New Missoula Gun Control Ordinance

A new city wide gun ordinance in Missoula recently passed requiring the private sale of firearms to include a  background check. Already in the first week after the ordinance has passed the future law has seen lots of support and criticism. Reporter Jack Ginsburg and photographer Spencer Jakobi got the story.

UM promotes computer science in high schools

The University of Montana is teaming up with high schools around Montana to increase the number of students who engage in computer science. Student Kennedy Williamson is learning computer code in her class that Maria Bray teaches. UM received a grant from NSF CS10K program to grow computer science curriculum, diversity, and teacher preparedness across Montana. UM News reporter Caryn Foehringer and photographer Chelsea Reichard went to Sentinel High School to learn about the growing program.

UM News Silver Show 9/30

This week anchors Ally Barry and Braly Whisler deliver the news. UM News reporter Ellie Baty gives us the inside scoop on the Fulbright Program. Find out why UM’s Wildlife Biology Program is rated number 1 in the nation. The Black Student Union held a rally, teaming with the Native American community and find out about Missoula’s new popular delivery service, Kayle.

Missoula College Campus Fundraiser

The culinary arts program is building a facility at the new Missoula college campus. The program helped soothe the burn of u-m budget cuts with their third annual fundraiser at the Missoula fairgrounds . Twenty-five vendors from all over the country entered the carnivores classic BBQ festival last Saturday. The community got to come out and enjoy a variety of different BBQ styles, as well as live music, and a drive in.  The event gives students a great opportunity to learn about fundraising as well as event planning, students had a week long BBQ course to prepare for this years theme. Instructor rose Burland says the event gets bigger and better.The large turn out of vendors allowed the event to be a national qualifier for Kansas city BBQ society.The program will be hosting another v-i-p dinner fundraiser in the spring the spring

UM’s student minorities rally to build respect

The Black Student Union and the Native American Community joined forces to build a larger respect for the culture and community. Student Dustin Monroe believes by working together among the two groups, change can be made. Those two groups and other minorities make up only about 2,000 of UM’s nearly 12,000 students according to the Spring 2016 figures. Students from all backgrounds joined the two organizations in a recent march to Madison Street Bridge. UM News reporter Caryn Foehringer got the story.

Fulbright Provides Hindi Teacher for UM

Students at the University of Montana are learning Hindi thanks The Fulbright program.

Hindi is listed as a critical language by the US department of state.

The Fulbright Scholar teaching Hindi at UM, Surbhi Jain, has always wanted to teach her native language in a foreign country.

When the Fulbright program placed her in Montana, she left India to chase her dream.

“It’s very very important because it makes me proud when I talk about my culture and my country to other people who are totally new to this culture,” said Jain.

Surbhi Jain is from a little region right next to New Delhi, which is the capitol of India

Only four Universities in the country got a Fulbright scholar to teach Hindi.

Jain’s supervisor, Ruth Vanita, says unlike other Fulbright scholars on campus, they have to find a place to stay.

“We’ve had to find housing for them from private donors; supporters of the program will house them in their house for free. This is not a viable long-term plan so we need some support from the University or else we are to get them housing for this to continue,” said Vanita.

Student, Alex O’Keefe, says the continuation of the program is crucial.

“I’m just so interested in how other people live and how they do things and how they learn. Any opportunity I can possibly get to go and see and experience and take part in that; that would be very exciting for me,” said O’Keefe.

Jain’s students say they love having her teach them about her culture and her language.

It’s important to her that the Hindi program continues so students have the ability to learn.

“The University of Montana, the first thing I see is the enthusiasm in which I see in the people here, they really want to learn about India,” said Jain.

Next year they hope to have another Fulbright Scholar teach elementary Hindi 101 and 102 and intermediate Hindi 101 and 102, just is as being done now.

Jain’s favorite thing about being at the University is teaching students about her very diverse culture.

India is the largest democracy in the world with a close relationship with the US.

Ballot Initiative i-182 seeks to strip regulations on medical marijuana

Election season is well underway, and while Montana features a few important races, one ballot initiative continues to seek a resolution.

Ballot initiative I-182 seeks to strip regulations against physicians and also takes authority away from law enforcement officials when conducting random searches on medical marijuana facilities.

UM medical student Mathew Goodrich see’s pro’s and con’s in measure I-182.

UM News Silver Show for September 23, 2016

This week on UM News, reporter Braly Whisler and photographer Colter Lairy traveled to Polson, Montana to get the story about a new marine biologist. We also check in with reporter Tasha Cain and photographer Grant Herzog as they check out the new food truck scene on and off campus. This newscast was anchored by Braly Whisler and Jack Ginsburg. Behind the scenes, Chelsea Reichard directed while Caryn Foehringer produced.