Kyler Murray's Vikings upgrade according to Cam Newton, plus latest remarks from Murray & McCarthy on QB battle

Vol. 1 - Stu Whitney - 2025 - The life & career of a Sioux Falls sports & city writing staple

From June 6, 2025: Happy Hour's first interview with veteran sports writer, columnist, and now book author Stu Whitney: Stu Whitney's high school football team celebrated a big win by gleefully ripping to shreds a newspaper column he wrote claiming they weren't worthy of the playoffs. He ended up being right. The head football coach at Michigan State invited Stu into his office to berate him at the top of his lungs and call him every nasty name you could imagine after he unveiled some unsavory information about the program. But George Perles didn't deny his reporting. The Sioux Falls Stampede coach literally got in his face, point blank, after a game to intimidate him after a column about how that coach should be fired. And he eventually was. Stu Whitney's words — in his own words, at times caustic and controversial — had a uniquely strong and memorable impact on those he wrote about as a sportswriter, at-large columnist, investigative journalist, and author of a fictional memoir called "The Covid Chronicles" that tackled the way leaders in Sioux Falls and South Dakota handled the pandemic. Now, "SuFu Stu" is embarking on a second novel, this time a non-fiction about World War II aviator and former Washington High, Augustana, USD, and O'Gorman coach Bob Burns. He also has another script in the about South Dakota and its people, one that won't be in book form, a script he had yet to announce... ...until now, in a 90-minute sit-down with Happy Host John Gaskins from Gateway Lounge. Stu looks back on his 35-years in Sioux Falls — a stretch piled full of colorful characters, stories, columns, confrontations, and, ultimately, massive critical acclaim from readers — whether they liked him or not.

FULL SHOW: Ben Leber (Vikings analyst) and Patrick Lalley's mayoral runoff preview

Down the stretch they come! J.J. McCarthy vs. Kyler Murray to become Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback. Christine Erickson vs. Jamie Smith to become the next mayor of Sioux Falls. Both races have heated up over the last few weeks as the finish line draws closer. Who will win? What have the combatants done to position themselves for a win? If only there was a local talk show that could bring on experienced, well-connected and well-studied analysts to provide deft commentary on these races. Thankfully, there's Happy Hour. Ben Leber The former Minnesota Vikings linebacker (2006-10) and South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer has had almost unparalleled access for over a decade as a sideline analyst and postgame locker room interviewer for the Vikings Audio Network. The Vermillion High School alumnus has seen the performances of Arizona Cardinals import Murray and Vikings top 10 draft pick McCarthy up close at recent Vikings mini-camps. Leber also knows Coach Kevin O'Connell's complex and at times wildly effective offensive system well. He has a breakdown on how those two QBs have run the offense so far and what their advantages are within it. Yes, Leber has a prediction on who will win the job and when "splitting reps" will — or at least should — turn into "No. 1 gets most of the reps." Leber also weighs in on a Vikings defense that was top 5 in the NFL in many metrics last season but has lost some playmakers. He also assesses the hiring of first-time general manager Nolan Teasley, who has brought over two of the top three lieutenants from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' front office. Patrick Lalley Sioux Falls Live's editor and primary political reporter has spent over 30 years covering city and state government and elections in his hometown of Sioux Falls. He was part of a panel that peppered mayoral runoff candidates Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith in one of the recent head-to-head debates. What are his observations from those debates? How much more have we learned about them since our last discussion right after the June 2 mayoral election, when Lalley said he could not decipher major difference in their platforms and views on the city's most pressing issues? What main differences can we decipher in how the two would lead the city? How much does the endorsements of Smith from two of the other candiates — Greg Jamison and Joe Batchellor — matter? And how much does gubernatorial runoff finalist Toby Doeden's scorched earth condemnation of Jamison, Batchellor, and Smith—plus, his endorsement of Erickson—matter?

SF Mayor Runoff Election preview with Patrick Lalley

Sioux Falls Live's editor and primary political reporter has spent over 30 years covering city and state government and elections in his hometown of Sioux Falls. He was part of a panel that peppered mayoral runoff candidates Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith in one of the recent head-to-head debates. What are his observations from those debates? How much more have we learned about them since our last discussion right after the June 2 mayoral election, when Lalley said he could not decipher major difference in their platforms and views on the city's most pressing issues? What main differences can we decipher in how the two would lead the city? How much does the endorsements of Smith from two of the other candiates — Greg Jamison and Joe Batchellor — matter? And how much does gubernatorial runoff finalist Toby Doeden's scorched earth condemnation of Jamison, Batchellor, and Smith—plus, his endorsement of Erickson—matter?

Ben Leber digs into Vikings QB quandary, defense, Harrison Smith comeback odds, new GM & front office

The former Minnesota Vikings linebacker (2006-10) and South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer has had almost unparalleled access for over a decade as a sideline analyst and postgame locker room interviewer for the Vikings Audio Network. The Vermillion High School alumnus has seen the performances of Arizona Cardinals import Murray and Vikings top 10 draft pick McCarthy up close at recent Vikings mini-camps. Leber also knows Coach Kevin O'Connell's complex and at times wildly effective offensive system well. He has a breakdown on how those two QB's have run the offense so far and what their advantages are within it. Yes, Leber has a prediction on who will win the job and when "splitting reps" will — or at least should — turn into "No. 1 gets most of the reps." Leber also weighs in on a Vikings defense that was top 5 in the NFL in many metrics last season but has lost some playmakers. He also assesses the hiring of first-time general manager Nolan Teasley, who has brought over two of the top three lieutenants from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' front office.

FULL SHOW: SDSU JFPA president Ryan McKnight and Summit League TV-streaming talk on an early Thirsty Thursday with Trent Singer

Ryan McKnight tackles the meatiest issues facing South Dakota State football the same way he blocked tacklers in the old Great West conference: He comes right at you, fearlessly and with abandon. The former All-American center who was part of the Jackrabbits' first FCS playoff team in 2010 returns to Happy Hour a year after walking us through his unique football journey [http://sports/happy-hour-sdsu-all-america-center-ryan-mcknight] from Sioux Falls Washington Warrior to SDSU walk-on to All-American. This time around, McKnight looks back on the 2025 season and predicts big things for 2026. He also weighs in on a possible FBS future for SDSU, how well NDSU will compete right away in the Mountain West, and the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga at Texas Tech. McKnight is closer to the players and coaches in the Jacks program than most people on the planet. He is the founder and president of the Jackrabbit Former Players Association (JFPA), which regularly uses former players' resources to help fund the program's endeavors. For example, players consume thousands of pounds of beef during the summer months—beef sourced directly from farms owned by alumni who are cattle ranchers. Another example: Next Friday's JFPA Football & Cheer Youth Camp and the following days JFPA golf outing. Both events will feature "A-List" former SDSU football players, including some who currently play in the NFL. Thirsty Thursday on a Wednesday with Trent Singer Before the McKnight conversation, Sioux Falls Live sports reporter Trent Singer joins the Happy Hour host for their weekly "Thirsty Thursday" podcast from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls. This week's episode airs on Wednesday and covers: * The Summit League's decision to stick with its streaming and national television package [https://www.inforum.com/sports/college/summit-league-extends-current-tv-rights-package-another-four-years] partners from Midco Sports (streaming) and CBS Sports Network (live games — 7-9 games in regular season, plus both men's semfinals and both championship games). Happy Hour garnered insight from a local Summit League school official who was part of a 7-0-1 vote to continue with Midco and CBS. What were the main reasons to continue the partnership and not go back to a deal with previous streaming and over-air carrier ESPN (via ESPN+ streaming and tourney title games on ESPN2 and ESPNU)? Other recent local headlines discussed: * Sioux Falls Christian hoops stud Brant Wassenaar's commitment to former SDSU coach Eric Henderson and Drake [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/prep/sioux-falls-christian-hoops-star-brant-wassenaar-commits-to-drake] * Harrisburg setter Josalyn Samuel's commitment to Nebraska [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/prep/harrisburg-standout-josalyn-samuels-commits-to-nebraska-volleyball] * Rapid City native Simeon Birnbaum's NCAA championship in distance running with Oregon [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/college/from-rapid-city-to-ncaa-champion-simeon-birnbaum-reaches-the-top] * Augustana volleyball coach Jennifer Jacobs steps down at odd time [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/college/jennifer-jacobs-steps-down-as-augustana-volleyball-head-coach]