Friday, Dec. 5th, 2025

Montana State’s Christina Anderson wins national educator award

BOZEMAN — Magic happens in the quiet of Montana State University’s darkroom, said photography professor Christina Z. Anderson. And she is the magician.  

Under her watchful eye, colors emerge in a photograph’s white spaces where there were none before. Chemical solutions eat away at an image’s gelatin coating, creating delicate black lines that drape over the photograph like a veil. These alternative photographic processes, which are handmade techniques developed as early as the 1800s, have been the focus of Anderson’s classes and research since she began teaching in MSU’s School of Film and Photography in 2000.  

For her impact on students and the field of photography, Anderson received the Society of Photographic Education’s Honored Educator Award in November. SPE, a national nonprofit founded in 1962, will present Anderson with the award in March at its annual conference in Atlanta. She is the sole recipient of the award this year, nominated for sharing her wealth of information with students, celebrating their victories and advocating for new learning opportunities, according to the award announcement.  
“When I’m gone, if I’m known as a teacher and not an artist, that is fine by me,” said Anderson, an MSU alumna with degrees in photography and painting. “I love to do my artwork and photography, but my mentoring is much more important to me.” 

This fall, she is mentoring students in experimental black-and-white darkroom photography, senior production photography, and image and text design. Anderson said she is not a “sage on the stage” — instead, she views teaching as peer mentorship, where she learns from students just as much as they learn from her.  

She often names innovative processes after the students who discover them. In 2009, her darkroom class was experimenting outdoors with mordançage, a technique using an acidified copper solution to bleach a black-and-white image and lift its silver gelatin coating, so students can shape the resulting shadows to create unique forms. The temperature outside was too cold for hydrogen peroxide solutions to oxidize and properly dissolve the gelatin, so a student created a warm water bath for a photograph between dipping it in solutions, a process henceforth named the “Jace Becker technique,” Anderson said. 

In her darkroom labs located in MSU’s Visual Communications Building, students are engaged in a way that doesn’t translate to digital editing. Although they can create an effect with the push of a button in Photoshop, they gain a deeper understanding of the art form when doing it by hand, particularly in MSU’s “top-notch” facilities, Anderson said. Students can develop photographs in several individual and group darkrooms and dim labs equipped with UV lights, film processors and print dryers.  

Jon Lau, a junior studying integrated lens-based media, said most images made in the labs are one of one: No two images are ever the same, and they can never be reproduced. As part of his final project in Anderson’s class, he will travel to nearby ghost towns and apply a warm, vintage tone to his photographs using a process called lith.  

“It’s forcing me to loosen my grip on what I want out of my photography,” said Lau, who is from Las Vegas, Nevada. “I usually like to know exactly how it’s going to look. This class allows you to let go and relax and have more fun with it, which is helpful to learn as you get into your later production classes when sometimes you’re too focused on making something good.”  

He said Anderson is invested in making sure students create images they like and in providing the resources — paper, chemicals and time — to do so.  

Anderson said she wants to give students a “cookbook” of knowledge they can use to make great art, hoping to one day be considered the Julia Child of alternative processes. She has published six books on individual processes, which have been sold in more than 40 countries. Although she is considered one of the top experts in her field, she is loath to be a gatekeeper of technical secrets. 

“I absolutely love to research. I love to dive in depth into whatever it is I'm doing, read every book on it, write about it, etc., etc.,” Anderson said. “But if I were to just stuff that in my mind and not share it — what a waste. There's no purpose to research unless you share it.” 

She shares more than 50 processes with students in her labs. Her students produce professional-level work, many examples of which are included in her published books and kept on file as inspiration for current students. Fostering success for younger generations of photographers is simply who Anderson is, said Jim Zimpel, interim director of the School of Film and Photography and associate dean of the College of Arts and Architecture.  

“It’s really what makes land-grant universities beautiful: We’re all experts in different things, and we bring those passions to students so they can learn from people who are experts in a field,” he said.  

Each year without fail, Anderson said, she tears up when her students walk across the stage at MSU’s commencement ceremony. Many go on to become professional artists, graphic designers, wedding photographers, filmmakers, studio owners and educators. Much like her own professor expressed when she was a graduate student at Clemson University, she hopes students don’t leave thinking they know everything — they will never get to a point where they have “arrived” and finished all they’ve set out to do.  

“There's always a goal that's not quite attainable, and that's what keeps it interesting,” Anderson said. “It has not gotten old for me yet.”

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Thursday, Dec. 4th, 2025

Tool developed at Montana State aims to help farmers implement new technologies

BOZEMAN – In the constantly changing environment of precision agriculture, it can be difficult to winnow through the array of available tools and technologies becoming available for use by farmers and ranchers. To help guide those decisions, two faculty members in the Montana State University College of Agriculture have developed a tool for estimating the return on investment associated with one of the most high-impact precision ag resources.

Ricardo Pinto, an assistant professor at MSU’s Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, heard from producers that herbicide resistance in weeds was becoming an increasingly intractable problem. New technology such as precision smart sprayers can detect individual weeds in a field and selectively spray them, as well as enable producers to apply specific herbicide blends that are more likely to kill herbicide-resistant plants. But tools like smart sprayers can be expensive, totaling up to $150,000 in some cases.

“Depending on your operation, it makes sense,” said Pinto. “You can have your payback period in one, maybe two years depending on the acres in your weed infestation. We had an opportunity to develop a platform where producers can say, ‘Does this precise spray technology work in my situation or not?’”

To make those questions easier to answer, Pinto and Kelsey Larson developed the Smart Spray Annual ROI Calculator, a free and easy-to-use digital tool where producers can plug in numbers relevant to their own operations and determine how much time it would take for them to save enough money to justify the cost of new tools. Users plug in values such as their current herbicide application rate and frequency, the estimated weed coverage in their field, the price of a smart spray system and their field acreage. The tool then calculates savings in both dollars and reduced chemical application.

For Pinto and Larson, who both conduct outreach through MSU Extension in addition to their research, the opportunity to develop resources that producers can use on their farms was motivating.

“Many of these environmental or precision agriculture practices are going to make sense on some operations for some people, but they're not going to make sense everywhere. There are no cut-and-paste solutions,” said Larson, who grew up in Bozeman and received her doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before joining the faculty in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics in January. “It was exciting to have a concrete way to help Montana producers to figure out what makes sense for them.”

Smart spray technologies use sensors that can identify a single weed among crop plants, turning nozzles on and off automatically to apply herbicides and pesticides only where they are necessary. When properly implemented, they can save time and money, vastly decreasing the amount of input necessary to manage weeds.

Because farmers can plug in the specific values for their operation, the new calculator can provide tailored information based on the variations across Montana’s ecosystems and geography. Less herbicide and pesticide application positively impacts soil health and saves water as well as costly herbicides.

An example calculation in the online tool estimates that for a 1,000-acre farm applying 10 gallons of herbicide per acre three times per year, savings could total nearly $60,000 per year. Those savings could cover the cost of a $75,000 smart spray system in less than a year and a half.

There is also potential, Pinto said, for increased yield when herbicides are applied more sparingly, because plants don’t have to metabolize chemicals that are broadcast over an entire field. Exploring that question is part of his future research plan.

“In pulse crops, for example, we have a really important disease called root rot that is associated with the level of stress of the plant,” Pinto said. “If the plant is more stressed because of herbicide application, it would be more susceptible to that disease. This is one thing that we are advancing, to better understand the impact of those products in terms of yield and plant fitness in general.”

The calculator, Larson said, is designed to be “a living tool.” More metrics will be added over time to further tailor the information producers can get from it, and both she and Pinto welcome feedback from MSU Extension agents and farmers who have made use of it. The two wrote a guide on how to use the tool, and since the its unveiling in May, the calculator has had users in not only several U.S. states, but also in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and China.
Pinto himself is originally from Brazil and did part of his graduate studies at MSU. Returning to Montana and doing work that can tangibly help growers is extremely rewarding, he said.
“I always had Montana in my heart, so when the position opened in Havre, it was a perfect opportunity for me to continue my effort to help producers understand how they can take advantage of different technologies that we have in the market and most importantly, how we can optimize the use of our inputs,” he said.

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Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 2025

Gallatin College MSU student earns international scholarship for photonics


BOZEMAN
— A career change led Amanda Andrews to trade her flute for lasers at Gallatin College Montana State University.  

The second-year photonics and laser technology student returned to school in 2024, more than 10 years after earning her bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s in music education at Illinois Wesleyan University and Northeastern Illinois University, respectively. Andrews said she wanted a forward-thinking career that could support her family, which was difficult when she taught K-12 music education and had to compete for limited positions and worry about job security during budget cuts. 

“I'm pushing myself to do something that's really outside my comfort zone, both in terms of the subject matter and where I'm at in my life in coming back to school,” said Andrews, who is originally from Chicago but moved to Bozeman from Seattle in 2021. “I feel like it makes me a great role model to my daughter to show her more female faces in STEM and by having good payoff at the end of the program with a strong career.” 

Her decision to enter a new field, sparked by a retired photonics industry member she met on the ski slopes, is already paying off. Andrews was one of four recipients in North America to receive the Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship, which awarded $2,500 to students pursuing careers in photonics and optics this fall.  

Photonics technicians control light to enhance sensing and imaging in electronic products, with applications ranging from self-driving cars to light mapping in wildfire detection. Southwest Montana has one of the highest  concentrations  of optics and photonics companies per capita in the nation, which foster careers in defense, manufacturing, communications and information technology.  

Andrews is one of many Gallatin College MSU students supported by financial aid. Last year, the college awarded about $109,000 in scholarships to 103 students through Cat Scholarships, which allow students to submit one application and be considered for dozens of scholarships, said Assistant Dean Nicole Berg. Like Andrews, students can receive help submitting applications and essays from MSU’s career coaches.  

“It just gives that extra piece of help to say, ‘I can finish this, I can do this and this is going to boost my confidence to be able to finish what I started,’” said Berg, adding that Gallatin College MSU also pulls from unused scholarship funds to assist students in tough situations, such as a lack of child care or money for gas. 

For Andrews, balancing several responsibilities with her photonics coursework is often challenging. She helps her 7-year-old get ready for school, attends class, finishes homework, walks her two dogs, cooks meals for her husband and daughter, and occasionally performs with her band, Celtic Collective. However, she said she felt much more prepared to be a successful student the second time around. She had a firmer grasp on time management and found that professors were willing to accommodate students by pushing back class times or staying behind to answer questions.  

“Amanda embodies what our students represent,” said Mark Craig, program director of photonics and laser technology. “A lot of our students are motivated to learn something new, particularly in high-tech industries. She’s focused on what she wants to get out of the program, and her work ethic is admirable.” 

Andrews said Gallatin College MSU builds a foundation of theory first and application second. When she studied resistors, which limit the flow of electric currents, she put the knowledge to use by building different types of circuits with resistors, observing how they behave when they are aligned in different formations. By the third semester of her electronics coursework, students are building and programming a robotic vehicle. 

This semester, Andrews and her peers are building lasers in an optics lab on MSU’s campus, with guidance from an instructor who has years of industry experience. It’s a more powerful laser than the class has used in previous years, and students must don protective eyewear and use detector cards — which convert infrared light into visible light — to adjust the laser beam, which is invisible to the naked eye.  

“That’s the nature of technician work that people who graduate from this program will do,” Andrews said. “We’ll be given a box of components and a schematic sheet, and told, ‘Build the thing on here, test it, make sure everything's aligned, document your data and get your higher-up engineer to sign off on it.’”  

Andrews has observed the day-to-day work of local technicians on seven industry tours so far. She said it is exciting to see how each company occupies its own niche in the field, viewing other companies as collaborators rather than competitors. She plans to find a local internship in the spring. Upon graduating from Gallatin College MSU, photonics and laser technology students often earn starting salaries up to about $65,000. 

“I'm not even done with the program, but I send resumes, and I'm getting emails or phone calls saying, ‘Can we interview you?’ And we're having recruiters who come into my classrooms and say, ‘Hey, think about us for a summer internship or when you graduate,’” Andrews said. “And that feels really powerful.” 

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Belgrade City Council Appoints Matthew McGee to Fill Ward 1 Council Vacancy

BELGRADE - The Belgrade City Council has appointed Matthew McGee, 34, to fill a vacant Ward 1 seat following a competitive application and interview process. McGee will serve on the council through the next general municipal election in November 2027. If he chooses to run at that time and is elected, he would complete the original term ending in 2029.

McGee replaces Council Member Mike Meis, who was elected mayor in November and will begin his mayoral term in January. Because Mayor Russ Nelson is retiring at the end of this year, he granted Meis the authority to oversee the appointment process and make a recommendation to the City Council.

Two candidates applied for the vacancy. Meis interviewed both applicants and recommended McGee for appointment, a recommendation the City Council unanimously supported.

“I was impressed with his knowledge of Belgrade and the challenges we face,” Meis said. “I think he'd be an excellent addition to the team.”

A Butte native, McGee has lived in Belgrade since 2015. He serves as vice president of the Belgrade Kiwanis, frequently volunteers with Belgrade Chamber of Commerce events, and works for Pierce Flooring in Bozeman. He previously managed Gallatin Subaru.

In his application, McGee wrote, “Our community is stronger if we can work together and strive for a common goal. And if I plan to stay in Belgrade for the next 20 years at least, I'd like to be a part of that change and growth.”

McGee also noted that his interest in public service was heavily influenced by his father’s example. “Being a voice in your local government and being able to help influence and guide what the town is going to do next is a really big not only opportunity but responsibility,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to serving the City of Belgrade.”

McGee will be sworn in on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Belgrade Library Community Room.

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Monday, Dec. 1st, 2025

Public Advised of Possible Measles Exposure in Gallatin County

The Gallatin City-County Health Department (GCCHD) is advising the public of several potential exposure sites in Gallatin County from a recently confirmed measles case. A list of potential exposure sites – and recommendations for those exposed – is available on the GCCHD website and will be updated as new information becomes available. The times listed on the website include when the potential exposure occurred and two hours after.

The GCCHD confirmed an additional case of measles in Gallatin County on December 1, 2025. This follows a previous case confirmed on November 28, 2025. The latest confirmed case is believed to have been exposed at one of the previously identified public exposure sites. These sites, which date back to early November, were recently shared with the public as part of our ongoing eƯorts to notify those who may have been at risk, and to limit further spread of the virus.

Please note: If you were at any of the locations listed on November 28, please verify that you are immune to measles immediately. If you determine you do not have immunity to measles or are unsure, please call your primary care provider or the Gallatin City-County Health Department as soon as possible at 406-582-3100 and ask to speak to a Communicable Disease Specialist. You may be eligible for Post Exposure Prophylaxis in the form of the MMR vaccine if administered today, Monday December 1st, 2025 (within 3 days following exposure).

Measles can spread before symptoms appear—even before a rash is visible. The virus is highly contagious and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. This makes early exposure diƯicult to detect and increases the risk of transmission.

"With holiday activities and gatherings this month, it is especially important to know your vaccination status," said Lori Christenson, Gallatin City-County Health OƯicer. "We encourage everyone to take proactive steps by speaking with their health care provider about the MMR vaccine, which oƯers strong protection against measles. Informed decisions about vaccination are key to keeping our families and communities safe and healthy."

Vaccination is the best way to help prevent the spread of measles. Please contact your health care provider for more information. The MMR vaccine is 97% eƯective against preventing the spread of measles. Individuals without prior immunity to measles have a 90% chance of contracting the disease if exposed. If you are unsure of your immunity status, consult with a health care provider. Maintaining high vaccination rates within the community protects those who cannot be vaccinated.

Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease with initial symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and white spots in the mouth, followed by a red rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward. Measles infection can also result in serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. It poses significant risks to infants, who are generally not eligible for vaccination until 12 months of age.

The GCCHD offers MMR vaccinations and encourages residents in need of the vaccine to contact their health care provider. We believe in working together to help you make the best choice for your health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 406-582-3100.

All additional updates for measles information will be made available on our website unless the risk to public health changes.

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How to Watch: Bobcats host Yale in FCS second round

BOZEMAN – After a bye this weekend, the Montana State Bobcat football team is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 6, hosting its first playoff game of the season against Yale in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision postseason.

Kickoff is set for noon in Bobcat Stadium. With their No. 2 national seed, the Bobcats earned home-field advantage for the duration of the playoffs. The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the national quarterfinals, where they will play the winner of the second-round game between Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian. The FCS bracket can be found on the NCAA website.

The Yale Bulldogs, this year's Ivy League champions, upset No. 15 Youngstown State last weekend in dramatic fashion to lock in their second-round game against MSU. Yale rallied from a 35-7 first-half deficit to win in the game's final moments by a score of 43-42. They scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to lock in the victory.

With MSU's win over rival Montana on Nov. 22, the Bobcats earned the Big Sky Conference title and the conference’s only automatic bid to the playoffs. It is the third time in the past four seasons that MSU has ended the regular season as conference champion. Fans have several options to attend the game, stream it or listen live.

Tickets
Fans interested in purchasing tickets can find the latest information and availability online at montanastate.evenue.net or by calling the Bobcat Ticket Office at 406-994-2287.

Live coverage
The game will stream live on ESPN+, which requires a subscription.

Live updates
Fans can listen live via Bobcat Radio Network online or on radio stations across Montana. Specific station information can be found on the Bobcat Radio and Television webpage. On social media, updates will be shared via Instagram @montanastatebobcats and on Facebook @Montana State Football.

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Blue Lock Rivals Codes – Complete Guide to Unlocks, Rewards, and Boosts

Introduction to Blue Lock Rivals and Its Codes
Blue Lock Rivals has quickly captured the attention of sports and simulation gamers with its high-octane soccer mechanics and character-driven progression system. Inspired by the popular manga and anime series, the game challenges players to train, scout, and compete with a roster of unique characters to become the ultimate striker. One of the most popular features among players is the Blue Lock Rivals codes, which provide bonuses such as currency, rare player unlocks, skill boosts, and cosmetic rewards. These codes allow players to accelerate progress, try advanced strategies, and enjoy the game without excessive grinding.

What Blue Lock Rivals Codes Can Unlock
The codes in Blue Lock Rivals offer a wide variety of rewards:

● In-game currency for training and upgrading characters
● Exclusive or rare striker cards that improve team potential
● Temporary skill boosts for tournaments or PvP matches
● Special outfits or cosmetic accessories
● Event-specific rewards tied to seasonal challenges

By providing these bonuses, codes give both newcomers and experienced players opportunities to experiment with different team compositions, maximize character performance, and explore advanced gameplay mechanics without waiting through long grind sessions.

How to Redeem Blue Lock Rivals Codes
Redeeming codes is simple and straightforward:

1. Open the game and go to the main menu.
2. Navigate to the “Settings” or “Extras” tab.
3. Select the “Redeem Code” option.
4. Enter the code exactly as provided — capitalization and symbols are important.
5. Confirm to receive rewards, which will appear in your inventory or directly in the character roster.

Some codes are time-limited, especially those tied to events, livestream announcements, or seasonal campaigns. If a code doesn’t work, it may have expired or be restricted to specific regions or platforms.

Why Codes Matter for Progression
Although Blue Lock Rivals can be enjoyed casually, progression depends heavily on character development, skill leveling, and tournament performance. Codes help players:

● Unlock advanced strikers faster
● Boost training efficiency to improve stats quickly
● Access cosmetic items to customize the team
● Experiment with new strategies without spending excessive time on repetitive matches

For competitive players, codes are especially useful for PvP events and ranking challenges, where every small advantage can determine victory. They let players test optimal striker combinations, timing, and special moves in high-pressure matches.

Staying Updated on Codes
Because codes are frequently added and can expire quickly, staying informed is key. Many players rely on centralized platforms to track active codes. bo3.gg is one of the most reliable sources, providing a regularly updated list of Blue Lock Rivals codes. It includes both newly released and still-active codes, covering event-specific rewards, seasonal bonuses, and developer drops. Using such a resource ensures that players do not miss valuable bonuses and always have access to fresh content.

Tips for Using Codes Effectively
While codes provide a boost, skill and strategy still determine success in Blue Lock Rivals. Here are some tips to maximize the impact of codes:

● Focus on unlocking or upgrading strikers that fit your preferred playstyle
● Time skill boosts for critical matches or tournaments
● Combine currency rewards with training sessions to maximize stat gains
● Use rare player unlocks strategically to complete team formations
● Regularly check bo3.gg for new and active codes to stay ahead of events

By combining codes with smart gameplay, players can climb the ranks more efficiently while still enjoying the full challenge of the game.

Event-Specific and Seasonal Codes
Blue Lock Rivals frequently releases codes tied to limited-time events, such as seasonal tournaments, collaborations, or special challenges. These codes often include unique strikers or event-only cosmetic items, making them highly desirable.
Participating in these events and redeeming codes promptly is crucial, as many rewards expire after the event ends. Being proactive in tracking codes ensures that players can access these exclusive items without missing out.

Conclusion
Blue Lock Rivals codes are a valuable resource for both new and experienced players, offering rewards that enhance gameplay, accelerate progression, and provide access to rare characters and exclusive items. By redeeming codes and staying updated through reliable platforms like bo3.gg, players can ensure they are maximizing every advantage in both casual and competitive play. Whether you are aiming to improve your team, unlock rare strikers, or explore advanced strategies, codes remain a central part of the Blue Lock Rivals experience.

 

 

 

 

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Friday, Nov. 28th, 2025

From Chaos to Calm: How to Organize Your Home Before a Major Move

Preparing for a move can be one of the most stressful life events we face. The sheer volume of tasks—from sorting personal items to packing, cleaning, and coordinating with movers—can feel overwhelming. But with the right strategy and approach, it's entirely possible to transition from chaos to calm. 

This guide dives deep into home organization tips designed specifically to simplify your move, including smart decluttering before moving, creating an efficient moving preparation checklist, and practicing streamlined household inventory planning for a smoother, stress-free relocation experience. Whether you're moving across the state or across the country, these tips will help you start fresh without the mess.

Why Proper Home Organization Matters Before a Move

Relocation isn’t just about changing your address; it’s about creating a fresh beginning. And the foundation for that new chapter starts with tidying up the current one. Organizing your home for a move helps reduce the volume of what you take with you, cuts down on packing time, and can even save money on moving services. Plus, living in a well-organized space during the transition process contributes to a calmer, more manageable experience for everyone involved.

Decluttering Before Moving: What to Keep, Donate, or Toss

Decluttering before moving is one of the most liberating steps in the entire process. It helps you let go of items that no longer serve a purpose, reducing unnecessary clutter and making packing simpler. Here’s a methodical approach:

The 4-Pile Method
• Keep: Items you absolutely need or that add value to your daily life.
• Donate: Gently used items that others may find useful—clothes, kitchen gadgets, books.
• Sell: Furniture or electronics in good condition that could fetch a good price before the move.
• Toss: Broken, outdated, or unusable items that don’t belong in your new home.

Room-by-Room Approach
Tackle one room at a time, starting with the least-used spaces (like guest rooms or basements). This makes the process feel less overwhelming and allows you to see tangible progress.

Building an Efficient Moving Preparation Checklist

A clear moving preparation checklist ensures you don’t miss a thing. Here’s how to structure it for success:

1.  8 Weeks Out: Begin researching moving companies and gathering quotes. Start decluttering your home.
2.  6 Weeks Out: Create a moving folder with all imp
3.  4 Weeks Out: Notify schools, doctors, creditors, and postal services of your upcoming address change.
4.  2 Weeks Out: Start packing non-essential items. Label every box clearly.
5.  1 Week Out: Pack an essentials bag, confirm details with movers, and clean the rooms that are already packed.
6.  Day Before: Defrost the refrigerator, finalize packing, and double-check all plans.

Household Inventory Planning for a Smooth Move

Household inventory planning is crucial for both organizing and protecting your belongings. Not only does it help you keep track of what you own, but it's also essential in the event of insurance claims or damaged property.

Tips for Effective Inventory Planning:
• Make a spreadsheet that includes item names, estimated value, condition, and destination room.
• Take photographs of valuable or fragile items as an added security measure.
• Use moving apps like Sortly or Moving Planner to digitize this process.

Inventory planning also helps you avoid duplication. When you see four slow cookers listed in your kitchen, you’ll know it’s time to pare down!

Packing Preparation Tips to Stay Ahead

With your home decluttered and an inventory in hand, it’s time to pack smart. These packing preparation tips will help you avoid common pitfalls:

1.  Start Early: Begin with items that are out of season or rarely used.
2.  Label Wisely: Use a consistent system. For example, "Kitchen - Fragile - Dishes.
3.  "Pack Similar Items: Keep similar items together for easier unpacking later.
4.  Use Quality Materials: Invest in sturdy boxes, tape, and wrapping materials.
5.  Don’t Overload Boxes: Especially with heavy items like books. Spread weight evenly.

For especially valuable, fragile, or difficult-to-pack items, consider hiring professional packing services in NV. They can ensure your items are treated with care, reducing the risk of breakage and streamlining your packing timeline.

Organizing Your Home for a Move: Storage and Zone Strategy

Organizing your home for a move means more than just putting things in boxes. Use smart zoning systems to streamline your efforts:

Create Staging Areas
Zone 1: Items for donation or sale.
Zone 2: Items you’re keeping and ready to pack.
Zone 3: Essential daily-use items you’ll pack last.

Vertical space is your friend; use shelves and empty walls to stack sorted items clearly. Utilize clear bins for visual transparency, especially for essentials you’ll need quickly upon arrival.

Achieving a Stress-Free Relocation

A stress-free relocation starts with careful planning and ends with peace of mind. Here are the final touches that make a big difference:

Mind Your Mental Health
• Build in breaks—don’t aim to pack nonstop for 10 hours straight.
• Stay hydrated and get enough sleep during the last few weeks before the move.
• Celebrate small wins—finishing a room, donating a bag of clothes, checking off a checklist

Enlist Help
You don’t have to do it all alone. Whether you hire professional packing services or ask friends and family to pitch in, shared labor eases the emotional and physical burden of moving.

Conclusion

Moving doesn’t have to be chaotic. By incorporating strategic home organization tips, including early decluttering before moving, smart household inventory planning, and mindful packing preparation tips, you can shift your transition from stressful to seamless. Don’t let clutter follow you to your new home. From building an actionable moving preparation checklist to considering professional packing services, every decision you make today sets the stage for a smoother, more manageable tomorrow. Embrace the move as a fresh start—with calm, clarity, and confidence.

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Wednesday, Nov. 26th, 2025

Judge Sentences Christopher Foiles to 60 Years in Prison for Homicide of Megan Stedman

BOZEMAN - The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office announces that Christopher Brandon Foiles, 44, was sentenced on November 25, 2025, in Gallatin County District Court to 60 years in the Montana State Prison, without the possibility of parole. Judge Rienne McElyea imposed the sentence after reviewing the plea agreement and hearing extensive, emotional testimony from members of the victim’s family. Foiles received 624 days of credit for time served, meaning he will be approximately 102 years old before becoming eligible for release—a sentence that effectively ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Foiles pled guilty to Deliberate Homicide, admitting responsibility for the killing that devastated the Mitma/Stedman family and the broader Gallatin County community. During the hearing, the Court heard powerful statements from Adrian Mitma, Madison Bender, Jasmine Natava, Maria Mitma, Colia Mitma, Roxy Stedman, and Christina Mitma Momono, each describing the profound and lasting harm caused by Foiles’ actions.

Foiles is also prohibited from contacting any member of the victim’s family and must pay $2,921.37 in restitution. He will be transported to the Montana State Prison to immediately begin serving his term.

“This was a senseless and devastating loss of life, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of that harm. Mr. Foiles stole a beloved family member from a community that will feel this loss forever. Justice demands that he never again walk free, and the Court’s decision ensures exactly that,” said County Attorney Audrey Cromwell.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to the Bozeman Police Department and the dedicated victim advocates who stood with the family throughout this case. Their tireless work and compassion made this outcome possible.

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Tuesday, Nov. 25th, 2025

Montana State history professor wins two national awards

BOZEMAN – Historian Catherine Dunlop views wild environments as laboratories for studying how human societies are shaped by natural features and forces. For two months in 2017, she immersed herself in one such laboratory while researching a book about the famous mistral winds of southern France.

“It’s a very atmospheric place,” said Dunlop, a professor in the Department of History and Philosophy in Montana State University’s College of Letters and Science since 2010. “I lived for two months in Provence overlooking the Mediterranean. I got to see the sea whipped up by Mistral waves. The shutters would bang with the sound of the mistral, and I’d see the tables with wine glasses sent smashing and breaking from the force of the wind.

“It was important for me to spend time there getting to know the wind,” she said.
Dunlop said that experience was crucial as she began crafting her book, “The Mistral: A Windswept History of Modern France,” which examines how the violent and uncontrollable wind has not only shaped the region’s landscapes, industry and culture for centuries, but also played a decisive role in shaping the course of modern French history. As the inside cover flap explains, “Every year, the chilly mistral wind blows through the Rhône Valley of southern France, across the Camargue wetlands, and into the Mediterranean Sea. Most forceful when winter turns to spring, the wind knocks over trees, sweeps trains off their tracks, and destroys crops. Yet the mistral turns the sky clear and blue, as it often appears in depictions of Provence.”

To Dunlop’s surprise, the book, published in 2024, has been met with enthusiastic acclaim in historical circles and garnered her two national awards from the American Historical Association: the J. Russell Major Prize in French History, which is awarded annually for the best work in English on any aspect of French history; and the George L. Mosse Prize, which is awarded every year for an outstanding major work of extraordinary scholarly distinction, creativity and originality in the intellectual and cultural history of Europe since 1500.

“I was really shocked to receive these two national awards, because when I started writing the book and when I was trained as a graduate student, this was considered a bizarre topic,” Dunlop said. “Human ideas about freedom and liberty and how people govern themselves was traditionally how French history has been told.”

In the introduction to “The Mistral,” Dunlop writes that “scholars have tended to view the spaces of history from an anthropocentric perspective, downplaying the unruly weather features of historical landscapes while emphasizing people’s capacity to govern their surroundings.” For that reason, she says, when she set out to write the book, “I had to make the case that yes, we should pay attention to these nonhuman factors that can shape human societies.”

Dunlop’s interest in the mistral grew out of her lifelong affinity for France. It was nurtured by her mother, who was born there during World War II before emigrating with her family to the United States in the 1950s. Dunlop began studying French language in middle school, then studied abroad in Paris during her junior year of college, ultimately going on to study French history in graduate school.

“Over the course of a career, I’ve enjoyed getting to know different regions of France,” she said.

Dunlop believes understanding how societies are shaped by natural forces is relevant to the study of history anywhere, and she has incorporated that focus into the courses she teaches at MSU.

“I can easily work with students interested in the same interactions in the American West or elsewhere in the world,” she said.

Based on her research for “The Mistral,” Dunlop developed a senior level seminar course on nature and culture in Europe. She is currently on sabbatical researching a new book about the role of environmental knowledge in the planning, execution and aftermath of the D-Day landings at Normandy, and the project has given her some ideas for a class on the intersection of war and the environment.

“I enjoy the curricular openness of our department, which encourages thinking about history in broad and innovative and creative ways,” she said.

Dunlop said she also enjoys collaborating with her MSU colleagues, not only in the history department but across the university. While working on “The Mistral,” she bounced ideas off a geographer friend, learned from an MSU ecologisthow wind fits into ecological webs, and sought assistance from the Geospatial Core Facility, whose cartographers created the book’s maps.

Timothy LeCain, head of MSU’s Department of History and Philosophy, said he was not at all surprised that “The Mistral” has won so much acclaim.

“Besides being a joy to read, it really pushes the boundaries of how we historians tell our stories,” he said. “Catherine shows us how a force of nature can shape everything from the way farmers build their houses to the way Van Gogh paints his landscapes. This is cutting-edge history at its best.”

Fittingly, Dunlop will receive her awards in the windy city of Chicago at the annual meeting of the American Historical Association in January.

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