KGPR Great Falls Public Radio

21st Annual Montana Veterans Memorial Memorial Day Ceremony

This episode covers the 21st annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Montana Veterans Memorial in Great Falls, honoring nearly 8,700 veterans and marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Community leaders, military speakers, the Sound of the Falls Chorus, and the Great Falls Municipal Band offered reflections, prayers, and musical tributes.

The program highlights the memorial’s ongoing updates, personal stories etched on tiles and benches, and calls for listeners to remember the fallen, share their stories, and carry forward the legacy of service and sacrifice. This program runs 47:13 in length.

Voices and Views V2.0: Interview with Emmett Whall and Varian Lewis (39:55)

Host David Saslav welcomes Varian Lewis and Emmett Whall, co-leaders of Strong Towns Great Falls, to discuss the national Strong Towns principles and how they apply locally. They cover the suburban experiment, zoning reforms, infill and "The Missing Middle" housing, walkability, and reducing car dependence to improve affordability and community life.

The guests explain practical, bottom-up strategies for incremental growth, invite listeners to public meetings (every other Monday at 6PM at The Station, next on June 1st), and share how residents can get involved to help make Great Falls more livable and financially resilient.

Planning the Roads Ahead: MDT’s Central Montana Transportation Study

Host David Saslav interviews Sarah Nicolai of Robert Petschian Associates and Jim Wingener of the Montana Department of Transportation about the Central Montana Transportation Study. The study examines existing conditions across nine counties, with a focus on Great Falls and Lewistown, and evaluates how urban growth and military changes (including the Sentinel mission) will affect roads, bridges, and multi-modal connections.

The episode covers proposed study activities, public open houses (in-person and virtual), opportunities for public comment via interactive maps, potential improvement types, funding pathways, partner agencies, and the project timeline for draft reports and final recommendations.

Front Range Outdoors Interview with Cecilia Gomez

Host Dave Cunningham interviews AmeriCorp trail specialist Cecilia Gomez.

Classical Journey Interview with Jon Harney

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Great Falls Symphonic Choir music director Jon Harney with a preview of the upcoming concert Elements of Life on Sunday, June 7th at 3 PM at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.  For more information, go to gfsymphony.org.

 

Classical Journey Interview with Jeff Lederer

Host Matt Donnelly interviews composer, saxophonist, and clarinetist Jeff Lederer with a preview of his latest album There's a Yearnin': Music for Winds and Voice.  For more information about the artist, go to littleimusic.com

 

Letters from a Land of Grass - Branding Day (5-22-2026)

I'm glad branding is finished for the year. So much can go wrong, but this year it went pretty well. It takes teamwork like in this photo of Erik Gustafson waiting to brand a calf while I band it. My daughter, Abby Hutton, took the photo.  - Lisa

Voices and Views V2.0: Interview with Sarah Nicolai and Jim Wingerter (21:00)

David Saslav speaks with Sarah Nicolai from RPA and Jim Wingerter from MDT about the ongoing Central Montana Transportation Study

What's Trending May 2026

"What's Trending" is a look at drug and alcohol trends occurring in Great Falls and Cascade County. The May 2026 edition runs 10:00 in length.

Electric City Currents Interview with Rich Liebert

Host Matt Donnelly interviews KGPR board president Rich Liebert talking about the 21st Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25th at 1 PM at the Montana Veterans Memorial.