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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The agriculture advocacy organization Montana Farmers Union just established its first Indigenous chapter in the state. Chapter President Dan Barcus says he hopes they can organize concerted efforts around local and federal policies that impact their producers. -
After months of pleading from the nation’s agricultural sector, the federal government says farmers and ranchers will get much needed financial aid at the end of the year. Numerous federal policy changes this year led to record-high costs for things like fertilizer and equipment. -
Mine workers sue Sibanye Stillwater over alleged labor law violations; National park entrance fees to increase by hundreds of dollars for foreign tourists; Missoula County reports its first flu-related death of the season. -
The town of Belt has worked with the state for decades to tackle issues left by the Anaconda Coal Mine. A new multimillion-dollar water treatment facility will finally fix that. The plant will clean the acid drainage before discharging it back into the creek. -
State wildlife officials are investigating a black bear cub’s death near Stevensville. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the cub was shot and left to waste on U.S. Forest Service land off of St. Mary Peak Road. The Montana Department of Transportation is reminding pedestrians and drivers to be extra cautious during the holidays. According to the agency, Thanksgiving week is the deadliest holiday period in Montana for traffic accidents.
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Travelers and residents returning to Montana will soon be greeted a little differently. The state is changing its welcome signs – and wants your input. -
Montana Farm Bureau Federation held its 106th annual conference this week. Farmers gathered to vote on how their organization should lobby on state and federal issues. -
Havre is launching a rebrand in an effort to draw in more travelers. It’s part of a state-funded effort to stimulate rural tourism. -
A nonprofit nature reserve in Montana is suing the state. American Prairie argues the state needs to decide whether to grant their six-year-old request for permits to graze bison on state lands. -
A handful of federally funded "circuit riders" help Montana’s small towns keep their drinking water safe. Funding for the federal program that supports them lapsed during the government shutdown.
