(The Center Square) – Money from Seattle’s tax on sweetened beverages is still below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, and city officials say they’ll push for a new revenue stream. In 2022, sweetened beverage tax revenues increased by about 11% [$2 million] from 2021 levels to approximately $21 million. The pandemic caused the tax revenue to drop Read More…
Last month, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-OH, told former White House aide Steve Bannon that some lawmakers want to reduce Social Security benefits so that the federal government can send more money to Ukraine, which Vance argued would flow through to Ukrainian President Zelensky’s underlings to “buy a bigger yacht.” While Vance’s statement may come Read More…
(The Center Square) – An illegal foreign national in Montana faces up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty in Bozeman to mitigated deliberate homicide for stabbing a man to death. Francisco Padilla Canales initially pled not guilty and faced charges including deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping, tampering with witnesses and information, and aggravated burglary. Read More…
(The Center Square) – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Brad Hawk to serve as the executive director of the Indian Affairs Commission and Wayne Salter as commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. Salter is the former deputy executive commissioner of access and eligibility services for Texas Health and Human Services, according Read More…
(The Center Square) – South Dakota moved ahead of 12 states to climb to 19th place in U-Haul’s Top Growth States report for 2023. U-Haul analyzes its records of one-way equipment rentals in a calendar year to determine which states are growing or shrinking based on each state’s gain or loss of one-way equipment. This Read More…
(The Center Square) – The South Dakota House Taxation Committee recommended that tax cuts enacted last year become permanent. The Legislature cut the sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2%, with the reduction expiring in four years, a move added by the Senate, according to Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, the bill’s sponsor. Karr cited a Read More…
Eduardo Gamarra, Florida International University Ecuador was until relatively recently seen as one of the safest countries in Latin America. That reputation has surely now been destroyed. On Jan. 9, 2024, images of hooded gunmen storming a TV studio were broadcast around the world. It was one of a number of violent incidents that took Read More…
Customer needs and expectations are ever changing. Identifying, analyzing, and meeting customer needs is the key to providing better customer service and growing your business. In this blog, we cover the A-Z of customer needs to help you create a product or service that is in line with everything that your customers need. What are Read More…
When it comes to managing finances, you don’t want it to be messed up, especially when it comes to complex businesses like pharmacies. Financial planning often includes challenges in a way that can be hard to navigate. This is where the decision to hire pharmacy financial planners comes to your rescue. Fortunately, thousands of great Read More…
Whether it’s not collaborating well in group projects, lack of communication or refusing to embrace your company’s culture, dealing with employees who aren’t team players can be challenging. In this article, Rapid Formations looks at the steps business owners should take to integrate the trickier employees on their team. Look at the evidence Before you start Read More…
Revolutionizing Finance: The Rise of Cryptocurrency Payments – Explore the transformative impact of cryptocurrency payments in the modern financial landscape. This article delves into how digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, powered by blockchain technology, are redefining transactional processes. Cryptocurrency payments have emerged as a disruptive force reshaping the financial landscape. These digital assets, Read More…
For many small business owners, the thought of diving into accounting and bookkeeping can be daunting. However, maintaining accurate financial records is crucial for the success of any business. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward method that doesn’t require prior accounting knowledge and won’t cost a dime. This guide will introduce you to a simple synoptic journal Read More…
In this insightful exploration of AI tools, we navigate the transformative landscape where Artificial Intelligence (AI) infiltrates various aspects of our lives. From content analysis to resume evaluation and PDF conversion, AI tools are reshaping our approach to diverse tasks. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has permeated every facet of our lives, revolutionizing the way we work, Read More…
You should focus mostly on content marketing if you own a small business. With the help of content, you may tell the world about products, services, businesses, and brands. In this guide, we are going to introduce you to new strategies for your small business to try out. If you apply these strategies yourself, you Read More…
(The Center Square) – Former director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan told Congress that President Joe Biden is the only president in U.S. history to “unsecure the border on purpose.” At the Wednesday hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Homan also reiterated what he previously told The Center Read More…
(The Center Square) – Illinois House Democrats are forming a working group to address the ongoing migrant crisis impacting the state. Republicans say it needs to be made public. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said the migrant crisis “provides challenges and opportunities that require thoughtful engagement and consensus building.” State Rep. Kam Buckner, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Less than two months before implementation, a federal law impacting gig workers is being challenged in a Georgia court. Founders of Fight for Freelancers, a coalition of more than 2,500 independent contract workers in varying professions, seeks an injunction to prohibit enforcement of the new law announced this month by the Read More…
(The Center Square) – A coalition of Republican U.S. Senators called on Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday to go after the Hamas activists allegedly vandalizing veteran cemeteries. Earlier this month, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters allegedly vandalized the Los Angeles National Cemetery, where nearly 90,000 veterans are buried, spray painting symbols and phrases, including Read More…
BOZEMAN – Montana State University, the state’s largest research entity and a designated Carnegie R1 institution, has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to significantly expand its computational infrastructure for research. The grant was awarded to MSU’s Research Cyberinfrastructure Core Facility, which manages the advanced information technology systems that support large research Read More…
Electric vehicle (EV) owners, particularly those driving Tesla cars, are facing challenges in cold weather, emphasizing the importance of winter preparedness. Reports from the Chicago area reveal that EV owners endured lengthy waits at charging stations due to heavy snow, freezing rains, and sub-zero temperatures caused by Arctic storms affecting the U.S. Complaints include spending Read More…
(The Center Square) – A growing concern about progressive ideology on race and gender at all levels of the U.S. military has sparked outrage and became the center of a Congressional hearing. Critics have launched a barrage of attacks on the progressive ideology they say is infiltrating the ranks, calling it a waste of taxpayer Read More…
(The Center Square) – Since April 2022, more than 100,000 foreign nationals who have illegally crossed the border have been bused or flown from Texas to six sanctuary cities. This equates to roughly 5% of those who illegally entered Texas in fiscal 2023 alone, the highest number on record, The Center Square exclusively reported. Gov. Read More…
When can we stop worrying about rising prices? The latest inflation report offers no easy answers D. Brian Blank, Mississippi State University and Brandy Hadley, Appalachian State University Tired of thinking about inflation’s impact on your wallet? You’re not alone. But like it or not, higher prices continue to be an economic and – with the Read More…
Human trafficking is not just a big city problem – it’s happening right here in Montana. Which is why, during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I’m encouraging Montanans to learn the signs of human trafficking and report it if they see it. If folks don’t know what it is and how to report it, they Read More…
judge in Gallatin County recently blocked two bills aimed at addressing Montana’s housing crisis, siding with a radical anti-housing interest group. The decision to block Senate Bill 323 and Senate Bill 528 is misguided and unfortunate. These bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and were signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte. Housing affordability is Read More…
Marcus Lashley, University of Florida They go by many names – pigs, hogs, swine, razorbacks – but whatever you call them, wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most damaging invasive species in North America. They cause millions of dollars in crop damage yearly and harbor dozens of pathogens that threaten humans and pets, Read More…
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, University of Pittsburgh Nearly three-quarters of high school students do not get enough sleep on school nights, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that teens sleep for eight to 10 hours per night. But various factors hinder this, including early school start times and shifts Read More…
Rocky Vista University (RVU), which inaugurated the RVU Montana College of Medicine (MCOM) in July 2023, announced its plans for the establishment of the Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine in Billings, MT. The college will provide a comprehensive Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program to train future veterinarians. RVU has been diligently working Read More…
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, which began with Israel’s declaration of war in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, marks the longest and deadliest war between the two since Israel’s establishment in 1948. Despite weeks of intense airstrikes and a ground offensive by Israel, Hamas remains largely intact, and more Read More…
Scheduled for a mail-in ballot this March, the $4.6 million levy, if sanctioned, will finance the acquisition of new equipment and the recruitment of additional personnel for Kalispell’s police and fire departments. After experiencing a rise in call volumes and delayed response times over the years, Kalispell city officials are initiating an educational campaign ahead Read More…
He is a refreshing reminder of all that is good about the Montana we know and love I am supporting Judge Dan Wilson for Montana Supreme Court Justice. If you have a chance to meet him, like I did, you’ll understand why. He is a refreshing reminder of all that is good about the Montana Read More…
Jordan Frith, Clemson University Few objects in the world are more immediately recognizable than the bar code. After all, bar codes are all around us. They’re on the books we buy and the packages that land on our doorsteps. More than 6 billion bar codes are scanned every single day. They’ve become such an accepted Read More…
Ian Afflerbach, University of North Georgia If you follow politics, sports, Hollywood or the arts, you’ve no doubt heard the insult “sellout” thrown around to describe someone perceived to have betrayed a core principle or shared value in their pursuit of personal gain. The term has recently been hurled at a range of well-known targets: Read More…
HELENA – The Montana Department of Justice is seeking applications to fill two spots on the Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee. The positions available are a representative of the tow truck industry from eastern Montana and a representative of the commercial truck industry. The Committee reviews and resolves complaints involving tow truck issues. The term Read More…
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Paul Green to lead the Montana Department of Commerce as its director. “As a veteran with a background in business and economic development and strong leadership skills, Paul has my full confidence, and he will make an outstanding director for the Department of Commerce,” Read More…
GLENDIVE, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today welcomed Brixtel Defense to Montana, celebrating the global defense company’s $125 million investment in Dawson County. “Montana is proudly home to over 150 innovative firearms and ammunitions businesses – the highest per capita in the country,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’re thrilled to welcome Brixtel Defense to Big Sky Read More…
(The Center Square) — Pennsylvania’s influence on national and global energy markets has grown in recent decades, but oil and natural gas advocates warn that could change. The American Petroleum Institute’s annual State of American Energy address focused on production, national security, and improving infrastructure. “We produce more energy than any country in the world,” Read More…
(The Center Square) – Federal policies must focus on strengthening American energy independence, the American Petroleum Institute emphasized Wednesday at its annual State of the American Energy conference. API CEO Mike Sommers and Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Dustin Meyer blasted the Biden administration over what they called its “short-sighted” energy Read More…
The Center Square) – Understanding how a home mortgage works, how credit cards and debt can pile up and how to make a budget are critical financial life skills. But many students graduate high school without ever learning those skills, then find themselves deeply in debt for years to come. If a bill sponsored by Read More…
(The Center Square) – A federal judge ordered a California school district to reinstate two teachers who had been placed on administrative leave for not following a gender secrecy policy adopted by administrators without school board or public input. U.S. District Court for Southern California judge Roger Benitez had already issued a preliminary injunction against Read More…