Virus fuels pot industry's push for online sales, delivery

DENVER (AP) — Colorado has made online sales of recreational marijuana legal during the coronavirus pandemic, fulfilling one of the pot industry's biggest wishes and fueling its argument for more concessions that could be made permanent when the crisis eases.

Virus fuels pot industry's push for online sales, delivery

DENVER (AP) — Colorado has made online sales of recreational marijuana legal during the coronavirus pandemic, fulfilling one of the pot industry's biggest wishes and fueling its argument for more concessions that could be made permanent when the crisis eases.

First grocery, property tax bills come before House committee

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee is gearing up to consider this year’s tax proposals. Wednesday’s hearing saw the introduction of several bills aimed at property and grocery taxes.

Mariners’ Opening Day will be affected by coronavirus concerns

PEORIA, Ariz. — Wednesday in Arizona started like a March day in Seattle. With rainstorms carrying into the morning and expected to continue over the next few days, the Mariners decided early to scuttle their on-field workouts for the day.

COVID-19 affects home equity loans

As the fallout from COVID-19 continues to filter through our economy, one notable change that happened last weekend was Wells Fargo and Chase Banks announced they will no longer offer new home equity loans.

Banks brace for big loan defaults by US, global customers

NEW YORK (AP) — The major banks in the U.S. are anticipating a flood of loan defaults as households and business customers take a big financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic.

Local kids 'Shop with a Cop' for seventh year

Held on both Saturday and Sunday, members of local law enforcement agencies met up with the participating kids at the Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 firehouse in Osburn and treated them to a little shopping spree to help spread some holiday cheer.

20th Judicial District Court News

The following cases were among those heard in Judge Molly Owen's court on May 24:

Film about 2017 congressional race premieres Friday in Whitefish

The special election to fill Montana’s only congressional seat became a story picked up by new outlets across the nation.

Bank CEOs increasingly turning pessimistic on economy

Following the short but potent pandemic recession in 2020, many bank CEOs have spent the past year and a half trumpeting the strength of the U.S. economy and the resilience of the U.S. consumer.

Community policing

MLPD hosts National Night Out to build relationships with the public

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department partnered with other city departments and organizations to host National Night Out Tuesday evening in McCosh Park. The event featured games, activities, informational booths and free food. MLPD Evidence Technician Miranda Martínez is responsible for community outreach from the department, including National Night Out...

Tester fields questions on GOP health bill

As the debate around health reform continues to unfold in Washington, Montana senators this week are discussing the Republican effort to replace former President Barack Obama’s health-care law.

Change?

Didn’t Barack Obama trumpet ‘change you can believe in’ a few months ago?

Feeling the pinch

Industry catching its breath as Flathead construction slows

Bigfork leads Flathead Valley in graduation rates

Good things come in small packages, particularly with schools’ graduation rates. Bigfork High School once again has the highest graduation rate and the lowest dropout rate in the valley.

School board considering decision on superintendent

A new Whitefish School District superintendent may be decided by tonight following the final two interviews with candidates on Tuesday afternoon.

Answers about healthcare coverage

It's a good idea to know the basics of the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. “Obamacare.” No matter what your political belief, it will inevitably affect you, your family, or your community in some way since 195,000 Montana residents who had no health insurance can now apply.

Bigfork leads Flathead Valley in graduation rates

Good things come in small packages, particularly with schools’ graduation rates. Bigfork High School once again has the highest graduation rate and the lowest dropout rate in the valley.

Lindeen answers questions about Obamacare

The price of power

Montana and the nation are at the crux of a changing energy future. What that future will look like depends on the choices we make now. These choices will require some tough decisions by both electricity consumers and the regulators of our utilities at the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC).  Regulated electric and gas utilities in Montana include Northwestern Energy (NWE) and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) in the eastern part of our state. Electric co-ops are not regulated by the PSC. The challenge for electricity providers and regulators is how to incorporate alternative forms of energy such as wind, biomass, solar and geothermal into our system as a long term investment towards clean energy and energy independence. As with most investments, the payoff comes over time, perhaps even over a lifetime. Judith Gap, Montana’s first wind farm, came on line in 2006, and customers are already seeing the benefits. The 135MW facility supplies 8% of NWE’s energy needs at a cost of about $40/MWH, considerably less than the cost of electricity produced at the coal fired power plant in Coalstrip ($54/MWH).