Opinion
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View from the North 40: Does no one pay attention to movie plots?
One of the big stories this week is about how eight U.S. Marines outsmarted a government artificial intelligence system by employing classic stealth tactics usually seen in... — Updated 1/27/2023
Bill would help get local food to local people in need
Montana is fortunate to be a state with farmers, ranchers and organizations dedicated to making quality food available to our communities. Unfortunately for many, local fresh food remains out of reach because of their income... — Updated 1/27/2023
Pay transparency would benefit Montana workers, families, and businesses
Montanans respect “honest pay for honest work.” By putting these words into action, we can provide for ourselves and our families, while creating the opportunity for a better life today and tomorrow. Unfortunately, people are... — Updated 1/27/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Philosophy or compost? Food or Love?
Some days, it is a great comfort to me. Other days, a rather delightful joke, makes me chuckle at myself. I can still hear the laughter in my friend’s voice as he said to me, all... — Updated 1/27/2023
Making sausage at the Legislature
Week three has started to sort out the ingredients that were put in the sausage. We have a number of legislators who voted on a bill to use federal money to double the payment to hunting block management leases. I understand that... — Updated 1/24/2023
Medicaid funding of nursing homes: A view from the pew
A former U.S. senator and vice president said, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in... — Updated 1/24/2023
Right to Repair still needs to be fixed
Recently there has been a media blast by John Deere claiming a Memorandum of Understanding signed with American Farm Bureau Federation provides right to repair for farmers, ranchers and independent repair shops. A closer look at... — Updated 1/24/2023
The Postscript: Complimenting strangers
“I have to say, that is a very nice hat!” I told the man as he passed me on the sidewalk. The man in the snazzy blue fedora had a serious look on his face, as if he was thinking... — Updated 1/24/2023
Can Montana elder care survive the 2023 Legislature?
Montana lost nearly a dozen nursing homes in 2022. The reality is that dozens more assisted living and long-term care facilities are hanging by a thread. They are waiting to see if our governor and state Legislature will take the... — Updated 1/24/2023
Letters to the Editor - Thanks to top fire fighters and peace officers
I want to acknowledge that the American Legion Post #11, at our December 2022 meeting, decided to again search for our Top Fire Fighter and Peace Officer in Hill County. I took the project on and I went to the Havre Fire... — Updated 1/20/2023
View from the North 40: What makes my peasant heart sing
My husband, John, and I come from a long line of peasant stock, hellbent do-it-yourselfers, who don’t put a price on our time but feel all the richer for our experiences, skills... — Updated 1/20/2023
Your turn to save Social Security
A lot of commentators are worried about the chaos Freedom Caucus extremists may unleash after all of the concessions they won from their fellow Republicans before OK’ing a new House speaker. Will Republican inquisitors undermine... — Updated 1/20/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Dear most precious son and daughter
Dear Most Wonderful, Most Precious, Beautiful and Intelligent Beyond Compare, My Loving Son and Daughter, I am writing to let you know that it is time for you to put your heads... — Updated 1/20/2023
Bills being discussed in the Legislature
As we started the second week of legislative session, things were still a bit unsettled. By Wednesday, I could see where a theme was starting to form. Most of the bills that were being presented were what are called “agency... — Updated 1/17/2023
The Postscript: Imperfections
I almost threw away my old lace napkins. They have rust stains on them. In order to cover the stains, I threw them in a pot of green dye and boiled them. The dye was not a success.... — Updated 1/17/2023
View from the North 40: It's everything but the kitchen sink
Research says one of the most common lies we humans tell ourselves is the one about how long a project will take to complete, which isn’t an explanation so much about why I... — Updated 1/13/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: The mosquito buzz of epicaricacy
A friend introduced me to a new word: epicaricacy. An Olde English word. Means joy upon evil. Like schadenfreude. Like when someone else stubs his toe and stumbles, you gloat that... — Updated 1/13/2023
The Postscript: Dogs in the winter
“Aren’t you the cutest dog?” I asked the chubby brindle pit bull mix walking down the sidewalk. Objectively, she was not the cutest dog, I suppose. But there is no such thing... — Updated 1/10/2023
Havre-Hill County Library book club begins Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.
The first book in the Havre-Hill County Library’s 2023 Winter Reading Series is “People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks, and is available for checkout now. We will be discussing this title on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m.,... — Updated 1/10/2023
Legislature is underway
Happy New Year from Helena; the 68th Legislative Session has begun. Judy and I moved down last Friday to the same house we have been in for the last three sessions. It takes a bit to get settled in but moving to a neighborhood we a... — Updated 1/10/2023
View from the North 40: If it were a commentary on the new year …
I know we’re still in Week 1 of 2023, but I am not impressed — and this is from someone who doesn’t put much stock in the whole new year is a new beginning, to be a new person, to have new goals. It’s a clean slate.... — Updated 1/6/2023
Update on activities at Northern
To the citizens of Havre and the Hi-Line: I am Carol Reifschneider, interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academics at Montana State University-Northern (MSUN). For the past 27 years, I have proudly served as a faculty member and... — Updated 1/6/2023
Looking out my Backdoor: Calendar Girl
“I love, I love, I love my Calendar Girl, “Yeah, sweet Calendar Girl, “I love, I love, I love my Calendar Girl, “Each and every day of the Year.” Thank you, Neil Sedaka,... — Updated 1/6/2023
Pastor's Corner: Grace through acquaintance
In my morning devotion this past week, I came across a quote by A.W. Tozer, which read, "Personal experience must always be first in real life. Knowledge by acquaintance is always... — Updated 1/6/2023
The Postscript: A letter to Krissy
A couple of days ago, a friend of mine posted something written by a friend of his on Facebook. This is what she had to say: “I’ve been contemplating what I really miss in... — Updated 1/3/2023
