Erik Olson

Stephen Colbert says CBS is ending his 'Late Show' in May 2026 CBS is axing “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” in May 2026, the host told an audience at a taping Thursday.

This is hitting harder than it should. He's an icon for my generation. I seriously question whether this was a requirement embedded within the Paramount settlement.
www.ktvq.com/entertainmen...

This land is their land: Trump is selling out the US’s beloved wilderness During the McCarthy era’s darkest days, public lands came under attack. History now repeats itself – and this may be the last chance to defend what’s ours

If you care about public lands at all, read this piece from my friend Nate Schweber. Even if you don't care, read it, and you will.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

Helena "Hands Off" rally protests Trump administration at Montana State Capitol At noon on Saturday, there was a crowd gathered on the front steps of the Montana State Capitol, expressing their opposition to what they called “chaos” coming from the federal government.

Big turnout in Helena yesterday. Another couple hundred in Billings too.
Helena "Hands Off" rally protests Trump administration at Montana State Capitol - www.ktvh.com/news/helena-...

Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act - Wikipedia

Posting this Wikipedia entry today for no particular reason
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E...

Inside DOGE’s ‘hostile takeover’ of the US Digital Service Scripps News spoke with five former and two current USDS staffers who paint a picture of an office that’s a shell of what it used to be after DOGE came in.

“I thought that if (DOGE) were smart, they would work with USDS because of the history that USDS has with the different federal agencies. If they were actually honest about wanting to make improvements, USDS knows exactly where to focus on.”
Some really good reporting
www.ktvq.com/politics/pre...

Trump's tariffs: How lumber prices could impact Billings home builders Lewis Earnst, owner of Montana Home Builders, remains committed to minimizing the burden on customers.

“We need a lot of lumber. So, the price increase, the tariffs, they will have an effect, and they will increase cost to the end consumer.” #mtnews #montana
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

Billings man dies from injuries in Red Lodge Mountain ski lift accident A Billings man has died from injuries he suffered after falling from a ski lift at Red Lodge Mountain.

Sad news here in Montana. Strong winds reportedly caught ahold of the chair and caused the fall. #mtnews www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

Without federal action, states like Montana wrestle with kratom regulation A bill drafted by the American Kratom Association, a national industry lobbying group, is pending in the Montana Legislature.

Interesting story. I see convenience stores in Billings stocked with kratom, and workers there have told me they sell like crazy. How safe are they? Who knows? #mtnews Reprinted with permission from @montanafreepress.org www.ktvq.com/news/montana...

Protesters gather in downtown Billings in response to Trump speech Before President Donald Trump addressed Congress and the nation Tuesday night, around 100 people lined the streets in downtown Billings to protest the president’s policies.

About 100 people showed up in Billings last night to protest the president's speech. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

Montana may face the biggest impacts from new tariff proposals, report shows Tariffs are one of the most talked-about policies of President Donald Trump’s new proposals, but a new report indicates that Montana could feel the brunt of these tariffs more than any other state.

A reminder that Trump won Montana with 58 percent of the vote. In addition, every statewide elected official is a Republican for the first time in decades. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/montana...

Layoffs leave Montana U.S. Forest Service workers devastated The Trump Administration fired thousands of U.S. Forest and National Park Service employees as part of a larger push to cut government spending.

"It was crushing, you know. It's such a big piece of my life. I've dedicated my entire life and working experience to this."
#mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

Part of me wonders if AP coverage of the administration might actually IMPROVE if access to such spaces is removed. Forces the world's largest news outlet away from access journalism and into more critical coverage.

Voters Were Right About the Economy. The Data Was Wrong. Here’s why unemployment is higher, wages are lower and growth less robust than government statistics suggest.

This is a fascinating read. Back when I was a business reporter, I was frustrated at the weight given to a handful of economic indicators, primarily the unemployment rate. It's even worse today, when most people have a job but no one is getting paid enough.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Wyoming mom shoots 4 daughters and calls 911 before shooting herself The woman and one of the daughters survived, but their condition was unknown on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by the Big Horn County Wyoming Sheriff's Office a day after the shooting.

An absolutely terrible story out of Wyoming.
www.ktvq.com/news/crime-w...

MetraPark general manager issues statement that it will not be used as detention facility According to a statement issued by MetraPark general manager Stoney Field, MetraPark or any buildings on the campus will not be utilized as a detention facility.

Big news over the weekend in Montana. Yellowstone County backed away from a proposal to use its largest entertainments venue to house detainees from Trump's mass deportation. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

Billings business preparing for higher cost under Trump's China tariff One small Billings business, who manufactures products overseas, is anticipating higher costs with President Donald Trump's 10% tariff against China now in effect.

“We have tried since we started to manufacture in the US. And our products, it's kind of crazy, but they're very simple, but there are really only a few places in the world that can manufacture them,” Drain said.
#mtnews

i first read your post as "more important" but re-read, and i hope you're right

funny how so many lamented who was really running the country while "sleepy Joe" was in office, yet now we have unelected and out-of-practice attorneys shaping major policy during this administration

i guess i'm frustrated because, if you're the administration of a government that pushes such a dramatic action, that you can't provide any basis for it. i know, i shouldn't expect these basic things from THIS administration. hence, frustration

you're right. very good point. i'm glad people spoke up. i'm just... frustrated

no, certainly not. just frustrated that a whole news cycle got burned through with so few facts. and realizing that news cycle are probably going back to lasting like 5 minutes again

All that fear and worry, all day today, just for it to get struck down? this already feels like the first time: lots of headline-making bluster, then an inability to follow through

Crow Tribe official issues guidance on federal immigration actions A Crow Tribe elected official has issued guidance to tribal members as federal law enforcement conducts a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration.

Indian Country in Montana is telling tribal members to be prepared if encountered by ICE agents #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/neighborhood...

Billings superintendent outlines procedures if ICE agents show up at school The memo comes in response to a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump allowing ICE agent to conduct enforcement activity in schools and other community areas.

I'm sure every school district in the country is having similar discussions. Along with every church. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...

if anyone is going to follow suit, i'd bet on great falls going first

illegal immigrants, then we'd have a problem.
it's also important to note that I'm aware of anyone asking the commissioners to use the facility. they just offered it up to the federal government
#mtnews

Of note: MetraPark is the largest arena for at least 400 miles in southeast Montana, known for housing the county fair, concerts, trade shows, basketball tournaments and other sporting events.
Also, the jails here are severely overcrowded. So if we do see an influx of arrests of anyone, including

County commissioners offer MetraPark to house detained illegal immigrants Yellowstone County commissioners are offering the use of MetraPark to detain illegal immigrants caught in the region following President Trump's orders to increase deportations.

Something to watch in Montana.
www.ktvq.com/news/montana...

All I got is that the “infrastructure plan” is about the AI infrastructure and is most likely connected to the $20B investment by the Saudi exec on building the data centers.

Again, just an FYI, not actual news at this point.