Montanans are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our vaccines are safe and effective, COVID cases are falling thanks to the tireless efforts of our frontline health care workers, and spring is on the horizon. But even with this good news, we still have work to do before we […]

In November 2020, almost 60% of Montana voters said yes to ballot initiative I-190 to have 49.5% of the tax revenue from the sale of marijuana go to conservation, habitat, state parks and trails, and public lands. Since our State Parks alone have a $25 million backlog of maintenance, I thought that was a good […]

As a family physician who has worked with transgender individuals, I am alarmed by bills in the current Montana Legislature session that target the LGBTQ community. Bills that would intrude on the doctor patient relationship by barring discussion of health care options with trans youth and their families, and place barriers for these youth to […]

I see that another Trump believer has been arrested (Cavanaugh from Bozeman) for participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Wonderful! I cannot understand how so many people could be so gullible at believing Trump’s lies that the election was stolen. I do hope that the FBI arrestees are given federal sentences without parole. Perhaps that […]

By MARILYNN MILLER and GERALDINE BECK Guest columnists In early March, Montana House Judiciary Committee Chair Barry Usher made a public statement equating the role of women to that of female wildlife as “nurturers and birthers.” Usher’s ridiculously narrow view of the contributions of women is sadly emblematic of the regressive attitudes and actions of […]

Eight minutes, if things go right. That’s how long it takes for a wolf — or for someone’s beloved pet — to strangle to death in the snare traps approved for use by Montana House Bill 224. But sometimes things don’t go right. When the snare cinches on either side of the trachea the suffering […]

In 2020, Congress passed the historic National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, making 988 the future phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and paving the way for states to fund 988 the same way as 911. We now have the opportunity to do that in Montana with House Bill 315. Gov. Gianforte co-sponsored the Designation […]

It is bad enough that Sen. Steve Daines opposes the historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland to be Secretary of Interior. The irony of his statement that, “Her confirmation will hurt Montana & the Western way of life as we know it,” is beyond belief given that, unlike Daines, her ancestors have lived in the […]

In our Montana Legislature, Senate Bill 260 is atrocious. If passed, this bill could cost Montana hundreds of millions of dollars. Similar bills have been enacted in other states, only to be repealed a few years later because they are so very costly to the states. Similar bills have also been introduced in past Montana […]

Are you kidding me? According to the “Rural Montana Foundation,” astroturf not grassroots, ranches are overrun with elk. I’m sure everyday Montana hunters would love access to same, but something tells me they can’t get it. These elk are basically locusts, yet these poor ranchers somehow can’t entice hunters to reduce their numbers. Not even […]