KGPR Great Falls Public Radio

Some places are worth protecting. My mountain sanctuary is one of them. We pulled a lot of weeds last weekend and we have a lot more to pull. I took my easy-going pack horse into the Bob Marshall Wilderness on a mission to eliminate noxious weeds and protect the diverse landscape. - Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interview classical harpist Yolanda Kondonassis talking about her career, harp playing, plus a preview of her latest album Terra Infirma featuring music by Reena Esmail. For more information about the artist, go to yolandaharp.com.    

I hope you will think about joining me at the From the Ground Up Kitchen Open House on Thursday, July 9, at 2 p.m. for a peek at how the retort process works and the food it creates.  -Lisa

"What's Trending" is a look at drug and alcohol trends occurring in Great Falls and Cascade County. The June 2026 edition runs 9:26 in length.

My friend, Andy Watson, drew a cartoon and said I could use it for my column this week. I think it captures the opportunity we have for unity as we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday.  - Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Amber Henning Griffith of the Great Falls Theatre Company talking about the upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz, with show times on July 9th through the 11th, the 16th and the 17th all at 7 PM, plus a matinee on July 18th at 2 PM, all taking place at the Great Falls High School Davidson Auditorium.  For more information, go to greatfallstheatre.com.  

Host Matt Donnelly interviews composer and pianist Suzanna Lam talking about her career, her music, with a preview of her latest album Sunday, a classical crossover blending classical with ambient features quoting Handel's Passacaglia.  For more information about the artist, go to dreammusicproductions.com. 

Hosts Marty Bannon and Dave Cunningham interview Tom Lang, director of the Montana Trails Coalition.  

Hosts Marty Bannon and Dave Cunningham interview Steve Dee of the Montana Dinosaur Center of Bynum, MT.  

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Bulgarian Canadian jazz vocalist Gergana Velinova talking about her career and her latest album Free--A Soulful Journey.  For more information about the artist, go to gerganavelinova.com.    

The various shades of sage, western wheatgrass and all of the other green prairie plants rejuvenate the land and my heart. June is my favorite month of the year. - Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews composer Robert Honstein, talking about his music and a preview of his latest album Horizon Line.  For more information about the artist, go to roberthonstein.com.  

Host Matt Donnelly interviews local bandleader John Gemberling talking about the Great Falls Municipal Band, its history, ways to get involved, and their upcoming summer concerts.   

Retort mechanic Channing Thomas is used to climbing into tight spaces to adjust robotics. Once, he searched for a ship that rested 10,000 feet below Antarctic ice. Last week, he ventured even farther into the wilderness when he came to Conrad, Montana. This was a big step in getting my ready-to-eat meals into production. It was fun to learn from people with different perspectives, too. -Lisa  

Some people say this rain came too late for the grass and crops to grow. At my ranch, all of the plants have already shot up as if they have their hands raised to the heavens in praise. It's like being in church around here. I think those people who think it is too late are wrong.    Earlier this spring, crews built artificial beaver dams in my long-dry creek bed. After four days of soaking rain,...

My manufacturing kitchen is getting closer to operational with every passing moment. So are the last-minute crises. Fortunately, I get to spend time reuniting lost lambs with their mamas and restoring my own sanity.  -Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews classical guitarist Brendan Evans, talking about his musical influences, his career, and a preview of his latest album Tiento.  For more information about the artist, go to brendan-evans.com.    

Host Matt Donnelly interviews composer Daniel Temkin talking about his music and a preview of his latest album Maksimal.  For more information about Daniel, check out danieltemkincomposer.com.    

Host Matt Donnelly interviews vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Eki Shola talking about a love for jazz, her career, and a preview of her latest album Dare to Love Free.  For more information about the artist, go to ekishola.com.

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, persona...

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 strateg...

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,...

Host Dave Cunningham interviews AmeriCorp trail specialist Cecilia Gomez.

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.  

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