Connect With Your Community!
Connect With Your Community!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 490
As of the writing of this guest editorial, there has been a 30 percent decrease in FAFSA submissions by students and their parents across the United States compared to last year. In Montana, the decline is also substantial at 25 percent. What is FAFSA, and why is it important? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and students must complete it before applying for federal grants, work-study, and loans. Colleges and universities use student FAFSA data to determine their federal aid eligibility. It is administered by the U.S.... Full story
While I was thrilled to pull the cover off the pellet grill a few days ago, I was disgusted for completely overlooking cleaning late last fall. We were in the process of moving, so there was a lot to do, and spending a few minutes tidying up the grill was not high on my list of priorities, although it probably should have been. Once I spent time making a mess of myself, including my face, the front door, and into the kitchen, I was finally ready to cook outside for the first time since October.... Full story
As a third-generation cattle rancher and a former three-term Senate member of the Montana Legislature, I have seen firsthand the power of Montanans rolling up their sleeves and working collaboratively to achieve a common goal. It’s the Montana way. Our family’s multi-generational ranch, located northwest of Big Timber, is a stone’s throw away from the jagged and awe-inspiring Crazy Mountain island range. For over 5 years now, I have witnessed a diversity of Montanans coming together to solve a complex problem on the east side of the Crazy...
The older I get, the more I like to be at home. This is a drastic change from when I started working as an adult and would usually just be home to sleep. There was always something to do, and I would get stir-crazy if I had to spend more than a couple of evenings in a row at my house. As much as I like the friendly confines of where I live, my job requires me to get out in public quite a bit, which is good so that I don’t become a complete hermit. Much of my time out of the house is spent covering different things. A lot of times, this is at a... Full story
Cory Swanson is a candidate for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. His recent opinion piece on the Clark Fork Valley Press is a timely reminder that Montana isn’t immune from political bias. The politicization of courts is a serious threat to our system of government at all levels, federal, state, and local. If Montanans don’t take this threat seriously in November, we risk 8 more years of allowing the Montana Supreme Court to throw out Montana laws because of political or personal motives. This risk is even more evident con...
Dear Editor; I am writing to inform readers of the candidate Kyle McMurray who is running for a seat in House District 77. Kyle was born and raised in Manhattan, Montana, so he knows the people of House District 77. He has lived in Gallatin County his whole life and paid property taxes as a homeowner and as a business owner. Like my husband and I, he has concerns for the young families raising children in District 77. How do we help our children afford a home and raise their children in a safe State? He is one of us, willing to go to Helena...
Dear Editor, All too often we as constituents elect candidates we don’t personally know or don’t know anything about. Only by their popularity in advertising and their name being plastered everywhere. Know candidates personally and what they stand for is what we as small-town folks strive for, let alone a true Montanan. I recently signed a lease with candidate Kyle McMurray and his partner for an office space to run my small business out of. The process was more than smooth, open-hearted and welcoming. Upon being in the space for 1 week, I had...
Letter to the editor Kyle McMurray is running for House District 77 and I’m writing to support his candidacy. I’ve known Kyle for my entire life (41 years). I know him to be an honest and hardworking man, who makes decisions with integrity. I know he is committed to helping preserve Montana values. I’m confident that he will advocate for parental rights, property rights, public access for sportsmen and women, as well as do what he can to protect family ranches and farms that are being threatened from different avenues, among other tradi...
Dear TFS Parents & Stakeholders, During our recent March 19th Board meeting, the TFS School Board unanimously approved a levy proposal to be placed on the May election ballot. The district is encouraging all Three Forks community members to become informed about this levy and the factors leading to the decision to place a general fund operating levy before our voters. In the coming days and weeks, the district will share a variety of information that is intended to inform TFS district parents... Full story
Sometimes, the simplest things can bring back a vivid memory. For me, it was a wooden spoon. While we probably eat way too many snacks at our house, we try to at least make something homemade for dessert on Sundays. I used a wooden spoon to mix blueberry muffins a few weeks back when it transported me to a day I'd rather forget. Growing up, I would often go to my Aunt Margaret's house. Sometimes, it would be while my mom was at work, and other times, during the weekend when she was off bowling or doing whatever she did. At one point, Margaret... Full story
The legislative session in Montana is a full-contact sport. Bills get introduced that stoke controversy and debate. My bill (SB 442) was no different to begin with, but we ended up with a bill Montanans could be proud of. Thousands of Montanans were able to convince 130 of 150 legislators to vote for SB 442. It was popular because Montanans were able to put aside long-standing disagreements and work with their neighbors to help craft a bill that invests in every single one of us. As legislators get ready to override Governor Gianforte’s veto o... Full story
Montana families deserve the financial freedom that comes from good health and a hard day’s work. It is only fair. Under Gianforte’s government the uninsured rate has increased by 127,000 Montanans of all ages. His approach to Medicaid redetermination has failed. We all will pay for Gianforte’s comedy of errors, but wait, there is nothing funny about human suffering. Or so most of us believe. As a matter of fact, the Governor is hurting defenseless children, making it harder to work for their parents, and further squeezing the small busin... Full story
There are days when I literally roll out of bed and walk the short five feet to my desk to start writing stories. This usually happens when I’m on a deadline and have a lot to write for the next edition. Other times, I sit at my desk and stare off into space. Sometimes, it is because I’m waiting to hear back from someone, and other times, I cannot focus on putting together more than a paragraph. When I’m in the zone, it’s not uncommon to knock out three or four stories in a morning, but there are days when the blank Microsoft Word templat... Full story
This year we observe the 37th anniversary of Women's History Month, which is a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, society, and business. Women have been the driving force behind America's economic rebound from the pandemic, creating 50 percent of all new businesses since 2020. In 2023, women opened more than 1,200 new businesses each day including women of color who experienced some of the highest business growth rates in American history. This post pandemic boom has been fueled by policies that encourage new business... Full story
I was watching a commercial where someone described their "happy place" as a massage chair at the mall. After watching enough Super Bowls, I'm prepared for just about everything with a commercial, but the guy thoroughly enjoying himself in that chair made me want to vomit. I don't know what kind of malls this guy had been to, but my experience with massage chairs is not great. It always starts out relaxing, and I feel this will be worth my time and money, and it turns sour in a heartbeat. Once... Full story
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Op-Ed’s published in the Three Forks Voice are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. Over the last several weeks we’ve seen a number of articles—both editorial and from news reporters—that lay blame for the need to purchase electricity on the open market at the feet of NorthWestern Energy and their recent efforts to expand their portfolio to include more reliable energy from coal and natural gas. In no uncertain terms, the litany of articles published since the beginni... Full story
Every so often, I visit realtor.com and search for my hometown of Rock Springs, Wyoming. My search isn’t because I’m interested in moving back. I’ve been in Montana for nearly a decade, and outside of family and a few select friends, there isn’t much desirable for me at the place I called home for so long. The reason why I check for homes is to see if my favorite place growing up, my grandparents’ home at 206 Dickson Avenue, is up for sale. Granted, if I were super rich, I would definitely snatch up the house in a heartbeat, but I’m just... Full story
6 Three Forks Volunteer Firefighters will ascend to the top of the fourth largest skyscraper west of the Mississippi River later this week as part of the 33rd annual LLS Stairclimb. We want to take some time to wish Charles Eastty, Cheryl Carrasco, Chase Moore, Trevor Aune, Josh Brigham, and Rachel Follet good luck at the annual event on March 10 at the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. Three Forks is undoubtedly proud of all the time you've put into training and fundraising, and the fact you are going up 69 flights of stairs in full gear... Full story
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Op-Ed's published in the Three Forks Voice are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. By Zach Brown Gallatin County Commissioner Gallatin County is a close-knit community, and as one of your commissioners, I see so many helpers across our communities working to support their vulnerable neighbors and make our community safety nets stronger. A recent act of goodness came in the form of a successful mill levy in 2022 that voters approved to maintain the only skilled nursing...
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Op-Ed's published in the Three Forks Voice are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. When my friends and I encountered the fresh grizzly bear scat, we were deep in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, 20 miles from a trailhead. I'd seen grizzlies before-from the car. But this experience was on a whole other level. I felt vulnerable, nervous. I also felt fully alive. That feeling owes much to the Wilderness Act, which became law 60 years ago, in 1964. When President Lyndon B....
Weather pending, the day this column is published, I'll travel to Billings to cover the Three Forks High School Boys' Basketball team at their opening round game against Lodge Grass at the Southern B Divisional Tournament. While I have covered basketball tournaments across the western United States over the past two-plus decades, there is nothing quite like the atmosphere at the Southern B Divisional Tournament. The combination of great basketball, rabid fans, and a venue perfect for a high school basketball make it one of my absolute favorite... Full story
Plain and simple — people get sick. Right now, more than 250,000 predominantly low-income Montanans get help with health care through Medicaid — a state-federal partnership. Montana has overall and primary responsibility, while the Feds pick up most of the costs, averaging 80% (of total Medicaid spending). In 2022, the federal government provided $1.8 billion to cover health care for Medicaid-eligible Montanans who live in every county across the Big Sky. Remarkably, two-thirds of Medicaid recipients live in our rural communities. So, what is...
The other day, Melissa worked a little later than usual, so I decided to watch some television. Because I will get in trouble if I watch any of our favorite shows, I usually try to find a basketball game to watch, and if one isn't on, I'll often watch a cooking show. On this occasion, I watched a show where they showed the absolute theatrics of someone ordering fajitas at a restaurant. It was a pure spectacle as the server brought the cracking and popping piping hot cast iron skillet to the... Full story
As you learn about all the candidates for various offices this year, the most important ones are the ones that most Montanans know the least about. The politicians you need to do the most research on are not the would-be congressmen, governors, or even legislators. It’s the judges. Although they claim to be above the political fray, judges in Montana are in fact politicians. From the district courts to the state Supreme Court, they’re elected. They have to run campaigns, raise money, and their fate is ultimately decided by voters. Inc... Full story
The other day, I was excited to read that the band Pearl Jam would be releasing a new album soon. From the moment my friend Paul loaned me the Pearl Jam debut album "Ten" in the early 1990s, I fell in love with the band. I would spend hours in my room in the basement listening to Pearl Jam, and it was such a phenomenal experience to see them, at the height of their popularity, open a tour in Casper, Wyoming, just a few hours from my hometown. While I certainly don't listen to them as much as I u... Full story
