By Keila Szpaller | Deputy Editor
"Corporations that have profited from Black consumers, relied on Black workers, and benefited from Black communities cannot remain silent while Black political representation is dismantled in plain sight. Silence in this moment is not neutrality — it is complicity." – Rep. Yvette Clarke, a New York Democrat who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, about voting rights.
Bodnar outraises Alme in pre-primary filings, submits signatures for ballot
by Micah Drew
In pre-primary filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission, independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar outraised all candidates, including reporting three times as much in fundraising as Republican Kurt Alme. Bodnar, the former University of Montana president, reported raising $754,000 since the end of March, with a total of $2.1 million in contributions to his […]
DOC begins on-site correctional officer training
by Jordan Hansen
DEER LODGE — Facing a backlog of a required course for all state correctional officers, the Montana Department of Corrections now has the ability to host the classes on site at Montana State Prison. It’s the first time the training, which covers the basics for corrections and detention officers, has been hosted at Montana State […]
MORE FROM MONTANA
The Yellowstone County Democratic Central Committee adopted a position seeking a moratorium on large data center development in Montana, reports the Billings Gazette. The story says 71% of Americans oppose the development of data centers in their area, citing a Gallup poll.
FROM OUR D.C. BUREAU
The Congressional Black Caucus urged American corporations to condemn efforts to dilute Black voting strength, as Southern states eliminate congressional districts where most residents are Black.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche argued in a court filing that a shooting Saturday in the vicinity of the White House further proves the need for an East Wing ballroom with “a heavy steel, drone proof roof, missile resistant and drone proof columns, bullet, ballistic, and blast proof glass,” among other features.
MONTANA ROCKS
Glacier Park Boat Co.’s Little Chief turns 100 this summer, having transported millions of visitors millions of miles in the park, the Flathead Beacon reports. Now it’s being restored: “It so happened, it was this year, when the boat’s 100 years old, that we’re doing this major overhaul to it.”
THE HOOK
Today’s song comes to you from Hawaii. 🌈
I’m just back from a jaunt on Kauai with dear friends, and we saw a lot of rainbows and heard this song, a meaningful one for some of the Montanans who have spent a lot of time on the island.
It’s a cover by the late Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole, described as a “gentle giant.” In a 2022 tribute, Ukulele Magazine said he started playing the uke at 6 years old, performed for tourists with his brother, and supported the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
The magazine describes the way this cover was recorded, one take in the middle of the night. It’s worth a read if you’re curious about it. (It’s also worth a read if you struggled with his name, as I did spelling it.)
We saw other gentle giants on Kauai, turtles in the ocean. One appeared to be napping, its head stuffed into the corner of a rock or chunk of coral. Neat. I tried to not be a touron and keep my distance.
(I don’t actually know if turtles nap, but this piece says they slow down sort of like bears do. Also neat.)
Happy Wednesday. Worry not, editor and musical top guy Darrell Ehrlick will be with you later this week.
If you have a song that you’d like to share in the meantime, or would like to get in touch with us, please send a note at [email protected]
Thanks for reading Treasure State Update. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.
