In this episode, Jared Thomas explores the complex relationship between gun culture, mental health, and societal issues in America. He discusses recent documentaries, social media influence, and the importance of understanding mental health to address violence. Mental Health Resources If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, please know you are not alone. Help is available. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 anytime in the U.S. 988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - https://www.nami.org/ Mental Health America - https://mhanational.org/ Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. “You are not weak for asking for help.”

“Are Public Figures Becoming Harder to Protect — or Is the World Just More Dangerous?” Shots being fired at major political events… multiple assassination attempts on our president. Political Speaker Charlie Kirk Shot and Killed with growing threats from individuals and even foreign actors are leaders and public figures today facing more danger than ever, or are we just seeing it more? Info from https://www.axios.com/2026/04/26/trump-assassination-attempts-plots-timeline-whcd Shots rang out at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night, sending Secret Service agents to evacuate President Trump from the Washington Hilton ballroom Butler, Pennsylvania: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired from what the FBI called an "AR-style 556 rifle" at a Trump rally. He grazed Trump's right ear and killed an attendee, and was later killed by a Secret Service sniper. West Palm Beach, Florida: Ryan Wesley Routh was spotted with a rifle at Trump International Golf Club while Trump was playing on the course. A Secret Service agent fired at Routh, who fled and was arrested. He is now serving a life sentence. June 2016: A 20-year-old British national tried to grab a police officer's gun at a Trump rally in Las Vegas, later telling agents he meant to kill Trump. September 2017: A man stole a forklift in North Dakota and aimed it at the presidential motorcade, planning to flip the limousine. September 2020: A dual French-Canadian citizen mailed Trump a letter containing deadly ricin. July 2024: A Pakistani national was arrested and later convicted of running a murder-for-hire plot on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to kill Trump. Months later, an Iranian charged with attempting to kill another U.S. citizen said he'd also been directed to kill Trump. February 2026: Secret Service killed a 21-year-old who brought a shotgun and a gas canister to Mar-a-Lago while Trump was back in Washington.

In this episode, Jared Thomas shares an in-depth account of the political and operational challenges surrounding the Alerus Center Commission, including issues of transparency, procurement, and governance. He discusses his experiences, the decision-making processes, and the implications for community trust and public accountability.