It’s a big idea and it’s rightfully reaping big debate nationwide: Can and should states assume control of federally held public lands within our borders?

Many colleagues and experts throughout the West have studied the issue intensively, and we now believe there’s no reason why we can’t. The challenge is to get the facts on the table, put protections in place consistent with Montana values, and prepare our state agencies for an orderly transition.

Early voting began last week to pick the party candidates for the fall’s general election. Come June 3, Democrats are as likely to nominate Sen. John Walsh and John Lewis to top the ballot as Republicans are to nominate Rep. Steve Daines and former state Sen. Ryan Zinke.

Primary elections are rightly open to all voters; just select a ballot. Gratefully, Montana does not register voters by party. Independents’ votes count.

If you haven’t written for a newspaper or magazine, or worked for a media agency, you may not realize that many of the stories you see start with ideas seeded with press releases.

Sending press releases to your local media, and selected national media (such as the editor of a nationally-read newspaper, blog, magazine, podcast, etc) can make sense to draw attention to your business and what it’s up to, but only if you don’t make a few key mistakes.

In Missoula it seems that Diren Dede, a German exchange student, who was just finishing his senior year of high school, died when shot by a resident who appears to have grossly overdone things while acting in the defense of his home and family.

Dede died shot in a trap. Markus Kaarma, the homeowner who shot him, reportedly fired four shots. Apparently no warning was given. Three of the shots were described as being low across the garage; the other high. Whether he was tracking Dede or firing without target, both moral and legal justification seem questionable.

Mark Blasdel is very special to us. We have watched Mark grow up. Anita was his first grade teacher. It has been wonderful to see Mark mature into a caring, congenial, sincere and hard working gentleman. He balances raising his young family with running a restaurant business in partnership with his mother, Alice. Mark puts forth his best effort in every endeavor he enters. He has distinguished himself by serving the Flathead community.

As the widow of Montana Highway Patrolman Michael Haynes, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight.

As a widow with two young children, I experienced firsthand the support Tammi Fisher has given and made available to all members of the Patrol. Tammi has been with us as a prosecutor, and as an advocate.

It’s difficult to get excited about a June 3 primary election. There is much more to look forward to this time of year than voting for one of those semi-familiar names on one of those signs littering the sides of our roadways. After all, summer is on its way. Can we just tune out the politicians until fall’s general election?

We can, but probably shouldn’t.

There’s been scads of Republicans speaking evil of fellow Republicans lately. Why?

Simply put, some Republicans like to play pattycake with Democrats. Other Republicans don’t play pattycake, they play hardball.

Matters came to a head in the 2013 Legislature, when senior moderates were denied leadership slots by the conservative/Tea Party wing. The resulting hurt feelings worked out well – for Montana Democrats.

A while back, I had a conversation with the CEO of a $60 million software company that hit me pretty hard – and the lesson is one that all business owners need to keep in mind.

This CEO was talking about how he feels constant pressure to improve himself so that he can be ready to run the company that will be waiting for him in six months or so. Given their growth rate, he fully expects the business to be 20 to 30 million larger a year from now.

Despite the proven skills he’s demonstrated for years – and used to get his company to where it is today, he still feels intense pressure to be ready to run the company his company will soon become.

What hit me hard is that despite the fact that I regularly invest a fair amount of time and cash to expand my education, I was talking with a guy who also spends a lot of time and money improving his skills and education – and he still doesn’t feel ready.

The Kootenai Forest Stakeholders (KFSC) would like to thank Montana Gov. Steve Bullock for his nomination of the Kootenai National Forest lands we recommended for consideration under the new provisions of the Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill provisions allow for Governors to nominate National Forest priority landscapes in their respective states that are in need of treatment to improve forest health conditions. Projects within these priority landscapes will then be eligible for a streamlined process of project implementation if they have a collaborative group that is actively participating with the Forest Service in identification and design.

Putin and his boys don’t play by the rules. We do. Internationally, playing by the rules means consultation and coalition building. It tends to be both slow and cumbersome. We are forever playing catch up.

Compounding our difficulties are the differences in mindset. It’s the academics versus the street fighters. In the short run the street fighters, the bullies, tend to win. We need to look at the bigger picture, and we need to look realistically, not legalistically.

The 2015 Montana legislative session will be the most important session since I was elected to the Montana House in 1999. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ water compact, the impact of government controlled health care, pensions deficits, the lowest wages in the nation, high cost of energy and skyrocketing taxes are just a few of the issues that need immediate attention. Fortunately, Bob Keenan, former president of the Montana Senate is running for the District 5 senate seat that I must vacate due to term limits. Bob is one of the best financial minds to ever serve in the Montana Legislature.

This letter is focusing on the Republican and Democratic responses on just two major issues facing America: (1) The reform of America’s health insurance and health care system. (2) Actions necessary for clean and healthy air in response to climate change.

On health care: 40 years ago Nixon sent a special message to Congress proposing a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan. Every president since Nixon has brought up this subject for debate and with suggestions for change. Revising America’s health insurance and health care system has been discussed in every administration ever since early in the 20th century, actually.

Technology plays a large role in many aspects of day-to-day life, and education is no different. Technology is rapidly changing the way students learn and how instructors teach. Computers have replaced chalkboards as the go-to tool in classrooms today. Technology is part of education for children of all ages and it’s also a part of their daily lives. Social media and Internet access have changed the way educators teach, how students learn and the way parents, teacher and students communicate.

Like spring planting, new elections are here. A lot of people are simply fed up with political nonsense. Politicians aren’t often focused on practical or simple policies to better the everyday lives of people.

Gridlock is the politician’s tool to effectively protect those fortunate enough to currently benefit from status quo laws and policies. Ugliness in political campaigns assures that fewer people pay attention and more or better candidates stay off the ballot. Less voter focus on policy benefits select interests.