Season 7 (1998-1999)

School Violence: A Wake Up Call (No. 701)

Students return to the classroom amid parental anxieties about their safety. Gene Brodeur examines the risk that Montana school districts face in the wake of school shootings in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Springfield,Oregon. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, September 11, 1998)

Get It First, Get It Right (No. 702)

Newsrooms are under increasing pressure to break exclusive stories that will grab ratings and increase readership. At what price? Print, broadcast, and journalism school representatives join Gene Brodeur for a look at the impact that botched reports have on the credibility of the journalistic community. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, September 25, 1998)

Ci-75 Who Decides On Tax Hikes? (No. 703)

Gene Brodeur is joined by supporters and opponents of Constitutional Initiative 75. The measure, which will appear on the November ballot, would give citizens the right to vote on tax increases proposed by all levels of government in Montana. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, October 09, 1998)

Democracy Project: Montana "Ad Watch" (No. 704)

A special one hour look at :30 second TV campaign commercials and how they can be used to drive the agendas of special interest groups, rather than articulating voter concerns such as health care, education, and jobs. Gene Brodeur will be joined by print and broadcast journalists and consultants who advise politicians about their image, and defining issues in congressional and state races. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, October 16, 1998)

A Look Back: The November 3rd Election (No. 705)

Gene Brodeur is joined by leading Montana political journalists in analyzing congressional, legislative, and key ballot iniative measures that were decided in Montana's November General Election. (First Aired Friday, November 13, 1998)

From El Nino to La Nina (No. 706)

Last winter, meteorologists and farmers were busy evaluating the impact of El Nino on Montana's crops. While most of the country was snowed under and drenched with heavy rainfall, Montana remained dry. This year, just the opposite could occur. Gene Brodeur is joined by a panel of experts examining the La Nina phenomenon. (First Aired Friday, November 27, 1998)

Waco: The Rules of Engagement (No. 707)

Producer and former CNN correspondent Dan Gifford, who produced the full-length documentary about the 1993 shootout at Branch Davidian headquarters in Waco Texas, talks with Gene Brodeur about the film which was nominated for an Academy Award. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, December 20, 1998)

The Tobacco Deal: Montana's Share (No. 708)

Montana stands to receive $832 million as a result of the tobacco industry's multi-state settlement. Gene Brodeur examines the impact of the landmark agreement and how that money will be spent. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, January 15, 1999)

Foster Care Revisited (No. 709)

If anything, child welfare has slipped further into crisis over the past year. Public and private advocates of foster care outline their agendas for the '99 legislative session, and review the state of childwelfare services in Montana. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/ Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, January 29, 1999)

Deregulation: An Ongoing Process (No. 710)

A Montana Profiles local follow-up to the national public television program "Power Switch", this episode explores the transition to deregulation since the 1997 passage of Montana Senate Bill 390, The Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, February 12, 1999)

Tax Reform: Is Montana Ready for a Sales Tax? (No. 711)

Montana Governor Racicot has described the state's tax structure as a "Model-T system is a microchip world." Could the timing be right to revive a plan that was soundly defeated a few years ago? Gene Brodeurvisits with members of The Montana Tax Policy Coalition about their efforts to advance another retail sales tax proposal during the '99 session of the State Legislature. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, February 28, 1999)

Y2k: Are You Ready? (No. 712)

Utter chaos or not to worry? It depends upon whom you talk to about the Y2K problem. Gene Brodeur visits with experts who are tracking the race to make computers compliant and head off massive shutdowns when January 1, 2000 rolls around. Produced by Gene Brodeur, for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, March 12, 1999)

Social Security: High Stakes (No. 713)

Boomers are worried that their checks won't be in the mail when they're eligible for social security. Should the "pay as you go" system remain unchanged, or should government yield to the push to let people invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in individual accounts? Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, March 26, 1999)

Holocaust Denial (No. 714)

Rabbinic aide Stanley Rosenberg recalls the liberation of the Buchenwald death camp in April of 1945 and responds to efforts to discount the genocide of European Jews by the Nazis during World War II. Produced by Gene Brodeur, KUSM/Montana Public Televison, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, April 16, 1999)

Montana's Initiative Process: Time to Raise The Bar? (No. 715)

Gene Brodeur examines arguments to make it tougher to qualify ballot measures, in the wake of the State Supreme Court decision declaring CI-75 unconstitutional. Produced by Gene Brodeur, KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, April 30, 1999)

Racial Dialogue: A Work In Progress (No. 716)

Gene Brodeur continues an ongoing examination of race issues in Montana, with an update of efforts to promote education and understanding as a means of resolving differences. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, May 16, 1999)

Blue Berets (No. 717)

A conversation with producer Stephen Maly about his documentary examining the role of UN peacekeeping troops in the Republic of Macedonia. Also joining the discussion about soldiering in the post Cold War era, MSU Political Science Professor Franke Wilmer. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, May 28, 1999)

The 56th Session (No. 718)

Reporters who covered the 1999 Montana Legislative Session look back at the highlights and direction that emerged from the last gathering of Montana lawmakers before the millenium. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, June 11, 1999)

Is Gay Education Our Elementary Teacher's Job? (No. 719)

Can teachers deal with gay issues in elementary education in age-appropriate ways? Gene Brodeur visits with education providers and members of the community about the issues of understanding and tolerance that were addressed in the documentary "It's Elementary". Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, June 25, 1999)

Children at Risk (No. 720)

Two parent households, education, and health insurance are among the six factors that contribute to a child's well-being. Gene Brodeur examines the 1999 Kids Count Data Book criteria for "high risk" families. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, July 09, 1999)

The Missoula Demonstration Project (No. 721)

A fifteen year study aimed at exploring quality of life at the end of life, is underway in Missoula. Gene Brodeur visits with physician Ira Byock who maintains that the "best possible care when you are dying is not being in the hospital." Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, July 23, 1999)

School Violence: A Wake Up Call (No. 701)

Students return to the classroom amid parental anxieties about their safety. Gene Brodeur examines the risk that Montana school districts face in the wake of school shootings in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Springfield,Oregon. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, September 11, 1998)

Get It First, Get It Right (No. 702)

Newsrooms are under increasing pressure to break exclusive stories that will grab ratings and increase readership. At what price? Print, broadcast, and journalism school representatives join Gene Brodeur for a look at the impact that botched reports have on the credibility of the journalistic community. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, September 25, 1998)

Ci-75 Who Decides On Tax Hikes? (No. 703)

Gene Brodeur is joined by supporters and opponents of Constitutional Initiative 75. The measure, which will appear on the November ballot, would give citizens the right to vote on tax increases proposed by all levels of government in Montana. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, October 09, 1998)

Democracy Project: Montana "Ad Watch" (No. 704)

A special one hour look at :30 second TV campaign commercials and how they can be used to drive the agendas of special interest groups, rather than articulating voter concerns such as health care, education, and jobs. Gene Brodeur will be joined by print and broadcast journalists and consultants who advise politicians about their image, and defining issues in congressional and state races. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. (First Aired Friday, October 16, 1998)

A Look Back: The November 3rd Election (No. 705)

Gene Brodeur is joined by leading Montana political journalists in analyzing congressional, legislative, and key ballot iniative measures that were decided in Montana's November General Election. (First Aired Friday, November 13, 1998)

From El Nino to La Nina (No. 706)

Last winter, meteorologists and farmers were busy evaluating the impact of El Nino on Montana's crops. While most of the country was snowed under and drenched with heavy rainfall, Montana remained dry. This year, just the opposite could occur. Gene Brodeur is joined by a panel of experts examining the La Nina phenomenon. (First Aired Friday, November 27, 1998)

Waco: The Rules of Engagement (No. 707)

Producer and former CNN correspondent Dan Gifford, who produced the full-length documentary about the 1993 shootout at Branch Davidian headquarters in Waco Texas, talks with Gene Brodeur about the film which was nominated for an Academy Award. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, December 20, 1998)

The Tobacco Deal: Montana's Share (No. 708)

Montana stands to receive $832 million as a result of the tobacco industry's multi-state settlement. Gene Brodeur examines the impact of the landmark agreement and how that money will be spent. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, January 15, 1999)

Foster Care Revisited (No. 709)

If anything, child welfare has slipped further into crisis over the past year. Public and private advocates of foster care outline their agendas for the '99 legislative session, and review the state of childwelfare services in Montana. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/ Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, January 29, 1999)

Deregulation: An Ongoing Process (No. 710)

A Montana Profiles local follow-up to the national public television program "Power Switch", this episode explores the transition to deregulation since the 1997 passage of Montana Senate Bill 390, The Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, February 12, 1999)

Tax Reform: Is Montana Ready for a Sales Tax? (No. 711)

Montana Governor Racicot has described the state's tax structure as a "Model-T system is a microchip world." Could the timing be right to revive a plan that was soundly defeated a few years ago? Gene Brodeurvisits with members of The Montana Tax Policy Coalition about their efforts to advance another retail sales tax proposal during the '99 session of the State Legislature. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, February 28, 1999)

Y2k: Are You Ready? (No. 712)

Utter chaos or not to worry? It depends upon whom you talk to about the Y2K problem. Gene Brodeur visits with experts who are tracking the race to make computers compliant and head off massive shutdowns when January 1, 2000 rolls around. Produced by Gene Brodeur, for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, March 12, 1999)

Social Security: High Stakes (No. 713)

Boomers are worried that their checks won't be in the mail when they're eligible for social security. Should the "pay as you go" system remain unchanged, or should government yield to the push to let people invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in individual accounts? Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, March 26, 1999)

Holocaust Denial (No. 714)

Rabbinic aide Stanley Rosenberg recalls the liberation of the Buchenwald death camp in April of 1945 and responds to efforts to discount the genocide of European Jews by the Nazis during World War II. Produced by Gene Brodeur, KUSM/Montana Public Televison, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, April 16, 1999)

Montana's Initiative Process: Time to Raise The Bar? (No. 715)

Gene Brodeur examines arguments to make it tougher to qualify ballot measures, in the wake of the State Supreme Court decision declaring CI-75 unconstitutional. Produced by Gene Brodeur, KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, April 30, 1999)

Racial Dialogue: A Work In Progress (No. 716)

Gene Brodeur continues an ongoing examination of race issues in Montana, with an update of efforts to promote education and understanding as a means of resolving differences. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Sunday, May 16, 1999)

Blue Berets (No. 717)

A conversation with producer Stephen Maly about his documentary examining the role of UN peacekeeping troops in the Republic of Macedonia. Also joining the discussion about soldiering in the post Cold War era, MSU Political Science Professor Franke Wilmer. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, May 28, 1999)

The 56th Session (No. 718)

Reporters who covered the 1999 Montana Legislative Session look back at the highlights and direction that emerged from the last gathering of Montana lawmakers before the millenium. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur, 406-994-3437. (First Aired Friday, June 11, 1999)

Is Gay Education Our Elementary Teacher's Job? (No. 719)

Can teachers deal with gay issues in elementary education in age-appropriate ways? Gene Brodeur visits with education providers and members of the community about the issues of understanding and tolerance that were addressed in the documentary "It's Elementary". Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, June 25, 1999)

Children at Risk (No. 720)

Two parent households, education, and health insurance are among the six factors that contribute to a child's well-being. Gene Brodeur examines the 1999 Kids Count Data Book criteria for "high risk" families. Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, July 09, 1999)

The Missoula Demonstration Project (No. 721)

A fifteen year study aimed at exploring quality of life at the end of life, is underway in Missoula. Gene Brodeur visits with physician Ira Byock who maintains that the "best possible care when you are dying is not being in the hospital." Produced by Gene Brodeur for KUSM/Montana Public Television, MSU. Contact Gene Brodeur (406) 994-3437. (First Aired Friday, July 23, 1999)