There is symbolism in the brutal suffocation and killing of a black American, George Floyd, by Minnesota police officers. Mr. Floyd’s cry for help, “I can’t breathe,” is a metaphor for centuries of black oppression and mistreatment at the hands of a governing white majority, both here and abroad. It also symbolizes a newer threat […]

By ERICK GREENE Guest columnist Throughout the last three and a half years, the Trump administration has rolled back fundamental protections for human health and the environment. Most of these rollbacks defy common sense – none more so than gutting the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a law that has protected birds across North America since […]

Bozeman must take action, mandate the use of masks I was appalled to read in the Chronicle that the health department has decided to “study” the COVID situation for another month before taking meaningful action to keep our community safer from community spread of the virus. More study is not needed to know that when people […]

The recent police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have ignited this country in protest against police brutality. There are demands for defunding (or “re-funding”) the police, de-escalation training, and for outlawing chokeholds. All of these changes, though necessary, are not enough. After all, Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery weren’t killed by police but […]

While visiting Fort Collins, Colorado, recently I learned that their newspaper, The Coloradoan, has severely limited the letters to the editor. Letters are only published on Sundays and then, have many restrictions for acceptability. The Coloradoan is owned by Gannett Publishing Group, which oversees the publication of over 50 US newspapers, including USA Today. We […]

I was frustrated to read White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany’s self-centered explanation about why she would not wear a mask to the rally in Tulsa on Saturday. Ms. McEnany stated, “It’s a personal choice. I am tested regularly…” She is tested routinely and frequently because of her position in the administration and this testing […]

By STEPHANIE ADAMS Guest columnist After years of work and advocacy on the need to fix and fund our parks and open spaces, the finish line is near on The Great American Outdoor Act, which will benefit national parks and public lands across the country. The pathway to progress within Montana has long been paved […]

The Republican Party’s strategy is to prevent as many people as possible from voting. Republicans are threatened by large voter turnout. Voter suppression has been a scheme for Republicans since the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Republicans on the Supreme Court struck down the core of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, freeing states to […]

Attempts to undermine ESA put our future at risk I recently met virtually with staff members from the offices of Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. Jon Tester to discuss concerns over recent proposals from the Trump administration to weaken the Endangered Species Act. As we face this global pandemic, it may seem like the least […]

Recently I’ve started to see Steve Daines signs popping up again with the slogan “More Jobs, Less Government.” Recycling this meaningless slogan from his last campaign shows how astonishingly out of touch Daines is with the crisis now facing Montana families. More jobs? Daines and his administration have now presided over the greatest loss of […]