Declaration of independence from Republican Party BOB BROWN Ever hear of Rudy Stanko, well-known in Montana 20-plus years ago? Rudy “Stinko,” you say? Well, maybe. Here’s the story. Rudy Stanko liked to speed, and it was easy for him to do so because from 1955-1974 and again from 1995-1999, the speed limit in our state […]

House must act, pass Great American Outdoors Act Our staff at Shine works hard and plays hard, and it’s painful to see them and our community suffering as a consequence of COVID-19. For their sake, and for the sake of businesses and workers across Montana, the House needs to act now to pass the Great […]

Cooney has earned trust, best choice to lead state I have known Mike for 40-plus years. From listening to his band at high school dances to skiing at Lost Trail pass, working for the Sheriffs Association and his term as our lieutenant governor. Mike has worked hard and dedicated his working life to the people […]

The COVID-19 pandemic, which is bad enough, is made even worse by an affliction long endemic to our nation—radical individualism, a libertarian mean streak, which has reached unprecedented toxicity during this crisis. Many people refuse to follow public health guidelines such as physical distancing and have followed the lead of our president in the nonsensical […]

Protests don’t ignore history; they create it Regarding recent protests, I am responding to Leslie Ball’s June 27 letter. Yes, democracy dies in darkness and we are all a part of history and must learn from it. No, civil unrest isn’t darkness, racism can’t be ignored and majority rule isn’t how we govern. Mr./Ms. Ball […]

In their July 7 column, Gary and Joan Carlson were correct when they wrote, “in 2020 we face an enemy that is as much or even possibly a greater threat to our republic. It is a cancer that has been allowed to grow within America and has the potential to destroy us.” What they got wrong […]

Based on past experience, the 2021 Montana Legislature could extinguish any possibility to restore public, wild bison anywhere in our state. Unless discussion of this issue begins now, it could happen with little public awareness. Why should Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the federal Fish & Wildlife Service bring back bison to the Charles M. […]

If you continue to think that Trump deserves a second term, you don’t need to read this. The evidence is clear. If he is not a Russian stooge, he sure acts like one. He is a racist and does not even use a dog whistle to get his message across. He utterly lacks empathy. After […]

By TOM PUCHLERZ AND COLLIN O’MARA Guest columnists The last several months have been filled with uncertainty, sadness and hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic relentlessly moves on, lives continue to be lost, all against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, social injustice and racial inequality. Times are hard. Through this we are seeing growth and evolution in […]