Kindness. Pass it on
The Mission Valley was circled by smoke Sunday, and I spent the afternoon following fires from Round Butte to Moiese and back to Ronan.
Miss Minnie, Zip, and the long way home
Miss Minnie, in her younger years, was an indefatigable ball-fetcher, a lake swimmer and sleek runner. She looked like a 1940s movie star, with gold eyes, one ear tossed casually back, a silver fur coat.
New Year brings lower taxes to Montanans
There’s no way Republican legislators would rather ring in a new year than with lower taxes, and that’s exactly what we’ve done to kick off 2024.
Sometimes we all need a hand
Last Thursday, I walked to work in a snowstorm. I walked home in a blizzard.
The Climate Conversation: Focus on the climate, not the cold
I was sitting next to the woodstove last week as the temperature plunged and the sideways snow squalled outside my window. I couldn’t help but remember 1978 when I took a job as a timber feller for Champion International. I was in my mid-20s and relatively new to Montana. And I was up for adventure, not to mention a paycheck. It was not my most stellar move.
Not my problem
Governor Greg Gianforte finally responded to Lake County’s formal decision to pull out of Public Law 280 with a letter that could be paraphrased as “Not my problem.”
Don't rush wrong Farm Bill
Recently, I joined other National Farmers Union leaders in meetings with the House Ag and Senate Ag committees about each of their versions of the 2024 Farm Bill. Based on those discussions, a tight timeline, and the need for modifications to both versions, I’m not optimistic for the passage of a 2024 Farm Bill but foresee another extension.
Can commissioners choose cooperation over conflict?
The Lake County Commissioners appear bent on reopening old controversies and unsettling settled law, judging by recent missives they’ve sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (March 1) and President Joe Biden (June 6).
Sleep well, princes of fame and fate
Wyman McDonald remembers Ed Loder and Joe McDonald.
Dealing with a personality disorder
Sometimes we run into people who have mental health problems that are difficult for family members or society to deal with. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is one of them.
