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Documents detail anti-union group’s election activities

Motl

HELENA – Thousands of newly uncovered documents and recently filed court records bolster the already mounting evidence tying the anti-union National Right to Work Committee to the political activities of conservative nonprofit groups accused of improperly coordinating Republican legislative primary campaigns in Montana. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Big plans for Last Best News 2.0—and we need your help

A few months before I launched Last Best News, I talked to David Crisp about a possible partnership. I was mostly joking, but only because I had no idea whether the online newspaper I was hoping to start could support one person, let alone two. I thought the possibility was worth mentioning, though, because I knew that if I ever reached the point of being able to expand, there was no one I’d rather work with. I had known David as an editor and reporter at the Billings Gazette in the mid-1990s, and he was so good at both jobs that it was a little daunting. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Totem pole, symbol of coal fight, finds temporary home

Pole

A totem pole that is a symbol of two Indian tribes’ opposition to increased coal mining and exportation has a temporary home in Billings. The 22-foot-tall western red cedar totem pole, created by the Lummi Nation as a gift to the Northern Cheyenne, was dedicated Friday outside Home on the Range, which houses the Northern Plains Resource Council and the Western Organization of Resource Councils of which it is part. (more…) Continue Reading →

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TEDxBillings: ‘Out of the box’ ideas from all over the map

TEDx

The Rev. Michael Mulberry is passionate about food, but in ways most people most likely have never considered. He considers food from both a political and a spiritual perspective, looking at what we do to the earth and to ourselves in the growing and the eating of it. Along the way, he talks about immigration and the prophet Daniel and Daniel’s refusal to eat “the king’s meat.” He talks about the abundance and diversity of food promised by God in Genesis, about agricultural practices, “food deserts” and victory gardens. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Gianforte ends non-suspense, announces run for governor

Guv

Well, it’s official: Greg Gianforte did not schedule a two-day, eight-city tour to announce that he wasn’t running for Montana governor. Instead, as expected, he opened his tour Wednesday morning in Lockwood by declaring himself a pragmatic, job-creating candidate for the Republican nomination in the race. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Library board looks to build interest, broaden appeal

Library

The beginning of a new year is often a time when people and organizations try to find ways to improve. Despite being one of the largest and newest libraries in the region, the Billings Public Library isn’t immune to this process: During the recent annual retreat of the library board, members discussed ways in which the library could better serve its patrons in the new year and beyond. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Indian and white: Listening and other simple virtues

Abuse

Nobody said it was going to be easy. Billings authors Adrian Jawort and Russell Rowland took on a complex, divisive and longstanding problem when they started the Native American Race Relations and Healing Consortium last year. Their inaugural event, an all-day symposium featuring three different panel discussions, attracted nearly 75 people to the Billings Public Library in August. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Billings man’s mauling death spurs release of safety advice

Beart

CODY, WYO.—There’s no guarantee of safety when hiking in grizzly country, but following a few basic safety guidelines can reduce the odds of having a bad encounter with a bear. Unfortunately, too many hikers either don’t know those basics, or ignore the advice that experts offer. That’s one of the key findings from a report released Thursday by a panel that investigated the death of Lance Crosby, who was killed in August by an adult female grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Up to 900 bison to be removed, killed under Yellowstone plan

Bison

CODY, WYO.—Wildlife managers in Yellowstone National Park and their partners in a multi-agency group plan to remove or kill up to 900 bison from the park’s herds of 4,900 animals. Bison will be hunted and captured for slaughter under the plan, which aims to offset increases in Yellowstone’s growing population. (more…) Continue Reading →

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