State should expand Medicaid coverage

One of the most important issues facing the 2013 Montana Legislature is whether to take advantage of the opportunity to expand health insurance coverage to low-income Montanans who fall in the gap between those eligible for Medicaid and those who typically can afford private insurance. The administration and board of directors of North Valley Hospital support such an expansion for a variety of reasons.

Proposed utility buy-out makes sense for Australians

The proposed sale of NorthWestern Energy to Babcock & Brown Infrastructure has received an incredible amount of attention in recent months, and many Montanans have questions about it. I was recently asked by BBI whether, as an economist and longtime observer of Montana's economy, I would offer my own objective opinion. I agreed to do it, hoping that it could provide some clarity to this debate.

Use of bed tax dollars requires further investigation

Summer is upon us and traffic is indicating what most already know — it’s going to be another great tourism season in northwest Montana. Recent headlines show that many cities are trying to mitigate the crush and diversify their venues so that it doesn’t happen all at once.

Montana legislature considering housing solutions

Montana, in both large and small communities, has a shortage of safe homes that people across a spectrum of incomes can afford. That impacts everything from a local business’s ability to recruit workers to having options for seniors and others who are spending too much of their income on their homes while foregoing basic needs. Safe and secure homes are critical for our children to thrive regardless of their family’s financial situation. More and more we are coming to understand the connection between stable homes and better health outcomes. This problem is not new, nor is there one single solution to meeting the needs of our communities.

A partnership for public lands

To do right by Whitefish we need to acknowledge that we are both a rural and urban community, both full of new-comers and old-timers but still one great place.

Roaming Gnome gets lost in Montana

Statewide tourism got a boost Sept. 14 when Travelocity announced at the Montana Economic Development Summit, in Butte, that it was investing $500,000 promoting Montana. The global travel company also said it would give $10,000 to the Montana Folk Festival, also in Butte.

Energy Share works to facilitate help

Nov. 1 marked the start of Energy Share of Montana’s public relations campaign.

Resort tax rebounds for July

Russia ends Chechen counterterrorism operation

MOSCOW - Russia on Thursday ordered an end to its counterterrorism operation in Chechnya, a move that could lead to the withdrawal of tens of thousands of troops from the southern republic battered by two separatist wars in the past 15 years.

Russia ends Chechen counterterrorism operation

MOSCOW - Russia on Thursday ordered an end to its counterterrorism operation in Chechnya, a move that could lead to the withdrawal of tens of thousands of troops from the southern republic battered by two separatist wars in the past 15 years.

State should expand Medicaid coverage

One of the most important issues facing the 2013 Montana Legislature is whether to take advantage of the opportunity to expand health insurance coverage to low-income Montanans who fall in the gap between those eligible for Medicaid and those who typically can afford private insurance. The administration and board of directors of North Valley Hospital support such an expansion for a variety of reasons.

Planners to study West Second Street

The City of Whitefish has decided to go ahead with a planning study of the West Second Street / U.S. 93 West corridor. City planners contend the area is a high priority for a land use and future development plan with major transportation improvements scheduled along the stretch of highway, including a new bike path, sidewalk and center turn lane.

Comprehensive immigration reform is pro-growth and pro-agriculture

Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed a commonsense immigration reform measure in a strongly bipartisan fashion. This was an important step in the right direction — especially for producers, farm workers and rural communities.

Funding reached to protect North Fork

Bob Patterson, of Oregon, was slinging a line in the North Fork of the Flathead River last week, catching small cutthroat in a run at Glacier Rim.

Montana has chance to make homes affordable

Montana, in both large and small communities, has a shortage of safe homes that people across a spectrum of incomes can afford. That impacts everything from a local business’s ability to recruit workers to having options for seniors and others who are spending too much of their income on their homes while foregoing basic needs. Safe and secure homes are critical for our children to thrive regardless of their family’s financial situation. More and more we are coming to understand the connection between stable homes and better health outcomes. This problem is not new, nor is there one single solution to meeting the needs of our communities.

Raf Simons joining Prada in full creative collaboration

MILAN (AP) — Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons — two of the fashion world's biggest creative names — will collaborate on Prada collections from Spring/Summer 2021 going forward indefinitely, the designers announced Sunday at a news conference on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week.

Raf Simons joining Prada in full creative collaboration

MILAN (AP) — Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons — two of the fashion world's biggest creative names — will collaborate on Prada collections from Spring/Summer 2021 going forward indefinitely, the designers announced Sunday at a news conference on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week.

Raf Simons joining Prada in full creative collaboration

MILAN (AP) — Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons — two of the fashion world's biggest creative names — will collaborate on Prada collections from Spring/Summer 2021 going forward indefinitely, the designers announced Sunday at a news conference on the sidelines of Milan Fashion Week.

China deal might not bail out lobster industry this New Year

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — American seafood exporters are optimistic that a new trade deal with China will allow them to claw back into one of the world's biggest markets for lobster, but help might not have arrived in time for the biggest day on the calendar.

US travel ban for Sri Lanka army chief in hospital shelling

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The U.S. government on Friday issued a travel ban Sri Lanka's army chief, saying there is “credible information of his involvement” in human rights violations during the final phase of the island nation's civil war that ended 11 years ago, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said.