Jessy Davis’ scary rodeo injury was just the beginning of a crazy month and a half in Utah.

Power bareback rider Jessy Davis feels fortunate after life-threatening injury, earthquake and COVID-19 peril

In September, several items (including two cars) belonging to Columbus High School football players and coaches were stolen during one of their games. I wrote three stories — the breaking news, the charges against the suspects and the suspects’ pleas — about the theft in the weeks after it occured, and another development happened in March (with more to come as of March 26).

Deputies arrest suspects in theft at Columbus-Three Forks football game

Suspects charged for theft at Columbus football game

Suspects plead not guilty in massive theft at Columbus football game

Suspect in Columbus locker room thefts pleads guilty, faces sentencing

This was a fun story to work on. It focuses on the relatives who start for the Jordan boys basketball team, and it explores why nearly 150 people with the last name Murnion live in a small eastern Montana county.

With 5 Murnions in starting lineup, Jordan displays ‘highest form of chemistry’

Famous Lefthand is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever profiled, and not just because he almost died.

Being Famous: Brushes with death have strengthened Hardin’s Famous Lefthand

UPDATE (8/17): Lefthand’s father died in June, and his grandfather passed away a month later. I wrote about both men here.

I’ve taken video and photos at games I’ve covered, but I always used my phone to capture those photos. That changed on Nov. 16, when I used a Nikon (loaned to me from the Billings Gazette photo staff) to shoot a Montana Class A state semifinal football game.

I also shot video on my phone, like I do every game, and created a highlight reel that I posted to YouTube and to 406mtsports.com. I am a writer, after all, so those visual components took back seats to my game story. The story, photos and video can be found here: https://406mtsports.com/high-school/football/class-a-football-turnovers-help-no-miles-city-beat-no/article_9bc474d8-b422-5cfc-8481-04ee78046d3a.html

A Gazette photographer went to the state title game a week later, but I still created a highlight video in addition to my gamer: https://406mtsports.com/high-school/football/class-a-championship-no-miles-city-handles-no-laurel-for/article_db92049d-71ce-5baa-829e-88696c749d0f.html

UPDATE (12/2/20): I took photos, shot video and wrote stories from two state title football games this season. Links to those stories are below.

State 6-Man football: Froid-Lake beats White Sulphur Springs for 1st championship

State B football: Inspired by injured senior, Manhattan rallies past Fairfield for 1st title

I mentioned in my last post how much I enjoy writing diagnosis stories. This was another article in that vein. A relatively large school forfeited its varsity football season. I was fascinated to find out what led to that (basically unprecedented) decision and how the program planned to improve going forward.

Livingston searches for solutions after forfeited football season

I’m always attracted to a story where I can diagnose a situation. Why did this happen? and where do the people involved go from here? are simple questions from a story structure standpoint, but the circumstances surrounding those questions are always complex. That was the case with this article about a triathlon that ended after 40 years.

Farewell at 40: ‘No future’ for beloved Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race

This was and still is one of the oddest stories I’ve reported.

PBR will return to Billings in 2020 despite CEO’s threat

In many ways, this is more of a news article than a sports one. It explores a controversial policy from Montana’s activities association, and… well, the headline summarizes it, and you should read the story regardless!

MHSA amends policy, will allow tribal flags to be presented at basketball tournaments