Mike Jopek
@mikejopek.bsky.social
Flathead farmer. Columnist for Flathead Beacon. Former state representative. Active in Montana. Local control https://flatheadbeacon.com/section/opinion/uncommon-ground/
Pinned
Going Home - Flathead Beacon
For the lucky enough to be rich, the cruelty of Montana’s quickly increasing cost of living won’t much affect the wallet. One of the big East Coast newspapers even wrote that a handful of ultra-rich g...
flatheadbeacon.com
My latest in the Beacon #mtpol The world could do with some words of kindness
My latest in the Beacon #mtpol The world could do with some words of kindness
Going Home - Flathead Beacon
For the lucky enough to be rich, the cruelty of Montana’s quickly increasing cost of living won’t much affect the wallet. One of the big East Coast newspapers even wrote that a handful of ultra-rich g...
flatheadbeacon.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
My latest in the Beacon #mtpol The world could do with some words of kindness
Compare that to staffers of the Democratic National Committee, who threw a temper tantrum earlier this month when party chair Ken Martin announced on a Zoom call that he wants them to start coming in five days a week — come February. That’s six years after the pandemic started. #mtpol
Opinion | Winning elections requires showing up to work
No one expects DNC staffers to be as hardcore as Japan’s prime minister, but they can come to work.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Compare that to staffers of the Democratic National Committee, who threw a temper tantrum earlier this month when party chair Ken Martin announced on a Zoom call that he wants them to start coming in five days a week — come February. That’s six years after the pandemic started. #mtpol
Beer, Buds and the Big Sky Podcast delivers unapologetic political commentary with a heavy pour of biting satire. No Spin, no safe spaces - Just unfiltered opinions, sharp humor, and plenty of beer-fueled honesty. #mtpol
Wednesday, November 19th podcast
Bold, brash, and brewed in Montana
mikejopek.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Beer, Buds and the Big Sky Podcast delivers unapologetic political commentary with a heavy pour of biting satire. No Spin, no safe spaces - Just unfiltered opinions, sharp humor, and plenty of beer-fueled honesty. #mtpol
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. #mtpol
Farmers Face Prospect of Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but despite the government shutdown, tax credits are set to expire.
civileats.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 AM
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. #mtpol
Curbing anti-competitive practices and reinstating mandatory Country of Origin Labeling will do more to lower beef prices than importing more beef from Argentina. Unfortunately, ranchers have already taken another hit in a volatile market. #mtpol
Farmers Union: Forcing packers to play by the rules will lower beef prices
Curbing anti-competitive practices and reinstating mandatory Country of Origin Labeling will do more to lower beef prices than importing more beef from Argentina.
whitefishpilot.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Curbing anti-competitive practices and reinstating mandatory Country of Origin Labeling will do more to lower beef prices than importing more beef from Argentina. Unfortunately, ranchers have already taken another hit in a volatile market. #mtpol
Tariffs on imported coffee have cost Americans $358 million so far this year, up from $1.3 million last year, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
November 15, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Tariffs on imported coffee have cost Americans $358 million so far this year, up from $1.3 million last year, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. #mtpol
Consultant Cush
All across America, in hundreds of local elections, people chose leaders they trust
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Consultant Cush flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/12/c... #mtpol
Consultant Cush - Flathead Beacon
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. People are un...
flatheadbeacon.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Uncommon Ground: Consultant Cush flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/12/c... #mtpol
The boys get an update from the campaign trail with Russell Cleveland and dive into everything from the shutdown to the legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Ed joins us from Vegas #mtpol
Monday November 10th Beer, Buds and The Big Sky Podcast
with guests from the road, Russell Cleveland and Ed Docter
mikejopek.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The boys get an update from the campaign trail with Russell Cleveland and dive into everything from the shutdown to the legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Ed joins us from Vegas #mtpol
Thursday Nov 6th Beer, Buds and The Big Sky Podcast with special guest, Ed Docter. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZdG... #mtpol
November 7, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Thursday Nov 6th Beer, Buds and The Big Sky Podcast with special guest, Ed Docter. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZdG... #mtpol
Montana Farmers Union talks small producers, communities during annual event #mtpol
Farmers Union talks small producers, towns during annual event
Tariffs, economic headwinds a focus of weekend event that brought together small and mid-sized agricultural producers.
dailymontanan.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Montana Farmers Union talks small producers, communities during annual event #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Inspiration of a New Generation flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/29/i... #mtpol
Inspiration of a New Generation - Flathead Beacon
I looked with shock at the price on the chocolate bar at the grocer. It read $8.49. I swear it was less than five bucks just last month. It’s good chocolate but that’s a big price increase. America’s ...
flatheadbeacon.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Uncommon Ground: Inspiration of a New Generation flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/29/i... #mtpol
"Those rules prohibit women from running, in addition to raising the minimum candidate age from 21 to 30." #mtpol
Arrests, frozen bank accounts and a controversial election: Leadership crisis grips Northern Cheyenne Tribe
Both the president and council members spoke with MTFP in recent interviews to clarify their perspectives.
montanafreepress.org
October 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"Those rules prohibit women from running, in addition to raising the minimum candidate age from 21 to 30." #mtpol
"...a 2024 study from Virginia’s state Legislature reports that residents could pay $37.50/month subsidizing data centers through their power bills." #mtpol
Sarah Borduin: With data centers, our security will be in the contracts — not the sales pitch
What is a data center and why does it matter?
www.bozemandailychronicle.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:43 AM
"...a 2024 study from Virginia’s state Legislature reports that residents could pay $37.50/month subsidizing data centers through their power bills." #mtpol
"Willie Nelson launched the music festival in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too." #mtpol
At 40, Farm Aid Is Still About Music. It’s Also a Movement.
Willie Nelson launched the festival in 1985 to save family farms. Amid corporate consolidation, it’s now a platform for populist organizing.
civileats.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:14 PM
"Willie Nelson launched the music festival in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too." #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Optimism of Andy Feury #mtpol
Optimism of Andy Feury - Flathead Beacon
City Councilor Andy Feury attended Flathead High School along with the late County Commissioner Joe Brenneman. They took American history class together back when school kids read printed newspapers l...
flatheadbeacon.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Uncommon Ground: Optimism of Andy Feury #mtpol
Housing not expensive enough #mtpol
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
Trump Ramps Up Trade War as Tariffs on Lumber and Furniture Kick In
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Housing not expensive enough #mtpol
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
Platner: “That mostly seems like I’m just trying to give a damn about my community.” #mtpol
Democratic Food and Ag Candidates Enter the Political Fray
Amid Trump’s tariffs, funding freezes, and food assistance cuts, newcomers from food and farming backgrounds are entering congressional races.
civileats.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Platner: “That mostly seems like I’m just trying to give a damn about my community.” #mtpol
Food about to get even more expensive #mtpol
'Hurting farmers': Trump admin just made an 'unusual acknowledgement' about its policies
Donald Trump's administration just made an "unusual acknowledgement" about its immigration policies, according to a new report Saturday.In a weekend article called "Trump administration says immigrati...
www.rawstory.com
October 12, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Food about to get even more expensive #mtpol
'suck it up' the next rate increase #mtpol
PSC approves rate increase for 89,000 Montana-Dakota Utilities natural gas customers
"I don't want to say 'just suck it up,' but its sometimes it's a hard world," one Public Service Commission analyst said Tuesday.
missoulian.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:04 PM
'suck it up' the next rate increase #mtpol
Tester: Being a farmer is the best job I’ve ever had, but I have a dire warning for this country: Family farms are in trouble, and that translates to even bigger trouble for the rest of America. #mtpol
Fmr. Sen. Jon Tester | Congress must stand up for farmers and against Trump’s tariffs
Trump is reportedly considering giving money to farmers that will help them offset the damage his policies have caused.
www.msnbc.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Tester: Being a farmer is the best job I’ve ever had, but I have a dire warning for this country: Family farms are in trouble, and that translates to even bigger trouble for the rest of America. #mtpol
In 2024 Ohio farmers produced 276 million bushels of soybeans. Now, the cost to produce a bushel of soybeans is about $3.50 more than the market price.
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
Editorial: Relief for farmers
President Trump’s plan to bail out soybean farmers with a subsidy check, as was done in 2018, is the predictable consequence of what he called “Liberation ...
www.toledoblade.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
In 2024 Ohio farmers produced 276 million bushels of soybeans. Now, the cost to produce a bushel of soybeans is about $3.50 more than the market price.
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
Montana tagged as "In or at high risk of a recession". Budget shortfalls upcoming soon #mtpol
22 states are in a recession or close to it, new analysis finds
Twenty-two states are either in a recession or on the precipice of a downturn, according to a new analysis from Moody's Analytics.
www.axios.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Montana tagged as "In or at high risk of a recession". Budget shortfalls upcoming soon #mtpol
Judge says residential property owners can continue lawsuit against Montana’s Department of Revenue #mtpol
Judge says residential property owners can continue lawsuit against Montana's Department of Revenue • Daily Montanan
A Butte judge said that residents can sue the Montana Department of Revenue for failing to equalize property tax rates for businesses and local homeowners.
dailymontanan.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Judge says residential property owners can continue lawsuit against Montana’s Department of Revenue #mtpol