🌱 Patch AM: What UM’s new president says he’ll change for Missoula students

Greetings Missoula! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What UM's new president says he'll change for Missoula students
• How River City Roots turned downtown Missoula into a 15,000-strong party
• Why Missoula County is renewing attention on a 30-year-old Seeley Lake murder.

Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 84 and low of 48 degrees.
• Monday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 86, low: 52. 🌶 Hot!
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 88 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• University of Montana's new president takes the stage for first public address (kpax.com) — Missoula's new University of Montana president, Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, laid out his first public vision for campus, emphasizing student belonging, expanded scholarship support for Montana students, and careful use of AI as a learning tool. He's been meeting with sports teams and arts students and says he's eager to be visible at events as classes begin for fall 2026.
   

• River City Roots Festival draws thousands to downtown Missoula for 20th year (kpax.com) — Downtown Missoula just wrapped up the 20th River City Roots Festival, which drew more than 15,000 people for free live music, vendors, and family activities across Aug. 21-22. Locals, new University of Montana students, and longtime festival-goers all described it as a welcoming end-of-summer tradition, with everything from a 4-mile run to frozen treats and art filling the streets.
   

• NBC MT Today: New wildfire, Bozeman utility rates rise, gusty thunderstorms (nbcmontana.com) — Missoula County investigators are again seeking leads in the decades-old killing of Seeley Lake teacher Clifford Lee Nelson, renewing attention on a local cold case. The broader news roundup also highlights a new wildfire in Lincoln County, a Kalispell business opening, Bozeman utility rate hikes, grizzly bear monitoring plans, and a national conversation on homelessness. It's a quick snapshot of issues affecting communities across Montana.
   

📸 Around Missoula

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Missoula

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday August 24
• 2026-2027 Hellgate Elementary School District Open House
  Hellgate Elementary Missoula, MT 59808
  5:30 pm
Tuesday August 25
• Staff Development Day
  Hellgate Elementary Missoula, MT 59808
  8:30 am

📣 Missoula Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday August 23
• Philipsburg Summer Market on Broadway at Pocket Park →
  Moon River Ranch, 45 Ln, Clinton
  11:00 am
Monday August 24
• Travelers' Rest Art Cart →
  Travelers' Rest State Park, 6717 US-12, Lolo
  1:00 pm
• Open House/Move-in Night - Kinder & 6th Only
  Target Range Elementary Missoula, MT 59804
  5:00 pm
• 2026-2027 Hellgate Elementary School District Open House
  Hellgate Elementary Missoula, MT 59808
  5:30 pm
• Open House/Move-in Night - 1st-5th & 7th-8th
  Target Range Elementary Missoula, MT 59804
  6:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
• Staff Development Day
  Hellgate Elementary Missoula, MT 59808
  8:30 am
Wednesday August 26
• Welcome Back - 1st Day of the 26-27 School Year
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
• 1st day of Volleyball practice!
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
• Volleyball Practice
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
  3:30 pm
Thursday August 27
• Orchard Homes Farmers Market →
  Orchard Homes Country Life Club, 2537 S 3rd St W, Missoula
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• 3 bedroom, 2.
  5 bath, large closets, beautiful home with attached garage for rent. 406-546-6746 (Nextdoor Franklin)
• We adopted this kitty about 2 months ago.
  He is a 6 year old tabby cat. He hasn't come home the last couple nights and we're worried about him. His name is Milo. He's neutered and loves… (Nextdoor Clements Road)

• Jimmy John's Franchise, LLC posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Training in Missoula. Apply here.
• Michels Corporation posted a job opening for Safety Coordinator - Michels Energy Group, Inc. in Missoula. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Missoula here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lolo

• Butte group dreams of building gondola to the Our Lady of the Rockies statue on East Ridge (kpax.com)
• A pedestrian was hit and killed by a car near Anaconda; other walkers urge caution (kpax.com)

Stevensville

• Find Top Respite Care Jobs in Stevensville, MT (care.com)
• Richard Parker letter: Let science earn public trust (bitterrootstar.com)
• White House shocker (bitterrootstar.com)

Ok Missoula! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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