Kay Erickson

United States

Reporter and Host at All Things Considered

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Articles

Citizen scientists to track cryptic nighttime birds

5 days ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Bird and wildlife enthusiasts have an opportunity this summer to gather data on two nighttime data-deficient avian flying bug eaters. The common poorwill—a nightjar or nocturnal bird—a bat-like flier that hunts insects from dusk to dawn. The common nighthawk is another nightjar. The Montana Audubon and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will be training citizen scientists to survey these two data-deficient species this summer.
Student grown plants available Mother's Day weekend in Billings

5 days ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

The public will get a chance to support middle school class projects this weekend with the annual spring greenhouse sales for the Ben Steele, Will James and Lewis and Clark Middle Schools in Billings. The schools' Tech Ed and Engineering programs are hosting this opportunity for people to buy student grown bedding flowers, hanging baskets, planters, tomatoes and peppers. Proceeds will benefit the Tech Ed and Engineering programs.
Chief Mountain Port set to open

6 days ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Border officials in the U.S. and Canada announce the season opening of port of entry between two parks linking Montana to Alberta, Canada. News releases Wednesday from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announce the Port of Chief Mountain connecting Glacier National Park in Montana and the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in Alberta will open at 9am on May 15th.
Carroll College names 19th President

1 week ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Carroll College announced May 1 the appointment of Dr. William Ruud as the 19th president of the Catholic college, effective July 1st. Ruud was the unanimous choice of the Presidential Search Committee after a 7 month national search. Carroll’s news release said Ruud has 17 years of experience as a college and university president, having served at Marietta College in Ohio, the University of Northern Iowa, and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
Frontier Conference expansion provides new opportunities for member schools

1 week ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

The Montana-based Frontier Conference is changing, doubling in size and growing beyond the state’s borders. The 6 Montana schools—Carroll, MSU-Northern, Montana Tech, Montana Western, Providence and Rocky will welcome 6 new schools to the conference-- 4 from North Dakota, one from South Dakota and one from Nebraska. Frontier Conference Commissioner Dr. Scott Crawford said the additional schools mean more opportunities for growth, longer team road trips and bigger travel budgets.
Montana players drafted to NFL

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Butte native and former Montana State Bobcat quarterback Tommy Mellott was selected in the 6th round by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mellott was a 4-year QB starter for the Bobcats, leading them to two Big Sky Championships and two trips to the FCS national title game. He is the 2024 Walter Payton Award winner as the FCS offensive player of the year. He is expected to transition to wide receiver with the Raiders.
Billings expands sports facilities

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Lots of dirt was being moved on the east end of the Amend Park in south Billings, getting the land ready for a sports complex including an ice arena and indoor courts system-- two much needed venues to help bring sports enthusiasts to Billings. “Sports tourism is a huge section of tourism. It’s a huge sticking point and a strategic plan for the Visit Billings team,” said Casey Conlon, Sports Tourism Director of Visit Billings.
Voting ends April 25 for Montana AAU Little Sullivan Award

2 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Montanans have the opportunity to vote for some of their favorite homegrown athletes as the state chapter of Amateur Athletic Union hosts its annual awards series. The voting ends Friday, April 25th for people to vote for Montana AAU’s Little Sullivan Award for 2025These awards are presented to outstanding collegiate or Olympic athletes, raised in Montana, who display additional qualities of leadership, character and sportsmanship.
Billings Public Library honored as state’s top library in 2025

3 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

The Montana Library Association on April 22 named the Billings Public Library the 2025 Library of the Year for its Library Express Locker Program. Through the express locker program, users can request items through the library website, select one of four locker pickup sites around the city and retrieve the materials 24/7 using their library card and a PIN number. Each one of these lockers includes a book return, allowing for easy returns.
Torpedo bats OK'd for Pioneer Baseball League games

3 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Kay Erickson

Baseball fans at Pioneer League games this summer may get to see the latest trend in Major League Baseball. Torpedo bats have been big news in Major League Baseball this year when the New York Yankees had a 15- home run barrage over the first three games of the season. The torpedo bat is a wooden bat that has a different barrel structure than traditional ones. It centers the weight of the barrel differently to what is called the “sweet spot” where hitters get the most power on their swings.