Jackson Unpacked

‘Corny Things That People Say’

On this week’s episode: ICE visited Jackson early last month. The news spread quickly across social media but even now, many still have questions. A conversation with Ira Glass, host and creator of the popular public radio program “This American Life,” ahead of a recently announced August show in Jackson. And confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease south of town has one wildlife biologist with Wyoming Game and Fish concerned.

 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘Without Certainty’

On this week’s episode: federal workers are being laid off across the country, including in Teton County. One recently fired US Forest Service trail worker with the Jackson Ranger District, speaks up. We’ll hear more from one co-author of a book tackling the limits of growth in the West, with chapters tackling conservation and the cost of living in Jackson Hole. Also, a conversation from KHOL’s public affairs show the State of Jackson about one local printmaker's new art exhibit. Lastly, we hear the state capitol, where emerging patterns between the Trump administration and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus are giving some in Wyoming political whiplash. 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘Everything is Outrageous’

The Wyoming Senate narrowly passed a resolution recently that would ask Congress to turn over nearly all federal land in the state. That’s 30 million acres — about half of Wyoming’s total area. We hear from Aaron Weiss, the Deputy Director at the Center for Western Priorities, a conservation advocacy group, who says the resolution was is likely to change policy.

The first few weeks of Trump’s presidency have been a whirlwind. A deluge of executive orders, memos and proclamations aiming to crack down on immigration, slash the federal workforce and control international trade. We talk to Jacksonites to hear what’s on the top of their minds.

A new exhibition in Jackson shines the spotlight on female photographers and painters in the American West at the turn of the 20th century. Wyoming Public Radio’s Hannah Habermann heard about some of these trailblazing artists – and their work – from the women who brought the show to life.

After years of anticipation, the federal government recently announced a plan for grizzly bears to remain listed as “threatened” on the endangered species list in the Northern Rockies. The move is the latest in a decades-long battle between the feds, environmentalists and western states over to what extent grizzlies have recovered and how they should be managed. 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘Even if it's Unconstitutional?’

Between the legislative session in Cheyenne and President Donald Trump’s first week back in the White House, immigration policies in Wyoming are on the fast track for an overhaul.

 

When the roads are too snowy to drive on – why not plane? As in snow plane. In Tetonia, there’s a festival celebrating the invention that bridged the technological divide between the horse-drawn sleigh and snowmobile. 

 

What’s the financial value of a wolf in Wyoming? That’s the question behind a new article in the travel magazine Matador. An interview with reporter from the publication who wrote the article “Are wolves worth the cost? The American West’s new wildlife dilemma.”

 

A beloved fishing lake near Pinedale now has no fish and the entire lake has turned red. Land managers and biologists don’t know why but they think it might have to do with toxic algae blooms of cyanobacteria, a growing problem in Wyoming’s waters. 

 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘A Little Shangri-La’

Despite a $100 million done deal, questions linger for some, like environmentalists Susan Marsh and Jared Baecker, about how the Kelly Parcel will be managed. Park superintendent Chip Jenkins says the process of deciding exactly that begins now. And a future of the money from the sale may further oil and gas development according to Governor Mark Gordon and the State Board of Land Commissioners. The process makes some in Jackson Hole itchy. 

 

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS is trying to move on from stress with new leadership like assistant Fire Chief Brian Coe. This, even as a former boss, Stephen Jellie, has filed a lawsuit against some firefighter’s spouses, like Coe’s. Firefighter Natty Hagood is raising money for their defense though his own personal capacity.

 

And for all those who look up to their parents, renowned DJ Matthew Dear dishes inspiration in an interview with KHOL’s Jack Catlin. 

 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘An Extremely Heavy Lift’

On this week’s episode: KHOL’s Jenna McMurtry reports on the controversy surrounding a potential charter school south of town, in Alpine. Heather Goodrich and Jeff Daugherty agree the town needs a new school, but exactly what that school should be, not so much. Matt Erickson, the area superintendent is not sure any school can be built before the start of the next school year.

KHOL’s Dante Filpula Ankney talks to Jackson Hole’s Vosmus and Armitage families at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort about new safety measures being implemented this year. Ned Wonson, who works at the resort, touts them as proof of JHMR’s continued improvements, while some wonder if and how they will work.

KHOL’s Evan Ballew talks with Jackson-based artists Hilary Camino and Leif Routman about their latest single “Release your Grip” which recently premiered at KHOL.

Wyoming Public Radio’s Caitlin Tan met up with Sublette County outfitter and mountain man Bill Webb at his house in Pinedale for a unique Christmas tree hunt, for a juniper.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘Shorts in the Wintertime’

On this week’s episode: KHOL’s Dante Filpula Ankney chats with Dem. Senator Mike Gierau of Jackson about the Regulatory Reduction Task Force and four potential bills some feel target Teton County.

KHOL’s Rachel Stevens talked with Baylee Drewry AKA Miss Wyoming 2024 about her platform: supporting women in sports.

Wyoming Public Radio’s Hanna Merzbach tells us some employers around Jackson are turning to modular homes, built by engineers like Loren Woodin and architects like Greg Mason, to house their employees. Clark and Danielle Johnson are the recipients of one. Like legos, entire sections of the house are assembled on permanent foundations.

And KGNU’s Shelley Schlender spoke with Neuro-psychologist June Gruber about a course she teaches on happiness at the University of Colorado in Boulder. 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘We Laugh So We Don’t Cry’

On this week’s episode: Following the election, immigrant advocacy organizations say more deportations are looking likely and a slew of legal challenges could also get in the way. KHOL’s Jenna McMurtry talks with Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, Lincoln County Sheriff Matt Johnson and Jackson immigration lawyer Elisabeth Trefonas about that reality.

It’s been about a year since Teton County Search and Rescue was able to add a multi-million-dollar helicopter to the organization. KHOL’s Dante Filpula Ankney reports a chopper is a rare addition to a volunteer search and rescue group in the West. For most, it’s too expensive. The costly addition is helping Cody Lockhart, Steve Wilson and the entire TCSAR team with rescues in the county and in communities throughout the region.

Also, nearly 30% of Teton County residents identify as Latino. KHOL’s Rachel Stevens talked to KHOL DJ Valeria Abad about occasional isolation, being from a Latin country that isn’t Mexico, but also, how being in-between cultures opens doors. 

And lastly, republicans often don’t see tackling climate change as a top priority… but  conservative environmentalist Benji Backer is trying to change that. The Mountain West News Bureau’s Hanna Merzbach spoke with him, Jessica Burley and Andrew Mentzner in Jackson.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

BONUS: 'The Entire Country is at Stake For Me'

On this week’s episode: KHOL’s Dante Filpula Ankney and Jenna McMurtry hit the polls to talk to voters in both Wilson and Jackson about what was on their minds as they cast their ballots. Those voters include: Marge Glick, Alex Coosaia, Anne Jones, Karyn Chin, Rachel Miller, Keith Cozzens, Milli Dawson, Margaret Gordon and Annette Robertson.

KHOL’s Emily Cohen attended two election watch parties in Jackson. At the Teton County Democratic Party’s event at the Wort Hotel we hear from Maggie Hunt, Clare Stumpf and commissioner elects Natalia Macker and Len Carlman. At the Teton County Republican Party’s event at Sidewinders we hear from Cornelius Kinsey, Ray Espinoza and John Farrell.

Wyoming Public Radio’s Nicky Ouellet reports some Wyomingites, especially those with the political action committee Wyoming Election Integrity, have been pushing for ballots to be hand counted. She spoke with Campbell County Clerk Cindy Lovelace who hosted the group for a test trial to estimate the time, cost and manpower.

Lastly, emotions tend to run high during election season spanning political lines and into each and every home. Those emotions, often more than reason, determine our decision-making, including how we vote. KGNU’s Susan Moran spoke with University of Colorado Boulder psychology professor Leaf Van Boven about exactly that.

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.

‘A Real Minefield of Human Attractants’

On this week’s episode: Grizzly 399’s death has made national headlines and triggered memorials and gatherings from the Snake River Canyon to Grand Teton National Park. KHOL’s Dante Filpula Ankney reports both wildlife advocates like Kristin Combs and wildlife managers like Chris Servheen and Dan Thompson say the bear had a positive impact throughout it’s life but posed some unique management challenges.

 

Former Jackson Hole Fire Chief Stephen Jellie resigned under much scrutiny last year with a substantial severance. KHOL’s Sophia Boyd-Fliegel talks with Mat-Su Sentinel reporter Amy Bushatz about a similar situation, this time in Palmer, Alaska.

 

Many who can’t vote in Tuesday’s election are still anxious about the results. A group of Jacksonites and immigrant service providers met last month in the Teton County Library to recap recent immigration policy changes and outline potentials for under a Trump OR Harris administration. KHOL’s Rachel Stevens attended and talked Alin Yukiro Badillo Carillo — the leader of an immigration group in town who fears her complicated legal status could change. 

 

Over the past few months KHOL and StoryCorps have connected Teton County residents with candidates running for local office through one-on-one conversations. In the final installment of our election edition of One Small Step produced by Alyson Spery, we hear from two candidates: Devon Viehman who’s running for town council and Jerry Bosch who’s running for the school board. 

 

Jackson Unpacked airs locally at 89.1 FM or via live-stream Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Fridays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Support Jackson’s only nonprofit newsroom by becoming a member of KHOL today.