One Senator drops out, the other one gets in a fight.

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

"After wrestling with this decision for months, I have decided I will not seek re-election. It is time for a new leaders like Tim Sheehy to spearhead the fight for Montana in the United States Senate." – Steve Daines, Montana’s Senior United States Senator, in an announcement that happened just before the filing deadline.

In an incredible and stunning week (and it’s only Wednesday … as of writing this) in Montana politics, two of the biggest players in Montana’s Republican stronghold have announced their retirement from Congress. That has created a super-packed field in Montana’s First Congressional district, and many political analysts think Republicans have the advantage.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced he was entering the U.S. Senate race as an independent. The race took on an unexpected turn when Bodnar found himself running against a different candidate.

Public Service Commissioners have questions about a proposed rate increase by Montana-Dakota Utilities. While the public energy company had requested a larger increase, the PSC approved 55% of the request, saying it still needed more information.

More than five dozen candidates have applied to replace Seth Bodnar as the next president of the University of Montana. Bodnar stepped down earlier this year among rumors that he was mulling a run for the United States Senate, something that was confirmed Wednesday when he announced he would run as an independent. Montana University System Chancellor Clayton Christian said that they’ll be fast-tracking Bodnar’s replacement.

The United States Senate has opted not to rein in President Donald J. Trump’s plans for war in Iran as Republicans there blocked the war powers resolution that would have forced approval for his actions.

In a closely watched and hotly contested primary election in Texas, James Talarico defeated Jasmine Crockett for the Democratic slot to challenge the Republican winner, which is still yet-to-be-seen as incumbent Sen. John Cornyn faces competition from the right in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been embattled in ethics probes and other political intrigue during his rocky tenure in the Lone Star State.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, this time to face questions from a United States House committee, which didn’t include some of the theatrics that happened in the Senate on Tuesday when even Republican Senators grilled her on the handling of immigration, especially in Minneapolis.

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Today, we share two selections from our friends at Smithsonian magazine. The first one is that you don’t have to be a billionaire to see several of the most famous comic books, which include first editions of Superman and The Amazing Spiderman. The Smithsonian Museum has just acquired two first editions, which will be featured as part of the collection that houses some of the most important American cultural artifacts.

If you think that fake photos are just a problem that has been created by artificial intelligence and deep fakes, the practice, art and even problems with photo editing have been around since the invention of the camera itself.

Y’all are brilliant. Of course, I already knew that about you “Hooksters.”

Today’s example comes from Gary Sells, who actually gets credit for not just continuing the theme of songs relevant to current events, but also found a reference to the recently departed Neil Sedaka, who died last weekend. As you may recall, Sedaka was a famous songwriter and performer whose career spanned more than two decades.

In 1974, he found a friendship with another legendary piano player, Elton John, and they wrote songs, performed on each other’s albums, and Sedaka enjoyed a huge comeback for several years, including the 1975 No. 1 “Bad Blood.” If you listen carefully to that song, you may recognize John serving as Sedaka’s back-up singer.

Included in that comeback was a song that describes the dream that so many of our friends and family members have had as immigrants. Sedaka’s “The Immigrant” actually got a fair amount of airplay on radio stations. Kudos to Gary who found the song, which still speaks to us today.

The Immigrant

Harbors opened their arms to the young searching foreigner
Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty
Planes and open skies, billboards would advertise
Was it anything like that when you arrived
Dreamboats carry the future to the heart of America
People were waiting in line for a place by the river
It was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miracles
Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises
To find they've closed the door, they don't want him anymore
Isn't anymore to go around
Turning away he remembers he once heard 
A legend that spoke of a mystical magical land called America
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear

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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