Voices ~ Missoula Current

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

Scientist: Critical research shuts down with federal government, with irreversible effects

January 11, 2019

When the U.S. government shuts down, much of the science that it supports is not spared. And there is no

Sustainable Missoula: We’re aiming for 0-50-100 in 2019

January 11, 2019

To kick off Sustainable Missoula 2019, we have identified simple, concrete and tangible paths our community can — and must

Reader’s opinion: EPA moves to weaken standards that protect children from mercury

January 10, 2019

The Trump EPA has announced a plan that would set into motion the weakening of standards that protect babies and

Montana Wildlife Federation & Ducks Unlimited: Habitat Montana builds legacy

January 9, 2019

Montana is a special place. It’s one of the few remaining states where everyone can afford to hunt and fish

Montana Viewpoint: Bending the arc toward justice, away from fear

January 8, 2019

I was in politics for many years, so my beliefs are no secret. I have many friends with whom I

Reader opinion: Rising temperatures hitting Montana’s economy

January 7, 2019

With climate change creeping upon and looming even larger in front of us, our state’s economy is inherently threatened by these fluctuations that we are witnessing before

Harmon’s Histories: Columnist ‘Glitter’ advised 1890s Missoula women not to marry

January 5, 2019

And now, a bit of New Year’s advice from “Glitter.” “I wish to say something to the members of my

Reader opinion: Public lands make Montana great; rally planned at state Capitol

January 4, 2019

Our public lands are woven into the fabric of our lives. They are central to our history, our identity, and

Denver: More pot than real beer and a stubborn, entrenched liquor lobby

January 1, 2019

Why am I allowed to cruise in to any Colorado marijuana emporium and choose from dozens of premium marijuana strains

Celebrating III: Missoula Current continues growth in readership, support in 2018

December 31, 2018

Our growth is a direct result of your support, and that support shows in our ability to provide Missoula with

Harmon’s Histories: Today, we make our resolutions; next month, we cast them to the wind

December 30, 2018

Perhaps one of the best-known New Year’s Day notes was penned by Mark Twain in 1863. “Now is the accepted

Sustainable Missoula: Looking for hope? Meet Missoula’s climate action heroes

December 28, 2018

Here at Climate Smart Missoula, it’s part of our mission to shine a light on climate action in our community.

Montana Wildlife Federation: Increase fine for blocking public access to $500 a day

December 27, 2018

Under Montana law, the fine for gating a county road is $10 per day. That fine might have had teeth

MEIC: Let’s make 2019 the year Montana takes meaningful action on climate change

December 26, 2018

Solutions to climate change are crystal clear and wildly popular, and no matter how destructive President Trump’s actions, beacons of

‘Silent Night’ resonates from across the ages on 200th anniversary

December 24, 2018

One of the world’s most famous Christmas carols, “Silent Night,” celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Over the centuries, hundreds

Harmon’s Histories: Bachelor clubs brought Christmas cheer to Montana’s 1st towns

December 22, 2018

In Columbia Falls, unmarried men formed the Bachelors’ Club in 1894 and put on a Christmas dinner that “astonished ...

Opinion: Zinke leaves Montana worse off; public lands vulnerable to exploitation

December 21, 2018

Over the weekend, we learned that Ryan Zinke will be stepping down as secretary of the Interior at the end of the year.

Sustainable Missoula: How Missoula can give new life to old glass

December 21, 2018

More work must be done in order to meet Missoula’s goal of zero waste by 2050. Through a combination of

On winter’s solstice, Native Americans honor the sun as giver of life

December 21, 2018

Although some winter solstice traditions have changed over time, they are still a reminder of indigenous peoples' understanding of the

Reader’s opinion: Montana delegation can save Land & Water Conservation Fund

December 19, 2018

What do Montana sportsmen and women want for Christmas? We want – and we deserve – a fully funded, permanently

Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre: Creating a better world through dance

December 18, 2018

When cultural connections deepen, dance becomes a form of diplomacy that helps foster the kind of understanding so desperately needed

Readers’ opinion: New legislation creates incentives for reducing carbon emissions

December 17, 2018

Extremely important bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives that can create incentives and rewards for individuals and

Harmon’s Histories: 175 years later, ‘A Christmas Carol’ rings true

December 15, 2018

It’s hard to believe. It’s been 175 years since the book was published. Originally titled “A Christmas Carol. In Prose.

Sustainable Missoula: Eco Club helps lead Sentinel High toward sustainability

December 13, 2018

One project that Sentinel High's Eco Club is working on is to purchase insulated water bottles and donate them to

Montana Viewpoint: Uh-oh! The predictable, yet unintended consequences of tariffs

December 13, 2018

On December 4, 2018, President Trump proclaimed, “I am a tariff man!” sending the stock market into a tail spin.

Readers’ opinion: Missoula County must impose moratorium on cryptocurrency mining

December 13, 2018

Missoula County faces an imminent threat to our future: the reckless industry of cryptocurrency mining. Our county commissioners failed to

Mountain Line: Let’s grow our roster of Zero-Fare partners to 40 by year’s end

December 12, 2018

The Zero-Fare partnership has been so successful that all of Mountain Line’s Zero-Fare partners have agreed to continue the program

Reader’s opinion: Trump admin scraps sage grouse plan to expand oil, gas drilling

December 12, 2018

Controversies over protecting sage grouse are part of a continuing struggle over management of Western public lands. Like its Republican

Readers’ opinion: Montana’s $7.1B outdoor economy relies on reauthorization of LWCF

December 11, 2018

Our business is one of the many contributing to Montana’s outdoor economy, which generates $2.2 billion in wages and salaries, $7.1 billion in consumer

Readers’ opinion: The problem with Steve Bannon in Missoula isn’t the messenger, but the message

December 10, 2018

If we just remove one nasty leader, it will NOT all be better. The bigger problem is not the messenger.

Harmon’s Histories: Missoula first charged for sidewalks in the 1800s, and the fight was on

December 8, 2018

Tempers have been flaring over Missoula’s streets and sidewalks since the 19th century – in fact, in November 1890 the

Sustainable Missoula: Holiday MADE Fair helps shoppers be more intentional with gifts

December 7, 2018

In our day-to-day lives, we are on our phones and (especially this time of year) we are scrolling through Amazon

Natural Resource Defense Council: It’s time for Secretary Zinke to go

December 6, 2018

Zinke has been too busy trying to appeal to the fossil fuel industry to recognize the mounting damage and danger climate change

Harmon’s Histories: Missoula has argued about sidewalk shoveling since 1896

December 5, 2018

Today – a bit of historical perspective as the Missoula City Council considers increasing fines for failing to shovel snowy

Readers’ opinion: Politics wrongly threatens Habitat Montana program

December 3, 2018

In 1987, the Montana Legislature directed Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to establish a statewide wildlife habitat system

Retrospective: Why we’ll miss George H.W. Bush, the last foreign policy president

December 1, 2018

The outpouring of warm feelings first for George H.W. Bush's wife, Barbara Bush, who passed away earlier this year, and

Sustainable Missoula: UM students tackle Missoula’s Zero Waste goal

November 30, 2018

Students at the University of Montana are solving some of the world’s most pressing issues. I like to think of

Reader opinion: Climate change is here, time to act is now

November 29, 2018

It’s up to all of us – from our elected officials, to the companies we buy from, to our families

Montana Viewpoint: America’s working people finally get attention

November 26, 2018

Working people know who’s been writing the rules, and it hasn’t been them. By electing Trump in 2016 and a

Reporter’s Notebook: Media expects transparency, but doesn’t offer same

November 26, 2018

When the American Society of News Editors set out to conduct its employment survey this year, it queried 1,700 newsrooms

Harmon’s Histories: The Montana senator who bought the election, but was loved nonetheless

November 24, 2018

He was fabulously rich, shamelessly obsessed with power and notoriety – and ruthless. In 1899, he showered Montana legislators with

Tester, wife Sharla, give thanks to life, land and liberty during holiday season

November 23, 2018

There’s a lot to give thanks for this holiday season, so I wanted to share some of the things Sharla

Sustainable Missoula: With gratitude for our community’s passion, hope, commitment

November 22, 2018

This year, the many individuals and organizations that have contributed to this Sustainable Missoula column series generated headlines that paint

Mary Sheehy Moe: Give thanks this day, but know too the unbearable grief of others

November 22, 2018

Give thanks today? Sure. But give a damn, too, beyond today. Don’t forget all the tables across this country missing

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