Teens will have a tough time finding a job this summer (June 9 Beacon: “Competition Fierce for Summer Jobs”), and one often overlooked reason are wage mandates that create a barrier between teens who want to work, and employers who want to hire. Between July 2007 and July 2009, Congress increased the federal minimum wage […]

Are you following the latest developments on the subject of “climate change” now emerging from Washington? It’s an important topic for sure, so let’s check the status of this debate – and where it stands on the scale of reasonableness. First, let’s recall that carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and other such greenhouse gas emissions are […]

It’s hard to know what to make of Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s recent criticism of his “federal partners” for, according to him, failing to secure $17 million to compensate Canadian mining companies so they will abandon their mining leases near Glacier National Park. By federal partners, the governor was referring Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and […]

This past weekend, several thousand seniors graduated from Flathead Valley high schools. It’s a bittersweet time for parents, and I think it’s fitting that it occurs soon after Memorial Day. If you’re scratching your head about that one, bear with me for a bit. Last weekend (two weekends ago by the time you read this), […]

On May 17, the Montana Land Board voted to give “preliminary approval” to a so-called “Montana Working Forests Acquisition.” This is former Plum Creek ground that the Nature Conservancy bought with the intent of selling it off to Montana as state trust lands. On offer: 54,170 acres in four chunks, for $41 million ($757 per […]

It’s difficult to judge which special interest groups can best influence our local elections. These groups, or individuals, can ably draw attention to specific candidates and issues through advertising, public gatherings and lawsuits. But how that translates into votes is far less clear. Recently, the conservative pro-property rights group American Dream Montana announced its ambitious […]

Keith Hammer and the Swan View Coalition have lost their perspective. I’ve been a dedicated conservationist for 50 years. I know Keith Hammer and respect his work. But this time he has gone way too far. Fifty runners spread out jogging and walking over 100 miles of trail for 36 hours has far less impact […]

In 2008, the Forest Service permitted a 30-person, 34-mile Swan Crest Run without the prior benefit of public comment or an Environmental Assessment. The Forest Service is now considering an application for a two-day, 50-person, 100-Mile Run. Runs elsewhere have grown to over 1,000. Parts of Jewel Basin indeed already receive “20 or greater parties […]

Before the great recession, some people pooh-poohed government jobs. Who wanted stodgy when the private sector had go-go growth? Why stick with safe when you could get bonuses and stock options? Today, and one financial crisis later, secure and solid look good. Perhaps too good. On average, state workers and local government workers made $39.66 […]

When it comes to business ethics, there’s usually a pretty clear definition of the line between the unethical and the occasionally, accidentally unethical (ie: honest). The accidentally unethical will stumble now and then and make a mistake that, in many cases, they didn’t even realize was a problem. These folks are the reason why even […]

The Columbians celebrate their 50th anniversary. Meanwhile, the “top kill” method failed to quell the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. HIGH: FLATHEAD COUNTY COURTHOUSE: The 107-year-old building is on track for a $1.8-million renovation to protect its historic attributes and bring it up to Americans With Disabilities Act standards. KAYLA CARLSON: A tough-as-nails […]

Recently, President Obama hosted Mexican President Felipe Calderon at a lavish White House dinner, paid for by the American taxpayers. President Calderon and President Obama gave a joint press conference and President Calderon addressed a joint meeting of Congress during the visit. At both the White House press conference and at the joint Congressional meeting […]

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer deserves a lot of credit for a state budget that is clinging to the black amid the worst recession in a generation. As a Democrat, he is considered a fiscal conservative, which is rare for his party. But as he becomes increasingly attractive to the national press that continues to feature […]

Four out of 10 fur-bearing species currently being trapped recreationally on public land in Montana are on the endangered, threatened, or species of concern lists. Some can’t be trapped intentionally but have no penalty if caught by mistake. The four are fisher, wolverine, Lynx and swift fox. These animals were almost completely trapped out by […]

Often when our nation seems to be on the wrong track we have a nostalgic reaction to think back to the “good old days” when we remember things were better. Usually this sentimentalism is based less on fact than fable. Core human characteristics haven’t measurably changed in the last few life spans, and while great […]