The Mike McFeely Mess

North Dakota author, scholar and radio host Clay Jenkinson joins podcast host Mike McFeely to, mostly, discuss Jenkinson's recent essay about President Donald Trump. In it, Jenkinson asks "principled conservative" followers of the president if getting a couple of Supreme Court justices will be worth the damage Trump has wrought.

North Dakota Game and Fish director Terry Steinwand joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss Devils Lake and what dropping water levels might mean to the fishing. Steinwand says the bigger issue might be access, because he believes walleye fishing will remain strong even if outlets pumps continue to reduce the lake to a lower level.

Forum Communications Co. CEO and Forum newspaper publisher Bill Marcil Jr. joins podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about FCC's purchase of the Rochester Post-Bulletin newspaper and what he thinks the future of newspapers looks like.

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss the Trump administration's clear signals that it is preparing for war with Iran. But massive questions remain, including the basic one: What is Trump's goal with an Iranian war? It is unclear what the U.S. does once it starts a war.

Los Angeles Times sports writer Jeff Miller, who covers the Los Angeles Chargers, joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss former North Dakota State quarterback Easton Stick, who was taken by the Chargers in this year's NFL Draft. Miller says the Chargers wouldn't have drafted Stick if they didn't believe he'd help them, and says the team might eventually look at him as a non-traditional QB.

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio explains why the United States seems to be striding closer to war with Iran and what the consequences of that might be.

Minnesota fishing expert Tony Mariotti of Detroit Lakes talks about catching opening day walleyes, the shortage of spottail shiners, crappies and other stuff.

Minnesota fishing expert Tony Mariotti from Detroit Lakes shares a story and tips about how to catch springtime crappies from unlikely places -- roadside ponds or sloughs. He literally looks for spots that have fishing line or bobbers hanging from overhead power lines and gives them a try. Sometimes, it pays off. Also, a look ahead to the Minnesota walleye opener.

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio joins podcast host Mike McFeely to break down the situation in Venezuela, where the opposition leader has called for the military to abandon president Nicolas Maduro. The Russians are involved, the United States sides with the opposition, the military so far hasn't budged and there is a question about how big protests are in Caracas an...

Boulder Daily Camera newspaper reporter Madeline St. Amour joins podcast host Mike McFeely to wrap up the Mark Kennedy battle in Colorado and whether the University of North Dakota president will be the next president of the Colorado University system.  "There's nothing I've seen that would indicate enough people turning against him to have him not be nominated," St. Amour said.

North Dakota humanities scholar/author/radio host Clay Jenkinson joins podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about Cleanup Week, Heidi Heitkamp, the Democratic Party presidential candidates and just stuff. Clay sets off Mike when pearl-clutches about Joe Biden. 

Detroit Lakes, Minn., angling expert Tony Mariotti says the crappie bite is already on in Minnesota lakes country. The ice went off most lakes this week and fishermen are already catching crappies in shallow water. Mariotti joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss crappies, the upcoming walleye season and other angling topics.

Former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from North Dakota, joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss the new project she's launching with former Indiana Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly. One Country is meant to re-establish a bond between rural communities and Democrats. Also, Mike asks Heidi about a column he wrote promoting her for the president's job at the University of North Dakota. Heitk...

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss the oddball presidential election in Ukraine, where a comedian who played the president in a TV show was actually elected president. Also, the Sri Lankan terrorist bombings and Ambrosio's thoughts on Joe Biden announcing his presidential candidacy.

Vox.com writer Aaron Rupar has a unique niche -- he watches every speech President Donald Trump gives and live tweets them with video clips. How does he keep his sanity seeing the same thing over and over and over? Rupar explains to podcast host Mike McFeely, offering that while he knows it has taken a toll it's also a part of history.

Lincoln, N.D., angler Tom Volk, who caught a state record walleye on Easter Sunday, joins podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about the catch and give all the details. Volk said he was so excited after he caught the fish he couldn't breathe and had to stop to catch his breath. 

The Athletic NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler joins podcast host Mike McFeely for a discussion of Brugler's monstrous 2019 draft guide and some of the North Dakota State players included in it, inlcluding quarterback Easton Stick and running back Bruce Anderson. Also, Brugler comments on South Dakota State QB Taryn Christion and other Bison players he analyzed.

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss President Trump's veto of a bipartisan Congressional resolution to end the U.S.'s involvement in the Saudi Arabian-led war in Yemen. Ambrosio believes Trump is making a mistake by vetoing the resolution and keeping the U.S. involved with a Saudi effort. Ambrosio blames it on "Iran hawks" in th...

Edgewood Golf Course head professional Greg McCullough joined podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about Tiger Woods winning the Masters, how it was the greatest comeback in golf history and what it means for the industry.

Madeline St. Amour, a reporter for the Boulder Daily Camera in Colorado, joins podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about the saga of University of North Dakota president Mark Kennedy, who is the lone finalist for the presidency of the University of Colorado system -- and finds himself under fire because of his political views.

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio explains why Benjamin Netanyahu winning Israeli's election is important and what it means for the United States (and President Donald Trump).

North Dakota humanities scholar, author, educator and radio host Clay Jenkinson joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss the state legislature taking away control from local entities, a move of stunning hypocrisy. Also, higher education and walls.

North Dakota State political science professor Thomas Ambrosio joins podcast host Mike McFeely to discuss a corruption scandal in usually squeaky-clean Canada, plus three key U.S. foreign policy anniversaries from which we can learn.

NFL Draft analyst Josh Buchanan of www.draftscout.com  has bumped up former North Dakota State quarterback Easton Stick to a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, much higher than other draft watchers project. Buchanan joins podcast host Mike McFeely to explain why on this episode of the show.

Minnesota AFL-CIO field director Pommella Wegmann joins podcast host Mike McFeely to talk about the Paid Family Leave and Medical Act, which would guarantee employees 12 weeks of leave and a percentage of their pay when caring for a family member. The bill has support in the state House, but has not yet been taken up in the Senate.