Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 60 - 84 of 2004
Dear Editor, Let's debate policy, not personal attacks. At the start of the new year, on behalf of the Montana Republican Party, I invited the architects of the recently enacted property tax shift laws to publicly debate their merits at next month's Republican Winter Kick-off in Great Falls. I also challenged them to attend the Kick-off to hear what the newly formed Red Policy Committee is presenting: real, substantive solutions on property taxes, election integrity, judicial transparency, and...
Beards simultaneously hide and accentuate chins. The AI bubble is driven by CEOs who’ve built their careers on judging the appearance of human work, where things only look good if someone actually put the effort in, and suddenly meeting a technology that produces perfect‑looking work even when the substance is absent. The anticipation of an amusement ride failing is more responsible for nervousness than the experience itself. In movies and video games, the idea of anti-gravity has people and things floating. True anti-gravity would repel thi...
WHAT HAS THE INTERNET TOTALLY RUINED? The ability to use common sense - HD Banking. - AKP The mental health of our children. - TM Shopping! - MM Humans socializing in person. - JPD Studying. People Google when they need, not really learn things. - TD Human interaction! People are rude to strangers when behind a screen, in a way no one would ever have thought to be in person. Now it is seeping into face to face interactions too. - GHL People’s health. Too much time indoors on their bottoms, not moving. People are more lonely than ever before. -...
GEORGIA, I have a question, Back in October, I bought flights for two of my boyfriend’s best friends to come visit for his birthday in February. Everyone knew it was supposed to be a surprise, but then recently I found out they already told him, which is frustrating. I paid for the tickets under the pretense that this was going to be a huge surprise for him, and now that has been ruined. Also, lately I’ve been feeling like I want to end the relationship. Over the last three years, he’s said and done a lot of hurtful stuff. I’m just fed up with...
With constant national news that disturbs us, sometimes our local news cheers us up. My point today is that we should take suffering as part of life. The degree of suffering, of course, varies for individuals. However, the longer we live, the more obstacles we encounter. The key to managing those challenges often comes back to our attitude and overall outlook. I find Paul to be one of the bright examples of how to handle suffering. He found joy, comfort, and even peace through Jesus Christ, and he conveys this message well in writing to...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Your attention is focused on finances and deeper connections, Aries. This is the week to speak honestly about budgets, debts, or your investments with a partner. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, the spotlight is shining on your relationships, whether in love or business. Expect some meaningful conversations that define your approach going forward. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your focus turns to work and wellness as part of your daily routine this week, Gemini. You may feel a strong urge to get more organized and to capitalize on...
Dear Editor, There are many times in our lives when common sense clashes irritably with policies established by higher authorities. Our current era seems to be one of those times. Granted, it was back in the 1770s when a group of founding leaders drafted the U.S. Constitution, which was later ratified by the established colonies. Its introductory paragraph, known as The Preamble, summarized the precepts of legitimate governance: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more...
Dear Editor, Thank you, Jim [Buterbaugh], for your opinion on Northwestern's plan to build an AI data center in Missoula. ESSI states that one single data center may use up 5 million gallons per day! I, and I hope others, will contact the Attorney General, our Congressmen, and the PSC. Our concerns in this drought state the threat of depleting our water supply. KATIE SMITH Whitehall, Montana...
What is the Dumbest Tradition? Thinking corned beef & cabbage is an Irish tradition. (Originates from the beef sold by Jewish butchers in New York). Colcannon or Irish Stew would be a far more sensible dish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. (Or my personal favorite, potato cakes.) - NH I don’t like the retail tradition of going straight from Halloween to Christmas and skipping Thanksgiving. I like my holidays in order and I like to finish one before moving on to the next one. - HD What Corporate Jargon Are You Sick of Hearing Circle Back!!! - B...
6 years ago we used to doomscroll text(Twitter, Facebook statuses). 10 years ago we doomscrolled images(Instagram, FB image posts. 5 years ago we started doomscrolling videos (TikTok, Insta Reels, YouTube shorts). Hairdressers go through more schooling than cops. If you’re skinny, shaving your beard makes you look skinnier. But if you’re fat, shaving your beard makes you look fatter. The universe is 13.8 billion years old, but heat death is around 10¹⁰⁰ years away, so it has effectively used 0% of its lifetime meaning the universe is still ba...
GEORGIA, I have a question, I (34F) am happily married to my husband (38M). We are having a little tiff about his gas, and he said I could post here to weigh in on the situation. We are happily married, he’s just smelly. I tend to go to bed before my husband does. He arrives as I’m drifting off to sleep every night. He consistently, nightly, proceeds to unleash the loudest, smelliest farts possible. Multiple. Zero effort to restrain them. Absolutely nauseating in odor. I usually have to get out of bed because the smell is so gross. It kee...
Satan targets Christians. There is no simpler conclusion to understanding the Book of Ephesians. Paul now pulls out the power of his oratory, his clarity, and his love for humanity. Distraction from Christ and His mission requires our vigilance in praying with the Bible and being equipped with God’s provided armor. It is essential to consider the broader context, as Paul emphasizes that Christians submit to one another, bringing honor to Jesus and to each other. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Minor obstacles are in your path, Aries. It’s easy to get frustrated right now. Once you clear the hurdles, it will be smoother sailing before long. Remain patient. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You treasure family and friends, Taurus. This week calls for an important decision that could affect them all. It may be challenging, but you will make the right call. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may need to reset your priorities, as new information has come to light. Prioritize responsibilities so major issues are addressed f...
Times are tough for a lot of Montana families right now. Interest rates are high, housing is expensive, and grocery bills aren’t getting any smaller. And when life feels tight, it’s easy to buy what the pessimists are selling—especially on social media—and before long that “old man” talk seeps in: “Kids these days.” “Nothing works anymore.” “We’re headed downhill.” We start pining for a past that never really was. But my gray hairs—plus a few wins and hard lessons—have taught me this: we’re limited less by circumstances than by this very negati...
Dear Editor, Another few questions that deserve answers. When do CAPTURE and KIDNAP become synonyms? When do INTIMIDATION and THREATS become non-criminal offenses? When does adding $3 trillion dollars to the National debt become fiscal conservatism? And finally, why are we having such wonderful January weather? Is it because of climate change? I am sure that other people have more important questions to ask, but these are simply four of the many that have occurred to me. Thank you in advance...
What Bad Behavior on the Road Annoys You Most? People not checking their blinker fluid regularly! -CP People not coming to a complete stop at stop signs - MH Tailgating, especially at night on roads with lots of deer and/or in inclement weather. Your rush to get somewhere is not more important than my safety (or yours, for that matter). Pass, or be patient until you can pass or I can safely pull over for you to pass. - SK People who drive slow until you’re ready to pass then act like they’re in the Daytona 450 and gonna take home all the gli...
Our safest time of day is a nightmare landscape for nocturnal animals. If upside-down cake were served upside down, it’d be the right way up but not look like it. Most of life is not shaped by big decisions, but by the small habits we repeat without noticing. Over time, those quiet routines become our personality, our future, and our limits. What feels insignificant today is often what defines us tomorrow. X-rays expressed as a radio station would be 10 billion FM. An unmarked Costco receipt would be really hard to find outside of a w...
A bit different this week: I’ve listened about the data centers needed for AI; the power required to operate, along with the amount of water, makes it a bit frightening. Then I received an email from a trusted friend, complete with links. In August of 2025, The Missoulian ran a story about Northwestern Energy’s plans for an AI data center, which would be the largest in the state and require 1,000 megawatts of energy (enough to power 800,000 homes). The Missoulian reported the 2024 census stated there are 539,670 housing units. Water usage? Acc...
GEORGIA, I have a question, I live with my girlfriend - we’re both in our early 20s. She recently got super into productivity stuff, like watching TikToks about optimizing your life, cutting wasted time, etc. Last weekend, she said she was starting to meal prep for the week to “save time.” I said, "Cool, thanks, sounds good." Monday morning I open the fridge and there’s literally one giant container. Just one. With a sticky note on it that says “MEALS.” I open it, and I genuinely didn’t know what I was looking at. It was chicken, rice, pasta,...
Winters in Montana can be brutal, and while the weather in the Whitehall Valley has been unseasonably warm lately, I know that when the temperature drops into the single digits or below, I will not go outside without being properly dressed. The chilly wind cuts like a knife to the marrow. For the Christian, being prepared is not an option but a necessity. Spiritual disciplines help us win the day, as found in Ephesians 6 and The Armor of God. The first piece mentioned is the “belt of truth.” For the soldier, this item was a core element bec...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, look for ways to boost your income this week. Be open to dealing with people who might otherwise not come to your attention. Some extra earnings will be useful. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may be happy to socialize this week, especially with new people who are friendly and congenial. Enjoy some time out on the town and the chance to meet new people. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Right now, you are anxious to work and be productive, Gemini. However, obstacles seem to get in your way left and right. You might need to...
Dear Editor, November 8 was Montana's 136th statehood birthday! Most Montanans felt little to celebrate-a lack of affordable housing, healthcare, food, and opportunity. Mostly, the lack of representation by our Congressional Delegation. Four men lacking Montana values. They say anything to get elected, deny their voting record, lie about their legislative actions and votes, and sponsor bills that benefit Montana. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, or an Independent, we can...
As the year comes to a close, we’ve taken a look back at the questions Montanans brought to us in 2025. Each request offers a window into the kinds of information people know they can ask their government for, and the gaps show what you might not think to request but still have a right to access. Taken together, the requests we received and those we didn’t show how public records can help resolve problems and that many avenues for understanding our state and local governments remain untapped. The most common requests were those related to loc...
If your first-ever attempt at gambling went completely unsuccessfully, that was probably the better outcome. Since human memory fades over time, Google Photos could be retroactively using AI to alter details in pictures we took years ago, and we would likely rewrite our own memories to match the file rather than notice the change. You never see good news written in the fine print. Very few people can actually keep their watch 5 minutes fast anymore. On most family Christmas trees, you can tell where the kids hung ornaments by the clusters and...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My daughter-in-law enjoys knitting and crocheting. For her birthday last year, my husband and I gifted her a generous gift card to a local yard store, for which she thanked us and seemed pleased. Imagine, to my dismay, that when this Christmas I opened a lovely temperature bedspread for each day of 2024 (as it was the year of our 50th anniversary), she told me she made it with yarn purchased with the gift card! I told my son that we’d, in effect, paid for our own present and that he needed to tell his wife how improp...
