Victoria Traxler
Rural Policy ReporterVictoria Traxler is MTPR’s Rural Policy Reporter. She graduated from Elon University in 2020 with a degree in Journalism and International Studies. She then moved to New Mexico where she worked as a Public Safety Reporter at the Santa Fe New Mexican. Afterwards, she came to Missoula to complete a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism at the University of Montana in 2024. During her time as a graduate student, Victoria interned with MTPR’s news team and fact-checked The Wide Open podcast. When she’s not reporting, she can often be found romping around mountain trails or playing with her tabby cat, Pico.
406 -282-4668
victoria.traxler@mtpr.org
MTPR wants to do a better job delivering news to, and telling stories from, the rural towns and tribal communities in Montana. What issues are at the forefront of your mind, and how are state or federal policies impacting your life?
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All but 10 of Montana’s counties are considered “non-metropolitan.” This comes with challenges like aging infrastructure and dwindling services. At Montana State University’s Rural Summit in Townsend, researchers, government officials and rural advocates shared how they were addressing these shared challenges. -
All but 10 of Montana’s counties are considered “non-metropolitan.” This comes with challenges like aging infrastructure and dwindling services. At a recent summit, rural stakeholders highlighted the need for equitable funding access to help alleviate strains on the Treasure State’s small towns. -
After years of legal battles and funding uncertainty, Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease, or CARD clinic, says it will shutter permanently on August 31. -
Over 100 years ago, the Fort Shaw Indian School Girls Basketball Team made history playing games across the state and becoming world champions in 1904. MTPR’s Victoria Traxler reports on the celebration honoring the players and their descendants. -
Montana’s tribes are losing their native languages. At least three Indigenous languages in the state are considered critically endangered. One summit is working to change that. -
Tariffs, market shifts and economic constraints hit Montana farmers hard last year. A recent analysis from agricultural economists counted six Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in Montana in 2025 – triple the 2024 total. Farmers say without more support, the trend will continue. -
It’s primary election day in Montana and voters are casting their ballots. MTPR reporters spoke with voters at several polling locations about the issues that matter most to them. Voters everywhere named the economy as a top issue. -
A bipartisan supermajority of Montana state senators penned a letter urging Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy of Box Elder to resign immediately from the Legislature. The letter follows allegations against Windy Boy of sexual abuse, harassment and solicitation of minors. -
More than 100 years ago, the first women’s basketball team in Montana made history traveling around the state and the country. Now, the town of Fort Benton is honoring the team’s legacy with a new mural. -
Lawmakers recently instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop a more transparent system for reimbursing states post-disaster. Local governments apply for Public Assistance grants to fund emergency responses, but may wait years for updates and payments.
