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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With the legislative session over, lawmakers are beginning to look at how to solve some of the state’s biggest issues. They'll study competitive bidding for government contracts, and which branch of government should estimate the cost of a proposed law, among other issues. -
Amid ongoing federal efforts to revitalize the timber industry, an annual intertribal timber symposium took place in Montana last week. -
Communities across Montana are learning about policy that passed during the 2025 Legislative Session and how it affects them. -
A recent Bozeman summit brought together cultural and education advocates focused on preserving tribal languages by teaching their children. The event drew over 100 educators, language speakers and community members from Montana’s seven tribal nations, Canada and the western U.S. -
The U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin pausing a portion of the largest career training program for youth. A narrow majority on the Montana Supreme Court ruled the state must cover the legal costs for plaintiffs in a right-to-know case. The Montana Hospital Association has selected its next president. -
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.
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This year, 12 Native American legislators from across the state made up the Montana American Indian Caucus. The group was largely successful in passing policy with major impacts for tribal communities. "This session particularly felt that we were a force as the Montana American Indian Caucus," Rep. Tyson Running Wolf said. -
For some families, it can be hard to feed their kids when school is out. But more communities are participating in free summer meal programs to help fill that gap. -
Five grizzly bear deaths have been confirmed in Montana so far this year. Montana ranchers may qualify for meat processing settlement funds. Deer ticks, carriers of Lyme disease, detected in eastern Montana -
Five legislators from around the Hi-Line recently gathered for a town hall 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.
