By Montana Free Press on April 30, 2020
BY JOHNATHAN HETTINGER At Cyndi Johnson’s farm near Conrad, spring planting preparations are continuing as in any other year. Johnson and her husband are getting their equipment in order, leveling a spot where they got the sprayer stuck a couple of years ago, and finalizing seed, fertilizer and chemical contracts for the season. At first, there was some uncertainty over…
By Montana Free Press on April 28, 2020
BY ALEX MCKENZIE The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought many aspects of daily life to a halt, but Montana’s June 2 primary election is steadily approaching. While this year’s candidates launched their campaigns under relatively normal circumstances, facing off on issues including health care, prescription drug prices, public lands and jobs, the public health crisis has dramatically transformed the political, economic and…
By Montana Free Press on April 28, 2020
BY JOHNATHAN HETTINGER The beef supply chain in the United States typically starts on a ranch like Marty Malone’s, in Paradise Valley, with the birth of calves. After a summer of grazing, a cow reaches about 500 to 700 pounds. Then the cow is sold to a feedlot in the Midwest or Great Plains, where it eats feed like corn…
By Montana Free Press on April 27, 2020
By David Crisp Saturday night’s gubernatorial debate was a hands-off affair in every sense of the phrase. Candidates not only did not shake hands, they couldn’t see each other. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, candidates participated in the 90-minute debate from their homes via internet. The debate was telecast by SWX stations and broadcast by the Northern News Network. Viewers who…
By The Missoula Current on April 22, 2020
BY MARTIN KIDSTON Gov. Steve Bullock on Wednesday unveiled his plans for a phased reopening of Montana, saying future actions will be based on trends in public health and the ability of hospitals to provide care. Under the phased approach, the state’s stay-at-home order will expire on April 27 and churches allowed to resume service if they chose. Main Street businesses…