MATR Newsletter – July 3, 2025
The state with the best education wins!

“Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance.” — Woodrow Wilson

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Montana libraries lose Wi-Fi hotspots access due to funding losses
Slaven Lee, Executive Director of the Missoula Public Library, emphasized the importance of this service. “It’s actually an essential service that libraries are expected to provide… folks that were living in tents that were experiencing homelessness relied on those devices or kids who needed their homework and didn’t have internet at home,” Lee said.
Missoula economy stirring with new investment, renewed optimism
Recent developments show that the Missoula economy may be waking from its post-pandemic doldrums.
Video – The Other Side of the Doors: Pat Williams – The Early Butte Years & Beyond
After 50+ years of close friendship and political partnership, these days are full of great memories … Here is an hour of Pat … a retrospective episode of “In the Crucible of Change” I filmed in 2015 … vintage Pat …
RIP my friend ….
Washington State Is About To Have the First Pro-‘Woonerf’ Law in America
Washington state is making it legal for cities to have people-centered streets in a first-in-the-nation law.
Welcome to the June Edition of Biowire
This month, our Executive Director Cassandra Sunell traveled with a Montana delegation to the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands, representing Montana’s bioscience sector in key global conversations about research, innovation, and international collaboration.

Travel Dorsey eUpdate – Ban for 19 Countries is Now in Effect; More Countries May Be Added to the List
Even with these exceptions, the travel ban is likely to have an impact on organizations that rely on talent mobility and cross-border collaboration.

GFDA Releases Regional Recreation & Entertainment Market Assessment Findings
Great Falls Montana trade area has strong potential for new recreation and entertainment investment in the 13-county Great Falls Montana trade area, according to Market Findings released today by the Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA).
GFDA Upcoming Business Trainings and Events
Whether you’re just getting started, looking for new customers, wanting to grow sales through e-commerce, or focusing on workforce. We’re here to help.

Kalispell Chamber launches countywide childcare surveys
All Flathead County families and community members affected by the need for childcare, including parents, guardians, and relatives, are encouraged to complete the family survey. The goal is to better understand the current childcare landscape from the user perspective, including access, affordability and availability of care.

No tax on tips or overtime, with a catch: What to know as Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ passes the Senate
Major tax cuts are permanent but No Tax on Tips Act, gives taxpayers the ability to write off income from tips and overtime pay. But here is a catch: The rule expires at the end of 2028, right before Trump leaves office.
Wading into new Waters: New name, new role for Simms headquarters in Four Corners
The Four Corners headquarters where Simms Fishing Products produces waders and other gear for anglers will now be the home for several outdoor brands.

Proposed surcharge at National Parks could generate millions
Among the streamlining efforts listed in the budget documents, the federal government is proposing to establish a new fee for foreign visitors to some NPS sites, estimated to generate upwards of $90 million “to keep national parks beautiful.”
Bozeman, Montana ranked most expensive airport in America to rent a car
See why Bozeman is the most expensive place to rent a car in the U.S.! Watch our video for firsthand accounts from travelers navigating high prices

Why Soft Skills Still Matter in the Age of AI
As AI starts to reshape the workforce, research by Letian Zhang shows that mastering soft skills like communication and critical thinking may be even more crucial than technical know-how.

Norway has launched the world’s first wireless charging road, where EVs get charged while driving at full speed
This isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a transportation revolution.
A Classic Childhood Pastime Is Fading Kids on bikes once filled the streets. Not anymore.
Kids aren’t the only ones who benefit when they start getting around on two wheels. When enough children bike—or simply get outside—whole neighborhoods can be transformed. Research has shown that when children play in the open, whether they’re riding a bike, kicking a ball, or merely puttering, parents feel more of a connection to their neighbors, and many people begin to feel safer.
Wyoming warming to climate change reality and worried about water, UW poll finds
Of the 81% who want their communities to plan for climate-related water changes, less than half know that most of their neighbors feel the same.
‘We’re Not Copenhagen’ Is No Excuse Not to Build a Great Biking And Walking City
A team of researchers identified eight under-the-radar cities leading the local active transportation revolution — and a menu of strategies that other communities can and should steal.

Microsoft Says Its New AI System Diagnosed Patients 4 Times More Accurately Than Human Doctors
The tech giant poached several top Google researchers to help build a powerful AI tool that can diagnose patients and potentially cut health care costs.