Erik Olson
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erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Erik Olson
@erikolson-mt.bsky.social
310 followers 420 following 110 posts
Digital journalist at a Montana TV station, husband, father, pet owner. Looking for an X alternative
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erikolson-mt.bsky.social
This is hitting harder than it should. He's an icon for my generation. I seriously question whether this was a requirement embedded within the Paramount settlement.
www.ktvq.com/entertainmen...
Stephen Colbert says CBS is ending his 'Late Show' in May 2026
CBS is axing “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” in May 2026, the host told an audience at a taping Thursday.
www.scrippsnews.com
July 18, 2025 at 1:24 AM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
If you care about public lands at all, read this piece from my friend Nate Schweber. Even if you don't care, read it, and you will.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
This land is their land: Trump is selling out the US’s beloved wilderness
During the McCarthy era’s darkest days, public lands came under attack. History now repeats itself – and this may be the last chance to defend what’s ours
www.theguardian.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Big turnout in Helena yesterday. Another couple hundred in Billings too.
Helena "Hands Off" rally protests Trump administration at Montana State Capitol - www.ktvh.com/news/helena-...
Helena "Hands Off" rally protests Trump administration at Montana State Capitol
At noon on Saturday, there was a crowd gathered on the front steps of the Montana State Capitol, expressing their opposition to what they called “chaos” coming from the federal government.
www.ktvh.com
April 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Posting this Wikipedia entry today for no particular reason
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E...
Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
April 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
“I thought that if (DOGE) were smart, they would work with USDS because of the history that USDS has with the different federal agencies. If they were actually honest about wanting to make improvements, USDS knows exactly where to focus on.”
Some really good reporting
www.ktvq.com/politics/pre...
Inside DOGE’s ‘hostile takeover’ of the US Digital Service
Scripps News spoke with five former and two current USDS staffers who paint a picture of an office that’s a shell of what it used to be after DOGE came in.
www.ktvq.com
March 27, 2025 at 11:52 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
“We need a lot of lumber. So, the price increase, the tariffs, they will have an effect, and they will increase cost to the end consumer.” #mtnews #montana
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...
Trump's tariffs: How lumber prices could impact Billings home builders
Lewis Earnst, owner of Montana Home Builders, remains committed to minimizing the burden on customers.
www.ktvq.com
March 19, 2025 at 8:21 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Sad news here in Montana. Strong winds reportedly caught ahold of the chair and caused the fall. #mtnews www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...
Billings man dies from injuries in Red Lodge Mountain ski lift accident
A Billings man has died from injuries he suffered after falling from a ski lift at Red Lodge Mountain.
www.ktvq.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Interesting story. I see convenience stores in Billings stocked with kratom, and workers there have told me they sell like crazy. How safe are they? Who knows? #mtnews Reprinted with permission from @montanafreepress.org www.ktvq.com/news/montana...
Without federal action, states like Montana wrestle with kratom regulation
A bill drafted by the American Kratom Association, a national industry lobbying group, is pending in the Montana Legislature.
www.ktvq.com
March 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
About 100 people showed up in Billings last night to protest the president's speech. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...
Protesters gather in downtown Billings in response to Trump speech
Before President Donald Trump addressed Congress and the nation Tuesday night, around 100 people lined the streets in downtown Billings to protest the president’s policies.
www.ktvq.com
March 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
A reminder that Trump won Montana with 58 percent of the vote. In addition, every statewide elected official is a Republican for the first time in decades. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/montana...
Montana may face the biggest impacts from new tariff proposals, report shows
Tariffs are one of the most talked-about policies of President Donald Trump’s new proposals, but a new report indicates that Montana could feel the brunt of these tariffs more than any other state.
www.ktvq.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
"It was crushing, you know. It's such a big piece of my life. I've dedicated my entire life and working experience to this."
#mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...
Layoffs leave Montana U.S. Forest Service workers devastated
The Trump Administration fired thousands of U.S. Forest and National Park Service employees as part of a larger push to cut government spending.
www.ktvq.com
February 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
This is a fascinating read. Back when I was a business reporter, I was frustrated at the weight given to a handful of economic indicators, primarily the unemployment rate. It's even worse today, when most people have a job but no one is getting paid enough.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Voters Were Right About the Economy. The Data Was Wrong.
Here’s why unemployment is higher, wages are lower and growth less robust than government statistics suggest.
www.politico.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
An absolutely terrible story out of Wyoming.
www.ktvq.com/news/crime-w...
Wyoming mom shoots 4 daughters and calls 911 before shooting herself
The woman and one of the daughters survived, but their condition was unknown on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by the Big Horn County Wyoming Sheriff's Office a day after the shooting.
www.ktvq.com
February 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Big news over the weekend in Montana. Yellowstone County backed away from a proposal to use its largest entertainments venue to house detainees from Trump's mass deportation. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...
MetraPark general manager issues statement that it will not be used as detention facility
According to a statement issued by MetraPark general manager Stoney Field, MetraPark or any buildings on the campus will not be utilized as a detention facility.
www.ktvq.com
February 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
“We have tried since we started to manufacture in the US. And our products, it's kind of crazy, but they're very simple, but there are really only a few places in the world that can manufacture them,” Drain said.
#mtnews
Billings business preparing for higher cost under Trump's China tariff
One small Billings business, who manufactures products overseas, is anticipating higher costs with President Donald Trump's 10% tariff against China now in effect.
www.ktvq.com
February 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
funny how so many lamented who was really running the country while "sleepy Joe" was in office, yet now we have unelected and out-of-practice attorneys shaping major policy during this administration
mjsdc.bsky.social Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · Jan 30
The lawless OMB memo freezing trillions in federal funds makes *so much more sense* now that we know Mark Paoletta—best friend and chief defender of Clarence and Ginni Thomas—ghostwrote it. slate.com/news-and-pol...
It seems fair to assume that after the time Paoletta has spent on the sidelines, his aptitude for operating the machinery of state has grown rusty. The budget-freeze memo that he allegedly wrote was baffling from start to finish—unreasoned, hopelessly vague, yet sweeping in its demand for an immediate halt to appropriations. It reads not as the careful work of a scrupulous lawyer but as the fever dream of an inebriated anarchist unleashing years of pent-up fury all at once. Paoletta was so arrogantly confident of his handiwork that he reportedly unleashed it without even consulting White House staff secretary Will Scharf or deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. The administration was, by all accounts, blindsided by the sudden suspension of innumerable federal grants and programs.
January 30, 2025 at 10:59 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
All that fear and worry, all day today, just for it to get struck down? this already feels like the first time: lots of headline-making bluster, then an inability to follow through
January 28, 2025 at 10:25 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Indian Country in Montana is telling tribal members to be prepared if encountered by ICE agents #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/neighborhood...
Crow Tribe official issues guidance on federal immigration actions
A Crow Tribe elected official has issued guidance to tribal members as federal law enforcement conducts a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration.
www.ktvq.com
January 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
I'm sure every school district in the country is having similar discussions. Along with every church. #mtnews
www.ktvq.com/news/local-n...
Billings superintendent outlines procedures if ICE agents show up at school
The memo comes in response to a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump allowing ICE agent to conduct enforcement activity in schools and other community areas.
www.ktvq.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
Something to watch in Montana.
www.ktvq.com/news/montana...
County commissioners offer MetraPark to house detained illegal immigrants
Yellowstone County commissioners are offering the use of MetraPark to detain illegal immigrants caught in the region following President Trump's orders to increase deportations.
www.ktvq.com
January 24, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reposted by Erik Olson
onestpress.onestnetwork.com
All I got is that the “infrastructure plan” is about the AI infrastructure and is most likely connected to the $20B investment by the Saudi exec on building the data centers.

Again, just an FYI, not actual news at this point.
January 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
If the U.S. Interior Department’s assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management ultimately approves the expansion, the Navajo Transitional Energy Company will gain access to a one-to-two-year supply of federally owned coal.
h/t @montanafreepress.org #montana
www.ktvq.com/news/montana...
Feds look to expand Montana’s largest coal mine
Montana’s largest coal mine is set for an expansion that could increase its coal production by 19 million tons.
www.ktvq.com
January 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
erikolson-mt.bsky.social
This is Earl. My wife nicknamed him Sexy Man. So if she calls for a sexy man in the house, I know she's not calling for me.
January 10, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Reposted by Erik Olson
minakimes.bsky.social
We have been glued to the local news. As social media becomes less and less useful for breaking news and real time info, it’s been such a reminder of how valuable the reporters and production folks on the ground are.
financejone.bsky.social financejone @financejone.bsky.social · Jan 8
KCAL channel 9 has been doing a great job with their coverage.
January 8, 2025 at 8:12 PM