Columns
We’ve written here about the history of the Right to Know, why it matters, and what policies affect your access to information. In this column, we’re going back to the basics so that Montanans, including you, are better equipped to exercise the Right to Know. When we talk about the Right to Know, we talk about it as exercised through information requests, which are also referred to as Right to Know requests, public information requests, and records requests. Each of these things refers to the same, simple concept: asking the state government or a local government for information. If you ask your government for information, you are making an information request protected by th...
As volunteer election judges, we understand that few institutions are as precious as democracy. Despite all the differences in our state—whether political, cultural, or demographic—the ballot box is where we can unite to fight for the vision we see for our state—regardless of what that visi...
Most of us consider communication a pretty basic skill. And, I might even go so far as to say we think we are pretty good at it. Joining words together to form clear, coherent and understandable phrases in order to facilitate, engage and participate in the exchange, dissemination and sharing of accurate, ...
The start of a new school year always brings excitement and anticipation for students, staff, and parents. As your kids head back to school, please take some time to talk with them about how important it is to stay free from using any tobacco product, including electronic cigarettes or vapes. According to...
Carroll College has taken a decisive step in its commitment to supporting underserved communities with the launch of the Pell Promise for Montana Students. This newly introduced initiative will fully cover tuition for federal Pell Grant-eligible students from Montana who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a...
“A quiet mind makes way for the soul to speak.” (Me) The mind is an abundant entity - spewing, spawning, spilling, speaking, squeaking, splaying, spraying, saying, replaying, spouting, sprouting, shouting, re-routing, doubting and outing our thoughts, often in ways that se...
“Guess what?!” A 12-year-old Pittsburgh school boy spoke excitedly with his teacher one morning last fall. “My mommy and daddy were having a fight last night, and I asked them if we could have a peace circle! We sat and talked, and they’re not fighting anymore!” The boy had b...
Like many others, I wept watching Vice-President candidate Tim Walz’s son Gus express his sheer admiration of his dad during the Democratic National Convention. Gus had tears in his eyes and as expression of pure joy when he pointed his index finger at his dad during his speech and said, “I love ...
We all have our views and viewpoints. It’s easy to expand on those views with quips and comments that sound inventive, innovative and downright clever. It’s amazing, actually, how easy it is to come out against something or someone, especially when you don’t agree with their viewpoints, pol...
Property taxes aren’t red/blue or political; the State writes the rules on property taxes, counties follow the rules. And everyone—no matter what your political stripe—pays. It’s no secret that Missoula County and Beaverhead County are opposite in terms of politics, bu...
