Jackson Unpacked

KHOL reporter Jenna McMurtry tells us Teton County is proposing changes to its Fire Protection Plan, that among other things, expands the boundary of what’s considered wildland urban interface. Robb Sgroi of the Teton County Conservation District, Todd Fitzgerald of a local tree service business and Jackson Fire Marshall Raymond Lane provide insight into why and how residents can make their homes more fire resistant.

And in partnership with Storycorps — KHOL is hosting a series of conversations between candidates running for local office and a constituent they aim to represent, finding common ground. Tune in to hear Jacksonite Jessica Baker and Jackson Town Council candidate Kevin Regan in the third edition of our series produced by Alyson Spery.

Also, the Mountain West News Bureau’s Hanna Merzbach takes us to Pinedale and Victor where some like Doug Rellstab, Lindsey Love and Will Haywood are building houses out of straw bales.

Lastly, KHOL Music Director Jack Catlin sat down with Fire In The Mountains music festival founder Jeremy Walker who says he’s disappointed to be leaving Teton County. Still, he’s excited about the possibilities about a new location on the Blackfeet Reservation in Northwestern Montana.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: Host and KHOL Senior Reporter Dante Filpula Ankney heads to Teton Village to talk to Jacksonites Gabe McNees, Ryan Stanley, Anna Catino and Erme Catino after they finish Lotoja. The over 200 mile bike race ends here in the Tetons and is only possible due to work from organizers like David Bern. 

KHOL reporter Jenna McMurtry talks with professional skier and ultrarunner Drew Petersen about his new film “Feel it All,” which tackles mental health in mountain towns. 

Wyoming Public Radio’s Hannah Habermann takes us to the Fish Creek fire where basecamp manager Morgan Faber and a crew from the Wind River Reservation including Teresa Swimmer, Tara Jorgenson, Mavis Willow and Jason Stevenson worked to support fire operations. 

And lastly — in partnership with Storycorps — we are hosting a series of conversations between candidates running for local office and a constituent they aim to represent finding coming ground. Tune in to hear MacKenzie Moore of Jackson and Scott Anderson, a candidate for town council in the second edition of our series produced by Alyson Spery.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story mistakenly said Moore works for the Teton Literacy Center, her previous employer. Moore currently works as the interim residential advocate for the Community Safety Network Jackson Hole and as a massage therapist.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: Host and KHOL Senior Reporter Dante Filpula Ankney introduces us to the station’s revival of One Small Step. In partnership with Storycorps, we’re hosting a series of conversations between candidates running for local office and a constituent they aim to represent —- that hold differing beliefs — finding coming ground. Tune into the first of the series between Wilson resident Kat Clauson and Republican candidate for county commissioner Melchor Moore, produced by Alyson Spery.

We’ll hear about wildfires — like the Fish Creek fire that has burned thousands of acres —- and how even after the destruction and the devastation has passed — it can spur communities to come together. Lori Peak studies how communities come together during and after natural disasters and talks with KUNC’s Erin O’Toole. Peak is a sociologist and the director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

And to close out this week’s episode, as communities in the Mountain West grow - so does the need for Spanish language interpreters. This is especially true in booming resort towns where Latinos power economies — and need to access services. The Mountain West News Bureau’s Hanna Merzbach reports some people — like Jackson local Celia Perez — are stepping up to fill that language gap.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: Trumpet Swans — the large, straight necked black billed bird was once thought to be extinct but its recovery has had strong ties to a Jackson-based nonprofit. We’ll hear more from a music therapist about their work in the community, a discussion about a tax on empty homes that’s been considered in mountain towns across the rocky mountain west including Jackson and we hear from Teton County voters about what brought them out to the polls for the primary election.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: Former President Donald Trump is coming to town for a costly private fundraiser, a Jacksonite is training to become the first Winter Olympian from his country, the science of wildfire smoke in the Rocky Mountain West and we’ll take a trip to a jagged rock face in Grand Teton National Park. How do we balance safety with the desire to leave no trace? 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: the town’s budget deficit and a new agreement between the town and county to split the costs of joint services. Also, we head to the Snake River where recent heat spells are impacting the river ecosystem. Lastly, we chat with the owner of a local outdoor gear repair business working to make ends meet and we introduce our new reporter, Jenna McMurtry.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode we take a trip out towards the park to get a tour of the Kelly Parcel. Its sale is inching closer but the fight to bring it over the finish line is far from over. Also, we hear from Jackson Police Department’s mounted patrol atop their steeds and the Grand Teton Music Festival's expansion of programming. Lastly, we had a conversation with the “Jackson Boys” from their time on a national reality television show competition. They talk the heights of their early success and the lows of a scandalous exit.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: the latest on the Teton Pass highway reopening via a detour as a complete rebuild looms and a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Pete Buttigieg. Also, a trip to Wyoming’s first reproductive freedom summit, as some grapple with the uncertain future of abortion in the state – in part due to challenges from right here in Teton County. And to round out today’s episode, a radio diary on a local lawyer who despite her success, deals with the all too familiar problem of Teton County’s high cost of living.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: All of our stories are focusing on the recent landslide closing the Teton Pass highway — and its impact on our community. Idaho commuters doubling their commute time. Businesses with how the pass is impacting them - if at all. And a WYDOT geologist to answer the question: how did this happen? Tune in!

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

On this week’s episode: Jackson landlords are tacking on extra housing fees, and it’s adding up to sticker shock for renters. And the upcoming Mountains of Color Film Festival aims to promote inclusivity in outdoor spaces. Also, outrage continues after a man brought a muzzled and leashed wolf into a bar about an hour from Jackson, and hatred is falling on the backs of those who had nothing to do with it. Plus, as Pride month is kicking off. Local organizers share how LGBTQ+ events have grown in the region. 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.