Author

Katie Fairbanks

Katie Fairbanks is a freelance journalist based in Missoula. Katie grew up in Livingston and graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism. After working as a newspaper reporter in North Dakota, Katie worked as a producer for NBC Montana’s KECI station, followed by five years as a health and local government reporter in Longview, Wash.

Katie's Latest Articles

Elections, electrons and home economics

By Katie Fairbanks ● Environment ● May 22, 2024

Missoula’s Elena Evans hopes to shake up the Montana Public Service Commission, the powerful utility regulator plagued by partisanship. But first the Independent candidate needs to make the ballot.

Fire poll

By Katie Fairbanks ● Government & Politics ● May 14, 2024

Missoula’s primary election ballot asks voters to help the fire department keep pace with the city’s rapid growth.

‘Strike for Gaza’

By Katie Fairbanks ● News ● May 2, 2024

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march at the University of Montana to denounce Israel’s deadly war in Gaza and call for divestment.

School colors

By Katie Fairbanks ● Education ● April 24, 2024

The Missoula County school board affirms that the Pride flags displayed in Sentinel High School classrooms are not ideological, as a grievance had argued, but symbols of inclusivity and acceptance.

The costs of homelessness

By Katie Fairbanks ● Housing ● April 11, 2024

A new study on the economic impacts of homelessness in Missoula aims to foster a shared understanding of a complex problem.

A dose of prevention

By Katie Fairbanks ● Health ● March 29, 2024

Missoula health officials installing free Narcan vending machines around the city to battle rise in opioid overdoses.

Plugging away

By Katie Fairbanks ● Government & Politics ● March 27, 2024

Over the nearly seven years since Missoula took ownership of its water utility, the city has poured more than $45 million into system upgrades—which means less money is going down the drain.