Shows
Montana NewsMentorship and minerals turn Bigfork students into underground explorersFor the last 25 years, intrepid groups of teens have set out to explore, document and preserve some of the most fragile ecosystems around Montana: caves. Ahead of National Cave Week, Montana Public Radio’s Ellis Juhlin joined them for a trip deep into the Judith Mountains.2025-06-1205 min
Montana NewsNorthWestern Energy bumps rates by 17% without approval from regulatorsThe state's largest utility company is now charging customers 17 percent more for electricity. It made that price bump without the approval of state regulators. Montana Free Press' Amanda Eggert sat down with MTPR's Ellis Juhlin to talk about her reporting on the change.2025-06-0504 min
The SessionThe Session | 2025 | Week 7 | Big Feelings About Wolves and the EnvironmentMontana Public Radio and Montana Free Press Reporters Ellis Juhlin and Amanda Eggert break down the major environmental flashpoints emerging at this year's legislative session with host Shaylee Ragar. In particular, they dig into bills around wolves and the controversy around the Montana Environmental Policy Act, incited by the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Held v. Montana case. 2025-02-1712 min
Bears and BrewsMicrobruin 8: A Cloud of Bear SprayIn today’s episode we share some wildlife wins and go over what to do if you come face to face with a bear. Share with your friends and rate, review, subscribe!Find us on all the things: http://linktr.ee/bearsandbrewspodcast Links We Discussed:https://www.bearsmart.com/play/bear-encounters/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htmSources Cited:Eggert, Amanda. “BLM Bans Cyanide Bombs Used to Control Predators.” Montana Free Press, 28 Nov. 2023, montanafreepress.org/2023/11/28/blm-bans-cyanide-bombs-used-to-control-predators/#:~:text=The%20decision%20comes%20after%20conservation,245%20million...2023-12-0129 min
Turned Out A PunkMichael Shannon and Jason Narducy are hereEpisode 469:Today on Turned Out A Punk, our friend Jason Narducy returns to the show and he's brought along his buddy, Michael Shannon! Join Damian as he sits with the two bandmates to talk: growing up, theatre, movies and punk. From the DePaul connection, to getting overwhelmed by a venue, to the greatness of Iggy, to the Modern Lovers inventing punk, to sitting in a swamp with Henry Rollins: DON'T MISS THIS ONE!Also don't miss Jason and Michael playing REM's "Murmer", along with with: Daj Juhlin, Nick Macri, Vijay Ellis-Nayak and TOAP legend: Jon...2023-11-211h 15The SessionThe Session | 2023 | Week 16: Tensions are running highAs the 2023 legislative session sprints to the finish line, tensions are running high over bills targeting transgender Montanans and environmental regulation. Host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Ellis Juhlin, and Mara Silvers discuss what to expect in the final days of the legislature as lawmakers scramble to reach sine die.2023-04-2412 minThe SessionThe Session | 2023 | Week 12: GOP controls the budget and lawmakers collaborate on elk managementA 14 billion dollar budget passed out of the Montana House with support from the Republican supermajority. Democrats don’t have the power to change it, but they still tried. Host Nadya Faulx and reporters Eric Dietrich, Ellis Juhlin, and Arren Kimbel-Sannit discuss the debate over how the state should spend tax dollars. The spending plan calls for a deal to send state inmates to an out-of-state private prison. And a package of legislation could change how and where people can hunt elk. More legislative coverage: Budget bill clears House debate w...2023-03-2709 min
The SessionThe Session | 2023 | Week 10: Past halfway point, lawmakers buckle down on the budgetHundreds of bills were left on the cutting room floor at the legislative session's midway point. Now, as lawmakers head into the second half, they're turning more of their attention to finalizing the state’s next two-year budget. Host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Ellis Juhlin and Eric Dietrich discuss what they're watching now that the Legislature has rounded the critical transmittal break. Plus: If you missed last week's The Session Live: The First 45 Days, you can watch or listen to the discussion any time here. 2023-03-1308 minThe SessionThe Session Live: The First 45 DaysOn March 8, The Session team hosted a live event answering audience questions about the 68th meeting of the Montana legislature. The panel, featuring host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Mara Silvers, Eric Dietrich, Shaylee Ragar, Ellis Juhlin, and Arren Kimbel-Sannit, has been edited for the podcast.2023-03-1228 min
The SessionThe Session | 2023 | Week 6: Health department spending and colliding world viewsToday is legislative day 31 of 90 -- meaning we're a third of the way through the 68th Legislature. This week, lawmakers are starting to piece together the biggest part of the state budget -- health department spending -- and world views about LGBTQ rights are colliding over rules for public schools. Host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Mara Silvers, Ellis Juhlin and Alex Sakariassen discuss the latest from inside the Montana Statehouse. 2023-02-1314 minThe SessionThe Session | 2023 | Week 2: Taxes, missing persons and child welfareBills to reform Montana tax policy, support missing persons search efforts and overhaul Child Protective Services move through the Legislature. Host Mara Silvers and reporters Ellis Juhlin and Shaylee Ragar discuss the legislation they're watching this week -- along with the schisms between and within the parties that are starting to form.2023-01-1610 minThe SessionThe Session | 2023 | Week 1: “The House is ready for business”Montana lawmakers take their oaths of office and begin their work in the state capitol. Host Nadya Faulx and reporters Shaylee Ragar, Ellis Juhlin, and Arren Kimbel-Sannit discuss a rules debate that's dividing the GOP, how moderate Republicans are working with Democrats, a Montana Freedom Caucus, and the beginnings of the state budget. 2023-01-0912 minThe SessionThe Session Preview: “Everybody smile, we’re running the place”With the 2022 election over, Republicans hold power not seen in the state capitol in nearly a century. The governor has released his budget. Lawmakers have elected leadership and will arrive in Helena on Jan. 2 to begin their work. Host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Shaylee Ragar, Eric Dietrich, Ellis Juhlin, and Arren Kimbel-Sannit discuss last week’s legislative caucuses, how the governor hopes for the state to spend its money, and what to expect in the upcoming legislative session.2022-11-2113 min
Greater Yellowstone EcosystemFerruginous Hawks and the Climate CrisisFor this episode, we brought in Ellis Juhlin from Yellowstone Public Radio to talk about her experiences researching the lesser-known ferruginous hawk, and what she has noticed about the effects of a changing climate on this species and their habitat.
Photo Credit: Ellis Juhlin and High Country News
Resources:
Hawk Watch International
Boise State Raptor Research Center
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey
UM Bird Ecology Lab
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary Ferruginous Hawk Species Page
With thanks to Todd Katzner and Natasha Hadden2022-10-021h 00