Columns
Searching for opinion based articles? Below we'll share opinion news articles on a wide variety of topics.
Notes from Ranger Doug
I’ve had the pleasure over the years of getting correspondence from longtime Glacier National Park ranger/naturali…
They don’t know what they don’t know
Much has been written and broadcast recently regarding the impacts of the Trump administration and particularly the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the size of the federal government workforce.
Visiting with Friends
Early one morning a lobbyist for a trade union enters my office. Yes, my elevation to the Senate includes office space, a real stretch of the language, more a cubby space I share with Senator Windy Boy of Box Elder…
Cut the budget, not the Constitution
I had the opportunity, during the second Bush administration, to engage in advising struggling democracies in a project then known as “democracy building.” It was enormously fulfilling work, and I saw real progres…
Racicot on politicizing the judicial branch
Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, a legislator “shall,” according to Article III of the Montana Constitution, solemnly swear to faithfully support, protect and defend the constitutions of Montan…
Beware the Trojan horse targeting public lands
Sometimes when I drive past the little house my wife and I bought when we first married, 30 years ago, it makes me sad. Not only because of nostalgia, but because of economics.
In defense of the green and the gray
The Trump administration’s federal workforce hiring freeze and “resignation” offer certainly sent a chill with locals who work for the Park Service and Forest Service last week.
Daines on priorities for 2025
When President Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States this week, it marked a new day in America. Voters rejected Joe Biden’s policies that led to unaffordable prices, open borders and weaknes…
Montana’s nuclear future
Montana has historically played an important part in U.S. energy transitions throughout its one hundred thirty-five-year history. We have a unique opportunity to continue to play an important part in the current q…
Opinion: Some tips on searching Hungry Horse News archives
One of the biggest requests we get here at the Hungry Horse News is an archive search. The call typically goes like this: “Back in the 1980s my such and such was in the newspaper. Can I get a copy of it?”
Opinion: Made in Montana
So I was flipping through the L.L. Bean catalog the other day and then I picked up the Orvis catalog and something struck me: No, it wasn’t that companies still mail catalogs to old guys like me, it was that virtua…
Opinion: The baluster in the background
So last week I watched a couple of holiday films, Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” and then, “Psycho.” Two films I’ve managed to miss. They are on Netflix right now in case you’re looking to get into the holiday spir…
EPA should listen to public
f there is one thing that EPA Region 8 (the Environmental Protection Agency for Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and 27 tribal nations) needs to realize after this recent election, is t…
The joys of rabbit joints
So a few weeks ago I decided to get some quotes on new kitchen cabinets and they came in exactly where I expected, which is to say, way more money than I want to spend or even can afford. Not only that, they were m…
Dealing with disappointment when visiting national parks
There is still something rewarding to be found in travel experiences that don’t live up to our initial expectations.
Daines talks energy
Few decisions made in Washington impact Montanans more than those made about our nation’s natural resources. Unfortunately, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ pursuit of radical environmentalism and a liberal climate cha…