Forever chemicals found in Flathead watershed.

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

As if the hot weather weren’t oppressive enough, we received some bad news about our water, too. “PFAS” chemicals, called “forever chemicals” because of their stubborn inability to breakdown over time, have been detected in the Flathead watershed. The levels don’t exceed federal limits, but scientists had hoped the waterway would not be polluted … well … forever.

Meanwhile, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has refused to issue a waiver to a minerals exploration proposal in one of the most sensitive areas in Montana, near Sheep Creek.

And despite the hot weather, residents on Monday night showed up in Helena to hold a vigil for the 26 people who have been killed in America by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, as they also protested that local officials weren’t doing more to resist federal immigration efforts.

The youth plaintiffs who successfully won the Held case in Montana, which says the Montana Constitution gives the right to a clean and healthful environment, have asked the entire U.S. Ninth Circuit Court to hear a federal challenge that says the Trump administration has caused harm by its policies and has made human survival an existential question by embracing fossil fuels and relaxing pollution standards. Previously, a three-judge panel for the circuit agreed with a federal district court judge in Montana: There is plentiful evidence that the Trump administration has harmed the environment with its policies, but the court cannot review every single action.  

Despite the concerns from some lawmakers about the danger of American streets, new statistics released on the federal level show that crime continues to drop, including homicide hitting a record low.

Attorneys told a federal court that the damage to the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., was done before a former Olympic medalist touched the water. Furthermore, attorneys argue that repairing the pool would have been necessary regardless.

The United States Department of Homeland Security has said that those coming to America, seeking asylum, will not be guaranteed an interview — as has been the practice previously. Officials said without the necessity of an interview, the process to remove immigrants can be sped up.

Speaking of immigrants, groups of asylum seekers from Haiti are concerned because the protection window granted by the federal government is expiring. This means that those same immigrants could be subject to arrest and deportation, even though Haiti is still under a civil war.

United States Senators and other members of the public bid their goodbyes to former Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died suddenly a few weeks ago from an aortic rupture. Graham’s sister will fill out the rest of his term.

Speaking of aging senators, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is calling on Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former Senate Majority Leader, to prove that he is both living and able to serve in the U.S. Senate. Beshear is asking because of the critical issues facing Congress and a concern that the Bluegrass State is represented. McConnell allegedly has suffered a fall and pneumonia and is recovering, but hasn’t been seen in public for weeks.

Several instances of voter registration or ballot errors have been cited by supporters of President Donald Trump’s SAVE Act, which would allow the federal government to have more control over elections and mandate voter-identification as well as outlaw some voting by mail. Despite the errors, experts doubt that those will be enough to sway public sentiment against the legislation, which has never enjoyed widespread support.

Even though Trump has urged Congress to stay in session in order to pass the SAVE Act, something which seems unlikely, legal experts point out that there are different federal court rulings that give conflicting advice about the president’s legal authority to federalize the election, meaning the question could be headed quickly for the United States Supreme Court.

Several people noted that one of “The Hook’s” favorite artists, Marty Stuart and his band, were in the Flathead area last weekend. Poor guy — so much hair and leather … that must have been hot.

In addition to being a tremendous rock, country and roots musician, Stuart also owns a considerable amount of country music history, in addition to being married to country singer Connie Smith, 17 years his junior (fun fact: His first wife was a daughter of Johnny Cash). Stuart’s music has always had a bent toward the historical, and his video “Time Don’t Wait” was filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

As one of our readers noted: “Saw Marty and his band again Sunday night in Kalispell. Great show. Such talented pickers. When we saw him at the show in Missoula with Stevie Guitar Miller, he had this video playing on the big screen. Powerful images. Can’t whitewash away the country’s abuse and neglect of proud Native Americans.”

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