Monthly Archives: September 2024

Sep192024

“Republicans for Tester” Group Brimming with Fake Republicans

Last month, Senator Jon Tester’s campaign launched the group “Republicans for Tester”. On September 1, Tester’s campaign put out an advertisement featuring their Republican supporters. However, many of the featured “Republicans” have solely supported Democrats and their policies, while openly criticizing Republicans.

In the ad, Justin Schaaf and his wife Kayleigh claim to be “lifelong Republicans” who plan on voting for Jon Tester. According to an analysis of FEC data, Schaaf has only ever donated to Democrats. In 2019 and 2020, he donated $42.50 to Steve Bullock. Steve Bullock, a Democrat and former governor, ran for president in that cycle before dropping out to try unseating Sen. Steve Daines, but was defeated by Daines by a margin of 10 points. Schaaf has voiced support for read more

Tester Cast Tiebreaking Vote for Debt Relief Program that Excluded White Farmers

In a recent advertisement from the Senate Leadership Fund, Senator Jon Tester was called out for supporting a farmer relief program that excluded white farmers and ranchers. In the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, a measure was added to provide … read more

September 18, 2024 Evan HoodMontana-Statewide • PoliticsAgriculture • American Rescue Plan Act • Jon Tester • Kamala Harris

Hundreds of MT Miners Laid Off, Sen. Daines Proposes Legislation in Response

Last week, Sibanye-Stillwater announced to their employees that they would have to layoff around 700 employees starting on November 12. The mine, which produces palladium and platinum, cited a massive drop in the trading price of palladium, as two years … read more

September 18, 2024 Evan HoodMontana-Statewide • PoliticsJoe Biden • Kamala Harris • Steve Daines • Stillwater

MT Healthcare Professionals Call Out Tester for Healthcare Lies

Over the last month, Senator Tester’s campaign has placed full page ads in several local newspapers accusing Tim Sheehy of planning to close 49 hospitals in Montana. The ad then lists 49 medical centers, including Billings Clinic Broadwater and Beartooth … read more

September 17, 2024 Evan HoodMontana-Statewide • PoliticsHealthcare • Jon Tester • Tim Sheehy

Worden/Ballantine Water and Sewer Votes to Move Forward with Raising Base Rates

Due to increased operating costs and the unexpected cost of repairs due to “flushable wipes,” the Worden/Ballantine Water and Sewer District voted to move forward with a base rate increase at their monthly meeting on Monday, September 9. The rate … read more

September 16, 2024 Andrew BolerjackYellowstone County • Huntley ProjectAndrew Bolerjack • WBYC Sewer District • Worden • Worden Ballantine Water and Sewer District

This year, vote Republican.

Dear Editor, The Democrats have selected their party’s presidential candidate for November 2024, Kamala Harris. Senior members of the Democratic party – Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and others – convinced President Biden he didn’t have the mental acuity … read more

September 15, 2024 Guest submissionLetters to the EditorDonald Trump • Stuart Deans • Trump

Obituary: Naomi Boley

On September 2, 2024, our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother winged her way to Heaven. She was born on November 13, 1927, to William H. and Ethelyn May Ellis in Verona, PA. In 1929, when she was 18 months old, she … read more

September 14, 2024 Guest submissionObituariesNaomi Boley

Support the Crow Revenue Act and Bull Mtns Act

Dear Editor, Support the Crow Revenue Act and Bull Mtns Act I am writing in support of federal legislation introduced to ensure the continued operation of the Bull Mountains Underground Mine. Governor Gianforte and the State of Montana have done … read more

September 14, 2024 Guest submissionLetters to the EditorDusty Weber • Montana Governor Greg Gianforte • Signal Peak Energy • Yellowstone County

I was shocked at the condition of the cemetery

Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to the condition of the Huntley Cemetery. My sister and I went to be sure our Dad’s headstone looked nice the day before his service. I was shocked at the condition of the … read more

September 14, 2024 Guest submissionLetters to the EditorHuntley Cemetery • Tana Buckley

Property Tax Payers, Here’s a meeting for you.

Dear Editor, Property Tax Payers If you want to hear a presentation talking about property taxes in Montana from the Department of Revenue, there will be a town hall held at the Billings Public Library at 6 P.M. on Tuesday, … read more

September 14, 2024 Guest submissionLetters to the EditorBillings Public Library • Lee Deming • Montana Department of Revenue

Engineers, Consolidation, Policies Top Heights Water District Agenda

The Board for the County Water District in the Heights dealt with numerous issues dealing with policies and operations at a business work session on September 4. The water district needs a plan to deal with the district- wide maintenance … read more

September 13, 2024 Evelyn PyburnYellowstone CountyCity of Billings • County Water District of Billings Heights • Doug Kary • Frank Ewal • Heights Water District • Jeff Essmann • Ming Cabrera • Tom Zurbuchan

Obituary: Kay Joanne Odegaard

Kay Joanne Odegaard, 85, of Billings, died on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Tender Nest Assisted Living, surrounded by family. Kay was born on Nov. 12, 1938, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the daughter of Melvin and Gertrude (McGrath) Anderson. … read more

September 13, 2024 Guest submissionObituariesKay Joanne Odegaard

Laurel Rod and Gun Club Opens New Range And Receives Grant for Range Expansion

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has granted the Laurel Rod and Gun Club (Club) a $90,000 grant for the construction of a new shooting range in Laurel. According to Club President Irv Wilke most of the range has been built … read more

September 13, 2024 Andrew BolerjackLocal • Yellowstone CountyCity of Laurel • Laurel Rod and Gun Club

Let’s Call it for What it is, Straight-Up Propaganda and Fake News

Folks I want to address a supposed “newspaper” and self-described news media entity called the Montana Independent. This “newspaper” is being sent to more than 150,000 Montanans from an out-of-state organization called the American Independent that has ties to a … read more

September 13, 2024 Jonathan McNivenPolitics • MeanderingsJonathan McNiven • McNiven's Meanderings • Montana Free Press • Montana independent • Montana Newspaper Association • Montana Newspapers

This Just In: Voting Is A Right, Not A Privilege

Politics is one of those topics that one shouldn’t bring up in polite conversation. People have differing views on political parties, policies, candidates, and how things are being handled here and abroad. I do remember a time when you could … read more

September 13, 2024 Guest submissionMontana-Statewide • PoliticsJustin Choriki • Montana Elections • Voting

Please vote NO on these three bad constitutional initiatives

Dear Editor, While voters remain distracted by this year’s contentious Presidential Election, three bad ballot initiatives have tip-toed their way onto the Montana ballot thanks to our Supreme Court allowing signatures of “inactive voters” to count on petitions. Initiatives, CI-126 … read more

September 13, 2024 Guest submissionLetters to the EditorCI-126 • CI-127 • Montana Elections • Teresa Darnielle-Morse

Between the Lines: Maybe he should try going back to that last job.

You need a manager to run your new McDonald’s restaurant. You hear about a guy who’s interested in the job. He’s old, but some people think he did pretty well at the last place he managed. So, you have a … read more

September 13, 2024 David CrispPoliticsBetween the Lines • David Crisp

I Call Horsepucky on that one!

Dear Editor, In recent weeks Jon Tester’s campaign has devolved into ad hominem attacks on Tim Sheehy, most of which have no relevance to the issues that are important to Montanans. The latest of these unwarranted attacks came as a … read more

September 12, 2024 Guest submissionLetters to the EditorJohn Esp • Jon Tester • Tim Sheehy

Montana Senate Race Now Leaning Red

As November 5th quickly approaches, the Montana U.S. Senate race has quickly become Republican candidate Tim Sheehy’s to lose. The candidate has seen a relatively positive linear trajectory in polling, as he was behind by as many as nine points … read more

September 10, 2024 Evan HoodMontana-Statewide • PoliticsJon Tester • Larry Sabato • Polling • Tim Sheehy

Obituary: Ron Allen Grimsrud

December 23, 1955 – September 3, 2024 Ron Allen Grimsrud, 68, of Nashua/Billings, MT, passed away tragically on September 3, 2024, in a car accident. His beloved wife, Karen Grimsrud of 47 years, survived the accident. Born on December 23, … read more

September 9, 2024 Guest submissionObituariesRon Allen Grimsrud