Dakota Spotlight Podcast

Episode 2 of Season 9: In the second episode of The Mandan Murders, host James Wolner returns to the morning of the murders with a minute-by-minute look at Bockheim's discovery, a 911 call and the ensuing discovery of four murder victims. As he traces a terrible day, Wolner also interviews many of those involved in responding to the quadruple murder at RJR, including paramedics and law enforcement. He also speaks with family of those killed, as they tell what happened on that fateful day. In this series, follow along as Wolner re-examines the morning of the murders, the hunt for the killer, his arrest and trial. He’ll seek to better understand the case and the killer’s motive, and remember the lives of those slain.  Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your pod

Episode 1 of Season 9: It was a crime that would shock the prairie. And that April morning the news quickly traveled across town: Four people had been found dead at a local business, RJR Maintenance and Management. The four killed were Robert Fakler, a co-owner of the business, and three employees: Adam Fuehrer, and married couple William Cobb and Lois Cobb. In this first episode, host James Wolner recalls the morning of the murders in Mandan when he worked at a nearby business. He shares his memories of joining the first police press conference, his first step into true-crime podcasting journalism. In this series, follow along as Wolner re-examines the morning of the murders, the hunt for the killer, his arrest and trial. He’ll seek to better understand the case and the killer’s motive, and remember the lives of those slain.  Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PL

A short announcement and teaser about season 9 starting October 4, 2023. Homepage - https://inforum.com/dakotaspotlight Check out The Vault - https://inforum.com/news/the-vault Email - jwolner@forumcomm.com Facebook - facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm still between Dakota Spotlight seasons, so today I am rebroadcasting for you one of my earliest pieces of audio work - an episode of a show I created to basically learn how to podcast in the first place - before Dakota Spotlight even existed. In fact, what follows was only the 5th podcast episode I ever put together – back when I was still figuring out how to work a microphone. This is not a true-crime story, and if you are an avid fan of Dakota Spotlight, you may have heard this once before between seasons one and two. But I'm gonna share it again now with a couple of updates.  Why? Well, let me tell you. This story just feels relevant in a way and a much needed reminder in 2023. It's something I believe we can all relate to and be inspired by – and despite all the podcast content I've created since then, this story remains one of my favorites. It's a story about something we all have within us, something we have all felt at times, something you may have been considering as recently as this morning, as y

It's summer 2023. Finally! Dakota Spotlight is in between seasons and in research mode.  Meanwhile here is a story by Trisha Taurinskas at The Vault.  Check out The Vault podcast  email - James at jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook: facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 7 - 15 Years Later. In this, the last scheduled episode of season 8: An interview with Travis Stay's defense attorney Peter Wold. Also we meet Heather (Holter) Keena. She was on the party bus that night and later married Jon 'The Clown.' Also, Sgt Suby at the Grand Forks PD who talks about the current status of the case.  Do you have information or tips about the murder of Joel Lovelien? Use the tip411 app (you may remain anonymous) or call the non-emergency number at Grand Forks Police Department: (701) 787-8000 If there are new developments in this story, Dakota Spotlight will be back with updates. Some music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to

Episode 6 - Travis on Trial. In this week's episode we dive deep into the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. Travis Stay was found not guilty after14 days of testimony. In this episode we meet Archie Ingersoll who reported on the trial. We also hear from the lead prosecutor, Nancy Yon. Episode 6 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.   Some music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 5. The Evidence Against Travis Stay. In this week's episode we interview the prosecutors and detectives who investigated Joel's murder and ask "What was the evidence against Travis Stay exactly?" Travis Stay was arrested for the crime but later acquitted in court a year later. Episode 5 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.   Some music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 4. Remembering Joel Lovelien. In this week's episode we step back from the investigation for a moment and focus on the most important person in this story: Joel Lovelien. Joel's friends and family share their fond memories of the generous and goofy man who consistently brought a smile to those who knew him. Episode 4 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.   Some music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey Everyone, I'm working hard on the next episode of Season 8, Unresolved, the murder of Joel Lovelien. Meanwhile, here is part 3 of my colleauge Trisha Taurinska's investigation into the death of Refugio Rodriguez in Montevideo, Minnesota. https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/national-expert-weighs-in-on-refugio-rodriguezs-death-investigation-as-new-image-of-body-surfaces Episode 4 of Dakota Spotlight Season 8 will be out on Wed. March 22, 2023 email me at jwolner@forumcomm.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 3. Travis Stay, the Man in Yellow. In this episode we track the movements and actions of Travis Stay and his friends. What was going on with him and his friends that weekend just before Halloween? Stay was found not guilty for the murder of Lovelien in December 2008. Episode 3 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.   Intro and outro music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is not a full episode, but rather just a quick little update and request for some assistance. Also a quick chat with Wowza in Kalamazoo. Today is March 13th, 2023 and episode 3 of Season 8 will be out in two days–that's season 8, Unresolved the Murder of Joel Lovelien.  Which brings me to my request. I'm looking for any of you who were friends with Joel Lovelien, maybe you worked with him at Altru hospital or maybe you went to school with him. I'd like to gather a few more memories of him for the podcast. If you can help me learn more about Joel Lovelien, who he was, what he was like, please send me an email at jwolner@forumcomm.com I'd really appreciate it.  Also, don't miss Wowza in Kalamazoo are going to be playing live in Bismarck, on Saturday, May 13th. You've heard their music a lot on this podcast, including the theme songs for season 5 about missing Barbara Cotton and season 7 about missing Michele Julson. I'm going to be there to see Wowza play live at The Laughing Sun Brewery in Bismarck on Sat

In this second episode: The Clown, The Cowboy and the Hunter--We walk through the first hours of the investigation and unpack the many reasons things got off to a confusing start. Episode 2 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.   Intro and outro music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joel Lovelien was just 38-years-old when he was found beaten to death outside of the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota on a Halloween-themed Saturday night in 2007. Who killed Joel Lovelien? Intro and outro music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A sneak peak at Season 8 coming March 1st and titled Unresolved - The Murder of Joel Lovelien. Also part 2 of Trisha Taurinska's investigation into the death of Refugio Rodriguez in Montevideo, Minnesota. https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/investigator-into-refugio-rodriguezs-death-had-other-case-thrown-out-due-to-bad-police-work See a video trailer of season 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wbrHX48Xkw To contact me: email jwolner@forumcomm.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello Dakota Spotlight followers: I have a bit of a holiday treat for you today, which I am very excited to share with you. A few weeks ago, I traveled to the town of Montevideo, Minnesota. I was there to take part in a meeting with three of my colleagues to plan and discuss work for The Vault - which is Forum Communication’s online catalog of great stories about Midwest history, mysteries and, of course, true crime. Why did we convene in Montevideo, Minnesota? Montevideo was purely a logistical destination as we all live in different places; 3 of us drove to Montevideo where a 4th colleague lives. Her name is Trisha Taurinskas. Over coffee we asked Trisha if there were any local stories that she had considered for The Vault. It turns out there was one story that Trisha had on her mind–in fact, to me, it seemed to be stuck in her mind. I could tell right then and there, this story was not gonna to just go away for her—she was in the early phases of experiencing a nagging feeling that I know very well myself–I

Episode 10: In this update episode: Can the red dirt on Shelly's car lead our investigation down the right road? Connecting the dots between clues in Shelly's cold case file and the red dust on her vehicle.  In 1994 26-year-old Michele Julson dropped off her young son at his paternal grandparents home so she could run some errands in Bismarck, North Dakota. She wanted to pick up her paycheck and possibly play some bingo. She was expected back in just hours.  Shelly never returned. What happened to Shelly Julson? Intro and outro music by Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotas

Episode 9: Vandalism, hang-up phone calls, strange occurrences, just before she vanished from the face of the earth Michele ‘Shelly’ Julson was feeling harassed. She told friends one person harassing her at work was a Bismarck, ND police officer named Donald Schaffer. In this episode we look into Donald Schaffer and learn about his violent past and criminal record. We also discuss some questions and comments from listeners.  In 1994 26-year-old Michele Julson dropped off her young son at his paternal grandparents home so she could run some errands in Bismarck, North Dakota. She wanted to pick up her paycheck and possibly play some bingo. She was expected back in just hours.  Shelly never returned. What happened to Shelly Julson? Intro and outro music by Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https

In this stand-alone episode we do a follow up interview with Alison Sandy, journalist and producer of the Australian podcast The Lady Vanishes about the fascinating and captivating news being uncovered in the investigation into Marion Barter's disappearance. To date The Lady Vanishes podcast has had 13 million downloads and has helped bring many answers into whatever happened to Marion Barter who vanished after embarking on an international trip in 1997.   Was Marion Barter a victim of a con-man with a history of deceiving single women and stealing their money? What happened to Marion Barter? Thanks to The Lady Vanishes podcast the world may soon know.   Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to

Episode 8: Interview with Michele's son Jaden. Jaden speaks about his life without a mother, about his father and grandfather and more. Also in this episode we debunk an important claim made by Bismarck PD investigators. In 1994 26-year-old Michele Julson dropped off her young son at his paternal grandparents home so she could run some errands in Bismarck, North Dakota. She wanted to pick up her paycheck and possibly play some bingo. She was expected back in just hours.  Shelly never returned. What happened to Shelly Julson? Intro and outro music by Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com  where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.  Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.  Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/g