By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief
Today, we begin with a demonstration under the dome in Helena as healthcare providers and Montana residents on Medicaid protest the new work requirements, which they say are already creating a paperwork nightmare, even as Montana says it will cancel a planned 3% increase for healthcare providers. Translation: Fewer people get covered, more paperwork, and less financial support to doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Leaders with the controversial Sheep Creek mining project say that they’re listening to residents and making changes based on the feedback, while environmental groups say an unproven mining technique and the sensitive areas should be enough to stop the project.
Finally, take a look at the beautiful object that Montana will use as its item being put in the 250th time capsule.
More than a hundred protest new Medicaid rules at Capitol
by Jordan Hansen
HELENA — More than 100 people from across the state gathered in the Montana Capitol rotunda on Wednesday to protest cuts to Medicaid as well as new work requirements to access the health insurance program. Catalyst Montana, an advocacy-focused nonprofit, hosted the gathering, which included speeches from healthcare professionals, politicians and others impacted by the […]
Sheep Creek mine update calls for 2,200 helicopter flights in first season
by Keila Szpaller
STEVENSVILLE — From the sky, the Painted Rocks Reservoir stretches long and blue, and it looks immense under the timbered mountains around it. Alex Ocañas, with the Bitterroot Water Partnership, wants to put that vastness in perspective in light of a mine that could pollute a valley dependent on its waters. The reservoir is one […]
‘America’s Time Capsule’ sealed with beaded artwork from Montana
by Micah Drew
In the year 2276 … who knows what the world will look like. But Americans celebrating the 500th anniversary of the United States will get a glimpse into the past — 250 years into the past to be exact. As part of the America 250 events this weekend celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial, a time capsule […]
COMMENTARY
Bozeman resident and columnist Brandy Straub was so shaken by witnessing the chaos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests there last week that she could hardly say much about it. After four days of processing, she wrote letters to her two daughters about what she witnessed — and included hope that they never have to witness something similar.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Even federal court judges seem to be getting frustrated with the answers from ICE agents and the Department of Homeland Security when it comes to arrests and imprisoning those suspected of not immigrating here with proper authorization. In an increasing number of cases, judges have set those facing charges free.
A strongly supported and bipartisan law that Congress passed that would help address a housing shortage and affordability still sits on President Donald Trump’s desk. He has threatened not to sign it until Congress passes his SAVE America Act, which would transform voting and allow the federal government more authority in areas that have traditionally belonged to the states. But if Trump doesn’t veto it before Saturday, the legislation will pass into law.
GOOD READS
Note: some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
The first story we’re featuring is a bit of good news about a good Montana company. Town and Country Foods, which started in Bozeman but has expanded to other places like Livingston, announces that it will open a second Billings store in the Heights in the large building that formerly housed Big Lots. The employee-owned store features a variety of Montana-produced grocery items, including fresh meat from Montana ranches.
Among the many things that Trump has proposed around the Washington, D.C., area, which includes adding his name to the John F. Kennedy Center, is also to build a massive triumphal arch, not so unlike some that are in European cities and mark a successful military conquest. Reporting by The Washington Post reveals that the administration is trying to use a 101-year-old concept of two columns as justification for a much larger, more expansive arch that should not need any approval from a federal agency.
THE HOOK
The group Firefall is not a household name. If you’ve heard at least one song from them, it’s likely the soft-rock hit “You Are The Woman,” from their self-titled debut album. Even though you may not go very deeply into Firefall history, they’re related to a lot of artists you’ve undoubtedly heard of — including touring with Fleetwood Mac, having Stephen Stills work on a lot of songs, including today’s pick, and founding member Rick Roberts had come over from the Flying Burrito Brothers.
The band, from Boulder, Colorado, had a string of other minor radio hits. The music was definitely pop rock — at the worst time. Many of the songs released were more traditional rock songs put out during the height of disco, when complex, multi-layered uptempo dance songs were trending a lot stronger, and other more traditional bands were pushed to the back.
Their debut album is a hidden gem, and AllMusic — one of the few places that has even reviewed it — gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. Today’s selection is one of those songs that makes you wonder why it didn’t get more attention, and that’s why it’s time to give it one more spin. “It Doesn’t Matter” was the lead track on the album, and while the band doesn’t do anything that will likely blow your doors off or is considered to be revolutionary, it’s a good mix of a wide range of good sounding rock.
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