Forum Communications Co.
Plain Talk
Plain Talk is a podcast hosted by Rob Port and Chad Oban focusing on political news and current events in North Dakota. Port is a columnist for the Forum News Service published in papers including the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, Jamestown Sun, and the Dickinson Press. Oban is a long-time political consultant.
Author
Forum Communications Co.
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 10, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 01-20-20 20.01.2020 23:01
Rob and Jay talk about crazy social media posts from local politicians, pay-at-the-pump problems, and sex education.
Ep. 124: Rep. Armstrong On Trade, China, Impeachment, Facial Recognitionand the Astros 16.01.2020 35:50
Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks to Rob about impeachment, the passage of the USMCA and our on-going trade negotiations with China, the threat to privacy of technology like facial recognition, and the Astros cheating scandal. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota .
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 01-13-20 13.01.2020 24:41
Jay and Rob talk about the impact of the online sales tax on local retail and the recent NDSU Bison championship.
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 01-07-20 07.01.2020 16:54
Jay gets an update from Rob on the North Dakota online court records story.
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 01-06-20 06.01.2020 40:21
Jay and Rob discuss the new North Dakota court records system, which has published some personal data such as Rob's social security number, but also information like murder scene photos which some may not know are public record.
Ep. 123: Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken 06.01.2020 25:51
As the debate over refugee resettlement in Burleigh County continues, City of Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken weighs in.
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 11-11-19 11.11.2019 29:38
Rob and Jay talk about the school lunch debt issue.
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 11/04/19 04.11.2019 23:15
Rob and Jay discuss Rob's column about North Dakota cops violating the 4th amendment. A caller describes his experience being pulled over and searched.
Ep. 122: The politician who actually lowered insurance rates 17.10.2019 25:43
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 .
Ep. 121: Auditor says things "cordial" with Governor Burgum 15.10.2019 19:14
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 .
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 10-14-19 Do We Need Cops In Schools? 14.10.2019 39:06
Rob and Jay discuss a recent ACLU report suggesting we need fewer cops in schools and more counselors.
Ep. 120: North Dakota ACLU Talks Cash Bail, Cops In School 14.10.2019 23:55
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 .
Ep. 119: Prosperity has left us feeling empty 08.10.2019 25:07
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-...
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 10-07-19 07.10.2019 23:32
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.
Ep. 118: "We'll be a mining superpower" 01.10.2019 14:10
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 .
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 09-30-19 30.09.2019 39:40
Rob and Jay talk about how Rob makes everybody mad.
Ep. 117: Armstrong says impeach push is "wasted time" 27.09.2019 23:13
"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 .
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 09-23-19 23.09.2019 22:42
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?
Ep. 116: Senator Cramer says he believes Iran was behind Saudi attack 18.09.2019 31:50
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 .
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 09-09-19 09.09.2019 22:32
Can the North Dakota Ethics Commission regulate the speech of elected officials? Rob and Jay Thomas discuss.
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 09-03-19 03.09.2019 21:26
Rob joins Jay Thomas on WDAY AM970 to talk about Walmart's changing gun policies.
Ep. 115: Senator Cramer says border wall has made life easier for customs agents 29.08.2019 23:14
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 .
Ep. 114: CEO Says Oil Refinery Will Put Out Less Pollution Than National Park 27.08.2019 17:35
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 Prosp...
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-26-19 26.08.2019 22:43
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?
Ep. 113: Cramer Decries "Pervasive Antisemitism" In Democratic Party 22.08.2019 39:11
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 .
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