Jokes, track and legal limbo

By Micah Drew, Jordan Hansen and Keila Szpaller

Somehow, and I’m really not sure how, we’re already into April this year!

Of course, that means that the middle of this week was interrupted by a flurry of activity on Wednesday as the masses of humanity dealt with an annual chore — determining whether what they are reading on the internet is real, or an April Fool’s joke.

I will sadly admit that I got overexcited at a few social media announcements before I remembered what day it was.

Here’s a roundup of some of the pranks if you’re in need of some levity this weekend and a few specific ones — from Whitefish Mountain Resort; the outdoor industry at large; many big corporations getting people’s hopes up; and the city of Billings telling residents that it finally listened to them and replaced its roundabouts … with traffic circles.

Saw any good ones this week? Send them my way - [email protected].

~ Micah Drew

P.S. In case you wondered, the Daily Montanan does not participate in April Fool’s jokes. As one of States Newsroom’s national editor’s said, we believe we should never mislead our readers or abuse their trust, even for an innocent reason: “Our readers should never wonder whether we are telling them the truth.”

One of the biggest news stories in the state this week was Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte finally signing a bill that redefines sex in state law after it sat for nearly a year on House Speaker Brandon Ler’s desk. It was a calculated move to let more of the legal process with a similar bill play out in court.

I think it’s interesting that a bill can be on the governor’s desk for 10 days before it becomes unsigned law, but there appears to be an almost unlimited time period a bill can be stuck at other points of legislation becoming law.

These bills are also part of a seemingly unending legal saga where the bills are deemed unconstitutional and remain in legal limbo for years. But, I also think the redefinition of sex laws are one of the biggest reasons Republicans have expressed frustration with the judiciary in Montana and, along with the environmental decision in Held v. Montana, laws the GOP argues are for “women’s safety” but opponents say target the state’s LGBTQ+ community being overturned by courts helps explain much of their fight to change it.

I believe the conversation about the judiciary is perhaps the most important one in the state right now, because it’s about the future of the state and how it will function.

~ Jordan Hansen

Sure, this is a news-related newsletter for a news outlet.

But I’m a track aficionado, as well as a high school track coach, so there is a good chance that something running related will sneak in here as often as I make it happen.

This week was the kickoff of high school track in Montana — and last weekend was the kickoff of the collegiate outdoor season with UM (GO GRIZ) hosting the Bobcats (go Cats I suppose… but only ‘cause I coached some of them once upon a time) in Missoula.

As is typical of early spring track meets, the first meeting between Glacier High School and Helena Capital on Friday was windy. But, as is also typical of early-season meets, it was a blast!

So many athletes, both newbies and veterans, ran great races on the track. I would also presume that many athletes also threw well depending on whether the runway was aligned with the wind (as our javelin runway is) or into the wind (as the shot put rings face. But also, how much wind impact is there on a 12-pound metal sphere?) but I was focused on the track today.

If you have an athlete doing high school track, know an athlete doing high school track, or just like watching track and field (doesn’t everyone?) bundle up and get out there cheering this spring!

If you do end up trackside this spring, send me stats or pics! [email protected].

~ Micah Drew

Last week, we talked about a legislator who is also a farmer in Circle.

This week, I’ll recommend a book by a Missoula County Commissioner who is also a poet.

That’s pretty cool, right?

Actually, Josh Slotnick is a farmer too, or at least he was, and I bought his collection of poems called “If Only” at his and his wife’s farm stand on a veggie run many years ago.

Excellent impulse purchase. Probably picked up some beets and salad mix too.

I’ve been doing some cleaning out lately, and this book is staying in the keeper pile.

Poetry helps us slow down, and sometimes it casts new light on the things we love.

In his poem “As We Should,” Slotnick writes about the bond we have with our pups, the beauty they bring into our world, and the way they guide us in life.

Also, if you ever wondered whether the workings of local government could make their way into poetry, “If Only” answers the question, and it’s a yes.

Got a Montana poetry book of your own to recommend? [email protected].

Happy reading!

~ Keila Szpaller

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