Quote for today…

Say what you feel. It’s not being rude; it’s called being real. -Unknown

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you are a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I look at the numbers in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm and humor.

This week’s topics include Montana’s recreational cannabis market, nation, state, and local COVID numbers, unemployment claims, the oldest World War II veteran in the U.S, TWW poll results, Biden approval numbers, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and much more!

632,000,000

Powerball tickets sold in Wisconsin and California are winners of the latest jackpot and will split $632 million. (AP)

Nice…

1,566,980

The recreational cannabis market in Montana topped $1.5 million in sales in its first weekend, according to the state revenue department. With a statewide 20% sales tax on recreational cannabis, that opening weekend haul — $1,566,980 — amounts to $313,396 in tax revenue for the state. (Lee Newspapers)

Party on, Montana…

832,148

That is how many people have died in the United States from coronavirus, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. There have been 57,762,144 cases across the country so far. The first death in the USA was reported on February 29, 2020. (Johns Hopkins)

Last week, the death total was 822,920.

Thanks to everyone who wears a mask and has been vaccinated – you are patriots!

541,114

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 53% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week, the number of fully immunized Montanans was 538,385.

Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You by clicking HERE.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana’s estimated population in July 2019 was 1,068,778.

207,000

In the week ending January 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 207,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 198,000 to 200,000. The 4-week moving average was 204,500, an increase of 4,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 500 from 199,250 to 199,750. (DOL)

Note: On Thursdays, this column is published right after 6:30 a.m. (Montana time), so I can post the latest unemployment numbers.

112

Lawrence N. Brooks, the oldest World War II veteran in the U.S. — and believed to be the oldest man in the country — died on Wednesday at the age of 112. (AP)

Thank you, Mr. Brooks, for your service!

50

This week’s poll question asked, “Which team will win the FCS National Championship?”

Here are the results:

MONTANA STATE: 50%
NORTH DAKOTA STATE: 38%
UNDECIDED/NO OPINION: 12%

Thanks to all who participated!

48

The Cascade County (Great Falls, MT) City-County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday still only 48% of eligible individuals in the county are fully vaccinated. (Source)

C’mon people – get vaccinated!

43.1

According to FiveThirtyEight.com, that is President Joe Biden’s approval rating. (Source)

Last week, Biden’s approval rating was 43.1%.

1

For the first time in “RuPaul’s Drag Race” herstory, a queen from Montana will be sashaying into the competition. Season 14 of “Drag Race” features Bosco, born in Great Falls and the first queen from the Treasure State to compete in what some call the “Olympics of drag.” (GF Tribune)

Hello, Montana!

## BE A PATRIOT – WEAR A MASK INDOORS IN PUBLIC PLACES ##