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☆ Montana governor signs bill banning transgender medical care for youths
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 28 (Reuters) - Montana's governor on Friday enacted a Republican-backed ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender children, days after a transgender lawmaker protesting the bill was barred from the floor of the state legislature, sparking a national furor. The legislation, Senate Bill 99, passed the House of Representatives three days later, and Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed it into law on Friday. Republican House leaders initially reacted to Zephyr's floor statements by turning off her microphone. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday called the Montana Republican House action against Zephyr a "denial of democratic values". The Tennessee lawmakers were promptly reappointed to their seats by their county legislatures and earned a trip to the White House.

April 26 (Reuters) - Montana statehouse Republicans on Wednesday silenced Democratic transgender legislator Zooey Zephyr from floor debates for breaking decorum after she said lawmakers who backed a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors would have "blood on their hands." The discord in Montana - which has garnered national attention amid an escalating culture war in the U.S. over issues like transgender rights - has brewed since an April 18 debate over Senate Bill 99. The state measure seeks to ban transgender healthcare treatments for minors, including puberty blockers and hormones. Zephyr remained defiant on Wednesday, telling the chamber that her "blood on your hands" comment was "not being hyperbolic." Republican legislators across the country have sought to ban certain healthcare for transgender youth.

☆ Montana transgender legislator censured after 'blood on your hands' comment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 26 (Reuters) - Montana statehouse Republicans on Wednesday censured Democratic transgender legislator Zooey Zephyr for breaking decorum after she said lawmakers who backed a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors would have "blood" on their hands. Under the motion that passed with a vote of 68-32, Zephyr will be allowed to vote but not participate in debates on the Montana House of Representatives floor for the remainder of the legislative session. The discord in Montana has festered since an April 18 debate over Senate Bill 99, which would ban transgender healthcare treatments aimed at minors, such as puberty blockers and hormones. "If you vote yes on this bill and yes on these amendments, I hope the next time there's an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands," Zephyr said. Seven demonstrators were arrested, and Republicans increased their attention on Zephyr, with the ultraconservative Montana Freedom Caucus on Monday urging she be punished.

☆ Gen Zers are taking over college cities — after they graduate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Gen Z is moving in droves to college towns after they get their degree. Alex Akmal and her partner, Alex, along Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota. Gen Z bonds have been cemented even more because many young people are delaying marriage and having children, the center found. After her studies, she said she might move to Washington, D.C., an even larger Gen Z hangout with those offerings and more. For whatever reason they are coming to these cities, these Gen Zers are here to stay.

☆ Montana House Republicans ban Rep. Zooey Zephyr from House chamber for remainder of legislative session
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The move by Montana Republicans comes just weeks after two Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee were expelled over their protests on the House floor demanding action to address gun violence after a mass shooting at a Nashville school. Until Wednesday’s debate of the resolution to discipline Zephyr, he had refused to recognize her to speak until she apologized. Pro-Zephyr activists packed into Montana’s House gallery on Monday. Republican leaders canceled Tuesday’s scheduled House floor session, and announced late Tuesday night that they would consider “disciplinary action” against Zephyr on Wednesday over her role in Monday’s protests. Rep. David Bedey, a Republican, said Zephyr should have left the House floor or helped try to calm the crowd of protesters on Monday.

☆ Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Bianca Giacobone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Alaska Airlines is removing check-in kiosks as part of a $2.5 billion overhaul of its airport lobbies. Alaska Airlines has started removing kiosks to print boarding passes at airports, as part of a $ 2.5 billion investment in its passengers' "lobby experience." QR codes in airport lobbies will prompt passengers to get a boarding pass on their phones if they arrive without one, an Alaska Airlines representative told Insider. Kiosks have already been removed at nine airports: Portland International Airport in Oregon, Boise Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Missoula International, Ontario International, Palm Springs International, Rocky Gutierrez Airport in Sitka, Alaska. Alaska Airlines is a passengers' favorite in terms of customer satisfaction, according to a recent survey.

[1/2] A box containing a Mifepristone tablet is seen at Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula, Montana, U.S. February 28, 2023. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare/File PhotoCompanies Genbiopro Inc FollowWASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - GenBioPro Inc, maker of the only U.S. generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, on Wednesday filed a lawsuit seeking to ensure that it can continue selling its pill amid ongoing legal challenges. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Baltimore, comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide by midnight whether to block a lower court order that would undo the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of GenBioPro's generic pill. GenBioPro in its lawsuit named the FDA as a defendant so that it can ask the court to order the agency to keep the drug on the market. The privately held, Nevada-based company currently supplies a majority of the mifepristone used for medication abortion in the United States.

☆ Abortion pill company GenBioPro asks U.S. court to keep generic mifepristone on market
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

GenBioPro asked the U.S. District Court for Maryland to preemptively block the FDA from pulling the company's 2019 approval to distribute the company's version of mifepristone. GenBioPro has said in court filings that it supplies two-thirds of the mifepristone used in the U.S. for abortions. "GenBioPro will use all regulatory and legal tools to protect access to mifepristone for patients and providers." The Supreme Court last week temporarily put the appeal's court rulings on hold. But the Supreme Court as early as Wednesday could move to lift that ban or leave it in place pending further legal challenges to the rulings

☆ Montana Republicans are appealing to anti-California sentiment to pass a slew of bipartisan pro-housing policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Montana Republicans are aligned behind zoning reform and other pro-housing policies. And everybody in Montana is asking this question of, you know, how can we keep Montana feeling like Montana?" Preventing a 'California-style housing crisis'Montana's ultra-conservative GOP governor, Greg Gianforte, recently called the housing crisis "probably the number one issue faced by working Montanans." Conservative supporters of pro-housing policies in the state have successfully tied anti-California sentiment to anti-sprawl and pro-housing policies. "The fear is that in 25 years, we're going to have a California-style housing crisis," Cotton said.

☆ How a college student can make 6 figures in real estate, according to a 22-year-old home flipper set to rake in $300,000 this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Shawn Castellanos earned about $150,000 during college by wholesaling homes with few renovations. Castellenos says he built his business without financial help and expects to earn $300,000 in 2023. "When you start talking about investing you're going to talk about real estate, because that's probably the best thing to invest in." The first house that Shawn Castellanos flipped in Dublin, Ohio, a 20-minute drive from Columbus. The interior of the house that Shawn Castellanos flipped.

☆ U.S. awarding $800 million to improve roads, cut traffic deaths
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The Biden administration will announce Wednesday it is awarding $800 million to redesign roads, improve sidewalks and make other upgrades to address the sharp increase in U.S. traffic deaths. Traffic deaths jumped 10.5% to 42,915 in 2021, the highest number killed on American roads since 2005. After declining for decades, traffic deaths jumped sharply after COVID-19 lockdowns expired in 2020 and more drivers engaged in unsafe behavior. Other projects include mid-block crosswalks, rumble strips, narrower lanes and backplates with reflective borders to improve traffic signal visibility. The United States has 4 million miles of roads and nearly 300 million vehicles that travel more than 3 trillion miles annually.

In Montana, you can borrow up to $726,200 for a conforming mortgage. Most Montana counties limit you to borrowing $472,030 for an FHA mortgage, but a select few have higher maximums. Montana conforming and FHA mortgage borrowing limits by countyTo get a conforming mortgage — which is what most people think of as a "regular mortgage" — in Montana, you can borrow up to $726,200. Borrowing limits for FHA mortgages are different in some counties. Note: To borrow more than $726,200 in Montana, you'll have to apply for a jumbo mortgage.

☆ 'Travel insanity': U.S. passengers stranded by winter storm
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The travel disruptions continued into Monday when airlines canceled over 2,500 flights as of early afternoon, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. The hardest hit was Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) with about 1,700 cancellations while Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) had over 250 cancellations. David Sharp said on Twitter his Southwest Airlines flight from Denver to St. Louis was canceled and the next flight was not available for another two days. Voice actress Grey DeLisle tweeted to Southwest Airlines: "Flight 1824 from Nashville to Burbank was canceled due to Elliot and we haven't received any rebooking! Nothing anyone could do but so much travel insanity," tweeted another Twitter user named Alex Gervasi.

☆ Western US residents warned against traveling as a winter storm is expected to bring feet of snow
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Allison Chinchar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The snow and rain should begin to taper off Friday for most areas before the next storm system arrives late Saturday into early Sunday. While nearly 3 feet of snow could fall in California, 1 to 2 feet of widespread snow is expected across the Rockies in places like Montana, Utah and the mountains in Colorado. This would be a significant and fairly rare snow for Seattle, a city that averages as much snow a year (3.8 inches) as Little Rock, Arkansas. Salt Lake City will also see a few inches in the city proper up where 2 to 5 inches is forecast. Back-to-back winter storms will bring periods of very difficult to impossible travel over Sierra passes through Sunday.

☆ These recently elected trans lawmakers say anti-LGBTQ bills inspired them to run
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Julie Moreau | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

Zooey Zephyr, the first out transgender woman elected to the Montana Legislature, was inspired to run after her state passed three pieces of legislation targeting the LGBTQ community. 'Real, tangible effects on trans people'State legislatures have increasingly become battlegrounds over LGBTQ rights. Republicans began introducing legislation targeting queer rights at an increased clip in the wake of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell vs. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationally. In 2017, Republicans introduced 129 bills targeting LGBTQ rights, many of which focused on issues of religious freedom. However, she believes bills targeting LGBTQ rights are ultimately a losing strategy.

☆ Democrat Monica Tranel faces off against Republican Ryan Zinke in Montana's 1st Congressional District electionon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Democrat Monica Tranel is running against Republican Ryan Zinke in Montana's 1st Congressional District. The 1st District is one of seven new US House districts created after the 2020 Census. 2022 General EmbedsMontana's 1st Congressional District candidatesZinke, the Republican nominee, is the former US secretary of the Interior during the Trump administration. Voting history for Montana's 1st Congressional DistrictMontana's newly minted 1st Congressional District covers 15 counties in western Montana and a section of Pondera County, including the college towns of Missoula and Bozeman. The 1st District, created after the 2020 Census, would have had former President Donald Trump winning with a near 7-percentage-point margin.

☆ Democrat Monica Tranel faces off against Republican Ryan Zinke in Montana's 1st Congressional District election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Democrat Monica Tranel is running against Republican Ryan Zinke in Montana's 1st Congressional District. The 1st District is one of seven new US House districts created after the 2020 Census. Montana's 1st Congressional District candidatesZinke, the Republican nominee, is the former US secretary of the Interior during the Trump administration. Voting history for Montana's 1st Congressional DistrictMontana's newly minted 1st Congressional District covers 15 counties in western Montana and a section of Pondera County, including the college towns of Missoula and Bozeman. The 1st District, created after the 2020 Census, would have had former President Donald Trump winning with a near 7-percentage-point margin.

☆ Wildfire Smoke Is Erasing Progress on Clean Air
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Mira Rojanasakul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Smoke from wildfires has worsened over the past decade, potentially reversing decades of improvements in Western air quality made under the Clean Air Act, according to research published Thursday from Stanford University. The new analysis reveals a picture of daily exposure to wildfire smoke in better geographic detail than ever before. Where Wildfire Smoke Pollution Increased Over the Past Decade 0 0.25 0.5 1 2 4+ micrograms of PM2.5 Seattle Spokane WASH. Portland MAINE Missoula MONT. FLA. Micrograms of PM2.5 0 0.25 0.5 1 2 4+ Note: Map shows increase in average wildfire smoke from 2006-2010 to 2016-2020. The research isolated wildfire smoke from background pollution from other sources, which has actually decreased in recent decades.

☆ A Lake House Is Nice. A Lake House With Mountain Views Is Even Better.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Nancy Keates | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

When Eric Sprunk announced his retirement as the chief operating officer at Nike in February 2020, he had no uncertainty about where he would be spending much of his time: Flathead Lake. Mr. Sprunk, 58, and his wife Blair Sprunk, 55, had just recently finished building a seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom mountain modern style home with a boathouse, barn and guesthouse right on the shores of the crystal clear lake, framed by snow-capped mountains, about 70 miles north of Missoula, Mont., and about 11 miles outside the small town of Polson.

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