Columns
A portion of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA) was included in the recent Build Back Better bill that was passed in the House. The LJSA, which has bipartisan support in the House, provides needed support for local journalists across the U.S. and is now being considered in the Senate. While there has been tremendous support for the LJSA overall, there have been some pundits who have questioned whether government support for local journalists will maintain a free press. One such claim recently came from The Wall Street Journal in an opinion piece asserting the LJSA is “a subsidy for local journalists, most of whom are left of center.” It’s important for local...
To be honest, I never expected to be here. Though I’m certainly glad to be. Born and raised in Helena, I went to the University of Montana in Missoula for a degree in classics. For those who might not know, that’s the study of ancient civilizations and cultures, primarily Greek a...
We live in a world full of colors. As an artist and designer, I am fascinated by the way our interpretations and connotations associated with color shape our perception. For example, did you know exposure to bright red or yellow has been shown to increase people’s appetites? That is the reason many res...
Celebrate “Grinchmas” with us on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. in the library meeting room. A ticket to Whoville is required for anyone older than little Cindy Lou Who (who was no more than two) and can be picked up at the library, or call or email us to reserve spots. We will have hot cocoa and c...
Ever feel lost? Welcome to my life. Quite literally. Ever since I can remember, I’ve had trouble with directions and all things spatial. I described myself as geographically challenged. I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. I used to routinely get lost in a familiar mall. I thought it was no...
As a farmer, I know firsthand that good things take time. Every year, I plant my fields with crops like wheat, barley, peas, and saffron, and in July, August, and September, I harvest those crops and reap what I’ve sown. Writing laws is much the same – and this fall, after a long spring and...
Microchips surround us: essential components of everything from our cell phones to dishwashers to automobiles and nearly all of life’s amenities. An unparalleled level of convenience and ease to various aspects of our lives depends on microchips. Just consider all the devices you interact with on...
When you’re losing the game, summon the commies. And conservative white America has been losing for quite some time — losing control of the future, that is. The good old days of unabated white supremacy aren’t coming back; racism can only maintain a public forum, and political relevance,...
In the early 1980s, while living in China, my wife and I got lost in an unfamiliar city. At the time our Chinese language skills were non-existent, so we couldn’t ask for directions, let alone understand the answers. It was hot and humid, and after four hours of wandering we were tired, hungry and dehy...
Art – for millennia every single culture has emphasized channeling precious time and resources to create objects of beauty. Such objects of affection have fulfilled many distinct purposes. Art has been displayed in religious contexts and ceremonies, political and governmental contexts to signify author...
