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

Articles

Briefs: Job Corps pause; right-to-know ruling; Hospital Association president

4 days ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler |Shaylee Ragar |Aaron Bolton

Labor Department will pause youth career training; Montana offices to remain openThe U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin pausing a portion of the largest career training program for youth.The federal Job Corps program offers technical and educational training to young people between 16 and 24 years old. It provides students access to room and board for up to three years while they learn industry-specific skills.
State grant dollars set to boost Native-owned businesses

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

Montana’s Department of Commerce recently awarded more than $300,000 in grants to Native-owned businesses across the state. The funds aim to support the economic development of tribal communities while supporting small businesses. George Brown lives in Dodson and is a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He’s among 25 business owners set to receive funds. Brown operates a small cafe, store and meat processing facility with his wife, Sherri.
Native American lawmakers turn political capital into policy gains

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

The Montana American Indian Caucus (MAIC) brought 34 bills this session. Half of them made it to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk. The effort was a result of months of planning, cooperation and strategic policymaking. Caucus members say they saw the impact of their efforts more than in other sessions. There were obstacles along the way, but caucus members held fast in their belief that “what’s good for Indian Country is good for Montana.”That’s an argument some legislators agreed with. Democratic Sen.
Big Sandy offers free summer meals for kids

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

This summer, families in the Big Sandy School District will be able to pick up free meals for kids once a week. The district is participating in part of a joint federal-state program to offer meals and grocery funds. Big Sandy will be one of roughly 100 sites statewide helping feed kids during the summer. State education officials say the program has steadily grown in recent years. Big Sandy schools Business Manager Mary Merrill says the district started the program last year.
Briefs: Grizzly bear deaths; Meat processing funds; Deer ticks detected

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Edward O'Brien |Aaron Bolton |Victoria Traxler

Five grizzly bear deaths confirmed in Montana so far this year According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks two people were picking mushrooms just north of Choteau on May 21 when they were charged by an adult female grizzly bear. The men shot and killed the bear at close range. Neither person was injured. This is the second grizzly bear fatality in Teton County this year. A man hunting for shed antlers last month in Dupuyer shot and killed a grizzly after it charged him. He was uninjured.
Hi-Line lawmakers recap legislative action at Havre town hall meeting

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

Five legislators from around the Hi-Line recently gathered for a town hall in Havre to discuss the 2025 legislative session. The bipartisan group of two state senators and three House representatives faced a room of around 50 constituents in Havre. All five legislators championed the balanced budget, reducing residential property taxes and continuing Medicaid Expansion. Chester Republican Sen. Russ Temple also told constituents why he joined nine Republican legislators who deviated from party lines.
Briefs: Milk River irrigation; Big Hole River lawsuit

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler |Ellis Juhlin

Milk River irrigation pumps to be partially restored, project managers sayVictoria Traxler | Montana Public RadioThe Milk River Project provides drinking and irrigation water to thousands of people along the Hi-Line. In June 2024, the system that pumps water from the Milk River into irrigation canals broke down. Nearly a year after the catastrophe, Project Manager Jennifer Patrick now says the siphon should be back online by early July.
Briefs: Lab-grown meat ban; Grizzly bear activity closure

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

Governor signs ban on lab-grown meat into lawVictoria Traxler | Montana Public RadioGov. Greg Gianforte Tuesday signed into law a bill in Montana. In a statement, Gianforte said the law will “defend” ranchers who produce meat in the state. The ban applies to all cell-cultured meat, or meat grown from animal cells in a controlled environment. Lab-grown meat is a developing science under review by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Nonprofit aims to bring hope and healing to the Crow Reservation

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

Montana’s Native families face higher rates of separation with a disproportionate number of Native kids in foster care. A nonprofit in Lodge Grass is developing a center aimed at keeping tribal families together and out of social services. Mountain Shadow Association recently began construction of a family healing center to support communities on the Crow Reservation. Executive Director Megkain Doyle explains addiction and behavioral health issues can break apart families.
For Montana farmers, Trump tariffs bring growing costs, shrinking markets

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler

About 20 minutes off Interstate 15 northeast of Dutton, Montana sits the Doheny farm. It’s situated within a series of lattice gravel roads, with vast green farm land extending out toward the horizon on every side. “We're in north-central Montana, it's the upper prairie pothole area,” said Eric Doheny. “It's dryland prairie, we get eight to 12 inches of rain a year.”On a recent Tuesday, Doheny drove those gravel roads to deliver fuel for his son’s tractor.