Former followers of a fundamentalist Mormon sect still practicing polygamy in Pinesdale, Montana, provide an insider perspective. With a population of 900, Pinesdale has just a few last names. Montanans will give you a knowing look when you mention the town just 45 miles from the University of Montana. Episode by Bayliss Flynn / Montana Kaimin Full…

The Entertainment Management club at the University of Montana has seen some massive growth in its two years of existence. But for a while, the club had to operate without a staff adviser, without leadership. Listen to club president Marley Miller talk about taking the reins and leading the club as a student. Episode by Clayton Murphy / Montana Kai…

Montana Griz Football star Junior Bergen talks about what name, image and likeness deals mean to him and similar busy athletes, as University of Montana administrators adjust to the ever changing world of college sports endorsements. Episode by Bayliss Flynn / Montana Kaimin Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online at ww…

The University of Montana has been fighting a battle with between 100 and 300 pigeons for the last year. The birds have made a home alongside students and staff in Elliott Village Apartments. The next chapter of UM’s pigeon problems is taking place right on my porch— and UM is losing. Episode by Elinor Smith / Montana Kaimin Full transcripts of thi…

A winter in the wilderness would change everything for award-winning author and University of Montana graduate Pete Fromm. Taking a chance to set out alone in the woods helped him find himself and his future. Episode by Bayliss Flynn / Montana Kaimin Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online at www.montanakaimin.com/the_k…

When Superior, Montana lost its biggest employer, the lumber mill, the county’s hospital became its last big establishment. Now two lifelong best friends and Superior residents are stepping up for their small town. Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online at www.montanakaimin.com/the_kaimin_cast/ Episode by Clayton Murph…

DeAnna Bublitz learned to hunt about a decade ago after moving to Montana from Minnesota. Over these 10 years, she’s felt that the sport is not as accessible or welcoming to women, queer folks, or new adult hunters as it is to men and people who grew up in the sport. Now, through her collective DEER Camp, she’s on a mission to mentor underrepresent…

In 2011, Syria was absorbed by civil war. Rozan Shbib and her family fled to Egypt, where she was finally able to follow her childhood dream and study to become a lawyer. But once again, the family had to move. Now in Missoula, Shbib has to give up on her dream. But there’s still some hope. Full transcripts of this episode and all others are availa…

Since she was a kid, contra dancing is something that has helped Laura Cova find her people. Now, she’s stepping up as a new dance caller, a challenge she’s adding to her already busy life as a UM grad student studying speech pathology – and as a mom.Bởi Montana Kaimin

Every day at noon, music from the University of Montana’s bell tower fills campus. But it’s not Quasimodo up there – it’s 72-year-old Barbara Ballas, UM’s very own carillonneur. Episode by Clayton Murphy / Montana Kaimin clay.murphy@umconnect.umt.edu Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online at www.montanakaimin.com/the_k…

The University of Montana Herbarium is a library of over 140,000 dried plant specimen from as early as the 1800s. Giovanna Bishop is the library's curator, but she's worried about a lack of use and interest in her field. Episode by Lotus Porte-Moyel / Montana Kaimin Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online at www.montana…

Surrounded by natural beauty, Western Montana and the University of Montana are epicenters of outdoor recreation. But UM sophomore Sadie Arnold has noticed some less-than-positive attitudes surrounding the outdoor sports community. Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online at www.montanakaimin.com/the_kaimin_cast/ Questio…

Held vs. Montana was the United States' first constitutional climate change lawsuit to go to trial. University of Montana student Olivia Vesovich was one of 16 youth plaintiffs who helped win the case. This episode, Vesovich shares her story about testifying for one of the country's landmark climate action cases. By Lotus Porte-Moyel / Montana Kaim…

University of Montana Senior Scott O’Donnell makes realistic wooden swords in his family’s garage for fun. From historic to high-fantasy, he’s made almost every type of sword you can think of. O’Donnell is pursuing a broad-field social studies degree, and although he says his course work doesn’t leave him much time for extracurriculars outside of c…

In the field of forestry, experience is everything. For some at the University of Montana, the summer is the perfect time to gain some of that critical experience in order to land a job after college. Although fighting fires is dangerous work, some do it during the hot summer months not only to bolster their resumes but to keep the state they call …

On Friday, April 21, students running for ASUM elections sat down for candidate debates hosted by the Montana Kaimin. Some of the teams running for president and vice president had some big ideas. But, really, how much power does the student government of the University of Montana have? In this week's episode by audio editor Alyssa Tompkins, listen…

The University of Montana Campus is alive with the music of the Roots Group, a class and band who play free form music. Their music includes singing, the fiddle, the spoons and much more. The group has become a tight knit community who rely on the laid back style of music as an escape from the rigid structure of classical music. In this week's epis…

On February 24th, 2023, University of Montana dorm and office building, Aber Hall, flooded. A pipe had burst on the top floor. Students were quickly evacuated from Aber and not allowed to return. They were relocated until the building was cleaned up and deemed safe again. The University says the flood was not preventable, but a former facilities an…

Many University of Montana students rely heavily on financial aid in order to pay for their education. As important as the department of financial aid is, it is the cause of plenty of stress and heartache for many students. But, why is financial aid causing so many issues for students? Kaimin Cast reporter Clayton Murphy sits down with Kaimin news …

This Thursday, more than 30 different schools from across the west and the Marshall Islands will be at the University of Montana’s campus for the Western Regional Honors Council Conference. UM's Davidson Honors College applied to host the event five years ago and are now getting their chance to shine. Students from the honors college are doing many…

The ROTC, or Reserve Officer Training Corps, often seems like an private club. Many people know that the students who are a part of the ROTC are training to be involved some way in the military. But beyond that, what is the ROTC? Meet some of the people that make up the University of Montana's ROTC and what they think it actually is. Full transcrip…

Although the University of Montana doesn’t have a competitive swim team, they do have a 25 meter pool. The pool isn’t in the same building as the rest of the University of Montana’s recreation facilities, so it’s out of sight and out of mind for many students. Listen to meet some of the people who keep the pool up and running for students to enjoy …

Have you ever stopped to think about how much money you spend on DoorDash and delivery apps like it? DoorDash and other food delivery apps have built an empire with some very loyal customers. But, how did they do that? This week, Kaimin Cast reporter Clayton Murphy dug into the world of how DoorDash got to be such a big deal amongst one of the most…

Boris Granovskiy and Allison Brown are a couple that were brought together with the help of one sport most people have never even heard of. Granovskiy is a lover of the sport of orienteering, which requires you to find your way to check points using only a map, a compass and your wits. Brown had never even heard of orienteering until she met Granov…

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the University of Montana's campus is alive with love. However, what about the other side of the holiday? Hear from UM students about their own heartaches and heartbreaks in this week's episode with Kaimin Cast reporter Clayton Murphy. Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online …

You’ve probably passed by the pond-style ice rink on the Oval and the propane fire pits and adirondack chairs around it. The rink officially made a home for itself on the Oval in 2020, but who started it and who skates on it? In this episode, Kaimin Cast editor Alyssa Tompkins laced up her skates and hit the ice to talk to the students who brave th…

Choosing your major fresh out of high school is a daunting task not for the faint of heart. It can be one of the best or worst decisions you've ever made. Would you change your major if you had the chance? In this episode, Kaimin Cast reporter Clayton Murphy speaks to students who have or who have thought about switching their major and what that m…

Many students traveled near and far for winter break this year. Traveling is not environmentally friendly, but it does have its upsides like seeing family and bolstering your mental health. In this episode of the Kaimin Cast, editor Alyssa Tompkins speaks with Environmental Ethics Professor Christian Preston and The Director of Climate Change Studi…

Everyone has that one relative they just can’t stand. Before UM goes home for the holidays, we decided to hit the streets and ask students for their most memorable holiday stories, secrets and scandals. But, to avoid family drama making it back to the source, we kept it anonymous. In this Kaimin Cast episode, reporter Clay Murphy and editor Elinor …

Earlier this year, Gabbie Byers started the bug club. Crickets, worms, roly polies, and beetles— ever since she could remember, Byers has been interested in creepy crawlies. But she hasn’t always been able to find a community that shared her entomological love. In this Kaimin Cast episode, reporter Clay Murphy tells the story of how bug club came t…

Have you ever wondered who keeps the University Center Garden looking so lush and green? Well, look no further! Dive into the world of the UC Gardens and the changes it has seen over the years. Maybe even spot some dinosaurs or garden gnomes while you’re at it! In this Kaimin Cast episode, reporter Alyssa Tompkins speaks to Sean Helms, the new UC G…

Do you know what a fandle is? If you don’t, it’s a fan-themed candle. My sister, Harriet Smith, used to make twilight-themed candles for her Etsy shop. Claire de Lune, Forks, La Push, and Olympic Coven, to name a few. Hear the story of the rise and fall of my sister’s Etsy shop, Thistle Candle Co. In this Kaimin Cast episode, editor Elinor Smith sp…

From court jesters to Pennywise, their painted faces haunt countless people worldwide. The trope of the creepy clown is well-established, but how did clowns go from jokesters to monsters? In this Kaimin Cast episode, reporter Alyssa Tompkins answers why clowns give us the creeps. Full transcripts of this episode and all others are available online …

Traveling preachers visited UM’s campus earlier this October. Students’ reactions were strong, and at times, the preachers drew crowds of around 150 people. The preachers yelled at the crowds, and the crowds yelled back. In this Kaimin Cast episode, editor Elinor Smith answers why the open-air preachers visited our campus, what their end goal is an…

Carl Shaw has to work three jobs to pay for college. Although in-state tuition at UM has stayed the same for the last three years, that doesn’t stop the out-of-pocket costs from affecting students. Many students have to sign on to multiple jobs to afford school and living costs. In this Kaimin Cast episode, reporter Alyssa Tompkins talks about bala…

Doug Emlen has been working at the University of Montana for around 25 years, but he's been studying beetles for even longer. Emlen has always been interested in the extremes of the animal kingdom, and the huge horns on some of the beetles he studies caught his eye. Since then, he's learned the ins and outs of beetle battle. In this Kaimin Cast epi…

The local band, Queenager, is made up of one UM professor and one UM student. Together they write and produce synth-pop songs. Their album Easy was released last year. In this episode, Kaimin Cast reporter Alyssa Tompkins speaks to local musicians Sarah Frazier and Bryan Kostors about how they came to form "the pop duo of the millennium," Queenager…

The PEAS Farm is a 10 acre farm in the Rattlesnake just about ten minutes from the University of Montana. They grow everything from pears to garlic, and call themselves home to some pigs and many chickens. The farm is a part of Garden City Harvest, a local non-profit that donates food to organizations like the Food Bank and UM Pantry. Students at U…

Since 2017, fentanyl overdose has gone up more than 1,000% in Montana. Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a service organization focused on harm reduction, educates students at UMT on how to take drugs and avoid overdose safely. They do this through distributing fentanyl testing strips, Narcan, and most importantly, sharing information about how to…

Ben DeBar and Paige Kerwin are the drum majors for this year's Grizzly Marching Band. They help students learn how to march, foster a fun environment in the band, and, most importantly, conduct the show. In this episode, Kaimin Cast editor Elinor Smith speaks to drum majors Ben DeBar and Paige Kerwin about how they came to lead the marching band. F…

Elani Borhegyi's drag name is Jackie Rosebutch, and they're a drag goddex. That's the term for a non-binary drag performer. Borhegyi is a dragtivist-- using their platform to combine their passion for the environment with drag performance. In this episode, Kaimin Cast reporter Alyssa Tompkins speaks to Borhegyi about their life and how they came to…

As Missoula's housing crisis worsens and the school year starts back up, new and returning UM students and staff face the tightest housing market Missoula has seen in memory. With a rental vacancy rate of .4% and construction taking away around 266 beds in the dorms since 2019, many people in and around campus face less-than-ideal living situations…

It’s been a hell of a year at the University of Montana. Over the last two semesters, students protested misogynistic and racist professors, worked to oust law school leadership for bungled Title IX complaints, set record attendance at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, boosted UM to its first overall enrollment increase in a decade and shook off the dust…

The results of the University of Montana's student government elections are in, and even though UM students overwhelmingly approved a fee hike to make counseling free at Curry Health Center, low voter turnout has forced senators to pump the brakes on the referendum. Reporter Alyssa Tompkins has the update. Questions? Comments? Email us at editor@mo…

The name Lily Gladstone might not be one that you recognize yet, but it won't stay that way forever. Gladstone is an actress and University of Montana grad from Montana, who's going on to star in movies with household names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Originally from the Blackfeet Reservation, Gladstone worked her way up the Hollywoo…

On Tuesday, candidates for the University of Montana's student government clashed onstage in the University Center Theater in a first-ever Kaimin debate. Our moderator asked them questions about their qualifications and policies to give students at UM a clear idea of who's running to represent them at the University. Rounding out our debate series …

On Tuesday, candidates for the University of Montana's student government clashed on stage in the University Center Theater and a first-ever Kaimin debate. Our moderator asked them questions about their qualifications and policies to give students at UM a clearer idea of who's running to represent them at the University. Today, you'll hear from can…

On Tuesday, candidates for the University of Montana's student government clashed onstage in the University Center Theater in a first-ever Kaimin debate. Our moderator asked them questions about their qualifications and policies to give students at UM a clearer idea of who's running to represent them at the University. On this episode: the vice pre…

On Tuesday, University of Montana student government candidates clashed onstage in the University Center Theater in a first-ever Kaimin debate. Our moderator asked them questions about their qualifications and policies to give students at UM a clear idea of who's running to represent them at the University. We'll separate the debates into their own…

Bells, buses, hot water and healthy plants — through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn't just professors and students who had to carry on. Essential workers across the University of Montana kept campus running, even when there were no students to serve. With the COVID-19 threat fading, those workers are reflecting on their pandemic exper…