Martin Kidston

Recent Posts

VA Montana director says ‘help is coming’

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Doc

The VA Montana Health Care System is looking at both short- and long-term solutions to address a number of challenges within the state, including a lack of providers, problems with tele-health screenings and the absence of physician training, its new director said Wednesday. Kathy Berger, director of VA Montana, answered questions from area veterans and Sen. Jon Tester during a town hall meeting at the Partnership Health Center in Missoula to gather feedback on problems within the VA. (See related story.) (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, Jon Tester, Kathy Berger, VA Montana

Opinion: Should newspapers even make endorsements?

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Martin Kidston

When I was a kid growing up, my stepfather often warned that I not let my “canary mouth override my alligator ass.” In other words, sometimes it’s a good idea to keep your opinions quiet and avoid biting off more than you can chew. I rarely listened, but it might have been good advice for the Missoulian, which is picking up the pieces today from its endorsement of congressional candidate Greg Gianforte on Sunday. The fallout over that endorsement caused a rapid backlash on social media and the cancellation of numerous subscriptions. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Greg Gianforte, Missoulian

The Merc is gone, but its beautiful wood lives on

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Lumber

As crews toiled away within the confines of the Missoula Mercantile this winter, those at Home ReSource puzzled over the monumental task of moving, sorting and stacking an estimated 200,000 board feet of lumber. There were nails to pull, prices to set and, above all, a method was needed to make it available to the general public. Mission accomplished. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Montana, Home ReSource, Katie Deuel, Missoula Mercantile

Bought by Lee, will Missoula Independent live up to name?

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Lee

Missoula Independent Matt Gibson said on Thursday that he chose to sell his business to Lee Enterprises to tap the corporation’s technical capabilities, adding that the Indy’s new partnership with the Missoulian will remain a work in progress as the weeks unfold. On Thursday morning, the Missoulian announced that its corporate owner, Lee Enterprises, had bought the Missoula Independent for an undisclosed price. The announcement that took the community by surprise. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, Lee Enterprises, Matt Gibson, Mike Gulledge, Missoula Independent, Missoulian

Historic Missoula Mercantile slowly coming down

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Merc

The spring rain will find few obstructions as it falls over the Missoula Mercantile, with some drops now making their way to the dusty basement without interference. Deconstruction crews with Home ReSource continued to dismantle the downtown building this week, and expect to have the salvage job completed by April. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, First Interstate Bank, Home R, Home ReSource, Missoula Mercantile

Reports says anti-Muslim groups on the rise in Montana

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Rally

The number of anti-government groups in Montana held steady in 2016 while anti-Muslim activity surged, according to census information released this month by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Of the 917 hate organizations identified in the latest report, 20 are located in Montana, including several white nationalist, anti-Muslim and anti-government groups scattered across the state. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, ACT for America, American Freedom Party, hate groups, Southern Poverty Law Center

State lawmakers urged to oppose anti-Muslim bill

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KR

The nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization has sent a letter to 22 Montana legislators and the House Judiciary Committee, calling on the governing body to oppose an anti-Muslim bill poised for consideration. In the first month of Montana’s 2017 Legislature, Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, introduced a bill banning Sharia law to uphold the “fundamental rights guaranteed by our constitution.” (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, Constitution, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Keith Regier, Montana Legislature, Sharia

In poll, Westerners favor land protection over production

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Poll

A majority of Montanans identify as a conservationist and want the Trump administration to protect sources of clean water, air and wildlife, a new round of polling has found. Released Tuesday by the State of the Rockies Project at Colorado College, the bipartisan Conservation in the West Poll surveyed voters across seven Mountain West states on issues involving public lands as the Trump administration takes office. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Colorado College, State of the Rockies Project