Breanna McCabe

I'm still in disbelief that my former colleague, Mark Robert Thorsell, died suddenly last month. Mark was the reliable, steady presence, clicking away on the computer in the corner of the newsroom, listening for breaking news on the scanner and offering his experience, kindness and sarcasm in well-timed outbursts. When TV newsrooms still prioritized the traditional broadcast, he built up the online presence for KPAX-TV and MTN News, consistently breaking stories and disseminating valuable information to the public. And when no reporters were available, Mark would rise from his post and respond to the scene to source information and take photos to break the story.

Mark was originally from New England, and he relocated to Montana 20 years ago with his wife, a Missoula native. As he wrote in his bio, they moved "so that we could raise our two daughters in a warm, welcoming environment that features a slower pace than the craziness of the East Coast." I remember him speaking with such endearment of his wife and daughters, and my heart aches for them.

He never shook his Boston fandom or that East Coast pace of reporting. Mark graduated from Emerson College with a journalism degree and spent several years as a news, sports and traffic reporter in Hartford, Connecticut. He was reporting on the ground on the aftermath of the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800. And in 2001, he reported on the Sept. 11 attacks, which he recounted in this 2011 interview with Dennis Bragg: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18EvE5mKM1/

Sharing in the sadness felt by the newsroom where he dedicated so much of his time. I can only imagine how empty it feels without Mark💔 We'll never forget you, Mark.

I know turkey is all the talk right now, but smoked chicken, pork and beef brisket are hot off the presses in the story I produced for Backroads of Montana (airing Monday night at 7 p.m. on Montana PBS). I visited the annual Montana BBQ Cook-Off and followed the local volunteer fire chief and his daughter. For them, there's something more to the event than competition.

I also got to see how the pros dial in the details! Tune in for cameos from circuit standouts Janice SmellaQue, Bourbon & Blues BBQ, Papa's Pit Crew BBQ Team, Burnt Trees BBQ, Montana Outlaw BBQ, Smokin Hot Butts BBQ and more!

I'm so thankful to contribute to this program – it's a dream job!