Jess Sheldahl

Morning Edition Host

Jess Sheldahl is a reporter and host for Morning Edition at Yellowstone Public Radio. She fell in love with public radio after becoming a DJ at the University of Montana’s college station KBGA. Since then, she’s worked at MTPR and graduated with a BA in Journalism from the University of Montana. Born and raised in Montana, Jess understands the importance of reporting on local news and issues that matter to the people who live here. She also enjoys a cold beer and a good book under the Big Sky.

Ways to Connect

The Worm for August 16, 2019

By • Aug 16, 2019

It's Friday, August 16th. Today we have stories about West Nile Virus, which has been detected for the first time this year in mosquitoes in Montana, plans to clean up groundwater contaminated by toxic coal ash at the Colstrip power plant and the problems that have plagued the Gallatin County Law and Justice Center for years.

The Worm for August 15, 2019

By • Aug 15, 2019

It's Thursday, August 15th. This morning we have stories about new fishing regulations on the Flathead River, the $275,000 grant awarded to Montana communities for infrastructure and the first court appearance of a man from Superior accused of assaulting a 13-year-old boy who the suspect felt disrespected the national anthem. 

The Worm for August 14, 2019

By • Aug 14, 2019

It's Wednesday, August 14th. Today we have stories about the expanded area where cattle producers are required to vaccinate animals at risk for brucellosis, changes to the Endangered Species Act and Steve Daines' reaction to the Trump administration's pick to head the bureau of Land Management, William Perry Pendley.

The Worm for August 13, 2019

By • Aug 13, 2019

It's Tuesday, August 13th. This morning we have stories about Montana State University police officers' annual active shooter training, the hail storm that hit Billings and other parts of Montana on Sunday and Montana's Republican U.S. Senator Steve Daines' apperance yesterday at a Missoula luncheon.

The Worm for August 12, 2019

By • Aug 12, 2019

It's Monday, August 12th. Today we have stories about the final deal for the Butte Superfund site, Flathead Lake and how it continues to defy the odds as a healthy blue body of water that's free of invasive mussels and the second meeting of Montana's Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force. 

Proposed Great Falls Cheese Plant Draws Public Involvement In City Planning

By • Aug 9, 2019
Big Sky Cheese

Correction: An earlier verison of this story inncorrectly said the principle of Big Sky Cheese, Edward Friesen, is Hutterite. Friesen is not Hutterite. 

A proposed cheese factory in Great Falls is stirring controversy in the community over fear of larger industrial agriculture development, including a slaughterhouse. Jenn Rowell with the independent online news outlet “The Electric” has been covering recent heated zoning board meetings about Big Sky Cheese and its parent company, the Madison Food Park. She spoke with YPR News' Jess Sheldahl.

The Worm for August 9, 2019

By • Aug 9, 2019

It's Friday, August 9th. We have stories about a new physical therapy center in Billings, a federal lawsuit about how the FBI handled a Crow man's murder and new data released from a survey of Montana voters and what it reveals about the state's political divides.

BLM Appointee Draws Criticism, Optimism From Montana Groups

By • Aug 6, 2019
Headshot of William Perry Pendley
Bureau of Land Management

When Interior Secretary David Bernhardt assigned William Pendley as acting head of the Bureau of Land Management on July 29, conservation groups ranging from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to the Montana Wildlife Federation joined together to stand against the conservative lawyer.