Home Ground

Jim Weber, machine shop teacher at Capital High School in Helena, wants to prepare students for the real world of modern manufacturing. His two-year welding and machining program includes cutting-edge equipment, field trips, internship opportunities and recruiting networks. But it also incorporates formalized curriculum intended to instill a strong work ethic.

From Ruth Garfield, a female sheriff in 1920, to Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet banker in the 21st Century, women have significantly shaped the state and communities across Montana. Beyond Schoolmarms and Madams celebrates the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in Montana, six years before the 19th Amendment. Two of the authors, Annie Hanshew and Laura Ferguson, discuss how the Montana Historical Society selected the collection of women's stories.

After high school, Kipp McGuire joined the Marine Corps and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned a college degree in political science, worked as a bouncer and a congressional aide. Now he's pursuing a graduate degree in international relations.

Mindy Ahler and Ryan Hall are biking over 4,000 miles from Oregon to Washington, D.C., stopping in communities along the way to discuss local climate change solutions and federal policies. They recently passed through Montana and met with Home Ground host Brian Kahn to share their motivations and hopes for the future. To find out more about the ride, visit Mindy and Ryan's blog Low Carbon Crossings.

For nearly 40 years, Ray Kuntz has been involved in commercial trucking. He built a national company operating from Montana and worked for driver safety and major reductions in exhaust pollution. As a citizen, he’s stayed engaged on social issues ranging from reducing roadside fatalities to fighting mental illness.

As a child, he sensed that he had leadership ability, and in World War II, he had a chance to demonstrate it. An active family life and law practice followed. Now at age 92, Bob Anderson reflects on a distinguished career and the experiences that shaped his character. 

Early this month, flags across Montana were flown at half-mast to honor World War II veteran Ben Steele. We interviewed Ben several years ago. What he had to say is very much worth hearing again.

Montana Supreme Court candidate Dirk Sandefur believes his life experiences provide common sense and  intuitive insights in court, but personal or ideological values of associated groups should not drive legal decisions. Judge Sandefur says, "I have a 14-year career in one of Montana's busiest judicial districts of deciding cases based on the facts and law without any consideration of my personal political views or other philosophical views that I have." Sandefur is one of two candidates running for the Montana Supreme Court, which is tasked with interpreting and upholding the state's constitution.

Montana Supreme Court Candidate Kristen Juras says she would be the only justice who has irrigated a hay field in addition to filing and defending water rights claims. Juras has 34 years of experience representing farmers, ranchers, small business owners, non-profit organizations and individuals in the daily legal issues they face. She currently teaches at the University of Montana School of Law and says she would "bring an area of expertise that is currently lacking in the court."

What is the oldest branch of the U.S. military? The Army? The Navy? No: it’s the National Guard, founded in 1636, 140 years before our Declaration of Independence. Adjutant General Gene Prendergast knows that. He served in the Montana Guard for 47 years. It is a career marked by innovation, commitment and creativity.