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Erik Olson on Muck Rack

Erik Olson

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As seen in: KTVQ-TV (Billings, MT), CNN, The Charlotte Observer, Kansas City Star, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, KPBS-TV (San Diego, CA), East Bay Times, WLRN-FM (Miami, FL), JD Supra, Vegas Inc, Billings Gazette and
Husband helping raise a daughter. Web producer for @ktvq. Ex print guy. Native Montanan. Ex Washingtonian. Once screwed up countervail to lose spelling bee.

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Erik Olson’s Biography

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I cover banks, retail, real estate, oil and gas, coal and other industries in eastern Montana and Wyoming. Before that, I spent about a dozen years in Washington state, the last six covering business and industry in blue-collar Longview.

Erik Olson’s Journalist Portfolio

Take a drive to Glendive

Take a drive to Glendive

In Glendive, a small Montana town at the edge of the Bakken oil boom, hotels sprouted up to accommodate rig w…

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Articles

Sheriff identifies deceased suspect in Billings mass shooting

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By Erik Olson Verified
| KBZK-TV (Bozeman, MT) Verified
The suspect in Sunday's mass shooting at a Billings West End home was identified Wednesday as Alan Michael Smith, 44, who formerly lived at the residence. Interim Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O'Donnell released the name at a news conference in Billings but offered few other details. The Associated Press reported that Smith had previously lived at the home with his parents, Dana and Barbara Smith, but had been asked to leave.
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Sheriff: Multiple people dead following fire and shooting at Billings home Original

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By Erik Olson Verified
| KTVQ-TV (Billings, MT) Verified
BILLINGS, Mont. — Multiple victims, including children, died at a Billings West End home that burned down after responders were met with gunfire Sunday, authorities said Monday. Interim Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said at a news conference at the Billings police evidence facility that law enforcement has identified all people involved in the incident, including a suspect.
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Who Bears the Burden of Proving Whether Trade Secrets Are Readily Ascertainable? | JD Supra

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By Erik Olson Verified
| JD Supra
California trade secrets plaintiffs have to decide whether to bring trade secrets claims under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (CUTSA) and/or the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA). Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 2019.210, plaintiffs in trade secrets cases brought in California state courts under CUTSA must identify their trade secrets with "reasonable particularity" before they may commence discovery.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

Intern. Interview random people on the street for column. Good practice in approaching strangers.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes, a long time ago.

How is social media changing news?

Pro: Flattening access to the media for the masses. Con: Eroding context and institutional knowledge from content