It’s Friday! Here are the topics that caught my eye for today’s column: 

• U.S. Senate Montana – August 10
• Jury Duty Update
• Dr. Anthony Fauci
• One More Thing

U.S. SENATE MONTANA – AUGUST 10:

Many Montanans will be watching social media closely on Monday to see if Democrat Alani Bankhead or Independent Seth Bodnar drop out of the U.S. Senate race. 

Many believe that the only chance of beating Republican Kurt Alme is for Bankhead or Bodnar to drop out. Readers may remember that incumbent U.S. Senator Steve Daines withdrew from reelection, and Alme filed in the last few minutes before the deadline. 

The campaign season in Montana has been a circus – a fun-to-watch circus.  

So, Monday, August 10, 2026, is the deadline for candidates to withdraw from the general election candidacy. (Source) 

Will Bankhead or Bodnar drop out? I don’t think so. Alme will almost certainly win if no one drops out. 

Here are some reports about the deadline. Helena IR. Montana Free Press. Flathead Beacon. The Atlantic. 

JURY DUTY UPDATE:

On Wednesday, I wrote the following:

A friend sent me a message about her summons to report for jury duty for the Eighth Judicial District Court in Cascade County (Department 2). 

She was notified to report for jury duty on Monday, September 7th at 8:30 a.m.  

Monday, September 7, is Labor Day. 

My friend received an update on Thursday:

The court has been made aware of a typo on a summons mailed to you. Please note that the trial date is Tuesday, September 8. Time 8:30 a.m.  

I don’t know how many letters had to be mailed because of the “typo,” but I do know it cost $0.79 to mail the letter to my friend. A “typo” can be costly. 

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI:

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress over his refusal to answer questions during testimony before the committee last week, arguing that he inappropriately invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. (CBS News)

The relentless campaign against Fauci by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has been nothing but a political farce. 

Fauci’s attorney said it best:

Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, called the contempt vote “a crude political stunt intended to punish Dr. Fauci for exercising his constitutional rights.”

“Today’s resolution is a continuation of Senator Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci, who spent 50 years in public health and has saved countless lives,” Schertler said in a statement. “It is shameful and wrong that Senator Paul is abusing his power by trying to weaponize the Justice Department against an honorable public servant.”

People may have forgotten that Fauci and others received a Presidential Commendation from President Donald Trump in recognition of their exceptional efforts on Operation Warp Speed. (Source)

Fauci should be praised for his service to our country. 

ONE MORE THING:

If you’re happy and you know it, what combination of prescription medication are you on?

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##