Forum Communications Co.

Plain Talk

News EN ↓ 985 episodes

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.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.inforum.com

Author

Forum Communications Co.

Category

News

Podcast website

www.inforum.com

Latest episode

Oct 23, 2026

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Episodes

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 11/04/19 04.11.2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rob and Jay talk about how Rob makes everybody mad.

Ep. 117: Armstrong says impeach push is "wasted time" 27.09.2019

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 .

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-12-19 12.08.2019

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

Ep. 112: Burgum pollster talks 2020, new ND ACLU director talks outreach 09.08.2019

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.

Ep. 111: Democrats hate what North Dakota does 08.08.2019

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 cha...

Ep. 110: Expanding the Dakota Access Pipeline 07.08.2019

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 .

Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 08-05-19 05.08.2019

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

Ep. 109: Racist against North Dakotans? 01.08.2019

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 .

Bonus Audio: Guest Hosting WDAY 07/26/19 26.07.2019

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

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