There are many questions communities face that cannot be resolved with simple decisions, but require ongoing discussion, education, and action. This program is dedicated to providing information about such issues from presentations that might otherwise be lost, as well as collecting perspectives from people who are knowledgeable about or affected by them.
Recent shows
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Affordable Housing Overlay Districts
On Wednesday, Oct. 11th, the Bozeman DSA and Better Bozeman Coalition hosted a presentation by Amaia Sangroniz & Alison Sweeney titled “Introducing an Affordable Housing Overlay” at the Bozeman Public Library.
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Development & Affordable Housing Discussion
On May 16, 2024, Noah Ten Broek and Emily Talago, residents of the Midtown area of Bozeman, had a discussion with Bob Wall of KGVM about affordable housing and development issues, primarily with regards to the proposed Guthrie development in Midtown Bozeman.
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Human Trafficking in Gallatin County
On the evening of November 29, 2023 in MSU’s Procrastinator Theater, The HEART Initiative at MSU, MSU Women’s Center, Office of the Dean of Students, VOICE Center, The MSU Police Department, the Bozeman Police Department, Haven and the Sexual Assault Counseling Center held a panel discussion on human trafficking in our community.
The panel included Detectives Shay Stephens and Michael Mertz from the Bozeman and Montana State University Police Departments, and Sandra Schroeder of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Sha, Anti-trafficking Legal Advocate with Haven, and Perrin Lundgren, Help Center Community Educator with the Sexual Assault Counseling Center.
Betsy Danforth, Director of MSU’s Women’s Center introduced the panel, which Chloe Zuraff, co-leader of the Heart Initiative, moderated.or Download
From left to right: Sha, Perrin Lundgren, Chloe Zuraff, Sandra Schroeder, Michael Mertz, and Shay Stephens.
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BPL Board of Trustees Parking Lot Meeting
At 4:00 on the afternoon of November 15, 2023, the Bozeman Public Library Board of Trustees held a public meeting in the library’s newly remodeled Community Room to discuss the proposed leasing of the west side of the parking lot to the New York based developer, Left Lane.
Left Lane had proposed to lease it for $1/year for 75 years with an option to renew for another 75 years. In their presentation to the Board, they said that they would be responsible for building and maintaining a garage on the land currently occupied by 146 spaces, and they would create 270 spaces for the library, in addition to 154 spaces for their proposed large, mixed use development of a hotel, condos, restaurant and other uses.
KGVM was there to record for our listeners and posterity the proceedings attended by an overflow crowd of over 200 people. There were at least 2 Bozeman City Policemen, and the crowd was so large, spilling into the hallway, where unfortunately they could not hear the proceedings, that a Fire Marshall had to control entry into the room. Many had signs against the proposal, which they held up against the interior and exterior windows.
The recording begins with Library Board Chairman, Stewart Mohr, explaining the proceedings, followed by a presentation from the Left Lane developers, Casey Tippens and Andy Bernard. This was followed by questions from the Board, primarily from member, Mike Redburn.
Then, the Board heard public comments from over 30 Gallatin Valley citizens. Those comments begin at about 24 minutes into the recording and extend to about the 1 hour and 14 minutes mark, when Board member, Pam Henley, made a motion not to proceed any further with the Left Lane proposal. After discussion by Pam Henley in support of her motion and the other Board members, including Jan Pawlak, Ken Spencer and Mike Redburn, Chairman Stewart Mohr, called for a vote on the motion, which passed unanimously to rousing applause by the audience members.
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Montana Free Press Banned Book Week presentation
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, the Bozeman Public Library hosted a presentation by members of the staff of the Montana Free Press as part of their Banned Book Week activities. Reporters Arren Kimbel-Sannit and Alex Sakariassen and editor Nick Ehli talked about bills from the 2023 legislative session that affected libraries in Montana.
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Symbozium: Ethical Considerations at the End of Life
Death, one of the only certainties in life, is rarely discussed. In this thoughtful conversation about the end of life, however, Bozeman Family Physician and Hospice Palliative Physician, Dr. Colette Kirchhoff, moderated a panel that explores the ethical complexities of death.
Dr. Robert J. Flaherty, MD practiced Family Medicine in Bozeman from 1979 to 2105. He is Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the WWAMI Medical Program at MSU.
Lois Shepherd, J.D. is a Professor of Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia, where she directs the law and medicine programs, and where she is also a Professor of Public Health Sciences and Professor of Law.
Kathryn L. Tucker, J.D. has spent more than 30 years leading advocacy efforts to protect and expand the rights of terminally ill patients. She is the Director of Advocacy at the National Psychedelics Association. She was co-counsel in the case decided by the Montana Supreme Court, establishing access to aid in dying in Montana.
This panel discussion was held at the Museum of the Rockies on May 24, 2023.
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2023-02-19 Bozeman Tenants United Town Hall
On Feb. 19, 2023, Bozeman Tenants United held a town hall meeting at Pilgrim Church. The meeting was attended by Deputy Mayor Cunningham and City Commissioners Pomeroy, Coburn, and Madgic. Bozeman Tenants United has initiated a campaign requesting the Commission to consider a ban on certain types of short term rentals in Bozeman, and panelists asked the Commissioners their stance on the issue.
Following the town hall, KGVM interviewed two of the Bozeman Tenants United organizers, Katie Firethunder and Tia Goebel.
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Symbozium: IS THE AMERICAN DREAM DEAD?
It’s long been the mythology of America that anyone – regardless of class, race or gender – can rise from rags to riches. if they have a bit of natural talent and an inclination for hard work. But is this really true? Has it ever been? What is the American Dream?
On the evening of September 28, 2022 at the Ellen Theater, Bozeman Public Library’s award winning community forum, Symbozium, convened a panel moderated by Dr. Jelani Mahiri, and featuring Dr. Shane Doyle, Ariana Flores and Dr. Matthew Staiger, to explore that question. To begin the discussion, Chrysti Smith, aka Chrysti the Wordsmith, introduced the history of the phrase, American Dream.
Moderator: Dr. Jelani Mahiri is a parent, university instructor, musician, photographer and designer. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he first became enamored with the power and pleasures of public libraries, as well as documentary photography. He completed his B.S. in Physics and Spanish at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. He went on to study sociocultural anthropology and folklore at UC Berkeley where he completed his M.A. and Ph.D. Jelani currently teaches at Montana State University, plays music when he can, continues photographic pursuits, and faces the daily challenges and joys of parenting a young teenager.
Dr. Shane Doyle (Apsáalooke), is a Montana-based scholar, educator, writer, and community advocate whose work focuses on the deep history and cultural heritage of the Indigenous people of the Northern Great Plains. He holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Montana State University and completed a post-doctoral research appointment in genetics with the University of Copenhagen in 2016. He continues to participate in collaborative research projects throughout the Northern Plains, and often creates lesson plans and curriculum for public schools based on his team’s discoveries. As a performing artist and producer, Shane has over 30 years of experience singing Plains Indian style music and 6 years of experience as a lead artist for Bozeman-based Mountain Time Arts. Doyle is currently a full-time educational and cultural consultant who lives in Bozeman with his wife and 5 children.
Ariana Flores is an Equity Architect with the Equity Project, a leading equity, diversity and inclusion consulting firm. Originally from South Texas and a proud Chicana feminist, Ariana has dedicated her career to various endeavors seeking to further racial equity. She has worked as an attorney, advocate, and community organizer on issues including: wage theft; immigrants’ rights; sexual harassment; employment discrimination; health care access; intimate partner violence; and LGBTQIA+ rights. Ariana is an attorney by training and completed her legal education in 2012 at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle, WA, where she was a William H. Gates Public Service Law Scholar. She her earned undergraduate degree in political science from Tufts University in Medford, MA in 2004.
Dr. Matthew Staiger is a Research Scientist at Opportunity Insights, which is a social science research lab based at Harvard University. His research uses “big data” to study topics related to economic mobility. One strand of his research recognizes that people are shaped by the neighborhoods in which they live, and he studies housing policies intended to improve neighborhood conditions. A second strand of his research studies how people find jobs and investigates the consequences for workers and firms. Matthew completed his PhD in economics at the University of Maryland in 2021, and while in graduate school, he participated in the Pathways Internship program at the U.S. Census Bureau and was a Dissertation Scholar at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.
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The pandemic’s effects on mental health
We’re painfully aware of the health and economic effects of the pandemic, but what about the damage to our psyche? How has the need to socially distance affected our nation’s seniors, particularly those in care facilities? How has a year or more of distanced learning impacted the emotional development and anxiety levels of children? The pandemic has underscored how fundamental social contact is in our lives. This period of separation from loved ones, loss of freedom, and uncertainty about the future has affected all of us in some way. To address these questions, the Bozeman Public Library presented their SymBozium #7 entitled: How are you holding up? The pandemic’s wide-ranging effects on mental health. The panel of experts included: Michael Foust, Area Director for Western Montana Mental Health Center; Ingrid Ulrey, Policy Director at Public Health – Seattle & King County, Washington; and Jodi Murray, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, working in Bozeman. Library Director Susan Gregory introduced the moderator, Bozeman City Commissioner Christopher Coburn.
Recorded via Zoom on May 13, 2021.
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The Experience and Science of Mental Illness
On April 15th, 2021 The Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery, the MSU Center for Science, Technology, Ethics and Society, NAMI MT, the nonprofit, Bring Change to Mind, and the MSU Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education hosted a virtual event titled: The Experience and Science of Mental Illness.
It featured speakers Calen Pick, local artist and mental health advocate, and Dr. Sophia Vinogradov, Head of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota medical school. Calen Pick shared his experiences living with schizophrenia, and Dr. Vinogradov discussed the science behind the disorder. Michelle Hardy, Interim Program Manager at The Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery introduced the speakers.
Calen Pick 
Dr. Sophia VinogradovYou can find out more by going to The Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery website: http://www.montana.edu/cmhrr/
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Library Community Forum with David Quammen
Viruses affect all life on earth, and humans cannot be separated from the natural world or from the diseases that are part of nature. In this Bozeman Library Community Forum, distinguished science writer David Quammen discusses the factors responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic—its origins, how it spread from animals to humans and back again, and what the future may hold. His talk was followed by a lively Q&A.
Immediately following that, Mike Maltaverne, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Bozeman Fire Department, and Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Emergency Management and Fire in Gallatin County, provided an update on local vaccinations and the process going forward.
Recorded online on March 17, 2021.
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SymBozium: Water in the West
Bozeman could be facing a water shortage in the next 20 years. Water resources stakeholders are faced with balancing increasing demand with existing water rights, environmental quality and a complex regulatory environment. The Bozeman Public Library organized a SymBozium entitled: Water in the West: Whose Right Is It? Balancing Montana’s heritage water rights and practices with the needs of a growing population.
The panel of experts was introduced and moderated by Todd Wilkinson, a journalist and author residing in Bozeman, and founder of Mountain Journal, an online publication. Resources related to this topic can be found at:
bozemanlibrary.org/events/seasonal-programs/symbozium/symbozium-resources
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Poverty and the Pandemic
On July 30, 2020, Montana No Kid Hungry and HRDC District IX in Bozeman held a virtual Panel Discussion titled, Poverty and the Pandemic, exploring the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic on our community.Three panelists shared their insights, two of whom are Amplify Montana members, Rima Zabian and Lori Lindgren have firsthand experience navigating life during the pandemic with limited resources, and Tara Jensen, Co-Director of the MT Budget & Policy Center. The discussion was facilitated by Elizabeth Marum of TRIO Student Support Services at Montana State University.
You can find out more here: https://bigskybrighterfuture.org/
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The Facts About Coronavirus: Covid-19 A Panel Discussion
On the evening of March 11, 2020, at the Bozeman Public Library, a panel discussion titled, The Facts About Coronavirus/COVID-19, was moderated by Matt Kelley, Health Officer of The Gallatin City/County Health Dept, including Cindi Spinelli, Communicable Disease Program Manager, Gallatin City County Health Department; Patrick Lonergan, Chief of Emergency Management & Fire, Gallatin County; Michael Blake, MD, PhD, Pediatrician, Bozeman Health; Mike Maltaverne, Deputy Chief-Operations, Bozeman Fire Department; and Emma Kate Loveday Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher, Montana State University – Bozeman.
They were introduced by Bozeman Public Librarian, Beth Boyson.
It was recorded by Bozeman Public Library Assistant Director, Kit Stephenson.
The Covid-19 virus is thought to be spread primarily by droplets from coughs or sneezes. A distance of 6 feet is believed to be safe person to person. Wash hands frequently to assure your health and the health of others.
Montana finds first coronavirus cases; one in Gallatin County
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Public Comments re: Northwestern Energy’s 2019 Electricity Supply Resource Procurement Plan
KGVM Public Affairs host and producer, Joy LaClaire, recorded public comments at the Bozeman Public Library on 12/30/19 and at The Public Service Commission Office in Helena on 12/9/19.
Here are resources pertinent to the issue of Northwestern Energy 2019 Electricity Supply Resource Procurement Plan:
2019 Electricity Supply Resource Procurement Plan: PLAN SUMMARY AUGUST 2019 (PDF)
2019 Electricity Supply Resource Procurement Plan Docket No. N2018.11.78 (PDF)
To comment on the plan, note that the complete plan PDF lists an old docket number on the cover of the plan. The correct Docket number for comments is 2019.08.052
To submit your comments via email, send them to psc_utilitycomment@mt.gov. or fill out the form here:
The deadline for comments is January 6, 2020.
You can copy the following officials on your comments:
• Robert Nelson – robnelson@mt.gov (Consumer Counsel)
• Paul Schulz – pschulz@mt.gov (Consumer Counsel Utility Analyst)
• Legislative Consumer Counsel Committee members:
◦ Mary Ann Dunwell (D): MaryAnn.Dunwell@mtleg.gov
◦ Sue Malek (D): senatormalek@gmail.com
◦ Mike Hopkins (R): Mike.Hopkins@mtleg.gov
◦ Jeff Welborn (R): Jeff.Welborn@mtleg.govAudio-Visuals from John Bushnell’s Presentation at PSC Commissioner, Roger Koopman’s, Public Comment Session at the Bozeman Public Library on 12/30/19
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NorthWestern presentation at MPSC pub mtg 12.30.20192017 MONTANA CLIMATE ASSESSMENT http://montanaclimate.org/
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change special reports:
You can find these reports and other reports here: https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/
Here is a two-hour audio presentation of all of the 12/30/19 Bozeman comments in the order given and selected testimony from the 12/9/19 Helena hearing.
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Thrive and the CAP Mentor Program
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Symbozium: Who’s Responsible for Affordable Housing
The fourth presentation in the Symbozium series, sponsored by the Bozeman Public Library, was held on Wed., Nov. 6, 2019, in the Innovation Hall at the Norm Asbjornson Hall on the MSU campus.
The event featured a panel discussion about affordable housing, its impacts, and techniques for addressing the lack of affordable housing. The audience submitted written questions for the panel during the discussion.
The panel was chaired by Carmen McSpadden, the director of Montana State University’s Leadership Institute, and included Dr. Corianne Payton Scally, a principal research associate in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute, Andrew Jakabovics, vice president of policy development at Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit organization, and Phil Rotherham, president of Rotherham Construction Inc, a commercial and multi-family general contractor located in Bozeman, MT.
Here is more information about the Symbozium series.
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How College Makes or Breaks Us
Colleges and universities have traditionally been considered primary enablers of social mobility. But does it still work that way for young people in America? In partnership with HOPA Mountain, the best-selling author of How Children Succeed, Paul Tough, shares what he learned writing his newest book, “The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us.” His compelling stories prompt questions and provide insight into the current state of higher education here.
Recorded October 16, 2019 at the Country Bookshelf in Bozeman.
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Creating Climate Resilient Communities
This seminar from the MSU Institute on Ecosystems offers a discussion of current and anticipated climate change impacts in communities across Montana, with an emphasis on how communities can begin to consider and implement climate resiliency efforts. Led by members of a new team, Climate Smart Montana, the presenters will provide an overview of community climate assessment and planning strategies well as specific examples of climate resiliency planning efforts in Bozeman, Whitefish and Missoula.
Presenters include:
Paul Lachapelle, Professor in the Department of Political Science at MSU and MSU-Extension Community Development Specialist
Natalie Meyer, Sustainability Programs Director for the City of Bozeman
Amy Cilimburg, Executive Director of Climate Smart Missoula
Kate McMahon, Planning Consultant and Board Member with Climate Smart Glacier CountryRecorded at Montana State University on October 16, 2019.
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Will Autonomous Cars Ever Be Safe Enough?
Experimental autonomous cars are increasingly found on the nation’s roads and highways. Deborah G. Johnson, an expert on the ethics of computer science and technology, discussed the issues that such development gives rise to, in her presentation at Montana State University’s annual Hausser Lecture.
Johnson addresses the question, “How should we think about safety and standards for autonomous cars?” She has written that “Answering this question is not just a matter of developing physical components that operate reliably”. “Achieving safety in autonomous cars will require reliable machines as well as reliable social behavior, practices and arrangements.”
Recorded at the Museum of the Rockies on October 1, 2019.
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