Editorial
To find our opinion based editorials, see below. We'll share opinion based editorial articles regularly for interested viewers.
Former governor sounds off on property tax debacle
How did the largest percentage of Republicans elected in Montana history grow government at the fastest rate in st…
How do you 'compromise' when you are falling off a cliff?
When did politics change? Or did it?
The American West is burning
Hurricanes such as Harvey, Irma and Maria are unstoppable. They rip at our coastlines and tear at our hearts. The yellow, orange, red, even purple colors on the Doppler radar and weather maps this summer have been …
Cyber attack a wakeup call
For most of us, the last week in Flathead County has seemed like something out of a movie.
Fuel and fire: A case for federal forest management and reforms
For most Montanans, this is not just another fire season. The 2017 season started early and is predicted to continue until a season-ending event such as rain or snow by November. Unfortunately for the thousands of …
Facts matter when it comes to addressing wildfires
Montana is on fire, we’ve been breathing smoke for months, and it’s human nature to look for someone or something to blame, such as environmentalists or the Forest Service. But the fact is we can’t log our way out,…
Montanans deserve answers on DPHHS priorities
Montanans need only to look at the front page of any statewide paper or turn on the local evening news to know that our state is experiencing a budget deficit made much worse by a severe and long fire season.
Recognize the emotional toll of wildfire smoke
As a mental health professional, I have been counseling people through challenging times for 45 years. One of the techniques I teach to alleviate anxiety is deep breathing, but the toxic soup of smoke that surround…
Montanans stepping up to help support Montana Red Cross
When times are tough, Montanans rise to the challenge. That’s what we do. And that’s been the case during a difficult wildfire season that has touched all corners of our state.
One student at a time
By ELSIE ARNTZEN
National Day of Prayer in Libby
Sunday, Sept. 3 was declared a National Day of Prayer for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana by President Donald Trump, following the lead of Texas Governor Gregg Abbott’s proclamation for a sta…
Thank firefighters this Labor Day by supporting laws to protect them
This Labor Day, I join many Montanans in thanking our hardworking firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency responders who fight this summer’s exceptionally intense, destructive wildfires. One way to expres…
Appealing your property tax
Summer is not the only major event that arrives in June of every year. Another annual occurrence is the appearance in mailboxes all over the State of new property appraisals from the Montana Department of Revenue. …
Fire-wise citizens crucial to fighting wildfires
It is somewhat amazing when I look at a map of Montana fires that Lincoln County has remained relatively unscathed. Yes, we have had some pretty significant fires (Gibralter for one), but (knock on wood) no loss of…
Re-think cuts to Medicaid
I started working in nursing homes and came to assisted living care because my oldest son is disabled and I wanted to help build options for his care long after I’m no longer here to fight for him. For the first ti…
A call to moderates in both parties to find common ground
My dad’s grandmother lived more than 80 years, and never voted for a Democrat. On the porch of her farmhouse near Independence, Iowa, in election year 1928 she told him why: “The Democrats killed two of my brothers…