MATR Newsletter – November 18, 2020
The state with the best education wins!

Corona Virus Information

• 2021 Mansfield Lecture: A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci – Wednesday, February 17 at 12:00 pm MST, on Zoom

  Following the discussion, Associate Director for Science Management for Rocky Mountain Laboratories Dr. Marshall Bloom will discuss the unique resource we have in Montana of the Rocky Mountain Labs and how the Labs play a key role in our nation’s health by addressing infectious disease threats.

• Several North Dakota county sheriffs have made it clear they won’t enforce a new statewide mask mandate but instead work to make people aware of it.

  Burgum, who advocated personal responsibility for months while refraining from a mask mandate, encouraged law enforcement and public health agencies to “prioritize education” and provide warnings, but reserve “penalties for the most egregious violations that put public health at risk.”

• South Dakota ER nurse says some COVID-19 patients insist the virus isn’t real even as they’re dying from it, spending their final breaths ‘filled with anger and hatred’ rather than saying goodbye to their families

  South Dakota is one of the nation’s worst coronavirus hot spots, but the state’s Gov. Kristi Noem has routinely played down the severity of the virus

Come Home Montana

• Montana’s Zoom Towns: Is Outdoor Recreation Access The New Gold Rush? TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 AT 11 AM MST – 12 PM MST

  Now that technology enables businesses and workers to work where they want to live, quality access to outdoor recreation can tip the scales in recruiting and retaining talent, but not without impacts.

• Montana Career Opportunities – Software Engineer, Buyer – Power Equipment & Off Highway Vehicles, eCommerce Merchandising Specialist, and more… – Murdoch’s

  Located in Bozeman, MT, Murdoch’s Home Office is nestled at the base of the Bridger Mountains. Bozeman is known as the place to be for some of the best outdoor recreation activities in the country. Not only that, but we are a community built around hometown values.

• Four Easy Ways Biden Could Revolutionize Our Cycling Culture – Montana Career Opportunity – Chief Marketing Officer – Adventure Cycling Association

  In a jointly released agenda co-signed by basically every sustainable and equitable transportation organization you love, nonprofits People for Bikes and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy outlined their top policy priorities for the new administration — and ambitious, but wholly doable, plan.

Northwestern Energy

• Northwestern Energy – Timeline of Montana Generation Portfolio

  Since 2011, we have added 780 MW of generation, both owned and long-term contract to our generation portfolio, all of which is from carbon-free resources.

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

• Kalispell Chamber embarks on new leadership

  After 24 years at the helm of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Joe Unterreiner has passed the baton to the Chamber’s new leader, Lorraine Clarno.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Tell Montana about your great workplace

  The nomination deadline for the 2021 Top Workplaces awards has been extended, giving the best businesses in Montana a little more time to be recognized.

• Debunking Three Myths about Rural America

  To improve the accuracy and relevance of reporting, researchers and journalists can consider the following recommendations.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Coronavirus Accelerated Funding for Broadband, Now Communities Need to Catch Up

  With dedicated funding for broadband from the second Congressional coronavirus relief package on the horizon, communities should start grassroots organizing immediately.

Wyoming Business

• ‘Clean Energy Revolution’ offers lifeline to Wyoming economy

  President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to combat climate change could add millions of jobs and protect our environment, writes Drake. While it has much to offer Wyoming, he fears state leaders will cling instead to dying industries and invoke the fictional “war on coal.”

• Wyoming lawmakers’ solar-bill switch ‘silenced’ public

  Critics said it was an underhanded bit of legislative bait-and-switch that would kill the rooftop-solar industry.

2020 Montana Politics

• The Gianforte Family Foundation

  We support organizations that equip people to improve their lives in a sustainable way.

• Gianforte names team to recommend leaders of Montana DNRC, DEQ

  A member of Gianforte’s team works for the company permitted to operate the copper mine near the Smith River.

• Montana Governor Steve Bullock says cuts aren’t necessary to balance the state budget

  The outgoing Democratic governor’s final budget proposal specifies no cuts and no tax increases — and throws down a gauntlet for Republican Gov.-elect Gianforte, who has pledged to lower taxes.

Government News & Events

• Missoula mobile support teams respond to first mental health call on Monday

  Monday marked the inaugural day for the Missoula CARES Program and the Mobile Support Team units will be put to the test helping stabilize people going through a behavioral health crisis.

Careers

• Hard work isn’t enough — you need to be noticed

  4 ways to raise your visibility.

North Dakota Business and Economic Development

• Podcast – Economically Sustainable Real Estate Development from North Dakota

  A new definition of rural, and the unique perspective of sustainable real estate development from North Dakota’s Governor Burgum.

Connectivity & Communications

• Software developed by University College London & UC Berkeley can identify ‘fake news’ sites with 90% accuracy

  Machine learning tool developed to detect fake news domains when they register

Miscellaneous Ramblings

• Can you pass the US naturalization test to become a US citizen?

  How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

Transportation

• The flying car is here – and it could change the world

  Flying cars may seem futuristic – but from commercial jetpacks to personal air taxis, they are already here. Here’s how they could transform the way we commute, work and live.

• Allegiant to begin new nonstop route from Missoula to Orange County, California

  The flight brings to three the number of year-round, nonstop flights offered by Allegiant from Missoula International Airport, including Mesa, Arizona, and Las Vegas.

• Electric School Bus Fleets Test the US Vehicle-to-Grid Proposition

  Coast-to-coast projects envision parked bus batteries as grid-balancing, revenue-generating resources.

Energy and Climate Change

• This nature center proves zero-energy is possible even in wintry Minnesota

  With passive and active strategies installed, from solar panels to high-performance thermal mass walls, the Westwood Hills Nature Center is on track to achieve International Living Future Institute’s zero-energy certification — the first of its kind in the state.

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