As someone on the dark side of 50, I’ve earned the right to use the “O” word. So what exactly was I referring to when I said “old”, and who’s doing the suffering? You might’ve heard of the term “SME”, or subject matter expert. Depending on the business, your SMEs might be young, old or […]

As spring emerges in Big Sky Country, with it comes the anticipation of summer vacations, farmers markets, gardening and enjoying the majesty of the great Montana outdoors. For the Montana Urban and Community Forestry Program, spring is for planting trees – specifically in celebration of Arbor Day – the official observation of which in Montana […]

Gosh, I hate Congress. About six weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary approved, on a straight party line, a gun control bill: S-649 – misnamed the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act. While watered down slightly from what gun-haters in Congress really lusted for (gun and magazine bans), it still stank. Stinkiest of all was “universal background […]

I am one of the site managers at Whitefish Community Center. We have had an excellent nutrition program for 35 years provided by Agency on Aging. Our center alone serves 10 to 20 seniors who eat at the center daily and enjoy fellowship with each other and with the volunteers who serve them. We also […]

When President Barack Obama revealed his latest budget last week, it was greeted with a lukewarm reception from fellow Democrat and Montana’s longtime Sen. Max Baucus, who said he was “disappointed” in some of the entitlement cuts. Meanwhile, the U.S. debt continues to rise, although at a slower pace than previous years, and is nearing […]

By John Fuller Since the Supreme Court case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, liberals have had their knickers in a twist about corporations and those with deep pockets being involved in political campaigns. By their attachment of the phrase “dark money,” liberals, progressives and RINOS have attempted to portray these efforts as sinister. […]

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council would like to thank the representatives and senators who came forward to support the proposed Water Rights Compact entered into by the Tribes, the State of Montana and the United States of America. The compact was an elegant solution to the complex pattern of land-ownership and water use […]

A recent study out of the U.S. has generated much discussion about the health of the Elk River (April 3 Beacon: “Watershed Concerns Surface”). As the operator of five steelmaking coal mines in the Elk Valley, which employ over 4,000 people who live in the region, we take environmental issues very seriously. Our employees raise […]

There are not many moments left in the Montana Legislature as next week lawmakers adjourn from the regular session. Their 90 days is up. The major policy decisions facing Montana will be made over this weekend, heading into the start of the next and final week. Bills once tabled easily resurface amended into other bills […]

Like a lot of people, I was drawn to this TED talk by the death of Roger Ebert. Print readers, see http://ted.com/talks/roger_ebert_remaking_my_voice.html As you watch it, imagine how it must’ve felt to see that as a member of the speech synthesis team at Apple. Hearing Roger appreciate what they have done and describe how meaningful […]

As the coal debate heats up on the West Coast, our state is left hoping and waiting for the approval of five proposed coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest. Our state economy is closely connected with the coal industry —keenly feeling the ups and downs of this industry. And, right now, the proposed Pacific […]

Development of the coal industry in eastern Montana will affect farming and tourism industries. You might wonder how? As both political parties push for more “dirty” coal development to create jobs and a better Montana economy, it will mean that there will be a increase in the number of trains that travel through the Flathead […]

By John Fuller Expanding free health care to allegedly poor people (known as Medicaid) is alluring to those who think that “free money” is really free. That “free” money will be stolen from those who pay taxes and given to those who don’t. Claiming that a majority vote legitimizes the theft doesn’t change the fact […]

The United States Constitution is roughly 4,500 words long. Most Americans can read the entire document from first to last work in 45 minutes. Yet, there is not a more poorly understood, though frequently cited, document in American history. As a teacher I frequently read and hear cries for more constitutional education in our school […]

Montana’s new Republican Congressman Steve Daines spent a good part of his Easter “vacation” from Congress on a “natural resources” tour, including visits to forest-products mills in Missoula, Seeley Lake, and here in the Flathead. But after making the expected promise that he hasn’t “lost sight of the foundation of this economy – timber, oil, […]