MATR Newsletter – November 20, 2023
The state with the best education wins!

New Google search, map feature lets consumers find small businesses for holiday shopping

If you’d like to buy local or from a small business for your holiday shopping, Google is making it a little easier.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

The Incredible Women Making Strides in Science
In this series, we’ll highlight a few of the women changing the fields of astronomy, medicine, physics, psychology, healthcare, and science communication.

Non-profit helping to create jobs in Missoula – Career Opportunities
Organizers say it’s a chance for job seekers who are 55 and over, parents needing a flexible schedule, and employees who have physical limitations to be able to work.
Montana Career Opportunities – The Director of International Programs and The Director of the Defense Critical Language and Culture Program – The Mansfield Center at the University of Montana
The Mansfield Center is currently accepting applications for two senior leadership positions, as two members of our leadership team prepare for retirement and career changes after over a decade of service at the Center.

UM to Recognize Montana Constitutional Delegate Mae Nan Ellingson with Honorary Doctorate
Ellingson, a two-time UM graduate, was the youngest delegate to the 1972 Constitutional Convention and one of 19 women out of 100 delegates to serve.

New Google search, map feature lets consumers find small businesses for holiday shopping
If you’d like to buy local or from a small business for your holiday shopping, Google is making it a little easier.

GFDA Top Ten for 11-19-23
Can you guess how many more than 10 there are this week?

Prospera Pulse
Prospera has teamed up with Audi of Bozeman for a Holiday Mixer. Join us December 3, 1 – 4:30pm at Audi of Bozeman for a great networking opportunity. Complimentary gift bags, charcuterie, and beverages will be provided.

Missoula-made gear benefits women, workers over 55
Missoula Works Sewing Ventures is an initiative of the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative. The program provides employment opportunities for people who struggle in the traditional job market, such as people over age 55, people with physical limitations or parents who need a flexible schedule.
Western Sensibility was founded by a third-generation textile printer and luxury interior designer to operate at the cross-section of art and science.
Kathryn and Leana built Western Sensibility to champion digital printing technology, which can help the textile and wallcovering industries decrease their carbon footprint while also increasing its creative capacity. Western Sensibility is a new kind of printing studio that blends art, sustainability, and textile technology.
Decoupling Policies: Options to Encourage Energy Efficiency Policies for Utilities
Decoupling can be a win-win strategy to both utility companies and their customers by breaking the link between electricity and gas sales and revenue.
California Bar Adopts First-of-Its-Kind Guidance on AI for Attorneys
COPRAC recognizes that generative AI is a rapidly evolving technology that presents novel
issues that might necessitate new regulation and rules in the future.

Federal Loan Programs Offer Billions for Transit Oriented Development
USDOT is encouraging developers to take advantage of loans aimed at supporting the building of multifamily buildings near transit lines.
Whitefish, Montana takes aim at illegal short-term rentals
Housing advocacy group estimates there are upwards of 500 illegal short-term rentals in the city.
China’s real estate crisis, explained
Today on the show, we look at what’s happening inside China’s real estate market. And we try to answer the question: how did we get here?

Venture capital’s 2023 bloodbath, by the numbers
VC funding is set to have its worst year in a decade, according to some measures.

Montana State students win $10,000 in entrepreneurial contest
“Tonight featured new, innovative ideas that made sense,” Jabs told the crowd. “I like that you’re addressing current issues.”

MT Acting Studio Introduces Partner Entity “Gilded Entertainment Presents” to Promote Montana Performing Artists
“The introduction of ‘Gilded Entertainment Presents’ is an exciting step forward for MT Acting Studio. This initiative aims to provide a platform for Montana’s performing artists, offering visibility, promotion, and opportunities for bookings at events across the state.”

Montana’s educational leaders gather to review new laws, initiatives
Officials discuss teacher retention, charter schools and university enrollment, among other topics.

Rosendale moves to strip Rocky Mountain Lab research funding
The move comes following a series of unfounded claims by Rosendale regarding the Hamilton lab on social media.

We Are Victims of Road Violance and We Demand Change
If we’re going to make progress on safe streets, we all need to get involved. We hope you will join us on Nov. 19, arm-in-arm, to help push. No one else should die.

You Need a Heat Pump. Soon You’ll Have More American-Made Options
The Biden administration is announcing $169 million to supercharge domestic production of a device beloved by climate and energy nerds.

Microgrids can bolster unreliable electricity systems. Why aren’t states doing more to develop them?
Microgrids can offer cleaner and more reliable electricity, but companies that try to develop such projects have run into a discouraging array of obstacles.
New Swedish Recycling Plant Can Sort More Plastic Than Any Other Facility in the World
According to Svensk Plaståtervinning (Swedish Plastic Recycling), the plant, called Site Zero, can recycle up to 200,000 metric tons of plastic packaging annually.

AI Copilots Are ‘Redefining’ Sales And Service Jobs, Says Salesforce AI’s CEO
Now, as CEO of Salesforce AI, the 41-year-old executive, part of 2023’s Future of Work 50, oversees the artificial intelligence strategy of one of the world’s largest tech companies, integrating it across products like Slack and Tableau.
OpenAI’s leadership coup could slam brakes on growth in favor of AI safety
While the board’s statement about the firing said it resulted from communication from Altman that “wasn’t consistently candid,” the exact reasons or timing of the board’s decision remain shrouded in mystery.