August 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government poured $14.5 billion into Montana’s economy over the past two years. The sheer magnitude of this temporary economic stimulus drove income tax collections up, despite the reduction in tax rates that was enacted during the last legislative session. It is predicted that the state will have an over one-billion-dollar budget surplus this year. Some are advocating that a special session of the legislature be held immediately to “rebate” dollars back to taxpayers in a manner reminiscent of the Federal Governments’ recent inflationary disbursements.

Whenever people ask me what I like most about working at a newspaper, I tell them it’s the opportunity to meet people, hear their stories, and get to know the community. Covering my first Central Montana Fair last week was certainly a way to stress-test both that idea and myself. I made 13 separate trips to the fairgrounds last week. Monday at 8 a.m., I grabbed a camera and my notebook from the office and headed out to the gazebo to watch the 4-H dog show. An hour and a half later, I had to leave for a meeting, but I came back to catch the end of the show and watch kids lead their dogs through hoops and over jumps.

What do you get when you mix “Blue Skies,” jazz music, one music director, and 12 teens? The Fergus High Jazz Band. Composed of 13 members, the Fergus High Jazz Band will be performing at the Centerfest Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 6.