the outcome of the Senate vote. North Dak...

On this podcast, I interview Mirabela Punga, a native of Moldova, and now, with her husband and children, a resident of Bismarck, North Dakota for over a decade. With all of the talk surrounding immigration, particularly in the past decade, I thought it would be good to hear from someone who immigrated to the United States and went through the process of becoming an American citizen. We get to hea...

We know who makes the laws, but who enforces them, and how? On this episode, we get to hear from Colonel Daniel Haugen and Lieutenant Jenna Clawson Huibregtse of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, and the role of the N.D. H.P. in carrying out the laws passed by North Dakota legislators, efforts to make the roads safer, and how the highway patrol has increased their efforts to work more cooperatively...

Former Governor Ed Schafer was elected governor of North Dakota in 1992 and served for two terms. He was a popular governor that could have probably been elected to a third term, but he walked away from the office, followed by service in 2008 as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President George W. Bush. On this episode, the governor talks about why he decided to run for office in 1992, his...

On this episode, we provide an update about making October 1 'North Dakota Constitution Day'. The big news is that the idea to celebrate the state constitution has gone from an idea, to an actual bill, to a bill that has passed the North Dakota House! Follow along as we discuss what has happened since Part 1 was created. HB 1479 https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo...

Did you know that North Dakota even has a constitution? Do you know what it says? Or that its more than triple the length of the U.S. Constitution? If you answered 'no', then the intent of a proposed bill before the North Dakota Legislature is for you! Join host Bryan Pechtl and special guest host Samantha Pechtl as they dive into the process of getting a bill submitted to the North Dakota Legisla...

On this podcast, listen to a brief overview of important North Dakota legislative dates and, more importantly, how you as a citizen can be an active participant in democracy. Below are links to help you become more active in the legislative process, from following bills to contacting your legislator. North Dakota Legislature: https://ndlegis.gov/ N.D. Legislative Deadlines: chrome-extension://efai...

On this episode, I chat with Representative Corey Mock, a Democrat who served in the house of representatives from 2009 and, as of this interview, is wrapping up his time in the House, having decided to not run for re-election in 2024.  In fact, Mr. Mock will be taking up the position of Chief information officer in the administration of the new governor of North Dakota, Republican Kelly Armstrong...

Are you interested in running for public office in North Dakota but have no idea where to start? On this podcast, we hear from veteran North Dakota House of Representatives District 35 lawmaker Karen Karls. Representative Karls shares her experiences of what it was like to run for office in North Dakota and offers advice for those individuals interested in running for statewide office. Listeners w...

In this podcast, we take a look at the North Dakota Supreme Court, as seen through the eyes of Charles Steinberger, a former law clerk for the state supreme court. We will see what it takes to become a law clerk, what they do, and examine a bit of the process about how opinions written. The North Dakota supreme court consists of five elected justices, with each justice provided a law clerk and a s...

On this podcast, we visit with North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Dough Goehring, a position he has held since 2009. When outsiders think of North Dakota, they generally associate rural and agricultural as the main identity of the people of the state, and rightfully so. North Dakota leads the nation in production of spring wheat, durum wheat, dry edible peas, dry edible beans, honey, flaxseed a...

The North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe is charged with ensuring secure elections, registering lobbyists, business registrations, and also acts as the Commissioner of Combative Sports, among the many hats that he and his staff wear. The office itself is one of the most consequential offices in the state, especially as it relates to elections. Secretary Howe discusses the role that the off...