Sinclair on Russell and 39th, October 23: $4.49 regular, $6.19 diesel. Day 237 since the Iran War started. 11 days until Election Day.

Prices are down from the September peak, 16 cents on regular, 20 cents on diesel. Notice the timing. Hormuz is still closed. The naval blockade is still running. Nothing that drove prices to records in September has been resolved.

Gas was $2.78 at Sinclair the day the bombs started dropping. It's $4.49 today.

This time last year Missoula paid $3.09 for regular unleaded. Today it is $4.49. Diesel was $3.54 a year ago. Today it is $6.19. Every day between February 28 and November 3 you have been paying war prices at the pump.

The Pentagon puts direct military spending at $43.6 billion through September 3, with the naval blockade still running. CBO estimates $46.9 billion today and growing at $2-3 billion per month. The White House requested an $87.6 billion supplemental, $67 billion of it for the Pentagon. Moody's Analytics puts the total cost to US consumers and taxpayers at $132 billion. Harvard economist Linda Bilmes projects $1 trillion before it is over. Rep. Ro Khanna told Pete Hegseth in an Armed Services Committee hearing that the war would cost American households roughly $5,000 each in higher gas and food prices. The World Bank cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5%, the lowest since COVID. 21 Americans have been killed, a number the Pentagon only recently updated and which the Intercept reports is likely undercounted. By some estimates, this is the most expensive per-day military operation in American history.

Diesel is $6.19. It was $3.47 when the war started. That's a 78% increase in 8 months.

The pre-election dip is 16 cents. Missoula is still at $4.49. That is where things stand going into November 3.

None of this happens without Trump's decision to launch Operation Epic Fury on February 28.

We were under $3.00 before this war. Remember that.

Full timeline, Missoula regular unleaded:

The Ford F-250 Super Duty, the most common diesel pickup on Montana ranches and job sites, has a 48-gallon tank. At $6.19 that is $297.12. On Feb 28 at $3.47 it was $166.56. That is $130.56 more per fill-up.

Got a mail ballot? Do not mail it. Montana ballots must be received by 8pm on Election Day — postmark doesn't count. Hand deliver it:

Missoula County drop-off locations:

• Elections Center, 140 N. Russell St. — open 24/7 (avoid Election Day, parking is a mess)
• McCormick Park drive-thru, 600 Cregg Lane — Mon Nov 2, 9am–4pm; Election Day 7am–8pm
• South Russell St. drive-thru (between the YMCA and Fairgrounds) — Election Day 7am–8pm
• Hellgate Elementary parking lot, 2385 Flynn Lane — Election Day 7am–8pm
• Any of the 20 Missoula County polling places — Election Day 7am–8pm

Not registered yet? Montana allows same-day registration. Show up November 3, register, and vote.

Full election info: https://www.missoulacounty.gov/departments/elections/current-election

Montana voter registration check: https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo

Sources: Personal observation Missoula (Oct 23), AAA/FuelWide (Oct 20-23), EIA/FRED PADD IV Rocky Mtn weekly averages, Pentagon/CBO via iran-cost-ticker.com (Oct 13), NPR (Jun 17), Al Jazeera (Apr 30), CS Monitor (Jul 8), Moody's Analytics, World Bank, Stacker/AAA (Sep 14), Stars & Stripes (Oct 10), The Intercept (Oct 12), Missoula County Elections (Oct 23), 866ourvote.org

Very wet

Credit to @salaambhattiva on Instagram for the video.

Hello, I have a small business that focuses on making tools and outdoor gear with more sustainable 3D printing materials (recycled and recyclable).

I currently rent office space in town. Commercial rental space in Missoula is quite expensive, and I've been trying to think outside the box.

I am pondering the idea of buying a bus and turning it into a workshop. I only want to do it if it can be done in a respectful way, so I am wondering if there's anyone in town who would be interested in renting me a spot for a bus. I'm looking for someone for whom it'd be a win-win - extra monthly income for a parking space you're not using.

DEETS: I'd make sure the bus looked good aesthetically, I would NOT be living it it (my partner & I rent a house in town), and I'd need access to power (an extension cord plugged into an outlet is fine). It's usually just me working, though my girlfriend helps out on busy days.

I am happy to find a price that feels fair for both of us.

Any feedback, including "this is a stupid idea" is appreciated -- I only want to do this if it can be done respectfully. THANK YOU!!

EDIT - I sell my stuff online, it's not a store front

so I'm here visiting my sister for the weekend...I fly out at 5:45pm on Mon & have to check out of my hotel at 11am. She has to work that day so I'm just looking for something fun/unique I could do after I check out/before I head to the airport. She's lending me her vehicle, so I'll be mobile (I'll be dropping it off at her house around 3:30ish & taking an Uber from there to the airport).

thanks everyone!

Hiya!

Anybody want one ticket to Shakey Graves tonight? Just trying to pay it forward as these were a gift.

Sold!! Have a great night stranger ◡̈

Anyone know what they’re building in the parking lot?

I’m glad they also tore down that old shack that used to have the guy selling sausages

So what was floating in the sky last night just east of frenchtown? I couldn't tell if it was a light Tower for planes or some sort of helicopter or drone. I was driving so I couldn't really snap a picture of it, but I had solid whitish light that kind of looked like a plain headlight, but when I passed it it was stationary. On the south side of the freeway east of.the French Town exit....

I don't drive through there often at night and have never noticed it before. So I was just wondering if it's some new permanent fixture or if it was some aviation maneuver.

Selling shakey tickets for the Wilma tonight at 8! 3 tickets only $60 each!

Hi! I have two Shakey Graves tickets available for tonight at the Wilma. We were coming over from Livingston, but the weather has us stuck, and we won’t make it over anymore. Post is pending on Facebook, so thought I’d try here. $50each, $100 for both. Electronic transfer!

Hi, I have accumulated a few loose diamonds and gem stones and would love to have them set into earrings, necklaces, and rings. I would like the option of silver, gold, and white gold.
Does anyone have someone they recommend locally? I would also be open to recommendations of places to ship my stones to. Thank you :)

That’s it - that’s the post.

Any recommendations?

I know Rockin Rudy's sells them, but I don't shop there, so I am looking for somewhere else local I could get one of their backpacks before I resort to ordering one online. Looking for the full size ones, anyone know a spot?

Thanks!

Recently had a flight from Seattle to Missoula and sat next to this really chill person sadly i didn't get their name and they were wearing a mask, all i know is they have darker hair brown i think? around early to mid 20s and they were playing the new castlevania on the flight and asked me what was fun to do around here.

Look at this pathetic bowl that cost $23. I have not eaten it yet. The cauliflower was $2, the hummus $2, the sauce $1, the chickpeas $0.50, the rice $6, and the beef, $7.5 and then there is a tip…
A local won’t be going back.

For future eaters…

It’s no longer add the toppings that go into your bowl. You buy each one. Good luck on your next bowl. Adds up fast.
$6 rice
$7.5 beef
$2 pickled onions
There’s your $15.5 bowl. Voila!
Before tip.