Montana
Montana economy is going strong
The economy in Montana is continuing to expand, including wage growth increasing and outpacing inflation, according to a state report.
Montana economy is going strong
A 2024 report from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry said, “Montana ranks 2nd in the nation for fastest wage growth since 2020.”
“Wage growth in Montana fell behind in the 90s and through the early 2000s, but we’ve really been catching up,” explained James Lautenschlager, an associate professor of business at the University of Providence.
According to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, in some ways Montana is staying ahead of the national average economically, noting:
- The average wage earned by Montana workers hit $57,230 in 2023, growing by 5% in one year.
- The unemployment rate in Montana is 3.1%, with total employment growing by 5.9% since 2020.
“By and large, though, unemployment is fine in Montana, and we’re seeing wage growth and a lot of that is offsetting some of the inflation that’s taking place,” said Lautenschlager.
Additionally, the report noted:
- While Montana is seeing positive wage growth and low unemployment rates, the cost of housing is still high.
- Housing prices remain a primary driver of inflation for Montanans earning median wages.
- Montana saw a 70% increase in home values from the last 5 years.
“With demand for houses on the rise and just a finite supply, we’ve seen an outsized growth in the value of homes, which also hurts the median home buyer because with modest wage growth and outsized gains in housing value, it makes affordability become an issue for the average Montanan,” Lautenschalger explained.
However, despite national inflation challenges, Montana is staying ahead for the time being.
Lautenschalger added, “I think we’ve seen really strong economic growth in Montana and it’s outperformed the national average for a period of time now, which has been, as a Montanan myself, has been encouraging to see.”
KALISPELL, Mont. — A new Montana license plate is now available at the Kalispell DMV to help support pee wee baseball.
Each plate can be purchased for $30 and will help to boost off season revenue.
The baseball plate was designed by Alexandra Sheneman who helped pitch design ideas to the board.
Proceeds will benefit the youth baseball program by funding new equipment and maintenance upgrades at the Kidsports Complex.
That includes bats, baseballs, nets, and new concrete.
Leftover funding will help families afford the baseball program.
“Once that number starts going up, it will generate some sponsorship funding so that we can help families that need support that can’t afford it,” said Kalispell pee wee baseball president Andy Wilson.
This is a great way to step up to the plate and help keep the youth baseball program strong for future seasons.
Miley Cyrus recalls ‘Hannah Montana’ casting journey
Miley Cyrus thanks Disney for taking a “chance” on her in “Hannah Montana” as the show celebrates its 20th anniversary with a new special.
Hannah Montana once sang that “Nobody’s Perfect,” a sentiment fans are echoing regarding Starbucks’ new drink honoring the fictional pop star ahead of her iconic Disney TV show’s 20th anniversary special.
Thought to be a drink that Hannah Montana would order at Starbucks, the coffee chain launched the Secret Popstar Refresher on March 23 as a celebration ahead of the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special”, set to be released on Disney+ on March 24. The drink consists of a grande Strawberry Acai Refresher with raspberry cold foam, two pumps of raspberry syrup and no strawberry inclusions – the dried strawberries typically in the refresher, according to the Starbucks app.
However, fans were quick to point out that the beloved TV show’s main character, Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), who lives a double life as teen pop star Hannah Montana, notoriously hates raspberries. Her disdain for raspberries was established in Season 1 of the show.
Stewart’s disgust is rooted in a childhood experience, during which she got sick after eating too much raspberry pie. Her hate for the fruit is exacerbated when Hannah Montana has to advertise a raspberry-scented perfume.
Now, fans of the show have taken to social media to speculate on Starbucks’ inclusion of raspberry.
Fans react to the raspberry Hannah Montana drink
Fans on social media quickly caught the raspberry reference after the drink’s launch on March 23, which many felt was an oversight by Starbucks, as they seemingly did not take Hannah Montana’s past into account.
Multiple comments on Starbucks’ Instagram post announcing the drink question the product’s flavor, including messages like “Why raspberry tho…didn’t Miley/Hannah hate raspberry,” “but she hates raspberry,” and “brooo there’s an episode in Hannah Montana (the perfume ad) where she doesn’t like raspberry!!!!”
The post’s caption appears to poke fun at the episode, reading: “For the fans who remember the raspberry saga, this one’s for you.”
Other comments under the post from Disney accounts also seem to acknowledge the raspberry inclusion as intentional, with the official Disney+ account commenting, “This completes the circle,” and the official Disney Channel account commenting, “the raspberry lore lives on!”
How to order a Hannah Montana drink at Starbucks
The Secret Popstar Refresher will be available for order through the Starbucks mobile app until April 5, according to a Starbucks statement obtained by USA TODAY.
The drink is a “secret menu exclusive,” meaning it is not on the official Starbucks menu in stores or drive-thru. Customers who know the recipe or use the Starbucks mobile app can order the refresher variation.
However, like any drink variation at the coffee chain, the refresher can be ordered at any time, as long as Starbucks has the required ingredients.
How to watch ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’?
The “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” became available to stream on Disney+ on March 24.
Reflecting on the past two decades, the special is an intimate sit-down interview with Miley Cyrus and “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper. The interview was filmed in front of a live audience in a recreation of the iconic Stewart ranch-style home.
Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY
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