Marshall Mountain Park sits between East Missoula and Bonner and is publicly owned by Missoula County. Many lifelong residents learned to ski there as kids, and the legacy of learning continues today. 

This week, the commissioners spoke with Jackson Lee, park manager, to review what’s new at Marshall Mountain Park since it was acquired by the county in spring 2024. They discuss new trails, planned improvements, forest health and Commissioner Slotnick’s nascent mountain biking career.

Learn about how Marshall came into public ownership in this episode from 2023.

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Youth and young adults transitioning from foster care or incarceration in Missoula County are at elevated risk of homelessness and continued involvement in the criminal justice system, according to the 2025 Just Home report.

The report is part of a larger initiative between the Missoula County Community Justice Department and Homeword to address the connection between housing instability and incarceration.

This week, the commissioners spoke with Karissa Trujillo, executive director of Homeword, and McKenzie Javorka, program evaluator at the University of Montana Rural Institute, about what the report revealed about marginalized populations in Missoula County and actionable next steps.

Related links:

• Coordinated Entry System 

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Front Step Community Land Trust (formerly the North Missoula Community Development Corporation) is tackling one of the largest issues facing residents: affordable housing.

This week, the commissioners spoke with Brittany Palmer, director of Front Step, to discuss what community land trusts do and how their work can help push back against the rapid economic changes facing small towns and cities.

Related links:

• Thursday, July 17: Housing Night with the Missoula Paddleheads

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The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is home to the largest intact World War II internment site in the United States. From 1941 to 1944, the U.S. Department of Justice managed two Alien Detention Center barracks at the Fort and imprisoned 1,200 Italian nationals and more than 1,100 Japanese Issei men.

The museum recently opened “Far from Home: An Internee Experience at Fort Missoula,” an immersive exhibit in a restored barracks building on the grounds of the Fort. This week, Commissioner Slotnick sat down with Matt Lautzenheiser, museum director, and Ron Wakimoto, board member of the Friends of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, to dive into the history of this site and why the stories of internment are still so prescient today.  

This episode opens with Commissioner Slotnick's remarks from the exhibition opening. Thank you to Dennis Bragg for supplying this audio clip!

• Alien Detention Center Barracks 
• Recording of the grand opening of Far From Home: An Internee Experience at Fort Missoula
• Learn more about Assembly Centers, War Relocation Sites and Alien Detention Centers

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Andrew Hagemeier, director of Community and Economic Development, is back on the podcast this week to help bust myths about subdivisions, zoning and land use. Other topics include tax increment financing, the Wye Water System project and affordable housing. 

Be sure to check out the TIF and TEDD 101 episode for a primer on how tax increment financing works.

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The Montana Legislature, which meets every two years, recently wrapped up the 2025 session in Helena. So, what happened at the Capitol this year? How do these new laws impact residents and county operations? 

From property taxes to jury duty summons to economic development, there is a lot to cover! This week, the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, Chief Administrative Officer for Missoula County, for a review of what went down. 

Learn more and see what bills Missoula County weighed in on during this session at missoulacountyvoice.com.

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This week, the Agenda takes on true crime in Missoula County. Since its inception in 2019, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case unit has solved seven cases of homicides or unidentified remains.

The commissioners spoke with Ryan Prather, captain of the Detective Division at the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Captain Prather also coordinates the volunteer Search and Rescue and Cold Case divisions, who work tirelessly for all county residents.

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Do you know who to call if there’s a bat in your house? What if you’re concerned about the welfare of a pet in your neighborhood?

From sheltering strays and adopting out cats and dogs, Missoula Animal Services staff work to ensure the health and safety of animals in Missoula County. This week, the Missoula County Commissioners spoke with Holli Hargrove, manager of MAS, to talk about the exciting new remodel of the shelter and much more.

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From its roots as a county agency to leading cutting-edge educational programs, the Missoula Art Museum has grown a lot since its inception in 1975. This week, the commissioners sat down with Laura Millin who has been at the helm of the free contemporary art museum since 1990. As she prepares to retire this year, they look back on the history and unique character of this beloved nonprofit. 

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Montana currently has only one passenger train line: The Empire Builder, which runs along the Hi-Line in the northern part of the state. That wasn’t always the case – and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is looking to reinstate a former southern route that would connect towns and cities to each other and neighboring states.

This week the commissioners were joined by Dan Bucks to discuss the status of expanding passenger train service, the potential economic benefits and much more. 

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