Until recently, exploring your family’s ethnic past could feel overwhelming. But today’s easy-to-access records and DNA testing tools simplify the process. You can create your family tree with a clear plan. Use traditional documents and genetic matches as your guides. You might connect with distant cousins or learn about your roots. It involves just a few simple steps and won’t cost you much.

Check out this guide to start your heritage exploration with confidence and assurance. Your journey to finding your ethnic roots will reveal amazing stories hidden in your DNA!

The Growing Accessibility of Genetic Genealogy
With simpler testing and broader data sharing, tracing your genetic roots has become something anyone can do. A few years ago, sequencing even a small portion of your genome required specialized labs and thousands of dollars. Nowadays, labs process millions of at-home kits annually. That scale has driven costs down and reporting times to under four weeks.

The rise of at-home DNA testing
At-home kits first gained popularity when early adopters showed how simple the process could be. Simply swab your cheek, secure the sample, and mail it off. Today, reputable services provide clear instructions and online portals.

These portals let you track your sample’s progress step by step. You receive email alerts at each stage, from lab receipt to analysis completion. That way, you always know where your results stand.

Demystifying the science behind ethnicity estimates
When your sample arrives, labs isolate specific markers across your chromosomes. They compare those markers to reference panels of global populations. The algorithm assigns percentages for regions such as Eastern Europe or West Africa based on how closely your markers match those groups.

As databases grow and methods improve, these estimates inch closer to pinpoint accuracy. Minor fluctuations between updates are normal.

Starting Your Journey into Family History
Clear preparation saves time and prevents confusion once your DNA data arrives. Start by collecting and organizing what your family already knows.

Gathering family documents and oral histories
Connect with your parents and other relatives to request copies of birth, marriage, or death certificates they might have. Request old passports and photo albums. Record their recollections of hometowns, family nicknames, or migration stories. Transcribing these interviews helps you compare anecdotes with later genetic matches.

Defining your research questions
List specific objectives, such as finding a missing great-grandparent or confirming a family tradition about coastal origins. You might focus on locating relatives abroad. Prioritizing questions guides which records you search. It also shapes how you interpret DNA matches. A defined goal prevents you from becoming overwhelmed by the volume of information available.

Choosing the Right Approach for Your Research
Balancing free resources with a targeted DNA test delivers the most comprehensive results.

Utilizing free ancestry databases and archives
National archives and local libraries often digitize records at no cost. Analyze census records to follow family members across multiple decades. Browse immigration and naturalization records to trace arrival ports and ship manifests. Church registers can reveal baptism and burial details. These resources help you build a chronological framework before adding genetic evidence.

Buying a DNA kit: what to expect
When buying a DNA kit, you choose between autosomal tests and specialized Y-chromosome or mitochondrial tests. Autosomal tests cover all family lines. The Y-chromosome tests trace the paternal line. Meanwhile, mitochondrial tests track the maternal line.

The DNA kits usually cost between $40 and $100. Sometimes, sales drop the price to about $30. The package includes a prepaid mailer, which makes the process seamless.

Blending genetic results with paper-trail evidence
Once you receive ethnicity estimates and match lists, cross-reference names and locations from your documents. A DNA match that shares an ancestor with a surname from your family tree is a strong lead to explore. Verifying shared ancestors builds confidence in your discoveries. It also illuminates branches where written records end.

Interpreting Your DNA Results with Confidence
Interpreting raw data requires context. You must learn to read percentages, evaluate match quality, and avoid common misinterpretations.

Reading your ethnicity breakdown
Your report might show twenty regions with percentages such as 45 percent Northern European or 8 percent Indigenous American. Treat percentages under one percent as provisional. These trace amounts may disappear or shift with database expansions and algorithm tweaks. Larger percentages mark regions where you have substantial ancestry.

Making sense of DNA match lists
Match lists rank individuals by shared centimorgans. Centimorgans measure how much DNA you share. Closer relatives, such as first or second cousins, typically share over 200 centimorgans. As you move down the list, shared segments shrink. That signals more distant cousins. Begin by messaging closer matches. Introduce yourself and ask short, polite questions about shared ancestors or family records.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid misinterpretation
It is easy to overstate the importance of small matches or assume they represent direct ancestry. Genetic inheritance is random. Two siblings can inherit different DNA proportions from the same grandparents. Always corroborate matches with documentary evidence. Avoid confirmation bias by remaining open to unexpected connections.

Expanding Beyond DNA: Deepening Your Research
Combining genetic clues with community knowledge and offline records breathes life into your family history.

Leveraging local archives and libraries
Visiting courthouses or historical societies in ancestral locales uncovers documents not online. You may find deeds, school rosters, or local newspaper clippings of weddings and obituaries. Handling original documents can reveal marginalia, handwritten notes that add nuance to printed entries.

Joining genealogical societies and online forums
Surname-focused and regional groups exist on social networks, mailing lists, and dedicated genealogy platforms. Members share transcribed records, translate old handwriting, and host workshops. Participation often leads to breakthroughs when researchers pool resources.

Conducting oral history interviews
Speaking with elderly relatives preserves memories before they fade. Craft thoughtful prompts to spark conversations about family history. Focus on topics like how loved ones met, childhood memories, or traditions passed down through generations. Record these sessions with permission and then transcribe them. This process creates a valuable archive for you and future generations.

How to Make the Most of Your Discoveries
Once you compile DNA interpretations and documentary evidence, focus on preservation, sharing, and future research avenues.

• Design a narrative timeline: Integrate key dates, locations, and anecdotes into a chronological story.
• Include maps and photos: Visual aids deepen engagement and help relatives see geographic migrations.
• Cite all sources: Documents where each piece of information came from, such as a database or interviews, for credible research.

Creating a Family History Book
Combine text, photographs, and document scans into a polished keepsake. Template-based software and self-publishing services guide you through layout, cover design, and printing options. You can produce an affordable hardcover edition or share an interactive PDF.

Sharing results with relatives
Organize a family reunion, virtual or in person, to present your findings. A simple slideshow can highlight major connections, surprising revelations, and unanswered questions. Invite relatives to contribute their stories, photographs, and records to keep expanding the tree together.

Conclusion
Mapping your ethnic roots no longer requires specialized training or extensive budgets. You can discover rich family histories in a few weeks. Begin by organizing your documents and exploring free archives. If you purchase a DNA kit, note that basic results like ethnicity estimates and matches are included.

Looking at your results with paper trails helps you avoid mistakes. It also leads you to living relatives and new research paths. Share your findings, connect with family, and keep asking questions. Each answer you find opens the door to another chapter of your family’s remarkable journey.

Creative DIY art projects transform ordinary living spaces into personalized havens that reflect who we are. According to design experts, we should reassess our style every decade to keep our homes feeling fresh and modern. However, you don't need to wait that long or spend a fortune on professional renovations.

We've gathered some of our favorite DIY art projects that can be completed in a weekend, bringing new life to tired spaces. Whether you're looking to add color, texture, or simply a touch of your unique style, these projects will help you create a space that feels both refreshed and deeply personal.

Add Color with Hand-Painted Wall Art
Hand-painted wall art stands as one of the most affordable yet impactful ways to revitalize any room. Unlike store-bought pieces, creating your own artwork allows you to perfectly match your space while expressing your unique esthetic.

Choose your color palette
The right color palette does more than just look pretty—it sets the emotional tone for your entire space. When selecting colors for your DIY wall art, start by understanding basic color theory:
• Primary colors (red, blue, yellow) form the foundation of all other colors
• Secondary colors (green, orange, violet) result from mixing primaries
• Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating vibrant contrasts
• Analogous colors neighbor each other, offering harmonious combinations

I've found that aligning your wall art with existing furniture, curtains, and accessories creates a cohesive look that tells a unified story. Additionally, consider what emotions you want to evoke—red often represents passion, blue suggests calm, while yellow radiates joy and optimism.

For beginners, I recommend experimenting with natural color combinations using subtle neutrals against more colorful elements.

A beach ocean paint by number kit can be a great introduction, offering both a relaxing experience and a finished piece that captures serene coastal tones.

Use stencils or go freehand
The stencil-versus-freehand decision significantly impacts your creative DIY art project's outcome. Both approaches have distinct advantages.

Stencils deliver unmatched consistency and precision, making them ideal for geometric designs, repeated patterns, and text elements. They're particularly valuable for statement walls where pattern alignment matters. Even as a beginner, you'll achieve professional-looking results with clean edges and uniform spacing.

Conversely, freehand painting introduces natural variations that give your work distinctive personality. Each brushstroke carries your personal touch, creating truly one-of-a-kind results that mass-produced pieces simply can't match. Although this technique requires more confidence, those "happy accidents" often become the most compelling aspects of your finished piece.

For a middle-ground approach, try creating simple patterns with painter's tape as guidelines—perfect for abstract designs or geometric shapes.

Best surfaces for DIY wall art
Canvas is the most popular surface for DIY home projects for beginners, even to this day. The affordable, simple method requires few materials: a canvas (even an existing one with a print), canvas primer, and paint. The primer will remove any design present on the canvas, giving you a blank canvas to use as inspiration for your creativity.

Alternatively, painting walls directly can produce great drama. To utilize for wall murals, art primer in the form of gesso is best for enhanced durability and finish. Lastly, fix your masterpiece with acrylic varnish, brushed or sprayed on.

Apart from traditional surfaces, contemporary DIY artwork can make use of alternative materials like wood planks, textiles, or even corrugated foam board. Each surface brings unique texture and dimension to your work.

Transform Furniture with Artistic Touches
Revitalizing tired furniture pieces stands out as one of the most gratifying creative DIY art projects you can tackle. With minimal investment, you can transform outdated dressers, tables, and cabinets into striking focal points that tell your unique story.

Painted furniture makeovers
Breathing new life into furniture starts with selecting the right paint. For pieces with rough surfaces or antique furniture with imperfections, chalk paint works wonders because it adheres beautifully without extensive prep. If you prefer a modern edge, consider high-gloss finishes that create dramatic contrast against traditional silhouettes.

To create visual interest, try these approaches:
Color-blocking with bright, contrasting hues
Two-tone treatments combining paint with natural wood elements
Geometric patterns created using painter's tape as guides
Instead of painting an entire piece, try focusing on specific areas like drawer fronts or table edges to create subtle yet effective transformations.

Adding texture with fabric or wallpaper
Perhaps the simplest makeover is peel-and-stick wallpaper that adheres to smooth surfaces and peels off cleanly when you desire a change. Outside of its traditional application, try covering refrigerators, pianos, or vanities for unexpected visual surprise.

With heavy-use pieces, cloth is stronger than paper. Grasscloth, burlap, or linen give added organic texture withstanding daily wear and tear. The textured elements transform mundane pieces into conversation pieces that express your own sense of design.

Create Statement Pieces with DIY Wall Features
Statement wall features anchor a room's design scheme while reflecting your personality. These impactful home projects DIY transform ordinary walls into conversation pieces that immediately draw attention and set the tone for your entire space.

Build a slat wall with a twist
Wood slat walls have returned as contemporary design elements that add warmth and dimension to any room. For beginners, a DIY slat wall typically costs between $150-$200 and requires minimal specialized tools beyond a good quality nail gun. When selecting materials, consider these options:
Pine (most affordable, takes stain beautifully)
Poplar (slightly more expensive but with fewer yellow undertones)
Plywood strips (budget-friendly if you own a table saw)

To create visual interest, try installing slats in unexpected patterns. Unlike traditional vertical installations, experiment with chevron formations or carry every fifth slat onto ceiling beams for rhythmic continuity.

Alternatively, paint slats in contrasting colors or mix different wood tones for a customized look.

Design a mural that reflects your style
Custom murals serve as powerful expressions of personal style. For those less confident in their artistic abilities, stencils or geometric patterns created with painter's tape offer professional-looking results. Consequently, you can create striking designs even without advanced painting skills.

As an example, interior designer Bari Ackerman hand-painted a floral mural in a guest bedroom, working freehand over a former chalkboard wall. The smeared effect of the underlying chalkboard paint actually enhanced the finished piece, demonstrating how "happy accidents" often produce the most interesting results.

Brighten Corners with Functional Art Projects
Untended areas in your home contain concealed potential as art pieces and functional spaces. The overlooked areas in your house can be transformed into useful havens that add personality to your home through the use of creative DIY art concepts.

Make a cozy reading nook with artful accents
The perfect reading nook combines comfort with personal expression. Primarily, position your reading chair near a window for natural light, then add layered lighting for evening reading sessions. Designer Shanti Crawford notes that built-in elements allow spaces to serve multiple purposes, functioning as both reading retreats and last-minute guest rooms.

For small spaces, maximize vertical storage with tiered racks for books and magazines. Afterward, introduce plants to bring life to your corner—they add vitality beyond what exists between the pages of your books.

Consider hanging framed wine art to introduce a touch of elegance or a personal flair, especially if the nook doubles as an evening retreat with a glass of your favorite vintage.

Craft floating shelves with painted designs
Floating shelves serve dual purposes as storage solutions and artistic features. For DIY floating shelves, gather these essentials:
Plywood sheets (1/4" thickness works well)
2" x 4" lumber for support structures
Wood planks for facing (aspen or similar)
Wood screws (2.5" and 4")
Quality primer and paint or stain
Good preparation guarantees professional finishes. Wash surfaces thoroughly, lightly sand with fine-grade paper, and then prime with good quality before painting. Importantly, thin layers avoid drips, and sanding between coats produces an absolutely even finish. To achieve the absolute professional look, try adding a paint conditioner such as Floetrol to eliminate brush marks.

Use mirrors and lighting as artistic elements
Mirrors do more than reflect—they become statement pieces with innovative additions. Turn simple mirrors into works of art by bordering them with wood beads, seashells, or even old cardboard. Rope-wrapped mirrors also provide earthy texture while adding an unconventional hang technique.

At the same time, lighting becomes an art of function. Modern luxury lighting dissolves lines between light and installation art to create showstoppers that draw attention even when not illuminated. In addition, interactive light installations invite observers to participate with motion sensors and touch-sensitive technology.

Tactically placed picture lights emphasize art texture, and floor lamps warm spaces. Lighting historically has been an afterthought in interior design—of late, though, designers tend to begin with lighting concepts as centers of attention in overall designs.

Conclusion
Through this creative journey, we've found so many avenues to transform a generic space into a customized sanctuary that reflects your personality. Above all, these DIY artwork examples teach us that artistic expression is less about professional training or large budgets. Hand-painted wall art allows you to add dynamic pops of color tailor-made for your space, and furniture restyling breathes new life into used furniture through simple techniques like painting, decoupage, and textile treatments.

Remember, perfection is not the goal. Authenticity is. Those "happy accidents" mentioned earlier have a way of becoming the most cherished aspects of handmade creations. Certainly, the flaws that make your projects unique will elicit a smile whenever you spot them in your daily life. Your home is meant to tell your story, after all, and these DIY art pieces are the perfect pages to that novel.

Crystal Cross Fishing Access Site reopened 5/29/25

CARBELLA – A temporary closure is in effect for Crystal Cross Fishing Access Site on the upper Yellowstone River.

The site has been closed as a precautionary public safety measure due to a grizzly bear feeding on a carcass at the site. No conflicts have been reported.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff will monitor bear activity here and reopen the site as soon as conditions allow. For more information on site closures and restrictions, click here.

Have you received a jury duty postcard in the mail? You are not alone.

Gallatin County District Court and Justice Court have each selected new jury pools for their 2025–2026 jury terms. Approximately 8,500 residents were notified by District Court last week, and 4,500 residents selected by Justice Court will begin receiving notices this week. Names were randomly drawn from a combined list of registered voters, licensed drivers, and Montana ID card holders.

District Court handles cases like felonies, larger civil cases, and family law matters. Justice Court handles small claims, misdemeanors and traffic violations outside city limits, and other limited-jurisdiction cases.

If you received a postcard from either of these courts, here is what you need to know:

You are not being summoned for a specific trial…yet. You have been identified as a potential juror for the upcoming year-long term.

Respond promptly:

District Court recipients (white postcard) must complete their juror questionnaire within 10 days.

Justice Court recipients (blue postcard) must complete theirs within 7 days.

Each postcard includes detailed instructions on how to complete your questionnaire, so be sure to read and follow those closely!

And do not delay. Failure to respond on time may result in a personal visit from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. This places unnecessary strain on law enforcement and can delay the judicial process for others.

If you were selected by both courts, contact District Court and they can help remove you from one of the pools.

Please note: There are several other courts in Gallatin County that maintain their own jury pools, including the courts in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone, as well as the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office. If you received a notice from one of these, please refer directly to that court for specific juror information.

BOZEMAN — Bozeman Parks and Recreation is now accepting applications for its Community Grants Program, offering $220,000 in funding to support projects that align with the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Active Transportation (PRAT) Plan. This funding opportunity is designed to empower community members and organizations to help shape Bozeman’s future by creating welcoming, inclusive spaces, expanding active transportation infrastructure, addressing emerging community needs, and promoting the sustainability of natural resources.

“We’re excited to support projects that directly reflect the values and priorities of our community,” said Addi Jadin, Park Planning and Development Manager. “This is a great opportunity for residents and organizations to make a lasting impact on Bozeman’s parks, trails, and public spaces.”

Applications are due Friday, May 30, and interested applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria and submission guidelines on the Parks Improvement Projects website.

For questions or to discuss potential project ideas, contact Addi Jadin at ajadin@bozeman.net.

BOZEMAN  –  On April 18, 2025 the Bozeman Police Department held a press conference regarding an internal inquiry that involved two teams of patrol officers who engaged in a bingo competition while on duty. In addition to the twenty-four cases referred to the City Attorney’s office, eleven cases submitted to the County Attorney’s office for prosecution involved cases investigated during the bingo game. Of the eleven cases, two were juvenile misdemeanors subsequently referred to the state youth court, and nine were felonies. Of the nine, eight cases were felony drug cases, and one was a Partner Family Member Assault, 3rd or greater offense.

At the time the County Attorney’s office was notified of the incident, four of the felony cases had already been filed and were pending in the District Court, and five were still under review with the County Attorney’s office to determine whether charges should be filed. 

Under Brady v. Maryland and Giglio v. United States decisions, prosecutors are required to disclose to the defense, in a timely manner, any evidence that is favorable to the accused and material to guilt or punishment. This is not a discretionary process—it is a constitutional mandate designed to ensure fairness in our justice system. 

An independent report conducted by an external prosecutor found no evidence indicating the game had any material effect on arrests, yet it did conclude that the bingo game scenario represented potential Brady v. Maryland and Giglio v. United States material that must be disclosed, at a minimum, to the Court for in camerareview (meaning in chambers, not in open court).

The Gallatin County Attorney’s office filed Ex Parte Motions asking the Court to review affected cases in camera and to make a decision about what information should be released to defense counsel. Two judges denied the County Attorney’s motion, returning it to the County Attorney to make her own determination about what information should be released to the defense in each case. After thorough review of all investigatory materials, County Attorney Cromwell dismissed the four pending cases and declined to prosecute the remaining five. Once a case is dismissed by the Court, all hearings are vacated, bond is exonerated, and the case is closed. 

“The decision for each case was a tough call—stakes for felonies are high with serious consequences,” states County Attorney Audrey Cromwell. “As the County Attorney I have a unique responsibility on the law enforcement continuum: to uphold the rights of all involved—the victims, the accused, and the community—and to ensure that the prosecutions we bring are effective, fair, and constitutionally sound.”

BOZEMAN — The Bozeman City Commission announced today its appointment of Chuck Winn into the permanent role of City Manager for the City of Bozeman. Winn has been serving as Interim City Manager since February 2024.

“Chuck Winn stepped into the Interim City Manager role at the request of the commission and quickly earned the trust and respect of the City Commission, city staff and the community." Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham stated. "We're thrilled that Chuck has agreed to serve as Bozeman's next City Manager. We're a dynamic community and this is an important time in our history. Having an experienced leader with deep roots in the community will serve us well as we collectively plan our future.”

Winn is the longest-tenured city employee, beginning his public service as a volunteer firefighter, working his way up through the ranks to Fire Chief, then taking on additional leadership responsibilities as Bozeman's Assistant City Manager. He was then appointed to Interim City Manager after the resignation of the previous City Manager.

“Serving in the interim role has been an amazing privilege, and I am deeply honored to continue working for this city in a permanent capacity,” stated Interim City Manager Winn. “I remain committed to serving our community alongside our incredible staff.”

Winn’s appointment is scheduled to be confirmed by the City Commission on May 13 and become effective May 14, 2025.

Those interested in learning more about this appointment and the role of the City Manager can contact the City Manager’s office at 406-582-2306.

Students in the Montana State University School of Art display pages from artist books printed by the on historical techniques using MSU's letterpress. Photo courtesy MSU School of Art

BOZEMAN — More than 400 cases of metal and wood letters line the shelves of Montana State University’s letterpress studio.

The pieces of type, made from carving letters into wood blocks or by casting metal molds, range in size from the length of a pinky finger to 8-inch wooden letterforms. They are inked and pressed onto sheets of paper to form sentences and designs.

Letterpress art formed the basis of modern graphic design, from the first Chinese woodblock-printed text to the popularization of movable metal type in 15th century Europe. Artists at MSU have access to one of the largest type collections in the state, with some pieces dating back to the 1850s, said Ashley Fuchs, associate professor in graphic design for the School of Art.

“If this type could talk, it would have a lot of stories,” she said.

This academic year, Fuchs and her students printed each typeface in the collection onto hand-set artist books. Such books celebrate the artistry of how the book is made more than the physical book that’s produced, she said.

The books — filled with specimen pages showcasing typefaces for creative and educational purposes — put a creative spin on chronicling type by font style, size, origin and location in Haynes Hall’s Courier Press studio. Sales of the books, titled "Type Specimen M” and “Type Specimen S,” will help fund student educational trips to artist book fairs across the country.

“Organizing the collection is so important to preserve knowledge of what we have and acknowledge where it came from,” Fuchs said.

“Type Specimen M” documents MSU’s metal type collection. Fuchs and her students hosted workshops for 70 attendees to devise themes for each page over the course of four years. Topics range from contradictory food combinations, such as “SweeTARTS crumbled on pizza,” to “the vocal improvisation of scatting in jazz” and “commentary on pop culture.”

“These typefaces are vessels for a wide variety of opinions or historical time frames,” Fuchs said. “What individual letters can form together as a group and what they can say is a really interesting concept.”

Rylee Dunn, who graduated from MSU in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, helped Fuchs create the metal type book and led community workshops after taking the junior-level letterpress course. She said she enjoyed collaborating with other artists on a research-driven design project, working on a “living map of history” and merging it with the modern risograph printer. MSU’s risograph printed colored designs on transparent sheets overlaying the pages of historic letterforms.

As an added bonus, Dunn said it was impactful to see her name printed in the credits of a resource that art students will use decades from now.

“I remember as a young girl having the dream of being an artist ending up in a history book,” she said. “In a roundabout way, that dream has kind of been fulfilled.”

Dunn is currently a freelance graphic designer in Bozeman with previous experience in apparel design and development. Even though she has graduated, she still enjoys printing type by hand without the option to “undo.” It is important for modern designers to connect with historical processes to understand the thought and skill behind their work, she said.

Providing readers with a glimpse into the handmaking experience, “Type Specimen S,” documents MSU’s wooden type collection. For example, crackly wood type from a clothing company in Boston dates to about 1857, called a “twofer” for having both a letter and an image carved into opposite sides of a wooden block.

Jason Rigg, a senior at MSU studying graphic design, helped print the book’s cover and will assist Fuchs in her latest project, “Type Specimen U,” to conclude the “MSU” book trilogy. The printing process is nearly complete and features MSU’s halftone portrait collection, in which photographs are developed onto metal sheets and placed onto wooden blocks for printing, he said.

Nearly all the portraits can be traced to Park High School’s senior class of 1955 in Livingston. Most images were unidentified, but Fuchs matched an obituary to a Livingston man’s halftone portrait, which displayed his name in faded cursive. Scouring digitized yearbooks from the town’s historical society, Fuchs then identified the man’s entire graduating class.

Rigg likens the discovery process to a treasure hunt. He helped organize and identify pieces of the portrait collection as part of an independent study with Fuchs.

While initially wary of the letterpress — Rigg is dyslexic, and letters are carved into pieces of type so they appear backward — he quickly fell in love with the medium, which he said is a combination of Lego and art.

“Now it’s my favorite thing in the world,” he said. “I would live in a letterpress studio if I could.”
Last summer, Rigg interned with Hatch Show Print, one of oldest print shops in Tennessee, where two MSU School of Art alumni work full time. He produced designs for six clients, including restaurant chain Raising Cane’s and performance artists Pat Benatar and Luke Bryan.
Fuchs, who hangs a “Print nerd for life” poster on her MSU office door, said she feels a deep sense of pride from instructing the next generation of letterpress designers and “carrying the baton forward.”

“I know I’m not going to be here forever, and MSU’s studio will outlast me. The materials will outlast me,” she said. “But I’m hopefully contributing to the larger sense of conserving this craft and this shared history.”

One Valley Community Foundation’s Give Big celebrates a major milestone, surpassing $20 million raised over the past 11 years.

Gallatin County, MT — Community generosity took center stage as One Valley Community Foundation’s 11th annual Give Big Gallatin Valley raised over $2.8 million for nonprofits serving Gallatin County. The 24-hour giving initiative, held May 1–2, rallied over 5,500 donors in support of 259 local organizations, providing essential unrestricted funding to nonprofits working across every sector—from housing and healthcare to education, arts, conservation, and more.

This year’s effort also marked a major milestone: since its founding in 2015, Give Big Gallatin Valley has raised more than $20 million for 489 nonprofits throughout the region.
“Give Big is about more than just fundraising—it’s about community,” said Bridget Wilkinson, President & CEO of One Valley Community Foundation. “Each gift is a vote of confidence in the nonprofits that serve our region every day. Surpassing $20 million raised since 2015 reflects not only the power of this initiative, but the deep care Gallatin County residents have for one another.”

Although the official giving window has passed, the platform at GiveBigGV.org will remain open through Tuesday, May 6 at 11:59 p.m., allowing community members a last opportunity to give.
Now entering its second decade, Give Big Gallatin Valley, powered by One Valley Community Foundation, continues to be one of the region’s most impactful and unifying annual traditions.
“We are honored to invest in Give Big through our partnership with One Valley Community Foundation to support regional nonprofits and to strengthen the bonds within our community; Community giving encourages a legacy of generosity, purpose, and shared success where every contribution makes a meaningful impact,” said Ryan Rodriguez, Senior Program Officer at Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Give Big’s headline sponsor since 2018. Because Strong, Vibrant Communities Don’t Happen by Accident

About Give Big Gallatin Valley
Give Big Gallatin Valley is a 24-hour celebration of giving powered by One Valley Community Foundation. Since its inception in 2015, the initiative has raised over $20 million for 489 local nonprofits through the generosity of thousands of donors. Give Big connects people who care to causes that matter and fosters a stronger, more vibrant Gallatin County. Learn more at GiveBigGV.org.

About One Valley Community Foundation
One Valley Community Foundation is the nonprofit organization that identifies and addresses the priorities and concerns of Gallatin County with the intent of making the greatest positive change while charting a path and helping to maintain what makes our Gallatin Valley communities unique. One Valley does this by connecting donors with the causes they care about, managing funds to strengthen local communities, offering tools and opportunities to support local nonprofits, and facilitating collaboration to accelerate solutions to regional challenges. One Valley hosts multiple community-wide initiatives, including the Gallatin County Regional Housing Coalition, a convening of diverse partners working to address housing affordability and attainability in Gallatin County. For more information, visit www.onevalley.org.

On May 6, 2025, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department, and Montana Highway Patrol, were involved in a vehicle pursuit following a reported road rage incident involving a weapon.

At approximately 1:21 p.m., law enforcement responded to reports of a road rage incident in which a weapon was brandished. The suspect fled the scene, prompting a multi-agency pursuit. During the incident, a Bozeman Police vehicle was struck by the suspect’s vehicle. One officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and his K-9 was uninjured. One adult male is in custody.

The Bozeman Police Department has requested the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigate the matter. This is an active investigation; more details will be released later.