Season 8 Archived Episodes (1999 - 2000)

Go Directly to Jail (No. 801)

In the season premiere, Gene Brodeur delves into the expansion of prisons in Montana. Proponents argue that we need more space to house the growing number of inmates. Opponents want to put that investment into reaching young offenders before they commit more serious crimes. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, September 17, 1999)

The Media Made Me Do It (No. 802)

Who's to blame for all this violence on the tube, the media for creating it, or the public for watching? Are V-Chips the key to a less violent society? Gene Brodeur is joined by Carroll College Professor Brent Northrup, MSU-Bozeman Media & Theatre Arts Department Head Paul Monaco, and Montana PTA President Nancy Zadick as they weigh-in on the subject of violence in films and television and its impact on society. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, September 24, 1999)

Casinos: Finding A Slot In Montana (No. 803)

Montana's history with gambling goes from prohibition in 1889 to proliferation. Gene Brodeur takes a look at legislative attempts to set up programs for compulsive gamblers, and hold the gaming industry more accountable through computerized "dial-up" reporting systems." Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, October 08, 1999)

There's No Excuse for Domestic Violence (No. 804)

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women. In this community approach to dealing with this troubling issue in Montana, Gene Brodeur visits with experts about abusive relationships and when to do something about them. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, October 22, 1999)

Long Range Forecast Dry (No. 805)

On the heels of a long summer without much rain, it looks like Montana's winter will continue to be dry. Ken Mielke, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Great Falls, assesses the impact that the continuing La Nina phenomena will have in our state. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU-Bozeman. Contact Gene Brodeur, (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, November 14, 1999)

Welfare Reform: Is It Working? (No. 806)

In 1995, Montana was one of the first states in the nation to adopt a welfare to work program. Welfare rolls are down, but critics charge that the price for some is poverty. Gene Brodeur takes an updated look at Montana's welfare reform policy. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU-Bozeman. Contact Gene Brodeur, (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, November 19, 1999)

Montana Century (No. 807)

Gene Brodeur visits with historian Mike Malone, editor of Montana Century. The book chronicles, in words and pictures, the people and events that shaped contemporary Montana. Writers who contributed to the look back at the Treasure State's past 100 years will join the discussion. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU-Bozeman. Contact Gene Brodeur, (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, December 19, 1999)

Urban Planning Or Urban Sprawl? (No. 808)

Gene Brodeur revisits the ongoing debate over land use and planning in Montana. As we head into the new century, there are indications that some communities are learning from mistakes made in more populous states. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU-Bozeman, (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, January 14, 2000)

Corporate Campaign Donations: A First Amendment Issue (No. 809)

Montana voters passed a controversial initiative in 1996 which denies businesses from making donations to initiative campaigns. But Initiative 125 was declared unconstitutional. Gene Brodeur visits with representatives from both sides, who vow to take their battle over I-125 to the nation's highest court. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanPBS, MSU. (First Aired Friday, January 28, 2000)

The World Trade Organization: Deeply Divided (No. 810)

What was it about the WTO agenda that prompted some 50,000 protestors to take to the streets and shutdown the city? Gene Brodeur looks back at last November's tumultuous WTO meeting in Seattle. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU. (First Aired Friday, February 11, 2000)

On-Line Free Speech (No. 811)

Four years ago, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act and the Communications Decency Act of 1996. The laws triggered a debate that has grown almost as rapidly as internet commerce. Gene Brodeur examines the issue of intellectual freedom amid calls for censorship on the net. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU-Bozeman, (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, March 24, 2000)

Warm Enough? Solutions to Global Warming In Montan (No. 812)

In cities, factories put scrubbers on their emission stacks to reduce pollutants. Gene Brodeur visits with Mountain Research Center director Lisa Graunlich about "biological scrubbers" which might be a big plus in the effort to reduce global warming in rural areas. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/MontanaPBS, MSU-Bozeman. (First Aired Friday, April 14, 2000)

Whose Road Is This? (No. 813)

The Bureau of Land Management's final EIS report is due later this year. Gene Brodeur visits with proponents and opponents of motorized off-highway vehicles on public lands. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana PBS, MSU-Bozeman. Contact Montana PBS (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, May 12, 2000)

June Primary (No. 814)

Journalists join Gene Brodeur for a look back at the June 6th Montana Primary and issues that will shape debates leading up to the general election in November. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana PBS, MSU-Bozeman. (First Aired Sunday, June 11, 2000)

The Special Session (No. 815)

Governor Racicot called lawmakers back to Helena in May to deal with tax issues and economic development. Gene Brodeur visits with legislative leaders to get their take on accomplishments and challenges that lie ahead for Montana. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana PBS, MSU-Bozeman. (First Aired Sunday, June 25, 2000)

Who Has The Power? (No. 816)

Six of Montana's largest cities are interested in buying Montana Power Company's remaining gas and electric assets. What does this mean for MPC customers caught up in the deregulation process? Gene Brodeur examines this unique but untried approach. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana PBS, MSU-Bozeman. (First Aired Friday, July 14, 2000)

Child Abuse In Montana (No. 817)

Gene Brodeur examines a just-completed comprehensive survey about how Montanan's feel about child abuse and neglect, and how the state should address these issues. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana PBS, MSU-Bozeman. (First Aired Friday, July 28, 2000)