Columns

For centuries, citizens have turned to their local news publication for local breaking and investigative news, as well as to learn about hot-button issues in their communities. In the last 15 years, with the rise of digital communications, many readers have changed their preferences to digital formats and social media over print for their news. But long before social media came onto the scene, news media have enabled us to exercise all five freedoms.  As we celebrate National Newspaper Week, we are raising awareness about our five First Amendment freedoms, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution — freedom of the press, speech, religion, petition and assembly — and the ways ...

Life has not always worked out like I planned. And here’s the thing – the more unplanned it becomes the more I learn, the more I grow – and trust. The better everything becomes. I haven’t always embraced this concept. What can I say? I have control issues. But the more you try to harn...

Fall is upon us and with falling leaves come rising program opportunities. There is so much going on at the library in October, we hope you will be able to attend at least one of our exciting events. On Thursday, Oct. 3, at 5:30 p.m., the library is hosting an author reading and signing for the book, &ldq...

Birth order intrigues me. According to the theory, certain characteristics are associated with your place within a family – whether you are the oldest, middle or youngest child. We can’t choose this particular lot in life. We are simply dealt our hand and we live it out. There are positives an...

Across Montana, thousands of students are headed back to school to begin a new year of learning and growth. Unfortunately, many students in rural Montana remain at risk of falling behind due to the lack of broadband access in their communities. Broadband Internet has become indispensable both in the class...

She was born on a cold winter day high above the headwaters in the same landscape where she later gave birth to celebrated triplets. She was loved by her neighbors, and many people experienced firsthand the wonder of those young siblings following mama through the forests they called home. Last week this shi...

I used to pocket dial people from time to time. I always felt bad about it, and there seemed to be nothing that would fix the problem. Then one day a solution occurred to me.    First, you need to know how touchscreens on phones work. Most smartphones today use capacitive touchscreens. These scr...

Last night my mom appeared in one of my dreams.  She passed away nine years ago – from Alzheimer’s. I haven’t been able to think about her – not really – since. It’s an ugly disease.  I’m weak to say so, but my last memories of her are haunting. I&rsq...

For myself and other youth, we hardly remember the world before Facebook. Our parents documented our lives with posts in the digital world before we even knew how to use a computer.  A 2010 study by the Internet security company AntiVirus Guard revealed that 80% of babies and 90% of two-year-olds hav...

“We need to talk about suicide,” teachers said choking back tears, or letting them flow, as they interviewed recently for Montana’s Teacher of the Year award. They shared with us on the selection committee that student suicides hurt their hearts and devastate schools, and we need to bring t...