Elinor Smith
Reporter and evening news hostElinor graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism in 2024, where she reported for the UM Legislative News Service and worked with The Montana Media Lab teaching high schoolers about reporting stories both for the radio and for podcasts.
She joined the MTPR team during the summer of 2024 as an intern. She now reports, creates social media content and hosts All Things Considered.
Elinor grew up in Boise, Idaho and enjoys spending her free time crocheting and writing short stories. She can be reached by email at elinor.smith@umontana.edu.
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Wolves are among Yellowstone's most popular sights – so popular and so closely watched they can become accustomed to seeing people. But when wolves leave the park, that familiarity can turn deadly for them. MTPR's Elinor Smith spoke with Nick Mott, who dug into what happens when the animals cross park boundaries. -
Recent changes to federal environmental rules mean some logging projects are moving forward without public input. Tristan Scott works for the Flathead Beacon, and has been covering a 13,000-acre logging project moving forward west of Blacktail Mountain in the Flathead. He sat down with MTPR’s Elinor Smith to share his reporting. -
The state will reimburse Anaconda-Deer Lodge County about half a million dollars for its part in a manhunt in August. Taxpayers will also chip in. The First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park outside of Great Falls will offer guided tours this month of rock art found in the park. A second case of Chronic Wasting Disease is suspected on the Flathead Indian Reservation. -
Most Montana homeowners should see a drop in property taxes after sweeping tax reforms go into effect this year. Renters, however, could see the cost of living rise after lawmakers made a mistake reforming property taxes. -
Water service is now fully restored at the Montana State Prison, but much work remains to bring the facility up to date. A new legislative committee charged with investigating allegations of censorship and civil rights violations on Montana college campuses will meet Monday; The first pre-release center in northwest Montana opened this week; Public comment period on proposed hunting regulations opens.
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For decades, Libby residents have lived with the deadly aftermath of asbestos exposure from a closed vermiculite mine. It contaminated the local baseball fields where kids played, it was in gardens, and it insulated homes. Hundreds have died from asbestos-related diseases. Two families were awarded damages from BNSF Railway in 2024. Now the railway is appealing that decision, saying it's not liable for those deaths. -
The Montana Department of Livestock has identified, and is tracking, a population of feral pigs in Phillips County. -
Three hunters in two separate incidents recently came face to face with grizzly bears near Big Sky. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says there were no injuries, but advises recreationists to be wary. -
The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome among bats has been detected in northwest Montana. This is the first time the fungus has been detected west of the Continental Divide in the state. -
How much does it cost to teach a child in Montana, and what’s the right way to pay the bill? That’s the question a group of lawmakers and education advocates will attempt to answer over the next year and a half. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy sat down with host Elinor Smith to explain why finding the answer could be easier said than done.
