Taxing tourists may not generate as much income as you think |The University of Montana begins the search for its next Griz-in-chief.

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

"Kristi Noem brought a reign of terror to cities across the country. Everywhere they go, ICE causes death and destruction. She seems to get her kicks and giggles out of tearing families apart." – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois, whose district has been targeted by ICE.

When Montana State University’s president announced a departure from the job in 2024, MSU had a year to plan and hire a new leader. But the University of Montana’s Seth Bodnar announced his departure abruptly, possibly to pursue elected office. So Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian said his office will be quick too in recruiting a new president. He and others see momentum that needs to continue at UM, but a faculty leader said professors have a lot to be unsettled about as well.

At a semi-annual conference hosted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, leaders discussed the idea of a sales tax as a way of helping relieve property taxes and capturing money from out-of-state tourists. While tourism continues to be a strong driver of the Treasure State economy, a sales tax may not generate as much as some may think.

Court tells Virginia City businesses that they must fight in Lewis and Clark County court

A judge in Virginia City says that as much as local businesses want to challenge the Montana Department of Commerce’s decision to cancel contracts in the historic location, contracts with the state show that those disputes must be resolved in Lewis and Clark County, not in Madison County.

An invasive northern pike has been discovered in Pine Grove Pond, which is a popular fishing hole about five miles from Kalispell. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering a reward to help find who was responsible for introducing the invasive species, which can grow to as long as two feet and cause problems with the trout population.

President Donald Trump signs a bill that will reopen the federal government, making the shutdown technically last a little longer than 48 hours. However, even as he signs the measure that the closely divided United States House of Representatives passed, a fight about the tactics, funding and leadership of the Department of Homeland Security will be debated in the upcoming two weeks.

Speaking of dissatisfaction with DHS, a group of Democratic U.S. House members rallied in front of the Washington, D.C., headquarters, demanding that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem be fired for her role in deporting immigrants and the handling of the raids in Minnesota.

Also related, a federal judge has excoriated Noem’s department and their handling of more than 300,000 refugees from Haiti. Noem’s department stripped them of temporary protected status, a legal status that protects them because of trouble in their native land. The judge said that she neither had case law or a better argument, and said the agency had little excuse for its actions, restoring their status.

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Most of us are taught that water has three forms – ice, vapor (steam), and liquid. Turns out that under extreme conditions, there are a lot of different ways that a water molecule can line up, and our friends at Smithsonian magazine have reported that scientists have just discovered the 22nd molecular version of water.

The Pentagon is warning Scouting of America, formerly “The Boy Scouts,” that unless it changes its policies, it risks losing the support of the American Armed Forces, which often help out at the national jamborees, held every four years. The Pentagon seems to be suggesting that the scouts revert back to not allowing girls in its ranks, and railing against “woke” ideology, according to The Washington Post.

Last week, we were discussing George Jones’ country rendition of the classic Vietnam protest song, “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” which most people associate with Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. I also threw in a jab at one of my favorites, Merle Haggard, whose anthem “Okie From Muskogee” was a counterprotest song. And it wouldn’t be the only one. Sgt. Barry Sadler had a No. 1 song, “Ballad of the Green Berets,” which also was a decidedly positive and patriotic song.

However, one of our good friends, John Smillie, wrote that “Okie” wasn’t quite as “square” as it may at first seem. And Haggard’s politics and beliefs changed over time. An article here, posted right after his death, makes the situation more complicated. Although Haggard never ran away from the song or its message, he maintained that it was more about the social divides than any particular stance on the war itself. And a huge catalogue of Haggard’s songs shows that he wasn’t exactly a tea-totalling conservative, either. 

Smillie suggested a great parody song, of which there are more than a few, of “Okie.” Here’s The Youngbloods’ version of “Hippie from Olema No.5.”

If you have a song that you’d like to share, or would like to get in touch with us, please send us a note at [email protected]

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