Inside MTPR

People and bison first met 75,000 years ago, and ever since, we've been hunting them, painting them, and walking with them into new lands. Before Europeans arrived in America there were more than 50 million bison here. By 1901, there were just 23 wild bison left. Now, we have some decisions to make. Can we ever have wild free-roaming bison in North America again? Should we? What does the history of bison have to teach us about ourselves?

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day designated to "give back to the community." Created in 2012 to contrast with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this Tuesday, we remember to be generous.

Giving Tuesday is a great time to make your year-end donation to Montana Public Radio. Donate today and you'll get an exclusive ringtone recorded by Radiolab's Jad Abumrad just for MTPR supporters.

Happy Thanksgiving! We're thankful for all our listeners and supporters, and we hope you enjoy the holiday and travel safely. If your Thanksgiving plans include Montana Public Radio, be aware of these holiday programming changes:

Thank you to everyone who participated in our fall pledge drive! Listener contributions, volunteer hours and lots of yummy food, coffee, and great radio made this week one to celebrate.

At 1:00 p.m. our tally totaled $203,719. We are so grateful to everyone who sustains this station!

Join us on Facebook Monday, October 10 for a live online meet and greet with our new Director Ray Ekness. Ray will answer your questions about his vision for Montana Public Radio and MontanaPBS, and you'll have a chance to get to know him a little better.

How to participate:

Having trouble listening to the MTPR live stream? We're sorry for the disruptions and frustration.  The source of the problem has been identified at NPR Digital Services headquarters and resolving these issues are their top priority.  In the mean time, you can try these other options for live streaming MTPR:

Montana Public Radio is proud to bring Jad Abumrad to Missoula this fall! Get your tickets now!

Jad Abumrad is the founder and co-host of the syndicated public radio program Radiolab. The lecture is the result of a three-year investigation into the science, philosophy and art of uncertainty, which all began with the two words that are the title of this talk. "Gut churn." What use do negative feelings have during the creative process? Do those feelings get in the way, or do they propel us forward? Join us at the VIP level ($100 + fees) for a special reception with Jad prior to the show and premium seating for the show.

When: Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.

After a national search, the University of Montana has selected Ray Ekness to become the next director of the Broadcast Media Center, which houses the public broadcasting stations of KUFM Radio and KUFM-TV.

Ekness is a UM School of Journalism professor and former department chair of the Department of Radio-Television. He will start his new director duties Aug. 22.

Five of the radio transmitters that connect you with MTPR programming across western Montana are now so old that we can’t get parts to repair them. Will you help with an extra contribution for the transmitter work this summer? Make your donation now.

Join Garrison Keillor on Saturday, July 2 as he takes to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl for his final show as host of A Prairie Home Companion.