Plain Talk

Forum Communications Co.
  • 3.8 (85)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED DAILY

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.

  1. 21H AGO · VIDEO

    676: Wonder Fund, Høstfest, F5 Project and ICE's drawdown in Minnesota

    We covered a lot of ground on this episode of Plain Talk.  There's reason to believe that North Dakota's Wonder Fund may not be performing all that well, and may not be investing in the sort of North Dakota-centric projects it was intended to. Is it time to audit the program? In Fargo, there's a controversy over a housing development that got property tax breaks on the assumption that it would increase property value, and thus tax revenues, in the future. But then the property was sold to a nonprofit that won't pay property taxes. Is it time to re-evaluate our policies around these exemptions? The Trump administration is drawing down the number of ICE personnel deployed to Minnesota, though they are leaving thousands t here. But doesn't that development -- drawing down troops, leaving an occupying force behind -- make it seem like we're at war? Hasn't the way the Trump administration has handled this all along make it seem like we're at war? Also, the Attorney General's office has confirmed that the F5 Project is under an active investigation related to loans granted to the organization's top officials, the Trump administration wants to nationalize elections and take control away from the states, and the Hostfest, an important bridge in our region to our immigrant past, is no more. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

    49 min

  2. 23H AGO

    676: The Wonder Fund, the Hostfest, the F5 Project, and ICE's drawdown in Minnesota

    We covered a lot of ground on this episode of Plain Talk.  There's reason to believe that North Dakota's Wonder Fund may not be performing all that well, and may not be investing in the sort of North Dakota-centric projects it was intended to. Is it time to audit the program? In Fargo, there's a controversy over a housing development that got property tax breaks on the assumption that it would increase property value, and thus tax revenues, in the future. But then the property was sold to a nonprofit that won't pay property taxes. Is it time to re-evaluate our policies around these exemptions? The Trump administration is drawing down the number of ICE personnel deployed to Minnesota, though they are leaving thousands t here. But doesn't that development -- drawing down troops, leaving an occupying force behind -- make it seem like we're at war? Hasn't the way the Trump administration has handled this all along make it seem like we're at war? Also, the Attorney General's office has confirmed that the F5 Project is under an active investigation related to loans granted to the organization's top officials, the Trump administration wants to nationalize elections and take control away from the states, and the Hostfest, an important bridge in our region to our immigrant past, is no more. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

    49 min

  3. 2D AGO · VIDEO

    675: The truck-driving former alcoholic running as a Democrat for the U.S. House in North Dakota (Video)

    "I used to referee a lot of basketball," Vern Thompson said on this episode of Plain Talk. "The people that would sit on the sidelines hollering at the ref, you know, 50% of them usually didn't like what he was calling because it was against our team. Well, the bottom line with that is that I had to get off my butt and get into the game." That was Thompson's response to a question about why he's running for the U.S. House. He's seeking the Democratic-NPL nomination, running against Trygve Hammer. Thompson has a colorful resume. He's a former state lawmaker. He's been a farmer, and he worked in talk radio with former left-wing host Ed Schultz. He's currently working as a trucker hauling natural gas out of North Dakota's western oil fields, and he spoke openly about his struggles with alcoholism. "I was a young farmer and I struggled through the 1980s farm crisis," he said. "I'll be real candid with you, during that time I went in for treatment for alcoholism, and it's the best thing I ever did. I wouldn't be alive talking to you guys today." "I saw people committing suicide," he continued. "I saw where people were getting foreclosed and they were filing bankruptcy. I don't want to see those people that are the same age today, those young farmers, as I was in the 80s ,because that was hell." "I just felt that she was in ineffective," Thompson said of the incumbent in the race. "I think that Representative [Julie] Fedorchak has failed her constitutional responsibilities. She's let a president run wild and nobody's going to stop him until people stand up and say enough is enough." "I respect Julie," he added, "but she's too timid. You have to stand up." Also on this episode, we respond to some listener feedback, including an email from Greg, who says he used to be a "vile a-hole" Trump supporter but has come to realize that the president's critics are right. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

    53 min

  4. 2D AGO

    675: The truck-driving former alcoholic running as a Democrat for the U.S. House in North Dakota

    "I used to referee a lot of basketball," Vern Thompson said on this episode of Plain Talk. "The people that would sit on the sidelines hollering at the ref, you know, 50% of them usually didn't like what he was calling because it was against our team. Well, the bottom line with that is that I had to get off my butt and get into the game." That was Thompson's response to a question about why he's running for the U.S. House. He's seeking the Democratic-NPL nomination, running against Trygve Hammer. Thompson has a colorful resume. He's a former state lawmaker. He's been a farmer, and he worked in talk radio with former left-wing host Ed Schultz. He's currently working as a trucker hauling natural gas out of North Dakota's western oil fields, and he spoke openly about his struggles with alcoholism. "I was a young farmer and I struggled through the 1980s farm crisis," he said. "I'll be real candid with you, during that time I went in for treatment for alcoholism, and it's the best thing I ever did. I wouldn't be alive talking to you guys today." "I saw people committing suicide," he continued. "I saw where people were getting foreclosed and they were filing bankruptcy. I don't want to see those people that are the same age today, those young farmers, as I was in the 80s ,because that was hell." "I just felt that she was in ineffective," Thompson said of the incumbent in the race. "I think that Representative [Julie] Fedorchak has failed her constitutional responsibilities. She's let a president run wild and nobody's going to stop him until people stand up and say enough is enough." "I respect Julie," he added, "but she's too timid. You have to stand up." Also on this episode, we respond to some listener feedback, including an email from Greg, who says he used to be a "vile a-hole" Trump supporter but has come to realize that the president's critics are right. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

    52 min

  5. JAN 30 · VIDEO

    674: 'Our business climate in North Dakota is eroded' (Video)

    "I don't see a lot of upside in the market in 2026, frankly." That was the blunt assessment of Ron Ness, long-time president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. He wasn't calling for a panic on this episode of Plain Talk, but he is suggesting some realism. We invited Ness on to discuss the decision by North Dakota oil pioneer Harold Hamm to lay down his drilling rigs for the first time in decades. "Rule number one is, nobody speaks for Harold Hamm other than Harold Hamm," Ness said, but added that Hamm is "simply saying the math simply just does not work at at this price of oil." The reason for that is largely out of North Dakota's control. Operators here are at a disadvantage because of our state's geographic remoteness from refiners, as well as our weather. This has gotten harder as rising global supplies have driven down oil prices. "I've been saying for years, you guys, I don't know if anybody's been listening, but our business climate in North Code is eroded," he said. "Our costs are higher. It's getting harder and harder...it's just really really expensive to operate here." He argues that state leaders need to be cautious about committing themselves to more spending. "We underestimate the impact on income taxes and the impact on sales taxes," he said, pointing out that the state takes in a lot of revenues from the oil extraction and production taxes, but what often gets discounted is the revenues from economic activity around operating drilling rigs. The sales taxes from equipment purchases, for instance, and the income taxes paid by workers. "When you lay down drilling rigs... that's really the driver of of the economic activity." The state still has some real opportunities before it, though. "We're still leaving 85% of the oil behind," Ness said, which is ripe for enhanced recovery efforts. "You can mobilize the oil if you put rich gas or or carbon dioxide on that rock and it mobilizes that oil off the rock," though he acknowledge that the politics around bringing the carbon dioxide needed for those efforts to the state through pipelines have become fraught. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban react to last week's special session and prognosticate the likely fallout from the defeat of the school lunch bill. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode.

    56 min

  6. JAN 30

    674: 'Our business climate in North Dakota is eroded'

    "I don't see a lot of upside in the market in 2026, frankly." That was the blunt assessment of Ron Ness, long-time president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. He wasn't calling for a panic on this episode of Plain Talk, but he is suggesting some realism. We invited Ness on to discuss the decision by North Dakota oil pioneer Harold Hamm to lay down his drilling rigs for the first time in decades. "Rule number one is, nobody speaks for Harold Hamm other than Harold Hamm," Ness said, but added that Hamm is "simply saying the math simply just does not work at at this price of oil." The reason for that is largely out of North Dakota's control. Operators here are at a disadvantage because of our state's geographic remoteness from refiners, as well as our weather. This has gotten harder as rising global supplies have driven down oil prices. "I've been saying for years, you guys, I don't know if anybody's been listening, but our business climate in North Code is eroded," he said. "Our costs are higher. It's getting harder and harder...it's just really really expensive to operate here." He argues that state leaders need to be cautious about committing themselves to more spending. "We underestimate the impact on income taxes and the impact on sales taxes," he said, pointing out that the state takes in a lot of revenues from the oil extraction and production taxes, but what often gets discounted is the revenues from economic activity around operating drilling rigs. The sales taxes from equipment purchases, for instance, and the income taxes paid by workers. "When you lay down drilling rigs... that's really the driver of of the economic activity." The state still has some real opportunities before it, though. "We're still leaving 85% of the oil behind," Ness said, which is ripe for enhanced recovery efforts. "You can mobilize the oil if you put rich gas or or carbon dioxide on that rock and it mobilizes that oil off the rock," though he acknowledge that the politics around bringing the carbon dioxide needed for those efforts to the state through pipelines have become fraught. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban react to last week's special session and prognosticate the likely fallout from the defeat of the school lunch bill. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode.

    56 min

  7. JAN 28 · VIDEO

    673: 'Politics is noise' (Video)

    House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, who just announced that he is not running for re-election, says that his predecessor, Chet Pollert, told him that the job was something like "running an adult daycare." There are times when "you love the job and hate the job all within 9 seconds of each other." Still, Lefor says he tried to stay focused on policy. "Politics is noise and noise," he said on this episode of Plain talk, and it "distracts from what you're trying to accomplish." Also on this episode, U.S. House candidate Trygve Hammer talks about his decision to put his name on the ballot for the fourth straight election cycle. He may have competition for the Democratic-NPL nomination from former lawmaker Vern Thompson, but he said his past work to make himself known with voters makes him a good choice. "From the delegate at the convention point of view, I'm the guy who's been to all the districts, done all the things," he said. "Supported district candidates, supported other organizations like Souris Valley Dems, like the D6 Women. Even when when I'm not running for office, I've been doing that stuff, helping recruit candidates. and all that." "I think people see that I've made a lot of connections. Everybody around all the Democrats in the state know me," he added. As for the incumbent in the race, Hammer says she's helped Congress cede "too much power" to President Donald Trump. He argues that North Dakota's federal delegation could help make Trump "a better president" if they stood up to him more often. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

    1h 31m

  8. JAN 28

    673: 'Politics is noise'

    House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, who just announced that he is not running for re-election, says that his predecessor, Chet Pollert, told him that the job was something like "running an adult daycare." There are times when "you love the job and hate the job all within 9 seconds of each other." Still, Lefor says he tried to stay focused on policy. "Politics is noise and noise," he said on this episode of Plain talk, and it "distracts from what you're trying to accomplish." Also on this episode, U.S. House candidate Trygve Hammer talks about his decision to put his name on the ballot for the fourth straight election cycle. He may have competition for the Democratic-NPL nomination from former lawmaker Vern Thompson, but he said his past work to make himself known with voters makes him a good choice. "From the delegate at the convention point of view, I'm the guy who's been to all the districts, done all the things," he said. "Supported district candidates, supported other organizations like Souris Valley Dems, like the D6 Women. Even when when I'm not running for office, I've been doing that stuff, helping recruit candidates. and all that." "I think people see that I've made a lot of connections. Everybody around all the Democrats in the state know me," he added. As for the incumbent in the race, Hammer says she's helped Congress cede "too much power" to President Donald Trump. He argues that North Dakota's federal delegation could help make Trump "a better president" if they stood up to him more often. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

    1h 31m
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3.8
out of 5
85 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Channel
    Forum Communications Co.
  • Creator
    Forum Communications Co.
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    826
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2026 Forum Communications Co.
  • Show Website
    Plain Talk

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