Topic: Montana

Chapter & Verse
Richard Ford: Why writing is an act of optimism

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford talks about his new novel "Canada," his memories of the late Raymond Carver, and how art makes life.   

Key Senate Democrat resists push to renew Bush tax cuts before election

House Republicans want to extend the Bush tax cuts sooner rather than later. Sen. Max Baucus, Senate Finance Committee chief, said Monday the tax code is a 'hydra' – and that lawmakers should lay groundwork and trust before tackling it.

The bear necessities

No. 1: When in bear country, don’t do what ‘Dora the Explorer’ does.

John Edwards verdict could become part of Citizens United backlash

A diverse panel of North Carolinians is currently considering whether John Edwards committed campaign fraud in 2008, but the verdict could also reverberate nationally if it is at odds with the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United ruling.

US Postal Service will keep open rural routes

The Post Office blinked in the face of public opposition; rural post offices were scheduled to close as soon as May 15.

Pet food recall 2012 now includes 39 states

Pet food recall 2012 involves brands including Kirkland, Premium Edge, and Diamond Naturals, manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. The biggest pet food recall 2012 has been expanded multiple times since April. Counting additional recalls by separate brands manufactured in the Diamond Pet Foods facility, affected dog food has been sold in 39 states.

Keystone XL pipeline: TransCanada tries again

The Canadian firm has submitted new plans for a pipeline that is designed to avoid environmentally-sensitive acreage in Nebraska.

Chapter & Verse
Federal judge throws out civil suit against 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson

Mortenson said in his first public statement in over a year that he was 'subjected to false allegations, vicious name-calling and slander.'

'Three Cups of Tea' a fraud? Judge dismisses lawsuit against Greg Mortenson.

A federal judge on Monday threw out a lawsuit by readers seeking damages from 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson. Parts of the nonfiction book are alleged to be fabrications.

Decoder Wire
Ron Paul beat Mitt Romney in 10 states! Kind of.

Ron Paul fell short in the vote count, but he has edged out Mitt Romney in campaign contributions in at least 10 states – and counting. From the start, the GOP 'money primary' has been a two-man race.

Progress Watch
Fatal accident rate for US children and teens plunges since 2000

Nationwide, the rate of unintentional deaths for children and teenagers fell 30 percent between 2000 and 2009, a recent report finds. Biggest reason: fewer fatalities per capita due to auto accidents.

Mitt Romney addresses a touchy subject about his religion

Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer says Mitt Romney’s family 'came from a polygamy commune in Mexico.' That’s not the whole story about Romney’s Mormon ancestors, but it forces him to talk about his religion, which he’d rather not do.

Chapter & Verse
'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson battles a civil lawsuit

Are readers who bought 'Three Cups of Tea' entitled to compensation?

Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

In the world of presidential politics, 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially given how much time and effort it takes to mount a serious campaign. Months before the 2012 votes were counted, speculation had started over who might run in four years – fueled by no less a figure than former President Bill Clinton. He has suggested many times that his wife, soon-to-be-ex-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the other possible contenders.

(Updated Dec. 11, 2012)

US teen birth rate falls to record low (again)

Birth rates among teenage moms rates are at the lowest level since 1940. Mississippi has the highest teen birth rate (55 per 1,000 girls), New Hampshire has the lowest (16)

Chapter & Verse
Greg Mortenson must pay $1 million to charity

A Montana Attorney General’s office investigation found significant mismanagement of funds by 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson.

EPA issues new rule on greenhouse gas emissions: Where does that leave coal?

The EPA proposed the first-ever US curbs on power plants' greenhouse gas emissions, saying next-generation coal plants should meet the restrictions. But the coal industry slammed the new rule.

Obama's energy policy takes center stage as $4 gas prices loom

Obama's energy policy will be the subject of the president's three-stop tour starting Wednesday. He wants to deflect criticism that he's not doing enough to fight rising gas prices. 

Anti-Obama slogans with racist slants on the rise in Election 2012

The 2008 election was not devoid of racist anti-Obama sentiment, but racial slurs and offensive slogans seem to be balder this time – from a racially derogatory joke circulated by a US judge to crude bumper stickers.

Bison reach Montana as part of relocation plan

The American Bison (also known as buffalo) were taken from Yellowstone as part of an effort to repopulate the West with the iconic animals.

Montana judge apologizes for racist email about Obama's mother

Montana's chief federal judge said he was "anti-Obama" but not a racist. The judge forwarded a joke about President Obama's mother and bestiality.

The Monitor's View: Montana's challenge to 'super PACs'

Montana's high court challenges the moral basis for the US Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling that spawned super PACs. The high court needs to rebalance free speech vs. democracy.

Indiana 'right to work' law: what it means for the pro-union Rust Belt

Indiana's new 'right to work' law is the first of its kind in the Midwest. But amid the region's disputed union issues, will the right-to-work law mean more jobs or lower wages for all workers?

Presidential elections are good for stocks, but ...

The trend: Since 1952, stocks have risen in the last seven months of every presidential election except two. The trouble: Both exceptions occurred in the 2000s.

Indiana becomes first Rust-Belt 'right to work' state. Will others follow?

Laws that curtail union clout have faced heated opposition in Wisconsin and Ohio, making passage of 'right to work' laws in other industrial states a difficult political proposition.