Fair trade, job losses

Job losses in rural West from trade deals

Western states haven’t been immune to the job losses from trade deals that turned the Midwest into “Rust Belt.”  Rural communities, like Dillon in southwest Montana, have also been hit hard by outsourcing. Trade deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement … Continued

IORC Idaho State Capitol

IORC Fights For Local Control of Oil and Gas!

Idaho lawmakers passed a suite of bills in 2016 stripping the ability of local communities to have a say in oil and gas permitting. The worst legislation, Senate Bill 1339, would make the permitting process for oil and gas much … Continued

Otter Creek

Otter Creek Mine Application Suspended

On March 10, Arch Coal announced that it is suspending efforts to secure a mining permit for the proposed Otter Creek Mine. Otter Creek was the largest proposed new coal strip mine in the nation; it would have stripped 8,300 acres of … Continued

BLM methane waste rule

WORC Members Support BLM Methane Waste Rule

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently held public hearings regarding its proposed oil and gas methane emissions and waste reduction rules. WORC groups turned out members to support a strong BLM methane waste rule at hearings in Dickinson, N.D, … Continued

@015 Congressional Scorecard

GMO labeling bill keeps consumers in the DARK

Senator Pat Roberts introduced H.R. 1599, a bill to stop efforts to label genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The bill has a hearing in the U.S. Senate Ag Committee on March 1.

foodshed

DRA chapter releases foodshed study

On Feb. 19, the Greater Oahe Action League (GOAL), a local chapter of Dakota Rural Action, released the results of an eight-month-long study of the region’s foodshed to determine how to better connect local farmers with consumers. Foodshed report The report, … Continued

Harlem voter registration

Voter registration drive by Western Native Voice succeeds

Western Native Voice staff toured six tribal colleges across Montana in an effort to register new voters, recruit new members, and listen to young people about the issues that matter to them. All in all, Western Native Voice field manager … Continued