On June 12, the lawsuit Held v. State of Montana will go to trial in Helena's district court. In the lawsuit, brought by 16 youth plaintiffs from across Montana, allege that Montana, through its executive agencies, has knowingly approved projects and implemented policies that support a fossil-fuel based energy system that adds dangerous levels of greenhouse gas pollution to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change, damaging Montana’s environment and harming the state’s youth. The lawsuit is predicated on the Montana Constitution, written in 1972, which enshrines the right to a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations.

The Flathead Beacon has produced a comprehensive reporting package on the lawsuit's background, constitutional underpinnings and some of the young plaintiffs. All the reporting, including updates from the two-week trial that begins June 12, can be read at mtclimatecase.flatheadbeacon.com.

Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.

RELATED LINKS

Montana Youth Prepare for Trial in Bellwether Climate Case Against State

Who is ‘Held’ of Held v. State of Montana?

'To a Clean and Healthful Environment'

Temporary Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance Approved in Kalispell

Bear Injures Raft Guide Camping Along Middle Fork Flathead River

Waterton-Glacier Announces Reopening of Goat Haunt

Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.

The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northwest Montana has produced its fair share of singers and songwriters, including the indie-folk duo Big Sky City Lights, made up of Whitefish's Nick Spear and New York City's Susan O'Dea. The two met more than a decade ago, and during the pandemic began remotely writing and recording together. That remote relationship eventually turned into a full length album in 2021 and the duo is hard at work developing a new body of work that will become a second album. In addition, Big Sky City Lights will be touring this summer with a June 3 stop in Kalispell. Host Micah Drew spoke to Nick and Susan about their meeting in Whitefish, the effect living two timezones apart has on their creative process and how performing live shows has played into their newer music.

Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.

RELATED LINKS

Big Sky City Lights Looks Ahead to June Show at FVCC’s Wachholz Center

68th Montana Legislature Adjourns

Two Incumbents, One Newcomer Win Trustee Positions in Columbia Falls School Election

Kalispell Voters Retain One Incumbent Trustee, Pass Elementary and Reject High School Levy

Conservation District Appoints Hearing Officer in McDonald Creek Home Dispute

Follow Big Sky City Lights on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.

The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spring isn't normally thought of as election season, but in the education world it is. May 2 is election day for municipal elections in the Flathead Valley, including school board and school levy elections in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish and several other districts around the valley. Flathead Beacon reporter Denali Sagner joins host Micah to offer a preview of the various races that will show up on school ballots this spring.

Later, Micah runs through the news of the week.

RELATED LINKS

Kalispell School District No. 5 2023 Election: Voter Guide

Columbia Falls District No. 6 2023 Election: Voter Guide

Kalispell Public Schools to Hire Interim Superintendent

Columbia Falls City Council Rejects 7030 Highway 2 Residences Development

Kalispell Approves Property Acquisition Next to Parkline Trail

Read more about all of this week's stories and get the latest breaking news at flatheadbeacon.com and sign up for our new daily newsletter at flatheadbeacon.com/newsletter.

The introductory music in this this episode is “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License, The episode also features songs from Montana singer/songwriter Mike Murray's album We Are Like Warriors, "The Good Ol' Days You're In" and "Moment of Time," used with permission.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.