UM News for November 9, 2011

Find out how the University of Montana remembers veterans and gets in the spirit of giving on this week's edition of UM News. Broadcast journalism seniors Katherine Kettering and Emily Foster anchored today's newscast. Annemiek Wilson produced the show and Maegan Simmons 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.

UM Students Learn at Game Check Stations

University of Montana Wildlife Biology students have been working together with Fish Wildlife and Parks to man game check stations for over a decade. Students are taught by the biologists at each check station how to properly age wild game and the students assist FWP in obtaining data used to assess game population in Montana. UM News Reporter Stephanie Hansen and photographer Matt DeBray went to the check station near Bonner to see what the students were learning first hand.

Media Arts program features variety

The School of Media Arts at the University of Montana began their first annual Movie Fest. Students of the program entered in different projects ranging from animation and motion design to narrative and experimental. They demonstrate that you don't need to be in Hollywood to make high-quality material. UM News photographer Bernie Riggs and reporter Dustin Klemann got their popcorn ready for a look inside the program making projects possible on the silver screen.

Day of Dialogue

The Day of Dialogue drew hundreds of students to all sorts of talks and performances on campus. The Student Involvement Network and other volunteers worked for months to get the day underway. Coordinators of the day said a day like Day of Dialogue aims for students to hear different opinions but also embrace other ways to show diversity. UM News' Beth Beechie and Brad Peers were there to see all different types of diversity.

Returning solider tries to adjust the transition

Sergeant Seth Phillips,a medic in the Army National Guard, attended the unveiling of the Grateful Nation Fallen Solider Memorial at the University of Montana. The memorialremembers 42 Montanans who died fighting for freedom. Hundreds turned out tohonor the memorial. Phillips says it is important for returning soldiers tomake the transition from combat back to civilian life. UM News reporter KatherineKettering and photographer Dizhi Ge found out how Phillips is making the transition. Click video to seemore.

Veterans Day

Montana has lost 42 of its own to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 20 percent of Montana residents are war veterans, making it the second highest after North Dakota. Reporter Adrienne Ellsworth and photographer Katie Radford spoke with some Montana veterans to learn what the day of remembrance means to them.

7th Annual Griz for Kids Toy Drive

Volunteers toughed chilly temperatures to help collect toy and cash donations at the Grizzly football game November 5th. The Griz for Kids Toy Drive offers help to families in Western Montana during the Holiday season. This year they raised nearly $3,000 in cash donation and hundreds of toys. Toy drive coordinator, Sheila Callahan, says the goal is to make sure every child has a present under the tree. Former Griz Center, Chris Orwig, is thrilled the toy drive he started is still ongoing. For more information about receiving or donating to Griz for Kids click here. UM News reporter Faith Cronin and photographer Scott Ranf went down to see how many toys were collected.

Can The Cats Competition Kicks Off

The Cat-Griz cross-state rivalry means more than athletic competition to many Montanans. Reporter Emily Foster and photographer Brad Peers found out how a University of Montana food drive competition with Montana State University called "Can the Cats" feeds thousands of people in need in Missoula and Bozeman.

UM News for November 2, 2011

Find out why some University of Montana students still garden in November and how the university celebrates the Day of the Dead on this week’s edition of UM News. Senior broadcast journalism majors Stephanie Hansen and Katherine Kettering anchored the newscast. Emily Foster produced and Matt DeBray directed the show. 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.

UM soccer team gets postseason bid

For the first time since 2008, the Griz landed a spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament. Finishing 6-11 overall and 3-3 in the conference, the Griz talk about new coach Mark Plakorus and how the team has evolved throughout the season. The tournament kicks off this Friday as the fourth-ranked Griz play against top seed Northern Colorado Bears. Reporter Dustin Klemann caught up with the women during one of their final practices and realized this team doesn't lack the confidence to win.

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.

Mexican Holiday Heats Up Cold Rocky Mountain Town

The passing of a loved one in the U-S brings feelings of mourning and saddness, but in Mexico, it's a three-day long celebration. Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead celebrates the lives of family members who have passed on by creating larger than life memorials. In Missoula, where Hispanics make up three percent of the population, the Mexican holiday is celebrated by creating six-foot-tall wood carvings and printing them on to sheets. UM News Reporter Adrienne Ellsworth and Photographer Bernie Riggs learned how this Mexican holiday is bringing a little spice to the cold Montana winters. The finished products will hang in the Missoula Art Museum until next Friday.

University of Montana Students Get Their Hands Dirty for a Cause

UM Student Group 1000 New Gardens is putting away their shovels for the season. Throughout spring and fall the group helps install sustainable food gardens in the Missoula Community. They installed 125 gardens in Missoula, and added 70 in Bozeman in the last three years. Reporter Annemiek Wilson and photographer Katie Radford found out how students are getting excited about going green. Click below to see video.

Nursing Students get a Shot at Real Life Experience

The University of Montana College of Technology and the Curry Health Center teamed up to host the annual Fall WellCheck. The WellCheck offered flu shots, bloodwork, and blood pressure testing. The event offers an opportunity for the nursing students to solidify their skills. Nursing Student Emily Miklautsch and Nursing Programing Director, Mary Nielsen talk about the benefits nursing students get from hands on experience. UM News reporter Katherine Kettering and photographer Scott Ranf bring us the story.

Student Assault Resource Center Hosts Clothesline Project on University of Montana Campus

One in three women and one in ten men are sexually assaulted nationwide every year.
The University of Montana offers support to victims of sexual assault.
UM News reporter Stephanie Hansen and photographer Dizhi Ge went to the University Center to find out how these victims cope with their experiences.
The student assault resource center provided t-shirts, paint, and brushes for an event called the Clothesline Project.The project provided an opportunity for sexual assault victims to paint shirts and share their experiences. The shirts will be displayed at the "Take Back The Night" march tomorrow night.