Skip to content
Radio Logo
PodcastsDocumentaryDakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

James Wolner | Investigative Journalist & Creator of Dakota Spotlight
Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations
Latest episode

250 episodes

  • Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

    Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going

    10/08/2026 | 23 mins.
    James looks back at a busy year for Dakota Spotlight and talks about what’s ahead, including plans for the podcast and YouTube, Indigenous cases, and four North Dakota cases listeners most often ask him to cover.

    Explore the full Dakota Spotlight catalog: https://DakotaSpotlight.com

    Listen early and ad-free with Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus

    Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/DakotaSpotlight

    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter

    Have information about a case or want to get in touch? Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

    Join the Dakota Spotlight community on Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight

    Watch Dakota Spotlight on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800

    To advertise on Dakota Spotlight, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com

    Dakota Spotlight is produced by Six Horse Media: info@sixhorsemedia.com

    All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and sound design, is the property of Six Horse Media. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited. For permissions, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

    You Killed Chris Update: Linda meets with the FBI

    09/24/2026 | 1h 12 mins.
    Season 10 update: Nearly six decades after the murder of Christine Rothschild, an FBI agent and a Wisconsin Department of Justice investigator traveled to Linda Schulko to interview her over two days. Linda joins James and Dakota Spotlight research assistant Mari Zoerb Hansen to describe what investigators wanted to know—and why the long-awaited meeting didn’t go quite as she had hoped.

    Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe⁠

    Explore the full Dakota Spotlight catalog: https://DakotaSpotlight.com

    Listen early and ad-free with Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus

    Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/DakotaSpotlight

    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter

    Have information about a case or want to get in touch? Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

    Join the Dakota Spotlight community on Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight

    Watch Dakota Spotlight on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800

    To advertise on Dakota Spotlight, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com

    Dakota Spotlight is produced by Six Horse Media: info@sixhorsemedia.com

    All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and sound design, is the property of Six Horse Media. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited. For permissions, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

    Call Me Shelly (9): Follow the Red Dirt Road

    09/03/2026 | 22 mins.
    James shares new information about red scoria, or clinker, found on Shelly’s car and speaks with a North Dakota geologist about what that material could mean for the investigation.

    Inspired by Dakota Spotlight Season 7, Call Me Shelly is now a documentary film. Watch the official trailer, see upcoming screenings, and purchase tickets at https://callmeshellyfilm.com

    Call Me Shelly is written and produced by James Wolner.

    Archival audio courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

    Music by Wowza in Kalamazoo.

    Explore the full Dakota Spotlight catalog: https://DakotaSpotlight.com

    Listen early and ad-free with Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus

    Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/DakotaSpotlight

    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter

    Have information about a case or want to get in touch? Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

    Join the Dakota Spotlight community on Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight

    Watch Dakota Spotlight on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800

    To advertise on Dakota Spotlight, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com

    Dakota Spotlight is produced by Six Horse Media: info@sixhorsemedia.com

    All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and sound design, is the property of Six Horse Media. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited. For permissions, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

    Call Me Shelly (8): Frightened, Followed, Harassed

    08/27/2026 | 38 mins.
    James examines allegations involving Bismarck Police Lieutenant Don Schaffer, discusses questions and comments from listeners, and lays out what he believes could still be done in Shelly’s case.

    Inspired by Dakota Spotlight Season 7, Call Me Shelly is now a documentary film. Watch the official trailer, see upcoming screenings, and purchase tickets at https://callmeshellyfilm.com

    Call Me Shelly is written and produced by James Wolner.

    Archival audio courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

    Music by Wowza in Kalamazoo.

    Explore the full Dakota Spotlight catalog: https://DakotaSpotlight.com

    Listen early and ad-free with Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus

    Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/DakotaSpotlight

    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter

    Have information about a case or want to get in touch? Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

    Join the Dakota Spotlight community on Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight

    Watch Dakota Spotlight on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800

    To advertise on Dakota Spotlight, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com

    Dakota Spotlight is produced by Six Horse Media: info@sixhorsemedia.com

    All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and sound design, is the property of Six Horse Media. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited. For permissions, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

    Call Me Shelly (7): A Missing Mother’s Son

    08/20/2026 | 42 mins.
    James speaks with Jaden Woodworth about his memories of his mom, growing up without her, his father and grandparents, and a later police interview with Kevin Woodworth that centered on when Shelly was reported missing.

    Inspired by Dakota Spotlight Season 7, Call Me Shelly is now a documentary film. Watch the official trailer, see upcoming screenings, and purchase tickets at https://callmeshellyfilm.com

    Call Me Shelly is written and produced by James Wolner.

    Archival audio courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

    Music by Wowza in Kalamazoo.

    Explore the full Dakota Spotlight catalog: https://DakotaSpotlight.com

    Listen early and ad-free with Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus

    Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/DakotaSpotlight

    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter

    Have information about a case or want to get in touch? Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

    Join the Dakota Spotlight community on Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight

    Watch Dakota Spotlight on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800

    To advertise on Dakota Spotlight, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com

    Dakota Spotlight is produced by Six Horse Media: info@sixhorsemedia.com

    All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and sound design, is the property of Six Horse Media. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited. For permissions, contact info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More Documentary podcasts
About Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations
Dakota Spotlight is a true crime series investigating unsolved murders, cold cases, and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest. Hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, each season takes a deep dive into one case, from rural crime and small town murders to decades-old disappearances. Through meticulous research, exclusive interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, Dakota Spotlight brings forgotten crimes back into the public eye and gives voice to victims and their families. Alongside full investigative seasons, the show also features shorter standalone episodes that explore individual mysteries in a single sitting. If you are drawn to investigative journalism, small town true crime, and real crime stories based on actual events, Dakota Spotlight offers gripping and respectful storytelling you will not forget.
Podcast website

Listen to Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations, Danny Jones Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features