Montana's revenue stronger than planned, as real estate, tourism dominate economy.

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

Happy Tuesday, folks. Today, we begin with some good news: Montana finished up its Fiscal Year 2026 in better condition than many had hoped. The state is getting older, and migration has slowed to pre-pandemic levels. Also, the state’s leading economic drivers may not be what you think. Here’s your gray-cloud lining, though: Some lawmakers want to know why the extra revenue can’t go to implement planned higher reimbursement rates to medical providers.

Meanwhile, Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park may have witnessed the birth of a geyser close to the Firehole River. And finally, a former State of Montana employee, Tom Schultz, is now in charge of the United States Forest Service, and he detailed plans to de-centralize the agency and create state offices, with Montana slated for one in Helena.

Anyone who has spent time around Yellowstone National Park knows that there’s a terminology for all sorts of things. Bison are wildlife; tourists are visitors; bears cause traffic jams; and things that bubble, gurgle and hiss are called thermal features. Well, one of the coolest aspects of being this close to a worldwide attraction is the science that comes from it: And officials, who just set up permanent monitoring equipment along with some temporary equipment in 2025 after a famous Biscuit Basin explosion in 2024, captured on video the birth of what may become a new thermal feature.

Check out the 30-second video that shows some kind of explosion there earlier in June.  

Monday was the first day of the weeklong preliminary hearing for slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Erica Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, was in attendance at the trial’s kickoff. She repeated what she has said previously: She forgives the man accused of assassinating her husband. The hearings will determine whether there’s enough evidence to proceed to trial.

For years, the Black Congressional Caucus has pushed for more equality and equal rights, especially in places that were overlooked. That caucus also worked hard to rebuff some of the gerrymandering put into place that diluted or even silenced the voters of majority Black districts. As elections loom, those lawmakers are trying to keep hope and recounting its achievements that have been dampened by recent rulings of the United States Supreme Court.

Note: some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

A story in The Washington Post tries to answer the question: Why does it seem like cancer rates are spiking? What seems to be a straightforward question has a more complicated answer. Scientists argue that discoveries of certain types of cancer, earlier detection, and more frequent screenings could be, in part, driving those numbers. But they also note: While the rate of cancer seems to be climbing, the death rate due to cancer has fallen off considerably, thanks to advancements in treatments and drugs.

Even though Pope Leo XIV took on the Trump administration shortly after he was elected to the Throne of St. Peter, The New York Times notes that his most difficult challenge to date is coming from a conservative order that has been at odds with the Vatican for years, stemming from changes undertaken during Vatican II.

Here’s a way to make you a real hit at all social gatherings: Argue about taxes. But since Montana is talking about tax revenue (please see our top story), tax revenue trends, and how to spend or cut, we thought this recent graphic from Visual Capitalist shows national tax rates throughout the world. The measurement is tax rate as share of gross domestic product. Just in case you think Americans are overtaxed, Denmark would like to have a word with you.

A reader recently sent this song along, and it’s in the spirit of protest songs that we’ve covered and have — especially since we’ve gone to war with Iran — resurfaced. Recently, one of my kids asked me if I had ever heard of Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction.” I told them that was a good question, but I also suggested that I probably have failed somewhere along the way by not playing it often enough so that they would know the answer to that question.

Predictably, today’s song is edgy (and not quite as upbeat as yesterday’s suggestion of Chicago’s “Saturday In The Park”). The song points out the disconnect between the theology of the Bible and especially The New Testament, our national heritage as a country that espouses Christianity, and the actions of the government. And by no means would this time in our nation’s history mark the first that there was a disconnect between our espoused or stated values and our action.

“Who Would Jesus Bomb?” by the Rainbow Girls is a stinging commentary on which people would be subject to violence or retribution if Jesus Christ returned. Certainly, it’s not the first song to deal with this topic, especially the Vietnam protest song, “With God On Our Side,” which was written by Bob Dylan, but made most famous by Manfred Mann.

I had never heard of the Rainbow Girls, but they are from northern California and have been together since 2012. The have an impressive seven albums to their credit, too.

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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