Recent Programs & Episode Summaries
THE BOW AND ARROW ARE ANCIENT—ROUGHLY 18,000 YEARS OLD. SO WHY WOULD A YOUNG WOMEN, WITH LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER RECREATIONAL OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM, DECIDE TO LEARN TO SHOOT ONE?
WE WHO HAVE HOMES RARELY SPEAK WITH THOSE WHO DON’T. WHAT ARE THEIR LIVES LIKE, THEIR STORIES? MEET LORENZO, LONG-TIME CITIZEN OF BILLINGS.
CORPORATE FOOD PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION DOMINATES THE MARKET. BUT THE GROWING AND MARKETING OF FOOD BY LOCAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS CONTINUES TO GROW.
THE AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE REPRESENTS A HOPE TO SOME AND A THREAT TO OTHERS. CAN THE GAP BE BRIDGED?
BALLOT MEASURE I-185 WOULD INCREASE THE TAX ON TOBACCO USE TO HELP PAY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR 100,000 LOW-INCOME MONTANAS. GOOD IDEA OR BAD?
YOU OFTEN NEED A LAWYER TO GET JUSTICE. BUT ONLY 20% OF AMERICANS HAVE ONE. THE MONTANA AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATIONS ARE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
BETWEEN HI-TECH PRIVATE USERS AND GOVERNMENT SNOOPS, HI-LEVEL MATHEMATICS POSES SERIOUS PRIVACY RISKS. MEET CHRIS DANFORTH, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT CHAIR OF THE MATH DEPARTMENT.
A NEW CORPORATION BUYS A 40 YEAR-OLD TALC MILL-AND DECIDES TO REDUCE COSTS OF ITS LONGSTANDING LABOR CONTRACT. THE RESULTS? LOCKOUT!
A YOUNG NEWSPAPER REPORTER STARTS FOLLOWING THE TRIAL OF DARK MONEY. HE GETS LAID OFF, AND LIVES WITH HIS DOG IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK. BUT HE STICKS WITH THE STORY. WHY?
DARK MONEY IS A REMARKABLE FILM THAT TELLS A GRIM AND INSPIRING STORY OF SECRET DONATIONS IN MONTANA ELECTIONS AND THE DETERMINED CITIZENS WHO TURNED ON THE LIGHTS.
BALLOT INITIATIVE 186 SETS NEW TOUGHER STANDARDS FOR HARD ROCK MINES. WILL IT DO THE JOB OR JUST COST JOBS?
WHAT TWO CITIZENS LEARNED BY RUNNING FOR CONGRESS--AND LOSING.
MONTANANS ELECTS THE CLERK TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT. BUT WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE JOB, OR WHY IT MATTERS.
TOM BROKAW SHARES HIS VIEW ON DISTRUSTED MEDIA AND THE URBAN RURAL DIVIDE
#4 IN OUR SERIES ON THE 2ND AMENDMENT AND REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE: ‘MOMS DEMAND ACTION’ LEADER KIELY LAMMERS CALLS FOR UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND COMMUNITY-BASED DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES.
THE 3RD IN HOME GROUND'S SERIES ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT: RANDY YAEGER, FIREARMS SAFETY INSTRUCTOR, SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE AND VIEWS.
3 STUDENTS DISCUSS THEIR PARTICPATION IN THE ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE MOVEMENT.
2ND AMENDMENT SCHOLAR DISCUSSES THE HISTORY OF FIREARMS RIGHTS IN AMERICA
HOW, AND WHY, IS “OLD-FASHIONED” GRASS-FED BEEF DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE BUY NOW? YOU'LL BE SURPRISED!
BEAVERS CUT DOWN TREES AND BUILD DAMS WHEREVER THEY WANT. CAN WE IMPROVE THE ODDS THAT WHAT WORKS FOR BEAVERS WORKS FOR US??
WHY WOULD A CONTEMPORAY MUSICIAN AND SINGER USE AN 1890 GUITAR??
ERY FEW PEOPLE COMBINE THE VISUAL AND SPOKEN ARTS. MIKE LOGAN DOES.
IN A WORLD OF BIG-MONEY MEDIA, HOW CAN SMALL, COMMUNITY-BASED GROUPS GET OUT THEIR MESSAGE?
WHAT’S IN A GREAT BOTTLE OF WINE? YOU’LL BE SURPRISED
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF BURNING COAL FOR ENERGY ARE THE SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL FOCUS. LEFT OUT OF THE DISCUSSION ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK COAL, AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.
LAST WEEK WE DISCUSSED THRIVE’S HIGLY INNOVATIVE PARENT LIASON PROGRAM. NOW WE’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CHILD ADVANCEMENT PROJECT WHICH INVOLVES MORE THAN 600 VOLUNTEER MENTORS IN BOZEMAN
OUR NATION IS NOT ONLY DIVIDED, BUT IN TURMOIL. CAN WE AMERICANS AGREE ON SOMETHING IMPORTANT – AND MAKE IT HAPPEN? TODAY IN MONTANA, MORE THAN 3,000 KIDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FOSTER CARE—MEANING THAT A COURT HAS FOUND THEY ARE IN DANGER. THAT REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 60% IN THE LAST 2 ˝ YEARS. AND THE NUMBERS ARE GRIM ACROSS AMERICA. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS??? THRIVE, A BOZEMN-BASED NON-PROFIT, SAYS YES.
MOUNTAIN SHEEP ARE AMOUNG OUR NATION'S MOST SPECTACULAR WILD ANIMALS. THEY ARE ALSO AMOUNG THE MOST VULNERABLE.
DUE TO RECENTLY DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGY, OUR CHILDREN LEARN DIFFERENTLY THAN AT ANY TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY. GOOD NEWS OR BAD?
THE POWER OF HEARING AND PLAYING MUSIC AT CROWN GUITAR FESTIVAL CHANGES PEOPLE’S LIVES.
AT AGE 102, GENE ETCHART HAS DIED. 80 YEARS AGO, HE HELPED PREPARE AMERICAN PILOTS FOR WORLD WAR II. 8 YEARS AGO, HE TOLD US HIS STORY.
BRAD ’S BOYHOOD FASCINATION WITH GARBAGE LEADS TO HIS ADULT HOPES TO ELIMINATE IT.
IN MANY FIELDS SPECIALISTS WORK HARD, BUT OFTEN DON'T COOPERATE WITH OTHERS. THIS HAS LONG BEEN THE CASE IN INDIAN HEALTHCARE.. ON AND OFF THE RESERVATION. TRESSIE WHITE IS WORKING TO CHANGE THAT.
WE GET HOME ON A BITTER WINTER DAY, FLIP A SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS AND HEAT COME ON. WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BUT WE SHOULD NOT. DEDICATED, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IN OUR HYPER-SPEED, CHANGING WORLD IT CAN BE HARD TO DEVELOP DISCIPLINE AND CORE MORAL VALUES. BUT SOME ARE ABLE TO DO IT. MEET CARROLL COLLEGE SENIOR CIERRA POWELL.
PAY WHAT YOU WANT FOR DINNER, OR PAY NOTHING AT ALL! YOU'RE AT BOZEMAN'S
FORK AND SPOON RESTAURANT!
WHAT DO CATTLE, BISON, ELK AND HUMANS HAVE IN COMMON? WE ALL CAN CONTRACT AND SPREAD BRUCELLOSIS, A POTENTIALLY LETHAL DISEASE.
ESTHER PEREZ OFFERS US A UNIQUE WINDOW: 67 YEARS OF LIFE IN CUBA.
ESTHER PEREZ WAS A SMALL CHILD WHEN THE 1959 CUBAN REVOLUTION CAME. RELATIVES LEFT, HER PARENTS STAYED. LOOKING BACK NOW, ACROSS SIX DECADES, WHAT DOES SHE SEE? JOIN US TO HER OUR SECOND PROGRAM OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
EILEEN MORRIS HAS SPENT ALMOST HER ENTIRE 86 YEARS IN BILLINGS. THAT'S ENABLED HER TO SEE WITH EXCEPTIONAL CLARITY WHAT HAS CHANGED IN WOMEN'S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ROLES AND RIGHTS, AND WHY.
OUR STATE IS FACING A SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISIS, AND THE MONTANA HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION IS PLAY IN A VITAL ROLE IN FIGHTING IT.
THE UNITED STATES HAS 5% OF WORLD'S POPULATION, BUT 25% OF ITS PRISON INMATES. IT COSTS $80 BILLION TO JUST RUN THE PRISONS. WHEN YOU ADD LOST WAGES AND OTHER COMMUNITY IMPACTS, WE’RE LOOKING AT $1 TRILLION A YEAR. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO TURN THINGS AROUND? REGINALD MICHAEL, ’S NEW DIRECTOR OF CORRECTIONS, SAYS YES.
ATTORNEY GENERAL TIM FOX PUTS IT DIRECTLY: WE FACE A DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIC, A CRISIS OF THE FIRST ORDER. HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.
AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO MONTANA HIGH SCHOOLS ENGAGES STUDENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TEACHES THEM THE SKILLS TO OBTAIN GOOD-PAYING JOBS.
BEAVERS CUT DOWN TREES AND BUILD DAMS WHEREVER THEY WANT. CAN WE IMPROVE THE ODDS THAT WHAT WORKS FOR BEAVERS WORKS FOR US??
HOW DID 86,000 MORE MONTANANS GET FREE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS??
YOU CAME TO MONTANA IN 1953, TO PLAY BOBCAT FOOTBALL. SOMETHING ABOUT THE BIG SKY MOVED YOU. FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS SINCE, YOU DEVOTED YOUR LIFE TO TRYING TO PROTECT KEY PARTS OF IT. MEET JIM POSEWITZ.
SOCIETIES ORGANIZE THEMSELVES IN DIFFERENT WAYS—FROM ECONOMICS AND POLITICS, TO SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THE NATION OF CUBA IS NO DIFFERENT. CUBAN PROFESSOR OLGA FERNANDEZ RIOS KNOWS.
OUR NATION RANKS FIRST IN THE WORLD IN MEDICAL RESEARCH, A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT. AND MOST OF THE CUTTING EDGE WORK THAT MAKES MIRACLE DRUGS POSSIBLE IS DONE BY OUR UNIVERSITIES—LIKE MT STATE UNIVERSITY IN BOZEMAN.
THE STATE OF MONTANA PROVIDES PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE FOR 31,000 PEOPLE, AND COSTS HAVE BEEN RISING SHARPLY. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT A NEW STATE EMPLOYEE COULD TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE SYSTEM, AND COME UP WITH AN IDEA THAT SAVED $6 MILLION IN 2017??
CENTRAL TO MONTANA’S WAY OF LIFE ARE WILD LANDS AND WILDLIFE. AND CENTRAL TO PRINCIPLED STEWARDSHIP OF THOSE IS THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS. MARTHA WILLIAMS IS ITS DIRECTOR—THE FIRST WOMAN EVER TO HOLD THAT POSITION. AND SHE BRINGS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO THE JOB.
WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD A TIMBER EXECUTIVE AND A WILDERNESS ADVOCATE DECIDE TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP?
THE POLITICAL TALK IS ALL ABOUT HEALTH CARE INSURANCE--WHETHER WE SHOULD IMPROVE OR REPEAL OBAMACARE. IT AVOIDS THE REAL QUESTIONS: WHY IS OUR MEDICAL SYSTEM BY FAR THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE. AND WHY IN CRITICAL AREAS, ARE WE GETTING POORER CARE?
WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD LEAD, WHAT COMES TO MIND? PROBABLY NOT A POTENT EXAMPLE OF HOW POLITICS WORKS, HOW PAINFULLY WE LEARN, AND HOW WE TEND TO FORGOT THE HARD LESSONS OF HISTORY.
OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE DECLARES "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL...", REFLECTING ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHY. BUT WITH INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM, NEW PHILOSOPHIES EMERGE. THEY EMPHASIZE OUR DIFFERENCES - ACE, ECONOMIC CLASS AND NATIONALISM. DO THEY LEAD TO COLONIAL EMPIRES AND WAR--OR SIMPLY JUSTIFY THEM?
FROM PLATO TO JOHN LOCKE, MORAL PHILOSOPHY GREATLY INFLUENCED THE FOUNDERS OF THE AMERICAN NATION. PROFESSOR GORDON BRITTAN TELLS US HOW.
HELENA INDUSTRIES HELPS DISABLED MONTANANS FIND JOBS AROUND THE STATE. THEY DEPEND IN PART ON STATE FUNDING AND UNLESS AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON MONTANA'S BUDGET, SOME OF THEIR KEY PROGRAMS MAY DISAPPEAR.
MILITARY VETERAN WILMOT COLLINS HAS CREATED NATIONAL NEWS BY BEING ELECTED MAYOR OF MONTANA'S CAPTIAL CITY. WHY? IN PART BECAUSE HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN LIBERIA, AFRICA. AS A YOUNG MAN HE CAME TO AMERICA, WHERE HIS ANCESTORS WERE SLAVES. HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY IN 2015.
YOUNG MONTANANS HOPE FOR REWARDING, GOOD-PAYING JOBS, BUT WHAT DO THEY SEE? RADICAL CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY AND A SHIFTING GLOBAL ECONOMY. SO HOW CAN THEY PURSUE EDUCATION WITH CONFIDENCE? IN PART BECAUSE OUR UNIVERSITIES AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ARE NEW PARTNERS IN CREATING WORK-BASED LEARNING FOR LONG-TERM HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS.
MONTANA AND MUCH OF THE WEST HAVE JUST ENDURED ONE OF THE WORST FIRE SEASONS IN DECADES.AFTER THE SMOKE! A HUGE QUESTION REMAINS HANGING IN THE AIR.
WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT??
WE’VE SPENT TRILLIONS IN BUILDING MACHINES THAT FLY —BUT NONE COME CLOSE TO WHAT A HUMMINGBIRD CAN DO. WE LOVE TO SING—BUT CAN’T MATCH BIRDS!! WHAT’S GOING ON??
IT TURNS OUT, MORE THAN WE THINK.
AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY AGREE THAT POLICE, LIKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SHOULD BE LOCALLY, NOT FEDERALLY- CONTROLLED. BUT THERE'S A BIG EXCEPTION --5,000 NATIONAL POLICE WHO'VE ARRESTED MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
MOST OF US ARE NOT AWARE OF IT, BUT THE BEEF YOU BUY IN THE STORE OR THE STEAK AT A FAVORITE RESTAURANT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN IT USED TO BE. WHAT'S CHANGED? YOU MAY BE SURPRISED!
WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD ‘IMMIGRANT’, WHAT COMES TO MIND?
THE "ALIENS" WHO’VE LEFT THEIR FAMILY AND RISKED CROSSING OUR BORDER TO EARN MONEY TO SEND BACK HOME?
PEOPLE WHO SETTLED AMERICA AND TOOK AWAY YOUR NATIVE ANCESTORS’ LAND?
OR YOUR OWN FAMILY WHO CAME TO START A NEW LIFE …
FOR 42 YEARS SHE TAUGHT OUR KIDS, MAINLY KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE. SHE CARED FOR THEM AND THEY ENRICHED HER LIFE. AND YES, ALONG THE WAY SHE LEARNED WHAT IT TAKES TO HELP YOUNG MINDS FLOWER. MEET SHELLEY BROWN.
LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE HAS BEEN HAMMERED BY CORPORATE CONSOLIDATION, STAFF CUT-BACKS AND MILLIONS OF READERS SWITCHING TO THE WEB. DOES IT MASTTER? IF SO, WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? MEET ED KEMMICK AND DAVID CRISP AND THE LAST BEST NEWS.
SHE HAD INTERESTING JOBS IN MANY COUNTRIES BEFORE COMING TO MONTANA. FOUR YEARS AGO, SHE BECAME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER, WHICH AIDS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. NOW SHE’S HEADING OVERSEAS AGAIN. WHAT HAS MELINDA REED LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?
IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO OPERATE A PRODUCTIVE 1,200-ACRE MONTANA FARM, PROVIDE FREE HUNTING AND FISHING ACCESS, ENHANCE WILDIFE HABITAT AND OFFER HANDS-ON EDUCATION TO LOCAL SCHOOL KIDS??
IF YOU’RE THE TELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE IN THE BITTERROOT, THE ANSWER’S YES.
THE WORD ‘CONSERVATIONIST’ CONSISTENTLY RATES HIGH IN PUBLIC OPINION POLLS, BUT THE LABEL ‘ENVIRONMENTALIST' DOES NOT. YET STEVE PAULSON SAYS STRAIGHT OUT HE’S AN ENVIRONMENTALIST. WHY?
FOR 20 YEARS YOU WERE CEO OF ’S LARGEST PRIVATELY-HELD COMPANY—CARGILL. WHAT DID YOU LEARN ALONG THE WAY?
IT'S 1967, AND YOU'RE GRADUATING ENNIS HIGH SCHOOL. PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS SHOT 4 YEARS AGO, AND VIETNAM WAR'S GOING FULL-BORE. NOW, LOOKING BACK ACROSS THAT HALF-CENTURY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE WORLD?
FOOD BANKS PROVIDE FREE FOOD TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. BUT WHY DO THEY NEED IT? FORMER CORPORATE EXECUTIVE MIKE MCCORMICK DECIDED TO FIND OUT. NOW THE LIVINGSTON FOOD BANK THAT HE MANAGES TRAINS CLIENTS TO BE CHEFS, HELPS THEM START BUSINESSES AND LINKS THEM UP WITH LIVING WAGES.
IN MONTANA’S GREAT PLAINS, THERE’S LESS THAN 12 INCHES OF RAIN A YEAR. SOIL EROSION AND NON-NATIVE GRASSES ARE MAJOR THREATS. AMAZINGLY, MAJOR CONSERVATION GROUPS AND CATTLEMEN AGREE: WELL-MANAGED GRAZING CAN HELP.
YOUR GRANDFATHER HOMESTEADED NEAR TERRY, MONTANA IN 1910. YOUR PARENTS TOOK OVER THE RANCH IN THE 50’S, YOU AND YOUR WIFE IN THE 80’S-- ONE OF ONLY 5 OF THE ORIGINAL 250 FAMILIES STILL HERE, YOU’VE JUST WON A NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GRAZING STEWARDSHIP AWARD.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS UNIQUE--EVERYONE CAN GO THERE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE. FOR CENTURIES, ITS BOOKS OPENED NEW WORLDS. AND WITH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, LIBRARIES LET US COMMUNICATE WITH THE ENTIRE GLOBE. WHAT MORE COULD THEY POSSIBLY DO TO ENRICH OUR LIVES?? GAVIN WOLTJER, THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY, HAS SOME IDEAS!
A COMBINATION OF CORPORATE CONSOLIDATION AND THE INTERNET HAVE MADE INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPERS INTO AN ENDANGERED SPECIES. SO WHY WOULD SOMEONE GIVE 20 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TRYING TO BUILD ONE? MEET MATT GIBSON, OF THE MISSOULA INDEPENDENT.
REMEMBER WORLD WAR I? TRENCH WARFARE, MACHINE GUNS BLAZING, TROOPS LEAPING FROM TRENCHES INTO BARBED WIRE... WE LIKELY DON'T RECALL THE CONFLICT ON THE HOME FRONT, THAT MONTANA SENT MORE TROOPS PER CAPITA THAN ANY STATE, OR THAT AT THE END OF THE WAR, THE MIDDLE EAST WAS CARVED UP BY THE WINNERS, INTERESTED IN OIL. HISTORIAN RICHARD AARSTAD REMEMBERS AND MORE
WE DEPEND FOR OUR LIVES ON CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, MINERALS, WOOD AND FERTILE SOIL. IN USING THOSE PARTS OF OUR EARTH, WE IMPACT THE WHOLE. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL, BUT HOW? CHARLES CURTIN HAS SPENT 30 YEARS FOCUSED ON THAT VITAL QUESTION
WHEN YOU’RE WHEELED INTO THE HOSPITAL’S INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, YOU NEED THE BEST IN MEDICAL CARE. WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING IT? MEET’S DR. KRIS SPANJIAN.
FACING STEEP CUTS IN THEIR BUDGET FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT FIGHTING FIRES, CAN THE SERVICE DO THE JOB? FORMER REGIONAL FORESTER, JOHN MUMMA, HAS SOME THOUGHTS.
ARCHEOLOGY, THE STUDY OF HUMAN HISTORY THE EXCAVATION OF SITES AND ANALYSIS OF ARTIFACTS, CAN TELL US A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF PAST AGES AND CULTURES, OUR ANCESTORS. CARL DAVIS KNOWS. HE'S BEEN AN ARCHEOLOGIST FOR 40 YEARS, AND IS A WIDELY PUBLISHED AUTHOR.
JOHN F. KENNEDY SAID, “ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.” A HALF CENTURY LATER, A BRIGHT YOUNG MONTANAN WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE DECIDES TO GIVE A YEAR OF HER LIFE TO AMERI CORP/ VISTA. MEET SUZY AVEY.
THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING. THERE IS THE SCIENCE, THE POLITICS, THE CONSEQUENCES, AND OUR CHOICES. HEAR WHAT NOBEL PRIZE WINNER AND UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA PROFESSOR STEVE RUNNING HAS TO SAY.
A UNIQUE ELECTRICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM– A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNION AND CONTRACTORS--VIRTUALLY ASSURES AN INTERESTING JOB AT A VERY GOOD WAGE.
I'D DRIVEN PAST THE JAIL A THOUSAND TIMES, HEARD IT WAS OVER CROWDED, BUT NEVER GAVE A THOUGHT TO WHO WAS IN THERE. THEN I WENT INSIDE.
IN DECEMBER, 2014, THE PRESIDENTS OF CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS, AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF MUTUAL ISOLATION, AND DIPLOMATS BEGAN TO TRAVEL FREELY IN BOTH COUNTRIES. MEET MIGUEL FRAGA, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE CUBAN EMBASSY, WHO’S VISITING MONTANA.
MIKE COTTER SERVED MT AS UINTED STATES ATTORNEY FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS. THENHE WAS SUDDENLY DISMISSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.
LIFE IS GOOD. THEN YOUR EYES BEGIN TO BOTHER YOU, AND IT GETS WORSE. YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR AND SHE GIVES YOU SOME TESTS. THEN, HER FACE EXPRESSIONLESS, ONLY HER EYES BETRAYING EMOTION, SHE SAYS, “I’M VERY SORRY, YOU ARE GOING BLIND.”
REPUBLICANS CONTROL BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE. WHERE DOES THEIR PHILOSOPHY LEAD THEM ON KEY ISSUES? HEAR WHAT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER FRED THOMAS HAS TO SAY.
AN ARMY VETERAN, YOU HEAD FOR STANDING ROCK TO HELP THE TRIBE IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE OIL PIPELINE. BUT BLIZZARDS TRAP YOU IN BISMARCK, A TORN AND ANGRY TOWN.
WHY WERE FLAGS ACROSS MONTANA LOWERED WHEN KARLA GRAY DIED?. BECAUSE SHE WAS EXTRAORDINARY.
ON JANUARY 21, ALL ACROSS AMERICA, TWO AND A HALF MILLION CITIZENS JOINED THE WOMENS' MARCH. IN HELENA, ESTIMATES RAN TO 10,000 OR MORE WHO GATHERED IN THE COLD AND SNOW. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE CAME, AND WHY?
FOR CENTURIES, WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY IGNORED IN THE HISTORICAL RECORD. ONLY IN RECENT TIMES HAS THIS PARTIALLY CHANGED. BUT YOU CAN BE SURE: WHEN MONTANA’S HISTORY OF THE LAST 40 YEARS IS WRITTEN, THE EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN COMMITMENT OF MIGNON WATERMAN WILL BE PART OF THE STORY.
YOU’VE LIVED IN MONTANA FOR 42 YEARS, ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND TEACH ARABIC LANGUAGE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. AN INVITATION TO SPEAK IN DARBY SETS OFF A FIRESTORM. WHY? BECAUSE YOU ARE A MUSLIM. YOUR RELIGION IS ISLAM.
WE OFTEN HEAR TALK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE RISK TO IT POSED BY HUMAN ACTIONS. THEN SOMETHING COMES ALONG THAT DRIVES HOME THE HARD TRUTH—THE LINKS OF HEALTHY ECOLOGY AND STRONG ECONOMY ARE AT THE SAME TIME AMAZINGLY RESILIENT AND STUNNINGLY FRAGILE. THIS TIME IT’S THE ZEBRA MUSSEL, A MOLLUSK THAT IS USUALLY THE SIZE OF YOUR FINGERNAIL.
CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING CAN BE PREVENTED, AND STATE SENATOR TERRY GAUTHIER HAS A BILL TO DO JUST THAT.
YOU’RE 14 YEARS OLD AND GET ON A TRAIN OF CATTLE CARS JAMMED WITH PEOPLE. WHEN IT STOPS, YOU AND THE OTHER PASSENGERS ARE HERDED OUT. YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT AUSCHWITZ, THE NAZI DEATH CAMP, ITS FACILITIES CAPABLE OF MURDERING 10,000 HUMAN BEINGS EACH DAY. MEET IRVING ROTH.
THE LAST ELECTION SHOWED SHARP DIVISIONS IN OUR NATION. BUT IN MONTANA, SOME FOLKS ARE WORKING WITH EACH OTHER TO EXPAND COMMON GROUND. ONE EXAMPLE: THE NEWLY FORMED MONTANA FOREST COLLABORATION NETWORK.
AMERICA’S GET-TOUGH ON-DRUGS POLICY MULTIPLIED PRISON POPULATIONS AND COST SO MUCH THAT ALMOST EVERYONE AGREED IT WAS SIMPLY TOO EXPENSIVE. THEN SOMEONE CAME UP WITH IDEA OF DRUG COURTS. MEET JUDGE JIM REYNOLDS.
VISUALIZE A DRUG ADDICT—WHAT IMAGES COME TO MIND? INNER CITY AFTER DARK? BACK ALLEY? MONEY AND SMALL PACKAGES CHANGING HANDS. LATER, A NEEDLE IN AN ARM, THE PLUNGER COMING SLOWLY DOWN. THAT WAS AND REMAINS COMMON.. BUT THERE IS A LOT THAT’S NEW, AND IT’S NOT GOOD NEWS. MEET A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN AND RECOVERING ADDICT ON HOME GROUND
TWO WEEKS AGO, I DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT THE YWCA – OR YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION—DOES. BUT THEN I ATTENDED A YWCA BREAKFAST OF ROUGHLY 800 PEOPLE. I LOOKED, LISTENED AND LEARNED: THEY’RE CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES.
LAST WEEK WE DISCUSSED THRIVE’S HIGLY INNOVATIVE PARENT LIAISON PROGRAM. NOW WE’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CHILD ADVANCEMENT PROJECT WHICH INVOLVES MORE THAN 600 VOLUNTEER MENTORS IN BOZEMAN
OUR NATION IS NOT ONLY DIVIDED, BUT IN TURMOIL. CAN WE AMERICANS AGREE ON SOMETHING IMPORTANT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN? TODAY IN MONTANA, MORE THAN 3,000 KIDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FOSTER CARE, MEANING THAT A COURT HAS FOUND THEY ARE IN DANGER. THAT REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 60 PERCENT IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. AND THE NUMBERS ARE GRIM ACROSS AMERICA. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THRIVE, A BOZEMN-BASED NON-PROFIT, SAYS YES.
YOU CAME TO MONTANA IN 1975 IN YOUR PICK-UP CARRYING ALL YOU OWNED-INCLUDING 2 SHOVELS. A PICK AX AND $1,000. YOU FIGURED TO START A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. TODAY YOU'RE STILL AT IT, BUT NOW YOUR TEAM OF 775 WORKS AROUND THE WORLD, ON HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED PROJECTS, INCLUDING POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION, DAMS AND SUBWAY TUNNELS. MEET TIM BARNARD.
YOU’RE RECENTLY OUT OF SCHOOL, NEED AN ENTRY LEVEL JOB AND GET ONE WITH A LUBE SHOP. YOU EXPECT FAIR WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS. WHAT YOU DON’T EXPECT IS HELP WITH YOUR FUTURE—, SETTING GOALS, HOUSING, OR HIGHER EDUCATION. BUT YOU GET THAT—AND MORE, AT MASTER LUBE.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A GOOD JOB AFTER COMPLETING YOUR EDUCATION, THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST YOU FOR HAVING A REWARDING LIFE. IT OFTEN MEANS GROWING APATHY, DISILLUSIONMENT, DRUGS OR CRIME, A SHATTERING OF LIVES. JIM WEBER, WELDING AND MACHINING TEACHER, IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ISSUE. AS PART OF HIS CURRICULUM HE TEACHES STUDENTS ABOUT THE WORK ETHIC—THE VALUES AND ATTITUDES NEEDED TO SUCCEED.
FOR CENTURIES HISTORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN THROUGH MEN’S EYES. SO WE DON’T HEAR MUCH ABOUT WHAT WOMEN HAVE DONE. A WELCOME EXCEPTION IS A TERRIFIC NEW BOOK. “BEYOND SCHOOLMARMS AND MADAMES” TELLS WHAT MONTANA’S WOMEN DID TO BUILD OUR STATE.
RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL YOU JOIN THE MARINE CORPS AND SERVE IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. YOUR TOUR OF DUTY OVER, YOU GET A COLLEGE DEGREE, WORK AS A BOUNCER AND CONGRESSIONAL AIDE. NOW YOU’RE PURSUING A GRADUATE DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. WHY? MEET KIPP McGUIRE
YOU ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS—BUT WHAT CAN YOU POSSIBLY DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? WELL--JOIN WITH FIREND AND BICYCLE 3,000MILES FROM SEATTLE TO D.C.—STOPPING IN TOWNS TO TALK TO YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS.
FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS RAY KUNTZ HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN COMMERCIAL TRUCKING. HE BUILT A NATIONAL COMPANY OPERATING FROM MONTANA, AND WORKED FOR DRIVER SAFETY AND MAJOR REDUCTIONS IN EXHAUST POLLUTION. AND AS A CITIZEN, HE’S STAYED ENGAGED ON ISSUES RANGING FROM REDUCING ROADSIDE FATALITIES TO FIGHTING MENTAL ILLNESS.
EARLY THIS MONTH FLAGS ACROSS MONTANA WERE FLOWN AT HALF-MAST TO HONOR WORLD WAR II VETERAN BEN STEELE. WE INTERVIEWED BEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WHAT HE HAD TO SAY IS VERY MUCH WORTH HEARING AGAIN.
YOU SENSED YOU HAD LEADERSHIP ABILITY AS A CHILD. WORLD WAR II GAVE YOU A CHANCE TO DEMONSTRATE IT. AFTERWARD, AN ACTIVE FAMILY LIFE AND LAW PRACTICE. NOW 92, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY? MEET BOB ANDERSON.
THERE IS A CONTESTED ELECTION FOR THE SEAT OF JUSTICE OF THE MONTANA SUPREME COURT. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DIRK SANDEFUR IS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES.
THIS YEAR THEY’RE TWO CANDIDATES FOR A SEAT ON THE MONTANA SUPREME COURT. KRISTEN JURAS, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA LAW SCHOOL, IS ONE.
WHAT IS THE OLDEST BRANCH OF THE U.S. MILITARY? THE ARMY? THE NAVY? NO, IT’S THE NATIONAL GUARD FOUNDED 1636, 140 YEARS BEFORE OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. ADJUTANT GENERAL GENE PRENDERGAST KNOWS THAT. HE SERVED IN THE MONTANA GUARD FOR 47 YEARS. IT IS A CAREER MARKED BY INNOVATION, COMMITMENT, AND CREATIVITY.
THE GRIZZLY BEAR IS MONTANA’S STATE MAMMAL – FAMOUS FOR ITS SIZE, STRENGTH AND INTELLIGENCE. GRIZZLIES HAVE BEEN HUNTED FOR CENTURIES—BY FIRST PEOPLES TO OBTAIN MYTHIC POWER; AND FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO PROTECT LIVESTOCK. MARKET HUNTERS EXTERMINATED THE GREAT BEAR FOR ITS FUR. WITH THE GRIZZLY OFF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST, SHOULD MONTANA ALLOW TROPHY HUNTING?
VISUAL ART TENDS TO BE VIEWED AS AN ACTIVITY FOCUSED ON PRIVATE PLEASURE , NOT PUBLIC DIALOGUE. BUT IN PARTS OF THE WORLD WRACKED BY VIOLENCE—LIKE SYRIA AND PALESTINE, PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES CAN STIMULATE HEALING COMMUNITY DIALOGUE. SAMANTHA ROBISON KNOWS. MEET HER ON HOME GROUND.
GLOBAL NEWS BRINGS US A GLOBAL MESS—WAR, POVERTY, MASS MIGRATIONS, ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE. IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU WONDER IF THERE ANY PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, INSTEAD OF FIGHTS. YES, THERE ARE. MEET TWO OF THEM—ELLEN BUSH FROM MONTANA, AND KENESH SAINAZAROB, FROM, YOU GUESSED IT--- KYRGYZSTAN!
INNOVATION' IS NOT A WORD COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE. BUT WITH SEVERE STAFF REDUCTiONS AND ITS BUDGET BLED BY FIGHTING INCREASINGLY INTENSE FOREST FIRES, INNOVATION IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING
SOME PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION GET MORE ATTENTION THAN OTHERS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, FREE PRESS, EXCERCISE OF RELIGION AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. BUT TAKE THE PRESIDENT’S DUTY TO NOMINATE THE MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT—THE ULTIMATE ARBITER OF THE LAW. RIGHT NOW, THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE A NOMINATION, AND THE MAJORITY PARTY IN THE SENATE IS REFUSING TO CONSIDER IT. DOES IT MATTER??
IF I WERE ASKED JUST WHAT MONTANA’S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DOES, MY ANSWER WOULD BE….. WELL… UGH… IT MUST HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT. DEQ’S PAUL LaVIGNE AND AUTUMN COLEMAN AND ROB ROBERTS OF TROUT UNLIMITED ARE ABOUT TO TELLUS.
PENELOPE PIERCE IS A LAWYER, AND HAS WORKED IN LAND AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN WYOMING, COSTA RICA, CANADA AND MONTANA. NOW SHE’S DIRECTOR OF THE GALLATIN VALLEY LAND TRUST. WHAT HAS SHE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?
YOU’RE A WOMAN WHO WORKED IN THE WOODS AND COULDN’T FIND CLOTHES THAT FIT—THEY WERE ALL MADE FOR MEN. SO YOU DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT—AND FOUNDED RED ANTS PANTS IN WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. MEET SARAH CALHOUN.
LAST WEEK WE TALKED WITH RETIRED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND LONG-TIME LEGISLATOR BOB REAM ABOUT WHAT IT TOOK TO GET STUDENTS ENGAGED IN THE REAL WORLD. NOW WE’LL HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT MAKING POLITICS WORK.
IF YOU ARE LUCKY IN LIFE, AND/OR DETERMINED, YOU GET TO CHOOSE HOW YOU USE YOUR TIME. LOOKING BACK, SOME CAREERS STAND OUT. UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER AND STATE LEGISLATOR BOB REAM’S IS ONE.
WHEN YOU THINK OF A CONTRACTOR, WHAT COMES TO MIND?
SOMEONE BUILDING THE HOUSE DOWN THE STREET? WHAT YOU MAY NOT THINK OF IS THE BIG, COMPLICATED STUFF— UTILITIES, ROADS, SEWERS, WATER PROJECTS, COLLEGE CAMPUSES. CARY HEGREBERG KNOWS: HE’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MONTANA CONTRACTOR’S ASSOCIATION.
THE SAGE GROUSE RANGES ACROSS MILLIONS OF ACRES IN THE ARID WEST, NUMBERING IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS, BEFORE THEIR POPULATION CRASHED. WITH THE FEDS CONSIDERING LISTING THE BIRD AS ENDANGERED, THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED TRADITIONAL OPPONENTS-- OIL AND GAS, AGRICULTURE, AND CONSERVATIONISTS—TO WORK TOGETHER TO SAVE THE BIRD.
THE FOUNDERS OF OUR NATION PLACED A GREAT DEAL OF TRUST IN THE ROLE OF A FREE PRESS AS THE KEY TO MAINTAINING INFORMED PUBLIC OPINION. CHUCK JOHNSON, A PROFESSIONAL NEWSPAPER REPORTER FOR 44 YEARS, IS IN A GOOD POSITION TO SAY HOW WE’RE DOING.
YOU GREW UP ON THE CROW RESERVATION, WANTING TO BE AN ARCHITECT. BUT HARDSHIP INTERVENED AND YOU BECAME A WELDER. NOW SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, YOU'RE LOOKING TO BREAK THE TRIBAL ECONOMY'S CYCLE OF POVERTY. MEET SENATOR KNUTE OLD CROW.
SINCE TEDDY ROOSEVELT'S TIME, THERE'VE BEEN A FAIR NUMBER OF HUNTING AND ANGLING ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. AND IF YOU PURSUE THAT PASSION IN BIG, WILD COUNTRY, THERE'S ONE DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU. BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS AND ANGLERS.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISES USE ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE WHAT THEY DO. FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THAT’S GENERALLY FORBIDDEN. SO WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DO, OR IF IT’S WORTH THE MONEY. THAT CREATES FERTILE GROUND FOR BAR-ROOM EXPERTS AND POLITICIANS TO TAKE POTSHOTS AT THEM. RICH BECHTEL’S SEEN A LOT IN 40 YEARS IN GOVERNMENT—AND WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT WORK
FOR MANY YEARS THE FLATHEAD VALLEY WAS WELL KNOWN FOR HARD-EDGED POLARIZATION AROUND NATURAL RESOURCE ISSUES. THAT'S BEEN CHANGING, THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE STOLTZE LUMBER'S PAUL McKENZIE AND DAVE HADDEN OF HEADWATERS MONTANA.
WHEN THE LAW IS BROKEN, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COURTS STEP IN AND LAWBREAKERS OFTEN END UP IN JAIL OR ON PROBATION. ALL THIS TAKES TIME AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE, AND THE SYSTEM CAN ONLY HANDLE SO MUCH. ACCORDING TO CHIEF JUSTICE MIKE MCGRATH, MANY OF OUR COURTS HAVE PASSED THE LIMIT.
SINCE OUR SPECIES EVOLVED SOME 200 THOUSAND YEARS AGO, WE’VE EATEN WHAT WE COULD FIND—WHETHER MEAT OR PLANTS. BUT WITH 7 BILLION PEOPLE ON THE PLANET, THE CLIMATE CHANGING, AND ANIMALS RAISED IN FACTORY FARMS, VEGANS SAY, THAT IF WE HAVE A CHOICE, EATING MEAT IS MORALLY WRONG.
DRIVING THROUGH MONTANA’S VAST FIELDS OF GRASS, WHEAT AND BARLEY, THE LANDSCAPE LOOKS UNCHANGED. BUT IN THE LAST 60 YEARS A LOT HAS--RIPPLING THROUGH THE STATE, ALTERING HOW WE MONTANANS RELATE TO EACH OTHER. FARMER JOE PERRY KNOWS.
IMAGINE: YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $35,000 AND $50,000. BUT WHEN YOU SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BILL WILL BE OR HOW GOOD THE PRODUCT IS. IT SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT YOU'VE JUST DESCRIBED MUCH OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL SYSTEM!
NOT LONG AGO IT SEEMED THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS WAS CLEAR. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES GET PAID TO PLAY. AMATEURS, FROM LITTLE LEAGUE TO THE OLYMPICS, PLAY PURELY FOR THE INTENSE EXPERIENCE OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION-TEAMWORK, PUSHING BODY AND MIND TO THE LIMIT, AND PLAYING BY THE RULES. RIGHT? NO. MEET PROFESSOR JOHN GLEAVES.
BACK SURGERY HAS A LESS THAN STELLAR REPUTATION FOR RESULTS. THAT’S CHANGING, THANKS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ‘MINIMALLY-INVASIVE SURGERY” - DR. TRENT TREDWAY IS ONE OF ITS PIONEERS.
THERE ARE OVER 200 WOLVERINES IN MONTANA’S BACK COUNTRY- LIKELY OUR FIERCEST MAMMAL. AND MORE ON THE WAY.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SPEAK A LANGUAGE? FUNDAMENTALLY, IT MEANS YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH ANOTHER PERSON. YET WHEN THE LANGUAGE IS THAT OF YOUR SALISH ANCESTORS—WHO GO BACK TO THE MISTS OF TIME, IT MEANS THAT YOU CARRY THAT UNIQUE TRADITION
SHE FACED UNREMITTING, CHRONIC PAIN—BUT NO DOCTOR WOULD PRESCRIBE PAIN-KIILERS THAT WORK. WHY? BECAUSE THEY’RE MADE FROM OPIUM— A NARCOTIC. SO WHILE DOCTORS AND POLICE ARGUED, SHE SAID TO ME CALMLY, "IF THIS KEEPS UP I WILL KILL MYSELF."
YOU PLAYED PIANO IN MONTANA AT AGE 4. AT 13 YOU WON THE PRIZED COOK AWARD, HEADED EAST. HARVARD, THEN INDIA, WHERE MUSIC WAS MORE THAN MUSIC. NOW YOU’RE ON BROADWAY, THE BIG TIME. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY? MEET KURT CROWLEY.
A THOUSAND TIMES A DAY WE’RE TOLD WE CAN HAVE HAPPINESS AND MEANING BY BUYING A MIRACULOUS TECHNOLOGICAL TOY. YET FOR OUR 200,000 YEARS ON EARTH WE HAVE FOUND THOSE THINGS THROUGH OTHER MEANS. LIKE CLIMBING ROCKS.
HEAR PART 2 OF THE 50-YEAR SAGA OF WILDERNESS IN MONTANA, AS JOHN GATCHELL TELLS THE STORY.
THE WILDERNESS ACT BECAME LAW IN 1964, ENABLING CONGRESS TO SET ASIDE“WHERE THE EARTH AND ITS COMMUNITY OF LIFE ARE UNTRAMMELED BY MAN, WHERE MAN HIMSELF IS A VISITOR WHO DOES NOT REMAIN.” FEW REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN TIMBER MILL UNIONS AND CONSERVATIONISTS DEVELOPED WILDERNESS PROPOSALS AND TOOK THEM TO CONGRESS. JOHN GATCHELL DOES.
OUR CONSTITUTION GIVES US THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY, YET SOMEONE IS MONITORING OUR COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS. IN THAT LIES REAL DANGER. ADRIAN COHEA KNOWS.
THE COST OF FIGHTING FIRES NOW CONSUMES MOST OF THE FOREST SERVICE'S TIGHT BUDGET, AND SHARP CUTS IN STAFF ARE ONE RESULT. CAN THEY STILL PROVIDE THE STEWARDSHIP THE LAND NEEDS? DALE BOSWORTH, FORMER CHIEF, HAS SOME VIEWS.
THE CHANCES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH THAT THE FOOD YOU ATE THIS MORNING CAME FROM A FARM. JOHN YOUNGBERG KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. NOW THEIR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, HE'S WORKED FOR THE MONTANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION FOR 24 YEARS.
YOU'RE A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WHO BECOMES CONVINCED CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL. YOU HAVE FAITH IN MARKETS AND PROPOSE A CARBON TAX -- CHALLENGED IN THE PRIMARY, YOU LOSE. WHAT NOW? MEET BOB INGLIS.
YOU'VE MADE THE DECISION--YOU WANT TO ADOPT A CHILD. BUT YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND ARE IN YOUR 40s, AND YOUR KIDS ARE NO LONGER AT HOME. YOU DON’T WANT TO RAISE ANOTHER INFANT-PERHAPS A CHILD WHO'S 8, OR 10, WOULD BE RIGHT…. WHERE DO YOU TURN FOR HELP??
WE'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT HOMESTEADING-THE LAND GRANT PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGED
PEOPLE TO SETTLE THE WEST. THEY WERE TOLD IT WAS A LAND OF MILK AND HONEY.
RANDY MORGER, OF FT. BENTON'S RIVER AND PLAINS SOCIETY, TELLS US WHAT IT WAS
REALLY LIKE.
In college you pick some classes, attend each 2 or 3 times a week... Everywhere in the nation except at Dillon's University of Montana
Western. Students there study one subject 18 days straight, digging in. And they like it!!
NATIVE MONTANAN-ARCHBISHOP RAYMOND HUNTHAUSEN TOOK A STAND AGAINST NUCLEAR
WEAPONS, WHICH BROUGHT HIM INTO DIRECT CONFLICT WITH HIS PRESIDENT AND HIS
POPE
OUR ONGOING ABORTION DEBATE FOCUSES ON THE IMORTANT MORAL QUESTION OF THE
RIGHTS OF THE FETUS, THE MOTHER, AND GOVERNMENT. BUT WE DON'T TALK MUCH
ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES-AFTER BIRTH. HEAR WHAT GREGG
TRUDE OF "RIGHT TO LIFE OF MONTANA" HAS TO SAY.
JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY SAYS THEY SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION. BUT WHICH PARTS?
THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION HAS 50 STATE AFFILIATES THAT TAKE
CONTROVERSIAL CASES TO COURT. CAITLIN BORGMANN KNOWS. SHE'S DIRECTOR OF
THE ACLU OF MONTANA.
THIS FALL CONGRESS CAME CLOSE TO SHUTTING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT
FEDERAL FUNDS FROM GOING TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD, PERHAPS THE NATION'S LARGEST
ORGANIZATION PROVIDING WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES, FROM SEX EDUCATION AND
HEALTH SCREENING, TO CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION. MARAGET STAHL IS PRESIDENT
AND CEO OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD MONTANA.
Most of us don't know much about Indian Country. We know, or we think we know, a bit about this or that reservation, about its people, about problems they may or may not have. Harry Barnes knows more than most - he's the Chairman of the Blackfeet Nation's Tribal Council.
Governor Steve Bullock looks back on his first two years in office - and looks ahead to the 2015 legislature.
Sandra Day O'Connor: The former Supreme Court Justice discusses her rural upbringing, discrimination she faced as a young woman lawyer, the need for a better appreciation of the Constitution, and the on-line American Civics curriculum she is championing.
Joe Sample has had an unusual life - from World War II intelligence officer to Montana media pioneer. What has he learned along the way about life, citizenship, business and ethics?
Bill McConnell of Bozeman makes bows, arrows and stone arrowheads - and teaches others at the PAST Skills School. No "macho man", he combines a rare mix of confidence, humility, and a deep respect for our hunter-gatherer ancestors.
Graduation Matters Montana: Nationally, 1/3 of our high school students drop out. Montana's Office of Public Instruction is teaming up with local schools, businesses and communities to change that.
Not talking about sexual abuse of children won't make it disappear. It's a global problem, and yes, it happens here in Montana.
Curbing carbon emissions is guaranteed to generate serious concerns and opposition. Montana's Department of Environmental Quality has started an analysis and community dialogue.
What does it take to be an "anchor store" that keeps folks coming in, and helps a whole block of businesses? Someone like Billie Sheppard.
As chairman of the Public Service Commission, Bill Gallagher had a key vote on whether Montana should bring back its hydro dams. How did he make his decision?
For the richest society in history, hunger is an awkward reality. With thirteen years of experience as director of the Helena Food Share, Ann Waickman knows.
Montana's hawks, owls, and eagles get injured by cars, bullets, and electric lines. The Montana Raptor Conservation Center works to heal them, and return them to the wild.
Your wife's birthday dinner at Fort Benton was truly fine and unusual. The chef came by the table - a highly interesting man. Meet Ben Thorpe, the Grand Union Hotel's head chef.
When we say "health" we tend to think of one person's. But there's another kind: the Public Health. And within the Montana state government, there are serious folks working to improve it.
People are fascinated by dinosaurs. But very few people get to live that fascination, add deeply to what we know about them, and cause to be built perhaps the finest paleontology museum in the world. Jack Horner has.
You and your wife started a hi-tech business in a spare Bozeman bedroom and then sold it for $1.8 billion. What do you do now? If you're Greg Gianforte, you start a family foundation that promotes hi-tech entrepreneurs and Christian causes.
Perhaps the most interesting Montana statewide election is for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court. Whoever wins will help to decide your constitutional rights. And this year, something unusual is going on.
Big money is pouring into judges' elections. So how would you feel if the judge deciding your case had received $3.5 million from your opponent? Hugh Caperton knows.
Your 19th century forebears settled in Montana and as a child you were enthralled by the stories they handed down. But your life as a lawyer has created a deep divide. To try to resolve it, you've written a novel. Meet Carrie La Seur.
In our fast paced age, history can seem out of date - but a visit to the Montana Historical Society shows why it matters.