Victoria Traxler, Montana Public Radio (Missoula, MT) Journalist Profile

Articles

Rural schools often turn to “emergency license” to fill teacher shortage

1 week ago | ypradio.org | Victoria Traxler

Will Larsen began his career in education when he took a job at Glasgow Middle School as a teacher’s assistant in the special-education department. Before that, he worked in the oil fields. Last spring, he got an offer to work at the school as more than an assistant. The science teacher was gone, and the school needed help - fast. “The principal came to me and was like, “Hey, we know you're working on your teaching degree, so-and-so had to step away. Would you be willing to step in?”,” he said.
Rural schools often turn to “emergency license” to fill teacher shortage

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

Will Larsen began his career in education when he took a job at Glasgow Middle School as a teacher’s assistant in the special-education department. Before that, he worked in the oil fields. Last spring, he got an offer to work at the school as more than an assistant. The science teacher was gone, and the school needed help - fast. “The principal came to me and was like, “Hey, we know you're working on your teaching degree, so-and-so had to step away. Would you be willing to step in?”,” he said.
Workforce Expo highlights career opportunities for Hi-Line students

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

The state’s first Workforce Expo held on a tribal reservation took place Wednesday. The collaboration between the Fort Belknap Indian Community and Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry is an effort to expand career possibilities for rural youth. Starting at 8 a.m., more than 600 students from Hi-Line schools began arriving at the event hall in the Fort Belknap community. Inside, about 50 local businesses from more than a dozen industries waited to greet them.
Trainings help rural residents respond during long waits for emergency services

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

A dozen people from Sanders County gathered on a recent Friday evening at the local fairgrounds. They watched emergency medical providers from the Thompson Falls Ambulance Service demonstrate how to find a pulse, use a tourniquet and stuff gauze into wounds to stop life-threatening bleeding. This is a “Far Out & Waiting” training. It’s an effort sponsored by the Montana Farmers Union to educate rural residents on what to do when they’re in an emergency and help is far away.
Briefs: ACLU sues Trump Administration. Montana Tech Chancellor candidate withdraws.

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Victoria Traxler

ACLU sues Trump Administration over family planning grants Shaylee Ragar | Montana Public RadioThe ACLU is suing the Trump Administration for withholding grant funds from family planning clinics, including 20 providers in Montana. The suit was filed on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. It argues the federal health department illegally froze nearly $66 million in Title X grants.
Briefs: Water for fish; Teacher incentive program; AI image regulations

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | John Hooks |Victoria Traxler |Elinor Smith

Milltown dam water right will be used to support fish, state, CSKT sayJohn Hooks | Montana Public RadioMontana wildlife officials and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) this week gain control of the water right used for over a century to power the Milltown Dam and old Bonner Mill east of Missoula.
Sights and sounds from the Kyiyo Pow Wow

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

The 56th annual Kyiyo Pow Wow took place in Missoula over the weekend. MTPR’s Victoria Traxler has more on the sights, sounds and significance of the event. Friday evening, thousands of people flowed into the University of Montana Adams Center. Outside, food trucks were busy cooking fry bread. Inside, the halls were filled with laughter and excitement. The dancers’ colorful, ornate regalia echoed throughout the halls. Some were adorned with feathers, others bells.
State aid for child care costs misses the mark in some tribal communities

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

Non-profit Mountain Shadow Association opened the Little Chickadee Early Learning Center in January. It’s the only daycare in Lodge Grass. They knew families would need scholarships from the Best Beginnings program to afford tuition. The program offers Montana families financial support for child care costs. But when the center began helping families apply for the program, it didn’t go to plan.
Montana’s child care scholarships have gaps in tribal communities

3 weeks ago | ypradio.org | Victoria Traxler

A daycare on the Crow Reservation has discovered gaps in Montana’s scholarship program that help families afford childcare. Non-profit Mountain Shadow Association opened the Little Chickadee Early Learning Center in January. It’s the only daycare in Lodge Grass. They knew families would need scholarships from Best Beginnings to afford tuition. But when they began helping families apply for the program, it didn’t go to plan.
Child care and education

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Victoria Traxler |Alex Sakariassen

It's week 16 of the 69th Legislature is kicking off week 15. Lawmakers have been talking about proposals to improve access to child care and teacher pay. This is 'The Session', a look at the policy and politics inside the Montana statehouse. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar is joined by Alex Sakariassen from Montana Free Press, along with Montana Public Radio's Victoria Traxler. The 69th Legislature is kicking off week 15. Today, we're talking about health policy.