Opinion
Searching for opinion based articles? Below we'll share opinion news articles on a wide variety of topics.
Uncle Sam wants you to get counted
As the country celebrates its birth as a nation, one of the most patriotic things Montanans can do is stand up a...
Gunderson’s open cut law leaves neighbors in the dust
I read the story on the proposed Fire open cut mine near Libby with great interest and frustration. Libby Representative Steve Gunderson’s HB 599 is now paving the way for Thompson Contracting Inc. to develop a 1...
A local's perspective
As someone who has grown up in Montana, the wilderness has always been something that I have found profoundly beautiful.
"The Wizard of Oz," twice
It never ceases to amaze me how much talent there is in Libby. I'm speaking about the latest musical production put on by the Kootenai Karacters, "The Wizard of Oz", this past week.
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
Tip about taxes: Politician and author Stacey Abrams, a tax lawyer by training, told The Atlantic that all voters need to be better informed about tax policy. Why? “You tax the people you think can’t fight back,”...
Gray wolf recovery significant in wildlife conservation
Idaho and Montana’s successful recovery of the gray wolf was a significant achievement in species conservation.
Deceptive Practices, Measures and Messages
As election time draws near, we are about to be inundated with political ads to no end.
USFS road closures
In reference to the road closure(s) by the Forest Service, is it management or control? A tank trap or gate is so close to the approach you can't park one vehicle, much less a horse trailer.
Voter identification laws disproportionally affect Native Americans
In Montana, Native Americans make up 7 percent of the population and play decisive roles in elections. With the geographical size of the state, the seven Montana reservations are often distant from registration s...
Anti-competitive tactics in the meat packing industry hurt Montana ranchers
In Montana, cattle outnumber people by nearly three to one, so it’s no wonder that Montana beef plays such a large role in our rich legacy of agriculture and our economy.
Republicans tout freedom while chipping away at rights
When Montana Republicans tell you they are fighting for your rights and freedoms, they’re speaking out of both sides of their mouths. While presenting themselves as champions of our rights and liberty, they have ...
Megadrought highlights need for water conservation
The American West is in a megadrought — the worst drought in more than 1,200 years. Droughts occur naturally, but scientists have determined that 42 percent of this drought’s severity is attributable to higher te...
Montana's education system needs an upgrade
A decade of carrying innovative education legislation resulted in my selection to the National Council of State Legislature’s International Education Study Group, an outfit charged with studying the world’s highe...
Stand up for our county election officials
Thank you — two little words that convey so much. We want to say thank you to each and every one of Montana’s 56 county clerk and recorders, and their dedicated staff.
Selenium standard ignores bevy of unanswered questions
We have listened intently for over a year as state regulators imposed a new, very stringent site-specific water quality standard for selenium in Lake Koocanusa, while reassuring those who live here that this unus...
YVFC director immediately shows ignorance of the Yaak
“Amy Pearson is the right person at the right time in the Yaak.” So said the infamous Rick Bass (who hasn’t lived in the Yaak in years) in an article on the front page of The Western News on Feb. 18 announcing th...