Crossing The Divide

While U.S. politics have become increasingly polarized, Zack Porter with the Montana Wilderness Association would argue the reality on the ground is much more collaborative. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Drone Pine" by Blue Dot Sessions.

As Rachel rushed off to find another cafe with internet in downtown Missoula, she reflected on the difficulty of squeezing six hours of interviews into six minutes for radio. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "City Limits" by Blue Dot Sessions.

After the team's first official day of reporting in Montana, Rachel and Mahlia discussed a field trip with the Southwestern Crown Collaborative in which they visited some burn sites near Seeley Lake. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.

The reporters joined a group of students from Two Eagle River High School on the Flathead Reservation in Montana for a Narrative 4 story exchange. Brittany, Rachel and Qainat reflect on that experience. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "A Palace of Cedar" by Blue Dot Sessions.

HMI stands for Haitian Music Industry, but its artists and fans are spread around the globe. Vladimir Mead immigrated to Boston 10 years ago at age 16. Since then, he’s built up a music career under the name Masterbrain — largely through YouTube and Facebook. His Creole freestyles and music videos have accumulated tens of thousands of hits, but he’s never returned to Haiti. We follow him as he prepares for his first trip back to Haiti, where he dreams of being a star. Explore photos and more

After getting dinner and picking up groceries in Missoula, Montana, Qainat and Rachel discussed what it's like to be in Rachel's old stomping grounds. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.

To break up the drive between Minneapolis and Billings, Montana, the team stopped at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park overlook in North Dakota. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Flutterbee" by Podington Bear.

While Brittany and Mahlia were wrapping things up in the field, the rest of the reporters made a brief appearance on Almanac, a weekly public affairs program produced by Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minnesota. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.

After another day with some reporting roadblocks, Rachel sat down to write the story that was there all along. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.

As the reporting deadline for Minnesota ticks closer, Rachel waits for her leads to return her calls and e-mails. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Steps" by Podington Bear.