James Dobson

Missoula

Anchor and Reporter at KPAX-TV (Missoula, MT)

Emmy award-winning journalist with MTN News in Missoula, Montana. I also hike, paint, and play D&D!

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Articles

An Ethiopian girl's war story taught me the gritty value of USAID

Mar 21, 2025 | columbiamissourian.com | James Dobson

President Kennedy was a visionary, proposing the Civil Rights Act, enforcing school desegregation, challenging America to land a man on the moon, establishing the Peace Corps, and rolling out the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to "extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reform." I loved working for USAID and joined for the Iraq "surge" of 2008 to support counterinsurgency efforts, helping Iraqis...
Missoula seeks help to make dangerous street safer

Dec 11, 2024 | kpax.com | James Dobson

MISSOULA — Reserve Street is the most dangerous traffic corridor in Missoula, and the city is asking for help from the public to figure out how to make it safer. The Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization, City of Missoula and Montana Department of Transportation are seeking public input on the Reserve Street Safety Action Plan, which would help inform planning to reduce traffic accidents and pedestrian fatalities.
Transportation official: Missoula safety improvements not a ‘war on cars’

Nov 26, 2024 | kpax.com | James Dobson

MISSOULA — On a cold November morning, Aaron Wilson was pedaling his bike across the Orange Street Bridge when a car sped by, nearly clipping his handlebars. Wilson didn’t flinch, because he makes this commute twice a day, five days a week. “I guess that was pretty close,” Wilson said. “I’ve been doing this so long that I guess my risk-aversion is pretty low.”This morning, Wilson is sporting fluorescent gloves with matching neon sunglasses.
With empty buses, Mountain Line changing plans

Oct 10, 2024 | kpax.com | James Dobson

MISSOULA — While waiting at a bus stop in East Missoula, Stephen Hopkins, 57, rubbed his hands together on the chilly October morning. If he missed the Mountain Line bus, he’d have to wait an hour before another came to take him to Walmart. “It’s a cold one today,” Hopkins said. “I really need to get stuff done.”Hopkins said he’s ridden the bus nearly every day for 14 years. To make ends meet, he doesn’t own a car. That means risking potential delays.
I'm trying to reject 'lipstick shame'

Sep 28, 2024 | ensemblemagazine.co.nz | James Dobson

The lipstick economy feels like it’s in full effect – that old adage that during a recession people choose to treat themselves with the rush of a little luxury like a designer lipstick rather than a whole ensemble. Thinking about the lipstick economy has made me ponder my own complex relationship to that little waxy bullet of pigment, and a term that I have come to refer to as Lipstick Shame. As I embarked on my beauty journey, I decided lipstick wasn’t for me.
Covered grandstands cleared for use at Flathead County Fairgrounds

Jun 27, 2024 | kpax.com | Kiana Wilson |Zach Volheim |James Dobson

KALISPELL — The covered grandstand bleachers at the Flathead County Fairgrounds have been cleared for use. All of the bleachers at the fairgrounds were closed last month due to safety concerns. Following an additional inspection, the covered grandstand bleachers were deemed to be in good condition and fit for continued use. However, some repairs will need to be done to enhance the integrity and extend the life of the grandstands.
Flathead Valley educators learning more about Personalized Competency Based Education

Jun 27, 2024 | kpax.com | Kiana Wilson |James Dobson |Zach Volheim |Derek Joseph

KALISPELL — Educators from across the Flathead Valley and from around the country had a unique opportunity this week to explore what's called Personalized Competency Based Education (PCBE). PCBE is different from a conventional school model where students learn based on well-defined targets for all students and shifts the focus from traditional grading to meeting competency goals. Educators gathered at the Doris Mountain Summit to learn from those who have been successful in this model.
Blackfoot Challenge works to get word out as river runs lower than normal

Jun 27, 2024 | kbzk.com | James Dobson

GREENOUGH — The beginning of summer is a good time to look to the mountains as the snow is quickly melting. The most recent numbers from the USDA show the Upper Clark Fork River Basin has only 66% of normal snowpack, which affects the Blackfoot River, which is already extremely low. As summer is now here and the temperatures are rising, people are going to be hitting the river. But after a near-record low snowpack this past winter, the Blackfoot River is looking really low.
Search underway for kayaker reported missing in Kootenai River

Jun 27, 2024 | cutt.ly | James Dobson |Zach Volheim |Derek Joseph |Martin J. Kidston

LIBBY — A search is underway for a kayaker who went missing near Kootenai Falls near Libby. Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short says dispatch received a call of a missing person in the Kootenai River shortly before 8 p.m. on Wednesday. It was reported that two kayakers were having problems when the woman — who has been identified as Jessica Prado — was seen struggling in an eddy in the river. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputies and David Thompson Search and Rescue responded to the scene.
Series of crashes delay traffic on Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road

Jun 27, 2024 | kpax.com | James Dobson |Zach Volheim |Derek Joseph |Martin J. Kidston

WEST GLACIER — Glacier National Park’s popular Going-to-the-Sun Road was more congested than usual on Wednesday after a series of separate crashes caused heavy delays. Park officials report that two of the three wrecks on the iconic road happened after 3 p.m. One crash halfway between “the loop” and the west tunnel happened after a driver hit a rock outcropping after swerving to miss a vehicle that had crossed over the yellow line.

Journalists covering the same region

Melissa Rafferty

Executive Producer at KPAX-TV (Missoula, MT)

Melissa Rafferty primarily covers news in the Northwest region of Montana, United States, including areas around Missoula and Flathead Lake.

Scott Shindledecker

Reporter at Daily Inter Lake

Reporter at The Western News

Scott Shindledecker primarily covers news in the Northwestern region of the United States, including areas in Montana and parts of Idaho, as well as some locations in New York.