Capitol Letters

Jobs for Montanans — This was a good week for job prospects in Montana. It’s income taxes from private sector earnings that pays salaries for government employees. Funding for state agencies, our highway department, those who serve the Department of Health and Human Services, our prison staff, our hard-working K-12 teachers all has its genesis in the private sector. In 2009, the number of government jobs surpassed private sector jobs in Montana, “a frightening trend,” in the words of my Senate colleague, a Bozeman accountant. With that in mind, we focused on ways to put Montanans to work.

Veterans share stories at Legends Park Assisted Living breakfast

Veterans share stories at Legends Park Assisted Living breakfast

Spirits were high, as they always are for the monthly free breakfast at Legends. Veterans came from near and far to get there. They served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. At least one was part of World War II, most were in Vietnam, others in Middle East conflicts. They have their own reflections of their time in the military, their own personalities, and their own reasons for serving their country.

Thompson Falls considers land swap with school district

Thompson Falls City Council last Monday held a lengthy discussion about a proposed land and building exchange between the city and the Thompson Falls School District.

EU to unveil virus recovery plan amid split over way ahead

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union unveiling a massive coronavirus recovery plan worth hundreds of billions of euros to help countries rebuild their ailing economies, but the bloc remains deeply divided over what conditions should be attached to the funds.

HUD: Idaho will be part of push to build more affordable housing

The regional branch of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development agency that includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington announced a new effort to boost the housing supply across all four states

Kalispell Planning Commission tables proposal for apartment complex in South Kalispell after public outcry

The Kalispell Planning Commission tabled a proposal for a seven-building apartment complex in South Kalispell amid opposition from neighbors.

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint swimming poised for another state title run on both sides

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint swimming poised for another state title run on both sides

Lakeland celebrates another successful Battle for the Paddle

Lakeland celebrates another successful Battle for the Paddle

Lakeland High School went big for the 2026 Battle for the Paddle. But then again, the Hawks always go big for this school-unifying event. "Battle for the Paddle is part of the heart of the Lakeland community and culture," senior Amelia Hamburger said Thursday.

Curtain rises for James and the Giant Peach

Past students specially invited to attend closing night Thursday

Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities and the Sorensen Theater Team present "James and the Giant Peach" at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday in the school's gym.

Some parts of Kemp's anti-gang push advance, others stall

ATLANTA (AP) — Some parts of Gov. Brian Kemp’s anti-gang push are moving forward, but the centerpiece of the package is bottled up in the state Senate as the clock winds down on the 2020 legislative session.

Cougars host Jeremiah Schmunk Invitational

WARDEN – Teams from across eastern Washington gathered at Warden High School for Saturday’s Jeremiah Schmunk Invitational, including local squads from Moses Lake and Othello joining the host Cougars.

Larry Workman

Larry D. Workman, 68, passed from this life to glory on March 4th, 2025, with family at bedside after a battle with cancer. He was lovingly called Honey, Dad, Pa, Grandpa, Dude, Grandpa Saturday, Larry Dawg, and Wolfy.

Un inmigrante de Guatemala encuentra camino en la WSU

MATTAWA — Hay un dicho en la Universidad Estatal de Washington: Sigue a la luz roja en la torre del reloj para que te enseñe el camino a casa.

Survey seen as fair pay baseline in Italian luxury fashion

MILAN (AP) — Italian luxury producers and suppliers on Wednesday received a “pretty positive” report card from the Fair Wage Network, in the first large-scale survey of pay and working conditions in the sector.

Survey seen as fair pay baseline in Italian luxury fashion

MILAN (AP) — Italian luxury producers and suppliers on Wednesday received a “pretty positive” report card from the Fair Wage Network, in the first large-scale survey of pay and working conditions in the sector.

Survey seen as fair pay baseline in Italian luxury fashion

MILAN (AP) — Italian luxury producers and suppliers on Wednesday received a “pretty positive” report card from the Fair Wage Network, in the first large-scale survey of pay and working conditions in the sector.

Survey seen as fair pay baseline in Italian luxury fashion

MILAN (AP) — Italian luxury producers and suppliers on Wednesday received a “pretty positive” report card from the Fair Wage Network, in the first large-scale survey of pay and working conditions in the sector.

Gianforte-backed pay increase for state employees passes House

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the Montana House approved a plan Thursday that would raise the pay of state employees by 55 cents per hour beginning in the 2023 fiscal year.

PAY: Idaho's balance is better

The Press has correctly stated that most locales’ government jobs pay drastically better than the private sector. The two exceptions I have seen are Kootenai County jobs and Montana. Coeur d’Alene city and Washington government employees appear overpaid.

Friends recount snowmobile crash in the backcountry, crawling for miles to reach safety

Friends recount snowmobile crash in the backcountry, crawling for miles to reach safety

Around 1:30 p.m., Tyson pointed his 260‑horsepower machine up a steep hill. As he neared the top, the sled hit a patch of ice. In an instant it turned sideways, throwing him off line and shooting him in the wrong direction at nearly 60 miles an hour. He launched off a cliff and crashed through trees below, falling an estimated 120 feet.