UM News for December 7, 2011

Learn how a UM representative helps a local coffee shop trade directly with El Salvador and celebrate with coach Robin Selvig as he prepares to coach his 1000 game on this week's edition of UM News. Broadcast journalism seniors Dustin Klemann and Emily Foster anchored today's newscast. Tara Oster produced the show, and Scott Ranf directed. UM News airs Thursday mornings at 8:25 a.m. on KPAX-TV in Missoula and KAJ-TV in Kalispell. UM News is a production of the Department of Radio-Television and the School of Journalism at the University of Montana.

Peers Reaching Out About Drunk Driving

Peers Reaching Out, or PROs at the University of Montana works to educate students about various health and safety issues including the dangers of drunk driving.
According to their data, 1825 college students die each year from alcohol related injuries. They say the majority of those are due to car crashes.
UM News reporter Tara Oster and photographer Bernie Riggs talked with the PROs to see how they educate students about this issue.

UM News for November 16, 2011

Find out how the University of Montana students teach us about pine beetles and how Missoula's homeless community shows off their creativity on this week's edition of UM News. Broadcast journalism seniors Tara Oster and Annemiek Wilson anchored today's newscast. Stephanie Hansen produced the show; and Bernie Riggs directed. UM News airs Thursday mornings at 8:25 a.m. on KPAX-TV in Missoula and KAJ-TV in Kalispell. UM News is a production of the Department of Radio-Television and the School of Journalism at the University of Montana.

Missoula Police Break Down the Process of a DUI

According to data from the Montana Department of Transportation, there were 7,351 injury crashes in the state of Montana in 2009. Of those incidents, 1,319 or 17.9 percent involved alcohol. Two-hundred and two crashes were fatal. of those, 86 or 42.6 percent were alcohol related.
The numbers don't differ too much in Missoula County. In 2009, out of 922 injury crashes, 147 or 15.9 percent were alcohol related. Out of the 13 fatal crashes of that year, 7 or 53.8 percent involved alcohol.

Montana DOT data shows underage drivers are involved in alcohol or drug related crashes in 6.7 percent of all drug or alcohol related crashes. That's compared to 10.5 percent of the entire population of drivers; no matter their age.

As of the 2008 data, the results for fatal crashes was much different. In alcohol related crashes involving an underage driver, 42.4 percent of those were fatal. Montana DOT says the rate for the entire population of drivers, no matter their age is 40.4 percent.

UM News reporter Tara Oster and reporter/photographer Maegan Simmons went on a ride with Missoula Police to see how they work to decrease the number of DUIs and how they ultimately hope to decrease the number of alcohol related car-accident fatalities.

Reaching .08

The average Blood Alcohol Content or B.A.C. reading on DUI arrests in the state of Montana is .16. That’s twice the legal limit. The recent House Bill 106: The Montana 24/7 Sobriety Program Act and Senate Bill 15: The Aggravated DUI law works to reduce the number of drunk drivers in the state and increase punishments for repeat offenders. Under the 24/7 Sobriety Program, repeat offenders must subject themselves to a breathalyzer twice a day. If they test positive for alcohol, they will go to jail. The Aggravated DUI law increases penalties for those caught driving with a B.A.C. of .16 or higher. If convicted, that person could spend up to one year in jail.
But how does a person know if they’ve reached .08? UM News reporter Tara Oster and photographer Maegan Simmons borrowed a breathalyzer, got some quick training from a police officer and did an experiment with two patrons at a local bar.

Students protest for Occupy Missoula

University of Montana students pepper the Missoula County Court House lawn protesting corporate greed in the nation. They protest whenever they can between classes and work. Students have different reasons for their involvement, but they still show up everyday to take part in Occupy Missoula.
UM News reporter Tara Oster and photographer Maegan Simmons found two students that seem willing to forgo sleep to be a part of the movement.

Student shares coming out story for LGBT awareness

October is the awareness month for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community or LGBT. The University of Montana held a special event on Tuesday in support of National Coming Out Day. The event was put on by the Student Involvement Network and the LAMBDA Alliance for students to share their stories.
Flute performance major Derek Loerzel said his coming out wasn't a horror story, but he hopes everyone can learn something from his experiences.
UM News reporter Tara Oster and photographer Brad Peers talked with Loerzel about his decision to come out. For more information about upcoming diversity events on campus, click here.

New solar panels generate sustainable energy for Todd Building

Four Environmental Studies students worked on a proposal all last semester to get a wind turbine on campus. But they soon discovered a turbine would only save $24.00 per year on energy. With three weeks left in the semester, their plans had to change.

With the help of funding from the KRELF Fund, support from the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, and various other sustainability groups on campus, ten new solar panels sit on top of the Todd Building on the University of Montana Campus.

These panels could potentially save the Todd Building .8 percent of their total energy costs each month, but the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning plans to add ten additional panels in the coming years.

UM News reporter/photographer Tara Oster took a closer look at the potential savings these panels could give the university. To learn more about ASUM sustainability initiatives, click here.

UM News for September 28, 2011

Senior broadcast journalism majors Dustin Klemann and Beth Beechie anchor today's broadcast of UM News. Tara Oster produced the program. Bernie Riggs was today's director. Feel free to give us your comments on the program. UM News is a production of the Radio-Television Department at the University of Montana School of Journalism. (Click below to watch UM News.)

UM Students Enjoy Locally Grown Food at Farm to College Feastival

University of Montana students have access to local food every day on campus, but once a year the university steps it up a notch. UM News reporter Tara Oster and photographer Scott Ranf tempt your taste buds at the 2nd annual "Fall Feastival" at UM. (Click below to see the story.)

UM News September 14, 2011

Welcome to the new year of UM News. UM senior broadcast journalism majors Tara Oster and Faith Cronin anchor our broadcast. Stephanie Hansen produced and Matthew DeBray directed this week's program. UM News is a student-produced news program at the University of Montana School of Journalism and Department of Radio-Television.