Podcasts about missoula county

The Montana Legislature, which meets every two years, recently wrapped up the 2025 session in Helena. So, what happened at the Capitol this year? How do these new laws impact residents and county operations? From property taxes to jury duty summons to economic development, there is a lot to cover! This week, the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, Chief Administrative Officer for Missoula County, for a review of what went down. Learn more and see what bills Missoula County weighed in on during this session at missoulacountyvoice.com.Text us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

This week, the Agenda takes on true crime in Missoula County. Since its inception in 2019, the Missoula County Sheriff's Office Cold Case unit has solved seven cases of homicides or unidentified remains.The commissioners spoke with Ryan Prather, captain of the Detective Division at the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Captain Prather also coordinates the volunteer Search and Rescue and Cold Case divisions, who work tirelessly for all county residents.Text us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Do you know who to call if there's a bat in your house? What if you're concerned about the welfare of a pet in your neighborhood?From sheltering strays and adopting out cats and dogs, Missoula Animal Services staff work to ensure the health and safety of animals in Missoula County. This week, the Missoula County Commissioners spoke with Holli Hargrove, manager of MAS, to talk about the exciting new remodel of the shelter and much more.Text us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Brian & Grampa Jack have a little accident in the motorhome, Cody & Billy share stories of working for Glacier County & Missoula County road departments. Motorcycle stories about a CB legend.

Public Works Officer Shane Stack started working for the Montana Department of Transportation as a teenager and came to Missoula County in 2019. As Shane prepares to retire this summer, he reflected on the challenges facing public infrastructure, the ill-fated 2020 gas tax and how his department has gotten creative with funding solutions. Related links:Snow plow routes map (works best on desktop)Report a road maintenance concernBridge maintenance updatesText us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Meet Jeremiah Petersen; serving Missoula County for 23 years and becoming sheriff in 2022, he has brought a wealth of knowledge to the position. Throughout our conversation it was clear that he truly cares about Missoula and gives his all to make it the best place possible. For more information on the Missoula County Sheriff's Office: https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/public-safety/sheriff-s-office

Missoula County residents are lucky to live in proximity to multiple rivers and creeks, but this also means increase risks of flooding. Missoula County is currently working with both state and federal agencies to update floodplain maps for the Clark Fork River, the Bitterroot River and Rock Creek. But what exactly is the floodplain, and why are updated maps needed? Recently, the Missoula County commissioners spoke with Matt Heimel, floodplain administrator for Missoula County, and Adriane Beck, director of the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management. Adriane and Matt answer these questions and help decode the many acronyms around the floodplain mapping process. Visit missoulacountyvoice.com to learn more about this process.Text us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The closure of two lumber mills this year in Missoula County had a wide-ranging impact on the Montana economy, with an estimated 20% drop in Montana's timber harvest.

"Selling Marshall Mountain could reduce property taxes." "Any town in the county can incorporate if they want to." "County residents subsidize the City of Missoula." Have you heard these statements before? Are they true or false? This week the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, chief administrative officer for Missoula County, to get to the bottom of these myths and others. Have you heard a rumor about county government? Visit missoulacountyvoice.com to submit it and see if it's true!Text us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Two years after the public learned of a controversial plan to drastically expand Holland Lake Lodge in western Montana’s Swan Valley, a new suitor is trying to purchase the historic lakeside lodge in far northern Missoula County.  A wealthy businessman originally from Great Falls and a partner teamed up to make the purchase. But after overwhelming public opposition to the previous prospective buyers over the past two years, the public is largely skeptical of the new potential future owners.  With me today is Joshua Murdock, outdoors and natural resources reporter at the Missoulian, who has covered this issue from the beginning alongside Dave Erickson the business and real estate reporter.  We discussed the backstory of Holland Lake Lodge and the previous proposal on a past Untamed episode.  

9:00 - Seeley Swan Seceding from Missoula County - Gov. Gianforte on Busse Debate full 2539 Wed, 18 Sep 2024 16:01:00 +0000 cUfpaYulfT0oO4WiLFKnFPBX5rNP8OLd Montana Talks with Aaron Flint 9:00 - Seeley Swan Seceding from Missoula County - Gov. Gianforte on Busse Debate Montana Talks with Aaron Flint ON DEMAND 2020

You've heard (and maybe even experienced) how difficult it is to find accessible and affordable childcare. While this is certainly a problem across the nation, what can be done right here in Montana, or even in Missoula County, to address this vital need?This week, the commissioners sat down with Grace Decker, educator and coordinator for the Montana Advocates for Children, to discuss the importance of investing in early childhood services and what creative solutions are happening in our community and across the state. Links mentioned in this episode:Montana Advocates for ChildrenMissoula Childcare AdvantageZero to Five MissoulaHidden Cost of Child Care calculatorReport | Lost Possibilities: The Impacts of Inadequate Childcare on Montana's Families, Employers and EconomyText us your thoughts and comments on this episode! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Missoula County officials this week removed a local infrastructure mill levy request from November's ballot. Commissioners based the decision on ongoing concerns about Montana's property tax sticker shock.

Nearly 7,000 Bitterroot Valley residents were without power Friday afternoon following a thunderstorm packing wind gusts unofficially estimated at close to 70 mph.

More than two years after recreational marijuana sales began in Montana, state and local officials are exploring ways to halt the opening of new dispensaries.

More Montana teachers are out of a job as schools statewide struggle to balance their budgets. Missoula County Public Schools trustees voted on May 30th to terminate the contracts of 47 educators.

Homelessness has been at the center of local, regional and national debate in recent years, with tensions rising between residents, advocates, business owners and politicians. This week, local economist Bryce Ward joined the Missoula County commissioners to discuss the findings of his most recent report, “Economic Impact of Homelessness in Missoula.” In this episode, they answer questions like “how does Missoula's homeless population compare to other communities in Montana?” and “what does homelessness look like in rural areas?” Bryce also addresses common myths about the demographics of homelessness, plus the surprising link between our social lives and our personal stability. Reports and resources mentioned in this episode:Economic Impact of Homelessness in Missoula, 2024Housing Solutions Fund, administered by United Way of Missoula CountyStatewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness in California, 2023American Time Use Survey data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Rivers are thawing, the call of the western meadowlark is floating through air, and other signs of spring are emerging in Missoula County. Maybe you're inspired to pick up some plants for your patio, start an herb garden or even raise some livestock on your property. But where do you begin?The Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension can help you with all of this and more. From their new headquarters at the G.W. Marks Exploration Center, down to the Lolo Mosquito District and up to the Clearwater Watercraft Inspection site, Ecology and Extension staff are experts in land resources and management.This week the commissioners sat down with Bryce Christiaens, self-described plant nerd and director of this department, to hear about what programs are available to residents.If you're looking for more information on how the G.W. Marks Exploration Center came to be, click here to listen to this episode from 2022. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Missoula County is reeling from the announcements recently of two huge wood products industry businesses closing and laying off all employees.  Pyramid Mountain Lumber, the largest employer in Seeley Lake for 75 years, announced on March 14 it is permanently shutting down this spring. Less than a week later, Roseburg Forest Product’s Missoula particleboard plant announced it is permanently closing in May.  Combined, the two companies are eliminating 250 jobs. They are the last two remaining large wood products businesses in the county, and the closures mark the end of a 150-year-era of wood products as an economic driver in the county. With me today is David Erickson, a reporter at the Missoulian newspaper who’s been covering the news.  

Andrea Davis was elected as the 52nd Mayor of the City of Missoula in Nov. 2023 and in her first few months of office she has been addressing the hot topics of housing, homelessness, public meetings and other issues. This week the Missoula County Commissioners caught up with Mayor Davis to discuss what has surprised her since taking office, how the city and county governments collaborate for their constituents and so much more.  Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Missoula County's last traditional lumber mill is shutting down after 75 years in business. Pyramid Mountain Lumber's owners said they can no longer weather the current economy.

When disasters like wildfires, floods and hazardous waste spills strike, Missoula County is ready to respond, thanks to the work of the Office of Emergency Management and the Western Montana Incident Management Team. On this week's podcast, the commissioners sit down with Deputy Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinators Nick Holloway and Ken Parks to talk about their recent deployment to help with recovery efforts in wildfire-ravaged Lahaina, Maui. They also discuss the importance of being prepared for emergencies on both the personal and government levels, and how the inter-state partnerships help strengthen communities across the country following disasters.  Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Domestic violence, also often referred to as intimate partner violence, can be difficult to address and has lasting effects on individuals, families and communities. Missoula County's Just Response program, made up of mental and medical health professionals, law enforcement, advocacy groups, child protection and criminal justice organizations, works to respond to DV cases and increase overall community safety. The commissioners recently sat down with Erin Shreder, Just Response coordinator, to discuss the tangible results of this inter-agency collective, the upstream causes of domestic violence and more.  This episode deals with difficult topics like relationship and domestic violence. The Crime Victim Advocate Division of Missoula County is here to help you. Please call 406-258-3830 or visit their office at 317 Woody Street. YWCA Missoula is another resource and their crisis line is 1-800-483-7858.Related links and resources:Strangulation ProtocolFirst Step Resource CenterAll Nations Health CenterUniversity of Montana Student Advocacy Resource CenterNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The Agenda's foray into transportation issues continues this week with Shane Stack, director of Missoula County Public Works, and Erik Dickson, county engineer.With the recent closure of Maclay Bridge in Target Range, residents have a lot of questions about how we got here. The commissioners, Shane and Erik tackle those questions and much more in this episode. Be sure to follow this project on Missoula County Voice for more updates and information.This episode has a lot of acronyms and engineering terms, so here's a guide for you, in alphabetical order:BIP: The Bridge Improvement Program, a funding opportunity administered by the Federal Highway Administration.Categorical exclusion, also called a CE or Cat Ex: A finding of a National Environmental Protection Act process that determines a project has no significant effect on the human environment. If a CE is granted, the project does not need an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.  Creosote: A material derived from tar that is used to preserve wood.EA: Environmental assessment. If a categorical exclusion does not apply to a project, then an environmental assessment must be developed before the project can move forward. This is a public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether the project meets the criteria for a Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact (FONSI) or if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Federal agencies prepare an Environmental Impact Statement if a project is determined to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The regulatory requirements for an EIS are more detailed and rigorous than the requirements for an EA.FHWA: The Federal Highway Administration, a division of the federal Department of Transportation.FONSI document: Finding of No Significant Impact. A FONSI document is the decision document of an EA and is signed by the federal agency.  HDR: An engineering firm employed by both Missoula County and MDT to assist with bridge planning.Load rating: The amount of weight a structure can safely carry. A load posted or load limited bridge is restricted by its load rating.Local option gas tax: A voter-approved 2-cent tax on gas sold within Missoula County. Revenue from this tax was specifically designated for road and bridge improvements. County residents approved this measure in 2020, but the state repealed in 2021. MDT: Montana Department of Transportation, the state's transportation agencyNEPA: National Environmental Protection Act, passed in 1970 to promote and protect the environment. Click here for the full glossary. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

This week the Missoula County Commissioners continue their discussion with transportation planner Aaron Wilson. They discuss the concept of 15 minute cities and how creating diverse, accessible transportation choices can reduce traffic congestion. Aaron also gives updates on the safety studies and plans for accommodating growth in areas like Brooks Street in Missoula and Highway 200 in East Missoula.Don't miss part two of this series on planning, traffic and transportation! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

In the latest episode of The Agenda, we answer common questions about everyone's favorite street in Missoula (bonus points if you listen while stuck in traffic on Reserve!) Aaron Wilson, transportation planning manager from the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization, joined the county commissioners this week to answer questions like: Is Reserve Street really home to the most dangerous intersections in Missoula? Can infrastructure changes actually decrease traffic?In this episode, they discuss the evolution of Reserve Street, problems with pedestrian safety, and the role of the  Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in coordinating transportation efforts across jurisdictions. Don't miss part one of this two-part series on planning, traffic and transportation. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

This week the commissioners reviewed memorable projects from 2023, including those that address homelessness, affordable housing, recreation opportunities and much more. Tune in for a conversation that covers everything from property taxes to new parking lots to wildfire prep.Do you have something you'd like the commissioners to discuss in 2024? Email communications@missoulacounty.us! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The holiday season means more travel and celebration, but it also means an increased risk of impaired driving. Do you have a plan for a sober ride home?This week the commissioners spoke with Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway and Health Specialist Steve Schmidt about recent impaired driving trends in Missoula County and what resources are available to residents.Substance Abuse Treatment ResourcesDrive Safe MissoulaR.O.A.D CourtNo Joke Theatre Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

This week, Drewby and Yergy head to Missoula County, Montana, to discuss the case of Leannah Gardipe, a 34-year-old single of mother of two, who stabbed her two beautiful children, Namaus and Evelyn Sandberg, to death. A search of Leannah's home uncovered a bloody serrated steak knife underneath a bed, as well as a pool of blood on the floor in the little girl's bedroom. A cryptic note was also located in the threshold of the bedroom where the children were found. It read, “IT WAS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE ALL WOULDN'T BURN, NOW I'M THE ONLY ONE OF US THAT WILL.”   Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Join Our Facebook Group: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #themiserymachine #podcast #truecrime Source Material: https://www.facebook.com/leannah.gardipe https://www.gofundme.com/f/2kasvmye7c?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/missoulian/name/namaus-sandberg-obituary?id=31737408 https://medium.com/crime-seen/steak-knife-murders-mom-kills-children-aeaaad242b71 https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/mother-charged-with-murdering-her-two-children-with-a-steak-knife https://lawandcrime.com/crime/woman-who-claimed-she-saved-her-babies-by-stabbing-them-to-death-pleads-guilty/ https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/namaus-sandberg-obituary?id=31645027 https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/23190790/namaus-kevin-sandberg/wall https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21116067-leannah-j-gardipe-affidavit-of-probable-cause https://lawandcrime.com/crime/woman-said-she-saved-her-babies-by-stabbing-them-to-death-with-a-steak-knife-prosecutor/ https://www.fox19.com/2021/11/23/mother-charged-with-murdering-her-two-young-children/ https://www.krtv.com/news/crime-and-courts/missoula-woman-charged-with-killing-her-children-changes-plea#:~:text=Leannah%20Jean%20Gardipe%2C%20a%20Missoula,November%202021%20at%20her%20residence. https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/mom-arrested-and-charged-with-murdering-her-two-children/article_1b5195d6-4bc0-11ec-bff7-3f4c6d3f5612.html https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/missoula-mother-charged-in-deaths-of-2-young-children https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/mom-arrested-and-charged-with-murdering-her-two-children/article_1b5195d6-4bc0-11ec-bff7-3f4c6d3f5612.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QciVWLQBLFI&ab_channel=NBCMontana

Local government is a large, busy organization. Who makes sure all payments the County makes are to the right vendors and are for legitimate county expenses? This week, the commissioners talked with Missoula County Auditor Dave Wall about safeguarding taxpayer dollars, fraud detection and the importance of internal financial controls.  Related links:County claims listCounty policies Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Missoula County recently received two grants totaling nearly $80,000 to help local domestic violence services.

A group of transgender, Two-Spirit and nonbinary Montanans say the state is violating their constitutional rights with a new law that defines sex as binary. The group has filed a lawsuit in Missoula County.

The state of Montana sued Missoula County this week over county commissioners' property tax plans. The parties disagree over how much Montana counties must collect.

New name, same great local government podcast. We've rebranded to The Agenda! With 67 episodes and more than 7,000 downloads since it launched in 2021, the commissioners' podcast was due for a refresh. If you're already subscribed, there's no change to how you listen.This week, Commissioners Slotnick and Strohmaier sat down with Missoula County Housing Specialist Garrick Harmel to talk about what local government can do to reduce displacement while incentivizing the construction of affordable places to live.Related links:Housing Innovation FundHousing Action Plan: Breaking Ground Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

“County government is funded mostly by taxpayer money.” “If Missoula County didn't spend any more money next year, taxes would stop going up.” Have you heard this before? Are these statements true or false? This week the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, chief administrative officer for Missoula County, about budgeting, taxing and government spending. Tune in to this week's episode for some myth-busting with a side of tax policy.Related links:FY 2024 Budget PageCommissioner's Public Meeting PortalSee budgets from previous years Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Marshall Mountain, located between East Missoula and Bonner, has been a haven for locals to enjoy the outdoors since the early 20th century. Now, there's an opportunity to secure the base area of the former ski hill and surrounding areas for public ownership. But this potential park has a lot of moving parts: three different pieces of land with separate private owners, two governments, two public processes for open space bond funding, management considerations and more.This week, the commissioners talked to Chet Crowser, Chief Lands & Communities Officer for Missoula County, and Donna Gaukler, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Missoula, about the scope of this project and what's next for this beloved area.Related links:Marshall Mountain Park on missoulacountyvoice.comOpen Space Bond FAQsFriends of Marshall Mountain Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The Western Montana Fair is more than just rides and fried food. The Missoula County Fairgrounds is one of the few public gathering places that unites people from all backgrounds every summer. This week, the commissioners spoke to Jerry Marks, the county extension agent, and Billie Ayers, events and operations manager at the fairgrounds, about the history of this hallmark event and what's in store for the 2023 Western Montana Fair. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Colter Nuanez welcomes Joey Esh, head golf pro at Canyon River Country Club, to the studio to talk about Esh's efforts to expand the game in Missoula County. Plus, Marty Mornhinweg's quarterback camp was Friday, so Colter shares sound from Marty, Helena High QB Carter Kraft and Sentinel QB Riley Allen. This week's Sports Medicine Journal with Dr. Michael Wright focuses on plantar fasciitis, a common foot injury of particular concern to NBA players like Victor Wembanyama.

Seeley Lake is an unincorporated town with a population of about 1,600 in the northern part of Missoula County. Located between the Mission and Swan mountain ranges and dotted with narrow, glacial lakes, the Seeley area is synonymous with recreation and beautiful landscapes.Thousands of people visit Seeley Lake each summer, but what's it like to be a year-round resident, or own a business there? This week, the commissioners sat down with Claire Muller, director of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, to talk about the unique challenges and misconceptions about this rural community.Related links:Seeley Lake Community FoundationSeeley Lake Community Council"Tip of the Spear" is the ethos that guides our work at Missoula County. It reminds us to lead with innovation, represents our can-do culture and encourages us to work toward solutions even for challenging issues. The "Tip of the Spear" podcast aims to tell the stories of how we do that. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Whether you're a seasoned floater or you've never sat in an inner tube, the River Ambassadors are here to help! Each summer, these friendly faces help recreators of all kinds navigate access points along the Clark Fork, Blackfoot and Bitterroot rivers. Now in its third summer, the river ambassador program is the result of collaboration between Missoula County, City of Missoula, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Clark Fork Coalition. Tune in to hear more about this successful program and tips for a great day on the water.Related links:Clark Fork Coalition - River Ambassadors ProgramRiver Ambassadors on InstagramSha-Ron Parking Access ProjectClark Fork River Map - Downtown LocationsFish, Wildlife and Parks Interactive Map of Fishing Access Points"Tip of the Spear" is the ethos that guides our work at Missoula County. It reminds us to lead with innovation, represents our can-do culture and encourages us to work toward solutions even for challenging issues. The "Tip of the Spear" podcast aims to tell the stories of how we do that. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

One of Missoula County's major initiatives is to address systemic issues of inequity in our community. But what does that really mean, and what does it look like? This week, the commissioners sat down with Elisha Buchholz (equity coordinator at Missoula County), Rozlyn Haley (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion fellow at Missoula County) and Rajiem Seabrook (director of equity and impact at Empower Montana) for an update on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) efforts.Related linksJEDI Advisory Board2021 JEDI ResolutionJustice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Missoula County"Tip of the Spear" is the ethos that guides our work at Missoula County. It reminds us to lead with innovation, represents our can-do culture and encourages us to work toward solutions even for challenging issues. The "Tip of the Spear" podcast aims to tell the stories of how we do that. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

They talked about reappraisal notices and answered questions from callers.

Our guest was Adriane Beck. She is Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator, which serves Missoula County, which includes the city. We talked about the renewal of the Pre-disaster Mitigation Plan.

Randy Katen, legendary Montana skateboarder and founding member of N-Men and Jeff Ament,  bassist of the  Pearl Jam stop by the Trail1033 morning show  with an update on the new Clinton Skate Park Project, expected to break ground in 2023.The goal of the project is to create a positive gathering space for local kids. The skate park will bring renewed energy to Missoula County's Clinton Community Park. Phase 1 of this project focuses on construction of a basic skate park facility. So far $125,000 has been raised through business, private, foundation and public funding. An extra $50,000 of local donations will secure Clinton's spot on the construction schedule for Fall 2023.  Interested in donating to this project?  Go to fmparks.org/projects/clinton-skatepark

Property taxes are defined by multiple sets of rules, calculations and inaccessible words like "mill" and "levy." How much is a mill worth, and what's the limit on how many mills local government can collect? Who determines how much your house is worth? What if there was a way visitors could pay for the services they use when they visit our community that would lower your property taxes at the same time?In this episode, Commissioner Slotnick breaks down the taxing system, how it relates to the County budget and what to expect when you get your re-appraisal notice from the state this summer.   Related links:Montana Dept. of Revenue - Property Assessment DivisionHow to Read Your AppraisalHow to Appeal Your Appraisal Learn more about the County budget process"Tip of the Spear" is the ethos that guides our work at Missoula County. It reminds us to lead with innovation, represents our can-do culture and encourages us to work toward solutions even for challenging issues. The "Tip of the Spear" podcast aims to tell the stories of how we do that. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Extreme heat and bone-dry conditions are prompting officials to raise the fire danger and implement burning restrictions in parts of western Montana.

Extreme heat and bone-dry conditions are prompting officials to raise the fire danger and implement burning restrictions in parts of western Montana.

Missoula officials on Monday, July 18, raised the fire danger in the county to ‘high' due to increasing temperatures and drying vegetation.

LISTEN FIRST MONTANA Listen first. It is what all great leaders do. Episode 29: Anne Hughes In this episode, Eric sits down with Anne Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at Missoula County and member of the Leadership Montana Board of Governors.  Anne talks about her experience with heartache and loss, her love of science fiction, why she chooses to invest deeply in Leadership Montana, and what great friendship looks like to her.  Anne even explains why she enjoys working on the Missoula County budget and why she feels a budget is a "values document." Eric Halverson Host Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center. Anne Hughes Guest Anne Hughes is the Chief Operating Officer for Missoula County. She has worked in federal and local government for 20 years and is committed to public service that reflects her values of growth, empathy, and humor. Anne was raised in Montana and is a proud Missoulian. She received her bachelor's of fine arts in theatre at the University of Idaho and her masters in public administration from the University of Montana. She currently serves on the Leadership Montana Board of Governors and on the MPA Alumni Advisory Council for the MPA program at UM. She mentors MPA students, cheerleads her colleagues and friends, and strives to do good work with kindness. She is married to Ted Hughes, a skilled fine arts, gallery, and museum professional and metal head. She enjoys growing flowers almost as much as she loves giving them away, hiking in the hills around Missoula, and going on adventures across the Northwest with her husband, her exceptional mom Carole, and her two dogs, Noodle and Rosie.

Missoula County's new protocol, put in place in mid April, changes the way first responders and law enforcement respond to strangulation and prioritize the cases for prosecution.