Montana State University doctoral student, Nate Burman, pictured with a TEM microscope in 2021, is the lead author on a new paper highlighting the PARIS bacterial immune system. He used MSU's Cryo-EM facility to collect high-resolution images of the PARIS molecule, defining its structure for the first time. MSU photo by Kelly Gorham.

BOZEMAN – Scientists at Montana State University have been studying unique immune systems for decades, and a research team in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology took another step forward with work described in a paper published in the highly regarded journal Nature.

BOZEMAN – The Bozeman Symphony and Music Director Norman Huynh is excited to welcome five talented new section musicians for its 2024-25 concert season, Music that moves us.

Following national auditions held this spring, Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Viola; Michael Dolin, Associate Principal/2nd Trombone; Chelsea Lind, Violin; Lina Saleh, Principal Second Violin; and Jihye Sung, Violin; have been selected to join the symphony.

“We are thrilled to welcome these musicians to the Bozeman Symphony,” said Huynh. “I look forward to making music with all our musicians this fall, as I begin my fifth season as Music Director. Our musicians are at the center of our organization, they define the Symphony and our work.”

Violist Allison-Bunnell of Bozeman is the Head of Archives and Special Collections at Montana State University Library. True to her profession, she has programs for every concert she has played or attended since 1984. In 2022, she was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Society of American Archivists, the highest honor in the Society. Allison-Bunnell completed a dual degree program in library and information science and American history at the University of Maryland College Park and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English summa cum laude with a minor in music from Whitman College. The violist also played in the Missoula Symphony for 23 years. She, her husband, Steven, and their child Wren enjoy Bozeman's outdoors by hiking and cross-country skiing. They also enjoy reading funny things to one another, cooking good food, spoiling their cats, and listening to various podcasts.

Dolin is a trombonist based in Santa Barbara, Calif. He is also a member of The San Luis Obispo Symphony and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. His previous orchestral experience includes the American Youth Symphony and Debut Chamber Orchestra, both in Los Angeles. When not in the orchestra, Michael can be found playing with the Santa Barbara Trombone Society, or on the drum set with his band, SoLuna, in Carpinteria.

A Bozeman native, Lind, who has been enchanting audiences with the Symphony since January 2024, is officially joining the violin section. This season, she’s excited to perform Korngold’s Violin Concerto featuring the talented Will Hagen. A recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance, Lind’s musical journey is as diverse as it is impressive. From Ballet and Opera to Baroque Ensembles and private teaching, her experiences have shaped her into a versatile and passionate musician. Notably, she served as Concertmaster for three years at Montana All-State, earned the All-Northwest honor, and led the Montana Youth Symphony as Concertmaster in 2023. Her tours in Europe in 2018 and 2022, along with her work as a contract violinist with the Great Falls and Glacier symphonies, highlight her dedication and skill. Lind’s love for music started early, inspired by her mother, Principal Cellist Chandra Lind. She fondly remembers her early days begging to play the “baby cello.” When she’s not performing, the violinist explores her artistic side as a professional artist and enjoys nurturing her collection of houseplants.

Saleh of Los Angeles is a committed violinist with a deep appreciation for orchestral performance. From her early days in youth orchestras to her current roles in professional ensembles, Saleh has always been drawn to the unique energy and collaboration found in orchestral settings. She has had the privilege of performing with a wide range of ensembles, including the Santa Monica Symphony, the California Young Artists Symphony where she has served as Assistant Concertmaster, and the California State University-Northridge Symphony Orchestra & Operas where she led as Concertmaster. Saleh began studying the violin at the age of 12. Over the years, she has played with the American Youth Symphony, San Luis Obispo Symphony, San Fernando Valley Symphony, and several other orchestras. The violinist holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from California State University at Northridge and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Saleh currently manages a private studio of over 20 students, as well as 15 students at Lauren Deutsch’s studio. She enjoys her cat Leo, being outside, live music, reading, and trying new restaurants.

Sung of Bozeman performs regularly with the Montana Chamber Music Society and String Orchestra of the Rockies. She served as an instructor of violin, viola, and chamber music at Montana State University. Jihye was previously a Bozeman Symphony sectional violinist, principal second violinist, and guest associate concertmaster. Now an official member of the Symphony, she is especially looking forward to working with fellow musicians and sharing musical experiences with the Bozeman community. Originally from South Korea, Jihye was introduced to the violin by her parents at age six. Her musical training began at the Sunhwa Art School in Seoul and continued through her high school years in Sydney, Australia. Jihye earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Outside of the music world, Jihye devotes her time to her two daughters, Eunice and Esther, and her husband Wonki who teaches classical saxophone at MSU.

“We are always thrilled to welcome exceptional new musicians to our orchestra,” said Jacob Blaser, Executive Director of the Bozeman Symphony. “Their contributions not only elevate the quality of our performances on stage but also enable us to bring meaningful and transformative musical experiences to our entire community.”

The 2024-25 season opens the weekend of September 21 with Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3. Individual tickets are available at www.bozemansymphony.org or by calling 406-585-9774. Tickets at the door are based on availability. Adult tickets start as low as $29 and student-discounted tickets are available.

BOZEMAN – The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has made a grant of $11.25 million to Montana State University to help fund a first-ever, on-campus facility that will house the university’s fast-growing Gallatin College MSU. It is the foundation’s largest grant to date in Montana.

The grant covers half of the $22.5 million in private dollars MSU is raising for the Gallatin College MSU building. The 2023 Montana Legislature and Gov. Greg Gianforte required the university to raise funds to match $23.5 million in state dollars for the project, which will cost a total of $46 million.

“This is an amazing investment in the people of Montana by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Generations of Montanans are going to have educational opportunities to prepare themselves for good jobs right here in their home state thanks to this gift.”

“We are thrilled to continue expanding our efforts in the beautiful, great state of Montana,” said Arthur M. Blank, chairman, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “There are many growing industries in the state that need skilled workers, and we hope this new building will increase accessibility for diverse students to high-quality training matched to job skill demand. We’re honored to support this growth, which will benefit not only students but will also strengthen businesses and industries across Montana.”

Gallatin College MSU has been the university’s fastest growing college for years and set an enrollment record last fall with 906 students. However, it has never had its own dedicated facility – the only such two-year college in the state without one. Its 22 programs offering professional workforce certificates and one- and two-year degrees are currently spread among a variety of leased and donated space around Bozeman.

Gallatin College MSU collaborates extensively with Montana industries and employers to develop responsive educational and training options that meet state workforce needs. Existing programs at Gallatin College fill quickly. Several popular programs regularly have waiting lists, and there is limited capacity to expand existing programs or to add new programs because of the lack of a dedicated facility.

In direct response to industry needs, Gallatin College MSU has added programs in photonics and laser technology, culinary arts, carpentry, aviation, CNC machining technology and robotic integration, HVAC, IT cybersecurity and information assurance, welding technology, and many more.

“Our vision for the future of Gallatin College MSU is far more than just a building. It is to change how Montanans receive workforce education in their home communities, in tandem with industry internships, and even while working on the job,” Cruzado said. “This gift from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation will benefit Montanans in every corner of the state.”

In addition to this capital grant, in 2023 the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation granted $919,000 from its Youth Development portfolio to develop and pilot a new one-year Hospitality Management Certificate at Gallatin College MSU. The grant will support young people, including dual-enrolled high school students, seeking to enter the hospitality and leisure industry faster and will support the industry’s growing needs across the state. The program will be offered in person and online to ensure access for young people living in rural and Indigenous communities.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this investment in our students and Montana from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. This amazing gift will provide needed resources to assist our students in developing skilled trades that are in high demand throughout our Montana communities,” said Stephanie Gray, dean of Gallatin College MSU.

The university will continue its efforts to raise the other $11.25 million required to reach the state match.

About the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is a philanthropy founded to help transform lives and communities by uniting people across differences to find common cause. Started in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, the foundation has granted more than $1 billion to charitable causes. Our collective giving areas are Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Youth Development. Across these areas, we take on tough challenges by uniting the courage and compassion of our communities so we can all thrive together.

In addition to the priority areas of giving, the foundation oversees a large portfolio of grants including support of essential Atlanta nonprofit institutions, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center, and enduring founder-led initiatives, such as veterans and the military and stuttering, among others. For more, visit www.blankfoundation.org.

About Montana State University and Gallatin College MSU
Montana State University is the state’s oldest, public, land-grant university and the largest institution of higher education in the state. With an enrollment of nearly 17,000 across nine colleges, the university has been one of the fastest growing public universities in the nation. With record-setting research expenditures for five straight years, it is one of only 146 universities nationally designated as having “very-high research activity” by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research’s Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Gallatin College MSU is the university’s two-year college, offering 22 programs that include transfer degrees, associate of applied science degrees; certificates of applied science; professional certificates; dual enrollment courses for high school students; and developmental math and writing courses. It is regularly the university’s fastest growing college in enrollment.

LIVINGSTON – Mallard’s Rest Fishing Access Site has reopened to visitors.

Erosion and destabilization of the entrance road from a historic flooding event on the Yellowstone River in 2022 made the road prone to collapse, and the site had been closed since then for public safety.

This summer, crews built a new entrance road and a new point of entry from Highway 89. Securing the extra space for the new road required Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to negotiate a new lease on a parcel that had an existing lease through the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, which took time.

The new road has safety upgrades from the original entrance, including a more gradual slope and more direct access, eliminating a sharp curve from the original entrance. Reconstruction was completed Friday, allowing public access to resume.

The new section of road is about 950 feet long, moving the new point of entry north of the old entrance along Highway 89.

Mallard’s Rest is a beloved site for many recreationists on the Yellowstone River south of Livingston that offers river access, day use and camping opportunities. FWP staff appreciate the public’s patience while the department worked to restore and improve safe public access here.

- Lift tickets include skier and scenic access to the Lone Peak Tram
- Ikon, Mountain Collective, and select season passes continue to use Autocharge

Big Sky – Starting in the 2024-25 season, all Big Sky Resort lift tickets will include access to the iconic Lone Peak Tram.

The change comes after tram access was decoupled from lift tickets and select season passes in the 2021-22 season in an effort to keep wait times under 30 minutes on average and preserve the ski and tram experience.

The new Lone Peak Tram, which debuted in December 2023, offers several efficiencies that allow more access to the tram, including increased cabin capacity and a dedicated scenic rider line. Nearly a quarter of guests riding the tram last season utilized the new scenic ride option.

“The new tram has exceeded expectations in every way. We promised we would reevaluate the tram experience each year, and this move provides flexibility and value with our product lineup, while offering more guests access to Lone Peak,” said Troy Nedved, the resort’s General Manager.

Ikon, Mountain Collective, and select Big Sky passholders will continue to utilize Autocharge to access the tram. Tram rides will continue to be offered at $10-40 per ride, with scenic access always offered at a lower rate than ski access.

Mountain Operations will continue to carefully manage the number of riders per tram to maintain a smooth flow and optimal guest experience whether it be skiing and riding off the peak or taking in the view across three states.

Early bird lift ticket pricing is available now. Daily rates start as low as $56 per day in December and April. Guests who purchase before September 10 can secure lift tickets at the lowest prices all season long.

 
Portugal is one of the top destinations for digital nomads from around the world, thanks to its beautiful scenery, affordable living, and rich culture. The welcoming atmosphere, Mediterranean climate, and diverse experiences make it an ideal location for remote work and exploration—all you’ll probably need to stay connected is a Portugal eSIM to stay connected to work and find places to visit during your leisure time. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant streets of Lisbon, the historic charm of Porto, or the serene beaches of the Algarve, Portugal offers something for everyone.
 
Start your digital nomad lifestyle in this enchanting country with these 10 essential tips.
 
Choose the Right City for Your Lifestyle
Consider your work style and personal preferences when selecting your base for remote work in Portugal.
 
Each Portuguese city offers a unique experience. Lisbon is perfect for those who thrive in a bustling, cosmopolitan environment with plenty of networking opportunities. Porto combines classic and modern, which might appeal to those wanting the best of both worlds. If you're a beach lover, the Algarve in the southern part of the country boasts stunning coastlines, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed vibe.

Secure Comfortable Accommodation
Finding the right place to live is crucial when moving to Portugal. Do your research first and evaluate factors like proximity to co-working spaces, public transport, and local amenities to ensure the living space aligns with what you want and need.
 
Accommodation websites can help you locate short-term and long-term rentals, from coliving spaces to serviced apartments. Many digital nomads start with a short-term rental before committing to a longer lease once they're more familiar with the area.
 
Find Your Ideal Co-Working Space
Portugal is home to a growing number of co-working spaces that cater to digital nomads. These spaces provide fast internet, a productive atmosphere, and opportunities to connect with other professionals. Explore a few to find the one that best suits your needs for remote work.
 
Join Digital Nomad Communities
Being part of a community can enhance your experience as a digital nomad in Portugal.
 
Join local and online groups to meet like-minded individuals and connect with others who can provide support, advice, and friendship. Meta groups that cater to digital nomads in Portugal and platforms like Meetup.com offer events and networking opportunities to help expand your social circle.
 
Learn Basic Portuguese
While many Portuguese people speak English, learning some basic Portuguese phrases can help you integrate into the local community. Simple greetings and expressions of gratitude will be appreciated and can make everyday interactions smoother. Plus, it's a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Understand Local Customs and Etiquette
Beyond merely learning the language, taking the time to understand various Portuguese customs and etiquette can help you feel more at home. Portuguese people value politeness and respect—simple gestures like greeting shopkeepers when you enter a store and saying thank you (obrigado/obrigada) can make a positive impression.

 
Balance Work and Play
The digital nomad lifestyle offers countless opportunities to unwind and explore. Portugal provides many leisure activities like surfing in Ericeira, hiking in the Azores, or wine tasting in the Douro Valley.
 
Scheduling downtime is essential for maintaining productivity and enjoying your time in Portugal. It's also a great way to hang out with newfound friends or explore places you've never been before in Portugal.
 
Manage Your Finances Wisely
Portugal is relatively affordable, but costs can vary depending on the region. Create a budget to manage your expenses, including rent, food, transportation, and leisure activities. Consider opening a bank account at your area's local bank to make day-to-day expenses easier and save on extra fees from interactional transactions.

 
Take Advantage of Local Healthcare
Portugal has a robust healthcare system, and it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. Make sure you have health insurance that covers you while in Portugal. Also, learn about where the nearest healthcare facilities are in your area so you can have access to their services.
 
Stay Safe and Healthy
Portugal is generally safe, but it's always wise to stay informed about local guidelines and regulations. Be mindful of your personal belongings in crowded areas and stay updated on any travel advisories. Maintaining a healthy routine, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, will help you stay productive and enjoy your time in Portugal.

Embrace Your New Adventure
As you settle into your new life as a digital nomad in Portugal, embracing the local culture and lifestyle is key to a rewarding experience. Follow these top 10 tips, and you'll be well-equipped to master the digital nomad lifestyle in this wonderful country. Enjoy the journey and make the most of your new adventure in Portugal.

On August 21, 2024, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper plane responded to a reported fire in the area of Flathead Pass in Gallatin County. As a result, the fire was determined to be caused by a group of campers.

Subsequent to the investigation, each camper was charged with Disorderly Conduct.

In this case, starting a campfire in the peak of fire season is a hazardous act which serves no legitimate purpose.

Please note that should a campfire become uncontrolled, the persons who started the fire will be held criminally and financially responsible for said fire. The Bridger Foothills fire of 2020 cost approximately $10 million, according to Gallatin County Emergency Management.

On 08/16/2024 at 2:03 PM, Gallatin County dispatch received a 911 call from a pair of hikers, one of which had become injured while hiking the South Cottonwood trail. The pair initially attempted to self-extricate, but determined it was too dangerous and difficult, and requested assistance from Search and Rescue.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) members from the Valley section responded, along with Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and an ambulance from American Medical Response.

A hasty team with an accompanying paramedic quickly ascended the trail to locate and evaluate the injured hiker.  Once the team made contact, it was determined a one-wheeled litter would be most effective to extricate them.  GCSSAR members successfully assisted the hiker to the trail head using the litter, where they elected to have a friend transport them to follow-up medical care.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend other hikers in the area who were quick to offer assistance, and ultimately help get in touch with 911. Much of our county’s backcountry still has limited to no cell service. Having multiple means of communication and ensuring a trusted person knows your plan and when to expect you back are good ideas for ensuring a safe return home.