Hello Whitefish

Today we look at two stories of immigrants being detained in the Flathead Valley who were sent to ICE detention centers in Texas and Washington under dubious circumstances.  One of which has lead a Venezuelan man working in Whitefish to file a lawsuit against the city and the Police Department for violation of his civil rights.  To help us break down the story we are joined by members of Flathead Democracy, a grassroots organization who aided the individuals once they were detained and also held protests outside the Whitefish Border Patrol HQ to bring awareness to their cases.

Montana is facing a hidden crisis — cartels are targeting small towns, tribal communities, and public lands for enormous profits from fentanyl and meth. With limited law enforcement and complex jurisdictional rules, the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels are exploiting the state’s most vulnerable areas, poisoning communities, polluting rivers, and destroying wildlife.

Joining us are retired Lt. John Nores, who uncovered a massive toxic grow linked to the Sinaloa Cartel after a deadly firefight in California, and Nic McKinley, former CIA operative and Air Force PJ, with deep insight into cartel and terrorist operations.

We break down how this is happening, why Montana is in the crosshairs, and what must be done before it’s too late.

Rylee Mix is one of our favorite new break out musicians laying roots in Northwest Montana.  Her soulful voice and cutting lyrics are a breath of fresh air for a generation of artists continuing to shape a new era of Americana and Country music.  

Today’s guests are former Montana senator Jon Tester and veteran Montana journalist Maritsa Georgiou.  They have teamed up to launch the new political podcast  “Grounded”.  Each week, they break down the latest in political developments and interview a variety of politicians, journalists and other guests to bring insight into breaking news.  

We discussed what’s been happening around the state since the last election cycle, some of the neverending issues affecting our country and whats new with their podcast.  Check out “Grounded” on your preferred streaming platform.

Today’s guest is Justin Kaber.  Justin in the president of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.  

We discuss the important work the foundation does as well how local firefighter stations helped battle the devastating Los Angeles fires earlier this year. The foundations Flathead chapters annual gala is on April 12, 2025 in Kalispell with some amazing big ticket auction and raffle items up for grabs.

Today's guests are Big Sky City Lights.  Susan O'Dea and Nic Spear started playing music together during COVID and utilized digital communications to record music from across the country to bring people together during hard times with their sweet and timeless harmonies.  

They perform "When All Our Hair Turns Gray" from their new EP - A Mountain To Go along with the Hello Whitefish theme song "Hello Whitefish".  Their new album is streaming now on your preferred music streaming platform.

www.bigskycitylights.com

Today’s guests are Nic McKinley and Zack Armstrong. During the 2021 American troop

Nic McKinley, a former Air Force Pararescueman and CIA agent with thirty tours under his belt, along with the help of Zack Armstrong - a former Navy SEAL of 25 years,

This is the first time the two have recounted their side of this incredible story publicly. You will definitely want to saddle up for this one.

To learn more about Nic McKinley:

https://www.nicmckinley.com/

To learn more about Zack Armstrong:

https://zach5326.com/home-1

Hello Whitefish and DeliverFund hosted a live event in northwest Montana featuring a panel on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in Montana.  The panel included Carissa Heavyrunner whose daughter Mika Westwolf was murdered in a hit and run.  Ivan MacDonald is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who along with his sister Ivy have followed the tragic epidemic as its unfolded across Montana.  Nic McKinley is a former Air Force PJ, CIA operative and the CEO of DeliverFund, a counter human trafficking intelligence and technology nonprofit. 

Today’s guest is Lynn Wood Fields. Lynn Wood is an award-winning filmmaker and educator who grew up here in Whitefish, Montana. She also owns the Missoula-based Media Training Center and is president of the Montana Media Coalition. She is passionate about connecting Montanans to training and job opportunities in film, TV, digital media and live entertainment so they can economically benefit from these growing industries.  Check out the links for more info:

https://mediatrainingcenter.co/

https://montanamediacoalition.org/

Today’s guest is Ryan Busse.  Ryan is the democratic candidate for governor of Montana, going up against incumbent Greg Gianforte, in what has become a huge race.  

Ryan grew up on a cattle ranch and wheat farm and spent 25 years working as a salesman for the firearm company Kimber, right here in Kalispell. He left his position as vice president of sales in 2020 and published a memoir, “Gunfight,” which criticized what he saw as radicalization within the firearms industry.

Ryan has served as a volunteer board member and board chair for both Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Montana Conservation Voters. 

He is campaigning on a pro-Montana constitution platform, which includes making property taxes more equitable, conservation and access to public lands, stabilize school funding and protect reproductive rights and abortion access.