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 […]

While live-blogging the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit, Brad Peck (US Chamber of Commerce official Twitter blogger) said this during Joe Scarborough‘s talk: Annoyed by the “scared” comment, I responded: I don’t know a single business owner that’s scared. Annoyed? Sure. Aggravated? Sure. But scared? Not. A. Single. One. If Brad believed what […]

We have three Supreme Court candidates this primary. Can you name one, or explain what sort of judge they’ll be? Tick, tick, tick, time’s up! Don’t feel bad … you’re not supposed to know what’s going on. Our judiciary, from Justice of the Peace all the way up, is all elected. Supreme Court justices (one […]

Flathead’s unemployment rate drops for the first time in eight months. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is under fire as oil continues to leak into the Gulf of Mexico. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT – The Flathead County jobless rate dropped in April, from 13.8 percent to 12.2 percent, the first positive movement in eight months. CHARLES DJOU – […]

First, I have lived in Germany and have no animosity against the German people. Those like Karl Gharst need to be confronted. Ignoring the problem solves nothing. That is simply the “it can’t happen here” mindset that was prevalent in World War II Germany and around the world. Perhaps Gharst needs to be informed that […]

For those running for elected office, experience matters. Each candidate’s pitch to voters includes a lengthy biography of accomplishments, awards and pertinent endorsements from those already working in the public sector. The pedigrees are familiar and, often, so are the faces. It can be maddeningly cyclical. When glancing at this year’s local election roster, you […]

I have been disturbed about the current events unfolding around Sheriff Mike Meehan. There are “subtle” statements being expressed that he lacks leadership and communication skills needed to serve another term (May 5 Beacon: Morale at Center of Sheriff’s Race). I would like to offer a short argument against this type of reasoning. The sheriff’s […]

During the year-long celebration of Glacier National Park’s centennial, it might serve us well to recall the tortured legislative beginnings of that soaring, sparkling place. Glacier suffered many birth pangs during that tortured legislative route toward designation as a national park. Twenty-eight years earlier its cousin to the south, Yellowstone, had received recognition and status […]

Recently, Billings found that a segment of their population decided that firebombing is the preferred method of running businesses out of town. Perhaps too impatient to wait for paranoia-driven regulations or zoning laws written so narrowly that a Chicago purchasing department RFP writer could have written them, someone decided to blow the place up. Right […]

FVCC graduated its largest class ever. Meanwhile, new Wall Street regulations are getting tougher and stricter. HIGH FVCC – The community college graduated its largest class last weekend, issuing 340 students a total of 358 degrees and certificates CABINET MINE – This mine could be back on track after a district judge’s opinion that is […]

Your recent story by Dan Testa (April 21 Beacon: “With New EPA Lead Requirement, Contractors Scramble to Get Certified”) mentioned the dangers of lead paint and the delay tactics being proposed by Rep. Denny Rehberg regarding the EPA rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices. Under the rule that was to begin last month, contractors […]

Whenever a tax is involved the issue is sure to be criticized, often with merit. But there is little to dislike about the recently created Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District, which allows participating hotels to charge guests a $1.25 fee per night and use that money to promote tourism in the city. The room for […]

After attending a public forum on gill netting of lake trout in Flathead Lake, I have decided that the practice will pose a huge threat to the tourism economy for the Flathead. Just as everyone knows that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks destroyed the salmon fisheries; likewise they will know that the Confederated Salish & […]