The first Yellowstone bear sighting of 2026

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

A number of you kind readers alerted us to the fact that our newsletter for the past two days was missing a link on the third story from our top (in journalism lingo, the lead). We have corrected this recurring problem, and appreciate the heads-up. – Darrell Ehrlick, editor.

Montana’s Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown is cheering a ruling from Lewis and Clark County District Court that affirmed that a bill passed by the 2021 Legislature is constitutional. It allows insurance companies to consider a person’s marital status when it comes to setting premiums and rates.

Democrats in the United States Senate left a briefing by top military commanders and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about the war in Iran furious, telling reporters that even though they couldn’t discuss the specifics of the war, it was a military operation without a clear purpose. Meanwhile, Republican senators, including Montana’s Tim Sheehy, praised the efforts.

In an effort to fast-track its plans to roll back environmental protections and other public land policy, our colleagues at Stateline detail how the Trump administration is using an administrative review process to speed up attacks on public lands.  

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

Even though the news from Montana has certainly been coming quickly, especially from our friends at the GOP, we can’t really compete with our friends from North Dakota which report that more and more Republicans there are skipping the annual convention, according to the North Dakota Monitor.

The New York Times reports that California officials are literally honked off at residents, and Montana is on the receiving end of the ire. Hundreds of high-end luxury and sport vehicles have been licensed in Montana as a way to avoid paying sales tax on very expensive vehicles. But officials report that they’re wise to the scheme, and they’re now pursing more than 50 people for tax evasion.

Were you one of the few Montanans who medaled at this year’s Olympics? If not, you, too, can purchase a medal. In fact, our friends at Smithsonian magazine report that the first modern-day Olympics, which was held in Athens in 1896, only issued medals to the 1st and 2nd place winners, giving them silver medals and bronze respectfully. Third place just got bragging rights. But, if you want one of these stunning medals, featuring Zeus, be prepared to pay for it.

Retired Army officer and columnist Ed Saunders said that one of the hardest things about war is the terrible cost. He recounts exactly what happens when an officer has to be a “death angel” and reflects on the things that civilians may not see on TV.

I remember the first time I heard the “I’m-Fixin’-To-Die-Rag” by Country Joe and the Fish. I remembered giggling because of the lyrics. And, I remember feeling a little bit naughty about the opening lyrics, which are not suitable for listeners of all ages.

However, I marveled how a song could be so clever, and even though I didn’t fully understand the intricacies of the Vietnam War because it was over, and I had other things that 1980s kids worried about, like feathering my mullet, I knew that this song probably rattled a lot of folks.

Country Joe McDonald died earlier this week due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. The obituary in The New York Times can be found here.

Regardless of what you think about the song, it was one of the most powerful pieces of commentary and helped continue to shape sentiment around the war. And Country Joe lived long enough to see several new generations of folk and protest music.

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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