Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 17 - 41 of 1935
While House District 69 Representative Ken Walsh sponsored HB 680, it passed with overwhelming support from the Legislature, making it a mistake shared by many that never should have happened. HB 680 changes how Montana treats two of its most important historic places: Virginia City and Nevada City. These towns are not just state-owned property. They are living parts of Montana’s story, held in trust for future generations. HB 680 breaks that trust. The bill allows the state to enter into 99-year lease agreements. In simple terms, that gives p...
For weeks now, Montanans have been treated to a steady stream of op-eds from legislators—among them Jane Gillette, Shannon Maness, and Tracy Sharp—denouncing the recent property tax legislation. Their criticisms have focused on SB 542, which created a homestead exemption for primary residences and a different tax rate on second homes. Here is the real question: If SB 542 is so bad, why did Gillette, Maness, and Sharp vote for it? It sounds like Gillette, Maness, and Sharp voted for SB 542 without reading and understanding its contents. After re...
Maybe the homes of the rich look soulless because they fill them with things just because they can afford them, not because they have any personal meaning. The Robinhood trading app allows the poor to participate in getting robbed by the rich. I wish humans had more time to evolve a better spine before we effectively locked in our body structure through modern medicine. If you were born in the ‘90s, you may be the last generation to remember what it was like to go to the internet rather than always being on it. Autocorrect and talk-to-text h...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My in-laws are giving their four children/spouses (7 total) and four grandchildren a trip to Disneyland for Christmas. Before my mother-in-law (MIL) purchased the gift, she checked with each couple/child to see if we would accept the gift. Each of us obviously said Yes! Now that my MIL has spent $15K for thirteen of us to spend a week at the happiest place on Earth, my sister-in-law has decided she does not want her children (7F, 3F) to receive the gift on Christmas but would like to wait until Easter. She reasons...
Confusion and misunderstanding flourish in today’s America. A pet peeve I wrestle with is when people throw around words that don't fit the context of Scripture. Here are two humorous examples of how poor translation caused issues for companies. KFC’s “Finger-Lickin’ Good” in China came out as “Eat your fingers off.” Mercedes-Benz, a prominent high-end automaker, launched in China, and it was rough. “Benz” in China was translated as “Bensi,” which for them meant “Rush to die.” One of the most misunderstood topics of the Bible is found in Ephesi...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you have been looking for some new ways to make some extra money, and now might be the time to start putting your plan in motion. Good fortune awaits. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Passion is on your mind this week, Taurus. Get together with a spouse or romantic partner and enjoy an evening with just the two of you. Embrace this chance to let the sparks fly. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 A gift would be a wonderful surprise for a loved one or friend this week, Gemini. Perhaps there is something that this person has had an eye on...
With almost all companies using AI for their marketing, it is weird that AI companies aren't using it in their ads. A person’s peak height is only known in hindsight. An average kid is taught not to talk with their mouth full. An average mute kid is probably taught not to speak with their hands full. Most cars will never be upside down. The older you get, the more dead people appear in your dreams. Men’s public restrooms are laid out all wrong. It should be urinal, stall, urinal, stall, urinal instead of urinal, urinal, urinal, stall, sta...
ChatGPT is making quite a mark in the human world. And not always to the good. Currently, ChatGPT has over 700 million users, of whom 58% are younger than 30. According to a Pew research survey, that’s up by 43% from last year. You can have conversations with ChatGPT about anything. It is designed to discuss whatever the user wishes. In many ways, this can be a great thing. But there is a dark side. There are no limits to what fantasies or delusional beliefs you can discuss, and ChatGPT, either by design or poor planning, plays along with the p...
GEORGIA, I have a question, I (26F) stopped shaving my armpits a few years ago and found that I greatly prefer not having bald armpits. I have sensitive skin and get horrible rashes and razor burn from shaving. My decision not to shave my armpits is primarily personal, but I am aware that it is going against a societal/gender norm. My friends are getting married next summer, and they’ve invited me to their summer wedding in Mexico. I asked about dress codes for the various events, and both the bride and groom said they won’t be strict abo...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, this week is all about momentum. Your boldness helps you break through obstacles like a professional. A surprise opportunity might crop up. Embrace this chance. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 The week starts slow and steady, but then a sprinkle of excitement is added to your routine. A sweet surprise from a loved one could make your week even better. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your social butterfly wings are flapping, Gemini. Engage in fun conversations with everyone who comes your way. Who knows, even a spontaneous adventure...
Paul, in writing to the Ephesian Christians, took every risk in making a personal appeal. His goal was to provide balanced teaching for relationships, including marriage, family, and work. The overall premise in the New Testament, as first taught by Jesus, is a posture of submitting to or yielding to others, seeking the good of another. By every standard, Paul challenged society's norms across every generation. Obedience is a keyword in Ephesians 6:1-4, as it pertains to the family. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is r...
Recently, the Whitehall Ledger published an article by Rep. Llew Jones arguing that Montana's economy has “shifted” from natural resource industries to tourism, service work, and high-end real estate — and that our tax system and future economic vision should shift along with it. In other words, we should accept this new direction and reshape our economic policies and tax structure to serve wealthy newcomers rather than the working industries that built Montana. I couldn’t disagree more. Montana earned the name “The Treasure State” long before...
Streaming didn’t replace buying records, it replaced knowing the artist. Direct-to-fans is how artists reconnect again. 0% of natural numbers have been spoken aloud. The outcome of the card game ‘War’ is determined as soon as the deck is shuffled. AI may eventually replace the job of the person who originally made the decision to use AI. They should make ‘exercise recliners’ with pop-out pedals and resistance bands for gamers to get in a couple quick reps during loading screens, or just for people that wanna workout but be real lazy about it....
From UK to Russia with love: This little tale involves cryptocurrency, Bulgarian spies, “golden passports,” a pro-Moscow influencer, an oligarch in Moldova, and a former professional soccer player in Scotland. The National Crime Agency in Britain reported last week that two UK-based networks were allegedly laundering billions of dollars of money from street-level drug dealing and other crimes and indirectly helping to fund the Russian war effort in Ukraine. “For the first time, we are tying drug trades in our community all the way throu...
Georgia, I have a question, My family and I celebrate Thanksgiving every year with my siblings, parents, and their kids, usually around the first week of December because of scheduling. Roughly 20-25 people (including kids). My family consists of my wife, me, and a 6-month-old baby. In the group chat, it was decided that my nephew would cook meat since he bought a grill. He also told us we could bring the sides. He chose to spend $300 on meat. I messaged in the group chat that we would bring mashed potatoes. My sister responded that every...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Your energy is contagious this week, Aries. Expect bursts of creativity and spontaneous fun. Perhaps an unexpected adventure will pop up? Take the lead in social situations. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 It might be a week for indulgence in the best ways possible, Taurus. Treat yourself to something delicious or cozy, and don’t feel guilty about it. Patience will pay off in work projects. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Curiosity is your superpower this week, Gemini. Choose a new hobby or explore a class at the community college. You m...
Tendencies to overly focus on key words in the Bible without understanding the culture or context are flat-out dangerous. “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as you do to the Lord,” from the book we are studying, Ephesians 5:22, is my case in point, and I suspect it is as controversial as ever. In this weekly reminder, I’ll tackle the context for the word “submission,” since it seems central to the problem. Paul, the author, was writing to Romans, Greeks, and Jews who came to follow Christ in Ephesus, where men had significant power ove...
Dear Editor, Is Montana's budget "on fire"? Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a libertarian special interest group, would have you think so. And it is sending out postcards and online ads claiming that Republicans who worked with Governor Gianforte to produce a balanced budget are "pouring gasoline on the fire." The problem is that the "accountability information" AFP is peddling is false. Did the state budget "explode" by $16.5 billion? NO! That number is the two-year appropriation in the...
Dear Editor, Don Lepinsky's 779km Camino Frances Route article in the Whitehall Ledger on November 12, 2025, was wonderful and inspiring. Thank you, Don. May you have many more journeys. ¡Buen camino! KATIE SMITH Whitehall, Montana...
Dear Editor, Montana earned its "Treasure State" name from what was under our work boots and in our fields-copper, coal, oil, gas, timber, wheat, barley, and other resources that built jobs, communities, and our tax base. For generations, mines, mills, farms, and raw materials were the backbone of our economy. Over the last few decades, more of our "treasure" has shifted above ground. The value of our land, scenery, small towns, and the draw for retirees and tourists now drives a bigger share...
Any alien observer would conclude that toothpaste must be the most valuable substance on our planet. As a species, we are so wasteful of any and all resources - except when it comes to toothpaste, of which we collectively refuse to waste a single drop. For centuries, porcelain was considered a luxury item. Now, we make our toilets out of it. If you go to a prison and stand there long enough, eventually you get to stay. Whether we look under the ground beneath our feet or at the stars up above, we’re looking at the past. In flight simulators, e...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My husband is trying to gain more muscle. He has changed his entire diet, workout regimen, and the way he looks at food. We have three kids (13M, 12F, and 11M). They have started copying him by weighing their food, checking the calories, and the like. My issue is that last night our pre-teen daughter said she was fat (she isn’t even chubby), and her dad did not correct her, but actually started on about what her calorie intake should be. He then mentioned that she was probably way over that intake limit, as she h...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Right now, you are inspired to roll up your sleeves and clear away the clutter so you can focus on what counts, Aries. Your productivity soars this week. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Your words will carry extra weight between this week and next, Taurus. Don’t hold back on speaking about what is in your heart. You may navigate your way to romance. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, this week you may feel energized to pursue new connections with family and friends. Plan a few long-overdue catch-ups and bask in that feeling of c...
Whole passages within the Bible demonstrate greater insights into diverse cultures than do others. The provincial capital of Ephesus brings about such clarity in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Paul’s teaching to this metro community did not sugarcoat Christ’s message. In the First century, Ephesus was widely known for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Sounds amazing. Well, think again, because this temple, dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana, was a place for sacred prostitution and dark practices. This “wonder” was...
Dear Editor, The well-orchestrated "No Kings" protests across America had my conservative buddies bristling – so much so that they made a point of wearing their MAGA caps at our weekly breakfast. I was not the most popular item at the table, after suggesting that the protesters – while motivated more viscerally than intellectually – were in fact illuminating the darker side of our current president. A side that rejects rather than embraces conservative ideals and principles. Principles ancho...
