Sometimes your circle decreases in size but increases in value. – Unknown
Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you’re a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm.
This week’s topics include Halloween spending, Powerball, Montana Secretary of State, unemployment, the phrase “trick or treat,” campaign material, MT-AL Race, World Series Poll, Initiative 185, dressing like Donald Trump for Halloween, and much more!
9,000,000,000
Experts are projecting $9 billion in Halloween-related spending in 2018. (WalletHub)
#Candy
750,000,000
That’s the current Powerball jackpot for next Saturday night. (Powerball)
265,000
The Associated Press reported that Montana’s Republican Secretary of State Corey Stapleton told officials to award an emergency $265,000 contract to a printing company owned by a Republican political consultant and former executive of the state GOP for mailers that would fix mistakes in the state’s election guide.
Of course, there was no favoritism…
215,000
That’s how many people filed new claims for unemployment last week. (USDOL)
1927
That’s the year that the phrase “trick or treat” was first used in the USA. (WalletHub)
57
Two weeks ago I said that I had received 30 pieces of campaign material at my house regarding candidates or issues on the November ballot.
Last week that number was 48. Now I have 57 pieces.
#Merica
47.6
MTN reports that Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte, running for his first full term in Montana’s only U.S. House seat, holds a 47.6 percent to 40.1 percent lead over Democratic challenger Kathleen Williams, according to a Montana Television Network-Montana State University poll. It was also reported that 2.4 percent of registered voters in the survey said they would support Libertarian Elinor Swanson, who’s also on the ballot – but 10 percent said they are undecided or would support someone else.
I guess Montanans like politicians who assault reporters… #ToughGuy
47
That’s the percentage of voters in The Western Word poll who think the Boston Red Sox will win the 2018 World Series. Another 29% think the Los Angeles Dodgers will win it. There are 24% who don’t care or are undecided.
Thanks to all who participated.
I enjoy listening to the World Series on the radio…
41.4
MTN News reports that this is the percentage of people who support Initiative 185 which would extend Medicaid coverage for low-income adults and fund it with higher tobacco taxes. 40.8 percent oppose it and 17.3 percent are unsure.
The poll was conducted by Montana Television Network and Montana State University poll.
There’s a nice chunk of people who have not made up their minds yet…
4
Of Americans +35, there will be 4% dress like Donald Trump this Halloween. (WalletHub)
That could be interesting. I used to do a great Reagan impersonation with my Reagan mask…
The Western Word 