08/07/23: Tim Downs officially started as the 12th President of MSUM on Monday, July 3. He replaced President Anne Blackhurst, who had announced last year that she would retire. Joel and President Downs talk about why he decided to take the position, free tuition in Minnesota, what to expect from this upcoming school year, and more. 

08/07/23: Tim Downs officially started as the 12th President of MSUM on Monday, July 3. He replaced President Anne Blackhurst, who had announced last year that she would retire. Joel and President Downs talk about why he decided to take the position, free tuition in Minnesota, what to expect from this upcoming school year, and more.

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp is a multi-award winning program where Joel Heitkamp brings his common sense approach to the issues of the day. From politics to public service announcements and sports to government spending, there is a place in the conversation for everyone.

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp is a multi-award winning program on KFGO in Fargo, North Dakota where Joel Heitkamp brings his common sense approach to the issues of the day in the upper Midwest region. From politics to public service announcements to sports to government spending, there is a place in the conversation for everyone.

News and Views welcomes the new MSUM President, Tim Downs

07/28/26: Jack Zaleski is now a columnist at the North Dakota Monitor after working at the Forum for over 30 years, and was Editor of the Devils Lake Daily Journal. Al Aamodt worked at WDAY for 35 years, as an Editor at KVLY, was a news broadcaster at KFGO, and taught at MSUM. Jane Ahlin is a guest columnist for The Forum and taught English at MSUM, and is an alum from UND and MSUM.

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

07/28/26: Jack Zaleski is now a columnist at the North Dakota Monitor after working at the Forum for over 30 years, and was Editor of the Devils Lake Daily Journal.&nbsp;Al Aamodt worked at WDAY for 35 years, as an Editor at KVLY, was a news broadcaster at KFGO, and taught at MSUM. Jane Ahlin is a guest columnist for The Forum and taught English at MSUM, and is an alum from UND and MSUM.
(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, &ldquo;News &amp; Views,&rdquo; can be heard weekdays from 8 &ndash; 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

Jack Zaleski, Jane Ahlin, and Al Aamodt speak to journalism-related concerns around the Trump Administration

07/28/26: Dr. Lisa Karch was named Interim President at NDSCS in June 2026, following the retirement of President Rod Flanigan. Will Fanning took over as the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Affairs at NDSCS on July 1. They both join Joel Heitkamp in the KFGO studio to discuss the changes at NDSCS and what they bring to the community. 

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

07/28/26: Dr. Lisa Karch was named&nbsp;Interim President at NDSCS&nbsp;in June 2026, following the retirement of&nbsp;President Rod Flanigan. Will Fanning took over as the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Affairs at NDSCS on July 1. They both join Joel Heitkamp in the KFGO studio to discuss the changes at NDSCS and what they bring to the community.&nbsp;
(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, &ldquo;News &amp; Views,&rdquo; can be heard weekdays from 8 &ndash; 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

Joel Heitkamp is joined by new NDSCS Interim President and VP of Academic Affairs

07/27/26: Eric Schmidt has been UND’s Head Football Coach since 2025.

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

07/27/26: Eric Schmidt has been UND&rsquo;s Head Football Coach since 2025.
(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, &ldquo;News &amp; Views,&rdquo; can be heard weekdays from 8 &ndash; 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

News and Views welcomes the new MSUM President, Tim Downs

In 1 playlist(s)

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips