Former commissioner/mayor Bozeman, Montana; Headwaters Economics; The Wilderness Society; Congress. Policy, politics & outside in the Big Sky. Words, words, words #mtnews #mtpolhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwxyhvkdn226In last year, the cost of things (blue and orange bars) has gone up much faster than #Montana hourly earnings. #MTNews Source: MT Dept of Labor and Industry03 Oct 2026 13:27 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwxyhvkdn226https://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwvy2tgnxk23Is the country better off under Trump? Most Americans say no.02 Oct 2026 18:14 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvy2tgnxk23https://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwvdaj5rbc23Women far outpace men for getting new jobs. "Since December 2024, the U.S. economy created 759,000 nonfarm jobs – 765,000 of which went to women....Men lost 6,000 – despite overall job growth." --American Action Forum.02 Oct 2026 12:02 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvdaj5rbc23https://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwqnxajl2c2jGrowth of U.S. household wealth by percentile in $ since 2020; big growth at top (0.1% and top 10% both), some in next 40%, and little for bottom half. Below, share of total U.S. household wealth by Top 0.1%. [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Sep 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqnxajl2c2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwqnvox6fk2jU.S. wealth continues to concentrate at the very top.30 Sep 2026 15:29 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqnvox6fk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwqfm4a2yk2pBroad-based popular policy ideas. 10 proposals w/highest support among Democrats and Republicans. @wsj.com30 Sep 2026 13:01 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqfm4a2yk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwnwuqn34s2yComing in October: Bozeman Actors Theatre presents the World Premiere of Haunting Jane Eyre by Heather Crisler and directed by Tessa Welsch. Opening Friday, October 16, at 406 Cirque, this engaging production runs through Sunday, October 25. #mtnews Tix info: www.bozemanactorstheatre.org/new-page-229 Sep 2026 13:32 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnwuqn34s2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwlfyusojs2kWhere people leaving #Montana moved to. Below, where people moving to MT came from; and below that which counties they landed in. #mtnews [contains quote post or other embedded content]28 Sep 2026 13:24 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwlfyusojs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwivk6vmvs2yBy more than 2-1, Americans think Trump has made the economy worse off. @wsj.com27 Sep 2026 13:24 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwivk6vmvs2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwgefehm4s2tAnd where people moving to #Montana came from, 2024. [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Sep 2026 13:12 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwgefehm4s2thttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwgecclmik2tSaturday Data: Populationg growth due to in-migration by #Montana county, 2022-25. Statewide, MT grew by 2.1% from 2022 to 2025 due to in-migration, translating to an additional 23,800 people. #mtnews26 Sep 2026 13:11 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwgecclmik2thttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwdqf62b2c2nWhat's driving #Montana economic growth? Dropping or flat: mining, govt, education, ag. Growing: Financial & Prof services, healthcare. Below, job creation by sector. #mtnews [contains quote post or other embedded content]25 Sep 2026 12:09 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwdqf62b2c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mwbjrm67bk2bOut and about yesterday volunteering with others for Gallatin Local Water Quality District which works to keep water healthy and safe for Montanans. Learn more at link or phone in pic.24 Sep 2026 15:05 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwbjrm67bk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mw6rkzjybk2nWhat #Montana sectors created jobs, or not, in 2025, a 2022-25 avg, and projections for the future. Healthcare continues to dominate. #mtnews23 Sep 2026 12:47 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw6rkzjybk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mw6prdrevc2nPrices keep climbing as the country's top problem. [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Sep 2026 12:14 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw6prdrevc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mw4ufmet5k22American voters on how they view various policy positions by candidates. @nbcnews.com22 Sep 2026 18:32 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw4ufmet5k22https://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mw47ojxjwc2dOne winner from the Iran War: Refineries.22 Sep 2026 12:21 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw47ojxjwc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvxdcruei22vMore voters say they trust Democrats to handle inflation, high prices. [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Sep 2026 13:43 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvxdcruei22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvuuhxz2ec2xTop Issues: Inflation, economy, and jobs. [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Sep 2026 14:12 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvuuhxz2ec2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvuub4hqs22xSaturday Data: Americans among most concerned that AI will lead to fewer jobs.19 Sep 2026 14:08 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvuub4hqs22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvszmuzyss2vNEWS: Contacts to Haven's support line reached record highs this past fiscal year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). #bozeman #mtnews #montana Haven provides invaluable support to domestic violence victims in SWMT. Ways to upport them: havenmt.org/support-us18 Sep 2026 20:39 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvszmuzyss2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvsd23jvic2vTop issues voters want federal govt to focus on: inflation, jobs, economy, and healthcare.18 Sep 2026 13:55 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvsd23jvic2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvpzrwh72c2qNumber of House members who've already lost or gave up their seats at 3-decade high.17 Sep 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvpzrwh72c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvpwhtaydk2qFutures prices of oil and diesel... [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Sep 2026 15:05 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvpwhtaydk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvpvjhahmc2qPopulation growth rates by state 2024-25; #Montana grew 16th fastest. Of note, of top 20 fastest growing states, MT has 2nd lowest share under five years of age and 3rd highest share of 65+. #mtnews17 Sep 2026 14:48 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvpvjhahmc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvnbd2vrk22wU.S. still a moderate/conservative country. How voters self-identified in latest @nytimes.com poll.16 Sep 2026 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvnbd2vrk22whttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvlkycjhn22rLabor share drops to lowest level ever recorded. Labor share-the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor-in the nonfarm business sector was 52.8% in the 2Q 2026; the lowest ever (data begins in 1947).15 Sep 2026 21:28 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvlkycjhn22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvkrshhras2bUp, up and away...15 Sep 2026 13:58 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkrshhras2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvknrb55lk2b🤔 Trump wants to make 2026 elections about him. Perhaps not a good strategy.... @nytimes.com15 Sep 2026 12:45 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvknrb55lk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/chrismehl7.bsky.social/post/3mvjhrw2poc2zInteresting new poll for Montana's Western House Seat shows dead heat (caution 9% margin of error). Polling results in left image; favorable/unfavorable on right. @montanafreepress.org #mtnews #mtpol15 Sep 2026 01:26 +0000at://did:plc:luelsfb7tb3dlx6bsiyphfu3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvjhrw2poc2z