🌱 Patch AM: How UM’s new president plans to prove the Griz degree is worth it

Good morning to you Missoula! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How UM's new president plans to prove the Griz degree is worth it
• How a Missoula-led task force unraveled an international fentanyl pipeline
• How new Medicaid work rules could hit Missoula's most vulnerable neighbors

Today's riddle: How fast is milk when you pour it? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Hazy sun, with a high of 85 and low of 51 degrees.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 91, low: 54. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 89 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Shinn Says UM Will Prove Its Value, Not Just Argue For It (kyssfm.com) — Missoula residents will see a new direction at the University of Montana as President Jeremiah Shinn pledges to prove the value of a UM degree through real-world impact, not rhetoric. In his first State of the University address, he highlighted Griz alumni achievements, the economic punch of athletics, and UM's role in training teachers and healthcare workers for communities across Montana.
   

• Operation Windmill shuts down international drug trafficking network that brought fentanyl into Montana and three other states (falloncountyextra.com) — From a Missoula-based federal investigation, authorities have finished prosecuting 13 people tied to an international fentanyl network that funneled drugs into Montana and three other states. Sentences range up to 20 years in prison after investigators traced shipments, money, and travel from the Netherlands and Mexico through communities including Butte and western Montana, aiming to disrupt a major source of illicit pills.
   

• Medicaid work rule leaves homeless people in the cold (myjournalcourier.com) — Missoula readers are seeing Medicaid work rules collide with rising housing costs, as a local Partnership Health Center social worker reports more patients being priced out of rentals. The story follows a homeless Montana man whose seizures and addiction complicate his ability to meet new federal Medicaid work requirements, highlighting how upcoming state enforcement could leave vulnerable residents without coverage while clinics struggle to fill funding gaps.
   

📸 Around Missoula

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Missoula

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday August 25
• Staff Development Day
  Hellgate Elementary Missoula, MT 59808
  8:30 am

📣 Missoula Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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
Friday August 28
• No Volleyball Practice
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
Sunday August 30
• Philipsburg Summer Market on Broadway at Pocket Park →
  Moon River Ranch, 45 Ln, Clinton
  11:00 am

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

• Yard sale today!
  8 - 1. Woman's clothing (small), shoes/boots, household items, some tools and gardening stuff, books. Stop by and take a look! (Nextdoor Northside)
• Missing
  Meleke aka Millie From Sherwood Trl court 1800 Cooper St trl8 (406) 274-1493 I just lost my service dog of 16 years and my 96 year old mother in… (Nextdoor Westside)

• Merry Maids posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Missoula. Apply here.
• Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Traveling Retail Merchandiser in Missoula. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Missoula here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lolo

• University of Montana's new president takes the stage for first public address (kpax.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: It's "Pasturized" before you know it! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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