PLAIN TALK

Columns

Plain Talk: Dem sec. of state candidate says 'election integrity' is Republican code for 'voter suppression'

Jeffrey Powell, the Democratic-NPL candidate for secretary of state, talks about his campaign on this episode of Plain Talk, as does Republican U.S. Senate candidate Riley Kuntz.

Columns

Plain Talk: On the midterms and the fight for the NDGOP in North Dakota's legislative primaries

Daily Beast senior columnist Matt Lewis joins this episode of Plain Talk to discuss the national midterms, while Wednesday co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the trajectory of the competitive Republican legislative primaries here in North Dakota.

May 18, 2022 11:06 AM

Columns

Plain Talk: Lawyer talks about fight over haze regulations, Fargo commission candidate talks about campaign

An attorney representing North Dakota's coal industry talks about the federal government's efforts to add more clear air regulations on top of the state's already excellent program. Matuor Alier, a candidate for Fargo City Commission, talks about his campaign.

May 16, 2022 10:33 AM

People protest after leak of U.S. Supreme Court draft majority opinion on Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision, in Washington

Columns

Plain Talk: Sen. Cramer talks Roe v. Wade, Jan. 6, food shortages, and Ukraine

Sen. Kevin Cramer joins this episode of Plain Talk.

May 06, 2022 10:05 AM

Latest Headlines

Protesters kneel outside the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo, North Dakota's only abortion provider, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

Columns

Plain Talk: NY Times reporter previews new book, and a discussion of the political implications of ending Roe

New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin joins this episode of Plain Talk to discuss his new book about the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Chad and Rob also discuss the political implications of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

May 04, 2022 11:36 AM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: Nobel laureate says Biden canceling Keystone pipeline was 'symbol' that led to higher gas prices

Dr. Vernon Smith is speaking this week at North Dakota State University's Challey Institute as a part of the Menard Family's Distinguished Speakers Series. His work has focused on natural resources, experimental economics, and the roles trust, love, and empathy play in society.

May 02, 2022 10:20 AM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: Landowners want a better deal on the Midwest Carbon Express pipeline

Kurt Swenson, a landowner in negotiations with Summit Carbon Solutions, and Daryl Lies, the president of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, joined this episode of Plain Talk to talk about what landowners want from the Midwest Carbon Express pipeline.

April 29, 2022 09:56 AM

By Rob Port

Senator Jessica Unruh Congressman Kelly Armstrong

Columns

Plain Talk: A conservative North Dakota lawmaker talks about her struggles with the culture warriors

An influential and conservative lawmaker from North Dakota's coal country talks about what it's like to get caught up in the culture wars that are convulsing Republican politics both locally and nationally.

April 27, 2022 10:57 AM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: Shouldn't a constitutional amendment require 60% of the vote?

"Why should the constitution not have more respect than statutory law?" asks Jeff Zarling, a spokesman for Protect North Dakota's Constitution, the group behind a ballot measure to require a supermajority vote for constitutional amendments.

April 25, 2022 09:10 AM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: Fargo commission candidate says mayor's emails to detectives crossed 'ethical boundaries'

Ves Marinov, a candidate for Fargo's city commission and a law enforcement officer in his day job, joined this episode of Plain Talk to talk about the issues he's campaigning on. Also, Nazer Fahad, spokesman for the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, D.C., discusses oil prices, Ukraine, and middle eastern peace efforts.

April 22, 2022 10:47 AM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: A new campaign to legalize marijuana in North Dakota

Two backers of a new ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana join this episode of Plain Talk to discuss their proposal.

April 20, 2022 11:03 AM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: Is approval voting in Fargo inspiring more candidates to run for office?

On this episode Sen. John Hoeven talks about his recent victory at the NDGOP convention and the divides in politics both within the North Dakota Republican Party and nationally. Also Ben Hanson, a former state lawmaker who is seeking a seat on the Cass County Commission, talks about the intrigues of running for local office.

April 13, 2022 12:10 PM

By Rob Port

Columns

Plain Talk: 'Innovation over regulation'

Public Service Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, who was recently appointed to that office and is now seeking election to finish her term, talks about what she brings to the commission on this episode of Plain Talk.

April 11, 2022 09:28 AM

By Rob Port