Voices ~ Missoula Current

Schweitzer: Montana Republicans go all in on big government, socialism

March 19, 2019

This socialist philosophy of picking winners (cattle) and losers (bison) is silly. What happened to freedom? What next? Ban Charlois

Mary Sheehy Moe: This St. Patrick’s Day, let us keep America’s doors open

March 17, 2019

There is no better way to celebrate the Irish-American story today than to rededicate ourselves to keeping those doors open

Harmon’s Histories: Collapsed downtown building held century of stories

March 16, 2019

In the walls of a downtown Missoula building that collapsed last week, you’ll find connections to prominent Missoula businessmen of

Sustainable Missoula: High school students fight for the climate, and their lives

March 15, 2019

We want our representatives in government to act for the health and safety of America’s young people and the generations

Environment Montana: It’s time for Missoula to move beyond plastic

March 15, 2019

During the storm last week, thousands of bags and other single-use plastics blew from Missoula’s landfill into the North Hills and

Harmon’s Histories: Missoula’s federal building opened with road-paving lawsuit, egg delivery

March 10, 2019

Missoula’s brand new federal building and post office (currently the object of desire of Missoula city and county leaders) was

Sustainable Missoula: Changing the culture of waste, one fifth-grader at a time

March 8, 2019

In ZWAP!, we teach a simple equation: CHOICE + ACTION = DIFFERENCE. At the conclusion of the ZWAP! experience, our

Montana Wildlife Federation: State needs new elk management plan

March 7, 2019

The Montana Wildlife Federation is asking for a new statewide elk management plan. The current EMP is 15 years old

Montana Viewpoint: 4 GOP senators show courage of conviction with vote against executive order

March 5, 2019

It is not easy for a senator to vote against a president of their own party. It is not easy

Harmon’s Histories: Capt. Mullan’s toothbrush, and other gritty tales from Montana history

March 2, 2019

One of the earliest references to toothbrushes in Montana was the story of Captain Mullan placing his cleaning device in

Sustainable Missoula: Here comes the sun, and solar energy to Missoula’s rooftops

March 1, 2019

We know Missoula’s winters — especially this one — have us pining for sun, and it can be hard to

Reader’s opinion: Speak out against wildlands giveaway in Whitefish Range

February 28, 2019

The Whitefish Range Partnership, in collusion with the Montana Wilderness Association, is crowing about a Trumpian deal with devils on

Letters: Legislative bill would keep young voters interested in state’s democracy

February 27, 2019

The right to vote is an intrinsic part of our functioning democracy in the United States. What is just as

Letters: Bill to stamp out revenge porn needed to fight exploitation

February 27, 2019

By passing House Bill 192, the legality of revenge porn would not be in question and perpetrators of this kind

Valor House caseworker: 7,000 Montana veterans desperately need Medicaid expansion

February 26, 2019

I work daily to make sure that every person who served our country, whether voluntarily or as a draftee, has

Letters: Montana Senate bill to hinder voting a bad idea at a bad time

February 26, 2019

This legislative session is a great time to make change in the state. I only hope that we can start

Missoula Lutheran leaders denounce anti-Semitic leaflets tacked on church doors

February 25, 2019

Congregations in and around Missoula are dismayed and outraged at the appearance, once again, of anti-Semitic literature in Missoula. As

Mary Sheehy Moe: Recognize today’s injustices during Black History Month

February 24, 2019

With mass incarceration of black Americans bankrupting our country literally, legally, socially, and morally, a Halloween costume is what enrages

Harmon’s Histories: Missoula’s shameful history of blackface performances

February 23, 2019

Al Jolson's visit to Missoula in 1917 was, according to the local press at the time, “an instantaneous hit, as frequent

Sustainable Missoula: Transportation planning a key piece of climate-change mitigation

February 22, 2019

Our transportation plans have established a good framework to create and enhance our sustainable transportation system. Our existing and planned

Missoula Letters: Medicaid expansion pinching healthcare workers who need care

February 22, 2019

Republicans and Democrats need to work together across the aisle to lift the sunset on the Medicaid expansion, because caregivers

Montana Letters: A big win in the Big Hole, but work remains

February 21, 2019

Clean, cold water is the lifeblood of this community. And yet, despite the risks, the Bureau of Land Management considered

Reader’s opinion: Pass HB 192, protect victims of revenge porn

February 20, 2019

Victims of revenge porn often lose their jobs or find themselves unable to get a job as a result of

Conservative Missoula councilman recruits candidates for 2019 municipal election

February 19, 2019

I’ve set a goal of finding, endorsing, and supporting candidates for every seat in the upcoming 2019 municipal elections. In order to meet this goal

Social workers: Montana cannot afford to end Medicaid expansion

February 19, 2019

Montana cannot afford to end or change Medicaid expansion that would kick people off their insurance when they need it

Montana Viewpoint: Money for nothing – it’s not an economic argument

February 18, 2019

The idea of people getting a universal benefit is a moral argument, not an economic one. And we know that

Harmon’s Histories: What would you do if you could reinvent Missoula?

February 16, 2019

What would you suppose one of the very first laws to be? Certainly it would reflect the highest priority of

Sustainable Missoula: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival on Missoula’s path to zero waste

February 15, 2019

Education through film, however, is just one step in a long march to a more sustainable human-environment relationship. And at

Notebook: Most Montana politicians no longer use town halls for town hall events

February 14, 2019

The next time your elected official says he's traveled to all 56 counties, just assume you didn't get the invitation.

Mary Moe: Birmingham’s children awakened America to the South’s racial terrorism

February 11, 2019

It took frightful images, not reasoned words, to turn the corner in Birmingham. I wonder now whether that set a

Harmon’s Histories: Asbestos scare would dismay McGill Hall’s namesake

February 9, 2019

The namesake of the University of Montana’s McGill Hall would likely be shocked by recent reports of potential health risks

Sustainable Missoula: Zero-fare buses send ridership soaring, improve air quality for all

February 8, 2019

Public transit diverts single-occupancy vehicle trips, reducing traffic and parking congestion, and improves our air quality. The more people who

Bill prohibiting FWP from considering comments eliminates Montana values

February 6, 2019

House Bill 161, introduced in the Montana House of Representatives by Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Missoula, would prohibit the Montana Department

Montana Viewpoint: Legislature’s decision to hide legal notes keeps public in the dark

February 4, 2019

The Republican-controlled Montana Legislature is changing its rules to forbid the public posting of “legal reviews” on the Legislature’s website.

Harmon’s Histories: Yelling fire? It’s time to update First Amendment debates

February 2, 2019

If, as Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright implies, the text of Montana’s intimidation law reads more like 1919 than 2019,

Sustainable Missoula: For 100% clean electricity, look within and beyond Missoula

February 1, 2019

There’s only so much we can do as individuals, and within Missoula, to achieve our 100 percent clean electricity goal.

To save our planet, we must protect 30 percent of land, oceans by 2030

January 31, 2019

The world is at a critical juncture. The decisions we make in the next decade will determine our future—not only

Notebook: 2019 is the year we (the media) give climate change the attention it deserves

January 28, 2019

During a panel discussion late last year, I was asked why the local media hadn't placed much focus on climate

American Cancer Society: Save lives, restrict minors from tanning beds

January 28, 2019

Prom season will be upon us soon and that means many young Montanans will seek a bronze glow to go

Harmon’s Histories: Missoula’s drug problem harkens to 1800s opium epidemic

January 26, 2019

“Some very ugly stories are afloat ... that opium is being smoked in Missoula by people who ought to know

Sustainable Missoula: How we get around has big implications for climate change

January 25, 2019

Most of us don’t wake up every morning and think “how can I most rapidly accelerate climate change,” and yet

Economists: Shutdown’s economic impact is a reminder of why government matters

January 22, 2019

As the United States endures the longest shutdown in its history, Americans are getting a taste of life without government.

Montana Viewpoint: President’s hateful words provoke racial confrontations

January 21, 2019

Racial confrontation increases when people feel safe about making derogatory comments about people who “look different,” first just in public

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Can centuries of racism in America ever be eradicated?

January 20, 2019

You have to wonder whether centuries of racism in America, like the rancid smell in the home of lifelong smokers,

Harmon’s Histories: Buckhouse Bridge was vital, sometimes deadly link to Bitterroot Valley

January 19, 2019

For the roughly 16,000 drivers who drive each day on Highway 93 south of Missoula, you likely know this pioneer’s

Sustainable Missoula: 2019 is the year of ‘Zero Heroes’

January 18, 2019

A lot is happening in our community right now in support of Zero Waste. From Missoula classrooms to the Montana

State auditor, senator pitch legislation to lower prescription drug prices

January 16, 2019

Everyone agrees that the high cost of prescription medications is a huge issue, but there hasn’t been a serious attempt

Scientist: To preserve national parks in a warming world, reconnect fragmented public lands

January 15, 2019

The Trump administration’s decision to keep many U.S. national parks open during the current federal government shutdown, with few or

Letters: Missoula Dems pass “crisis” resolution for missing indigenous women

January 14, 2019

An alarming number of Indigenous women and girls in Montana disappear, are murdered, or are the victims of violent crime

Harmon’s Histories: Montana’s 1st territorial legislature required ‘iron-clad’ oath of allegiance

January 12, 2019

“On Monday noon, the two houses of the Legislative Assembly convened,” and the fireworks began immediately. No, this is not

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