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Starbucks to close over 400 shops

By
Alan
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Starbucks

Starbucks is in the process of closing over 400 stores across North America as part of a major restructuring effort led by CEO Brian Niccol.

Reports indicate that more than 450 locations in the U.S. alone shuttered in late September, with total closures potentially reaching up to 568 company-operated stores when including Canada. This represents about 1% of the company’s North American footprint, which stood at nearly 18,300 locations (company-operated and licensed) in the U.S. and Canada as of late September 2025.

Globally, Starbucks operates over 32,000 stores, so these closures are a relatively small adjustment but part of a broader $1 billion plan to revitalize the brand.

Reasons for the Closures

The decision stems from several challenges:

Underperformance and Shifting Consumer Habits:

Many stores were not meeting customer expectations or generating sufficient profits, exacerbated by post-Covid changes like reduced urban foot traffic and a preference for drive-thru or mobile orders. CEO Niccol noted that mobile ordering had “taken a lot of the soul out of the brand.”

Economic Pressures:

Inflation and higher menu prices have deterred customers, especially those earning under $100,000, with over 70% in surveys planning fewer visits.

Increased Competition:

Rivals like independent artisanal shops (e.g., Blue Bottle, Blank Street Coffee) and drive-thru chains (e.g., Dutch Bros) are gaining ground.

Financial Struggles:

Starbucks has seen declining same-store sales for six straight quarters and a 9% stock drop in 2025.

As part of the restructuring, Starbucks is also laying off about 900 non-retail (corporate) employees, cutting 30% of its menu, ending open-bathroom policies for non-customers, and renovating 1,000 U.S. stores with more seating and power outlets to restore the “third place” vibe.

The company does however, plan to open new stores in fiscal 2026, aiming for growth despite the cuts.

Affected Locations

Starbucks hasn’t released an official full list, but crowdsourced trackers and media reports have compiled details on hundreds of closures, mostly company-operated stores closing on or around late September, early October.

The bulk of these shops are in the U.S., with some in Canada.

To check if a specific store is affected, use the Starbucks app or website, or refer to your local news. Closures have been described as abrupt in some areas, like NYC, leading to employee and customer disruptions.

Even in spite of market saturation, Starbucks expects to maintain it’s growth, with analysts optimistic about the long-term turnaround.




 

The 2025 Municipal General Election in Great Falls

By
Alan
-
Municipal General Election

The 2025 Municipal General Election in Great Falls, is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025. This election is being conducted as an all-mail ballot election, meaning all registered voters in the city will receive their ballots by mail.

No primary election was held this year because the number of candidates for each position did not exceed twice the number of available seats, per Montana election rules.

The election covers positions for mayor, city commissioners, a municipal court judge, and select neighborhood council representatives.

Voters in Great Falls should prepare for mail-in ballots, which will be mailed out starting October 20, 2025. This aligns with state guidelines for mail ballot elections, where ballots are typically sent 15-20 days before Election Day.

Ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on November 4, either by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or dropped off at designated locations, such as the Cascade County Election Office or polling places on Election Day.

Key issues on the ballot may include local matters like fireworks regulations, as highlighted in recent discussions. Elected officials will take office in January 2026.

Positions and Candidates

Based on filings as of June 2025, here is a summary of the positions and known candidates. Note that most neighborhood council positions were canceled from the ballot due to insufficient candidates (equal to or fewer than available seats), with those candidates elected by acclamation. Only Neighborhood Council 3 will appear on the ballot.

For Mayor

1 seat for 2 years
Cory Reeves (incumbent), Jasmine Taylor

City Commissioner (at-large)

2 seats for 4 years
Susan Wolff (incumbent), Matt Pipinich, Paige Tuco, Eric Hinebauch

Municipal Court Judge (Department B)

1 seat for 4 years
Mark Dunn (appears unopposed based on available filings)

Neighborhood Council Representatives (District 3 only)

5 seats for 2 years
Bradley Jay Riehl (Other districts filled by acclamation or appointment)

For Neighborhood Councils 1, 2, 4-9, positions were removed from the ballot, and any filed candidates are automatically elected. Vacancies will be filled by appointment if needed.

Important Dates for Voters

Use this timeline to prepare:

    • October 6, 2025: Regular voter registration ends at 5:00 p.m. Forms postmarked by this date and received within 3 days are accepted.
    • October 7, 2025: Late registration begins (available until noon on November 3).
    • October 20, 2025: Mail-in ballots are sent to registered voters. (Window may start as early as October 15 per state rules.)
    • October 27, 2025: Public test of voting machines at 1:00 p.m., Exhibition Hall, Montana ExpoPark.
    • November 3, 2025: Late registration ends at noon; deadline for absentee ballot applications.
    • November 4, 2025: Election Day. Polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for in-person voting or ballot drop-off. Same-day registration available until 8:00 p.m.
    • November 10, 2025: Provisional ballots counted at 3:00 p.m.
    • November 13, 2025: Official canvass at 9:00 a.m.

How Voters Can Prepare

Check Your Registration:

Verify your status and track your ballot using Montana’s My Voter Page (https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx). Contact the Cascade County Election Office at 406-454-6803 if needed.

New Requirement for Absentee Ballots:

Due to HB 719 (effective October 1, 2025), you must include your year of birth on the signature envelope. If it doesn’t match records, you’ll be notified to correct it.

Return Your Ballot:

Mail it back (ensure postmarked by November 4) or drop it off at the Election Office (325 2nd Ave N, Great Falls) or polling places on Election Day. No postage is required in some cases, but check locally.

In-Person Options:

If you prefer, vote in person on Election Day or request a replacement ballot if yours doesn’t arrive.

Get Informed:

Review sample ballots on the Cascade County website or contact the office for polling locations. For candidate details, visit Ballotpedia or local news sources.

If you haven’t received your ballot by late October, contact the Election Office immediately. For more details, visit the official Cascade County Elections page or the City of Great Falls website.




 

The Granaries of Lindoso

By
Alan
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Granaries of Lindoso

The Granaries of Lindoso, known locally as espigueiros (or canastros), are a remarkable collection of traditional elevated stone storage structures in northern Portugal. These granaries were historically used to store corn and other grains, protecting them from moisture, rodents, and theft by raising them on pillars above the ground.

Location

Lindoso is a small village situated within Peneda-Gerês National Park, near the border with Spain in the Viana do Castelo district. The granaries are clustered in an open area adjacent to the medieval Castle of Lindoso, which offers panoramic views of the site and surrounding landscapes. This strategic positioning not only aids in ventilation but also historically facilitated surveillance. The area is a popular spot for visitors, with the castle itself accessible for a small fee for enhanced viewpoints.

History

The oldest granaries in Lindoso date back to the 17th century, with many constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Contrary to some portrayals as communal assets, they were privately owned and sized according to each family’s agricultural holdings. During periods of food scarcity, they were frequent targets for theft, leading to organized surveillance systems involving local authorities, police rotations, and even vineyard owners. This practice underscored social tensions, including distrust between wealthier and poorer residents, and only faded as economic conditions improved and hunger became less prevalent. Today, the site preserves around 50 of these structures, serving as a testament to rural Portuguese heritage.

Architecture

These elongated, rectangular granaries are built primarily from local granite, featuring slatted sides for air circulation and mushroom-shaped stone pillars (often topped with discs to deter rodents). The roofs are typically tiled, and the overall design is simple yet functional, blending seamlessly with the rugged terrain. Each granary’s style could historically indicate its owner’s household, though inheritances and divisions have made this less straightforward over time. Similar designs can be found in nearby villages like Soajo and Cidadelhe, but Lindoso boasts one of the largest and best-preserved groupings.

Significance

The granaries represent Portugal’s agricultural past and the ingenuity of rural communities in adapting to environmental challenges. They highlight themes of self-sufficiency, social inequality, and evolving community dynamics — debunking myths of them as purely communal symbols. As a cultural landmark, they draw tourists interested in history, architecture, and nature, often visited alongside the castle for family outings or photography amid scenic hills. The site is free to explore outdoors, making it an accessible piece of living heritage in a national park setting.




 

Montana’s Hunters Against Hunger

By
Alan
-
Hunters Against Hunger

Montana’s Hunters Against Hunger is a statewide program that enables hunters to donate legally harvested big game meat to help combat food insecurity across the state.

Hunters Against Hunger launched in 2014 as a partnership between the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), it allows hunters to drop off deer, elk, antelope, moose, or bison at participating meat processors at no cost to the donor. The processors then prepare the meat (typically into ground form for efficiency) and distribute it to food banks, pantries, and community organizations that serve those in need.

How the Program Works

Donation Process:

Hunters can donate whole animals or portions of their harvest during the legal hunting season. Participating processors handle the butchering and packaging free of charge, funded through program donations and grants. Not all kills qualify for free processing (e.g., those under a kill tag may need preauthorization from MFBN), but the program prioritizes ensuring safe, inspected meat reaches recipients.

License Donations:

When purchasing or applying for a hunting license for deer, elk, antelope, or bison, individuals can opt to donate $1 or more to support the program. These funds help cover processing costs.

Eligibility and Safety:

All donated meat must come from legally harvested animals in good condition. Processors follow food safety standards, and the meat is distributed fresh or frozen to ensure quality.

Impact and History

Since its inception, the program has facilitated the donation of over 413,995 pounds of nutrient-rich wild game meat, providing high-protein meals to Montanans facing hunger. This equates to millions of servings, with an emphasis on supporting families, seniors, and rural communities where access to fresh protein can be limited. The initiative not only addresses food insecurity but also promotes sustainable wildlife management by encouraging ethical harvesting.

For more details, including a list of participating processors or how to donate, visit the MFBN website or contact them directly at (406) 721-3825. The program runs annually during hunting seasons and continues to expand with community support.




 

Yōm Kippūr (יוֹם כִּפּוּר) Have a meaningful fast

By
Alan
-
Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement (transliterated from Hebrew as Yōm Kippūr), is the holiest day in Judaism and a central part of the High Holy Days. It falls annually on the 10th day of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar, typically in late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 1, and ends at nightfall on Thursday.

The holiday’s roots are outlined in the Torah, particularly in Leviticus 16:1–34, Leviticus 23:26–32, and Numbers 29:7–11, where God instructs Moses to establish it as a day for atonement through fasting and abstaining from work. It’s traditionally linked to the day Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the second set of Tablets of the Law after the golden calf incident, symbolizing divine forgiveness.

Yom Kippur marks the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance, which begin with Rosh Hashanah. It’s a time for introspection, repentance (teshuva), and seeking atonement for sins committed over the past year. According to Jewish tradition, on this day, God finalizes each person’s fate for the coming year, as reflected in prayers like Unetanneh Tokef, which describes the sealing of the Book of Life. The focus is on moral purification, reconciliation with others and God, and fostering Jewish unity.

The day involves a 25-hour fast (from sunset to the following nightfall) and five ascetic prohibitions: no eating or drinking, no wearing leather shoes, no bathing or washing, no anointing with perfumes or lotions, and no marital relations. Work is strictly forbidden, akin to Shabbat restrictions. Fasting applies to boys over 13 and girls over 12, but is excused for health reasons under the principle of pikuach nefesh (saving a life).

Synagogue services are intensive, featuring five prayer sessions: Maariv (evening), Shacharit (morning), Musaf (additional), Mincha (afternoon), and Ne’ila (closing). Key elements include the Kol Nidre prayer (annulling vows), repeated confessions (Vidui), and recitations of the ancient Temple service (Avodah). Many wear white clothing, such as a kittel for Ashkenazi men, to symbolize purity and humility. The holiday concludes with a shofar blast.

The day before (Erev Yom Kippur) includes seeking forgiveness from others, a festive pre-fast meal (often with kreplach or lekach), and for some, immersion in a mikveh or the kapparot ritual (waving a chicken or money overhead as a symbolic atonement, then donating to charity). Families light memorial candles and exchange blessings. After the fast, breaking it often starts with light foods like tea, cake, or in Sephardic traditions, subiye (melon seed drink), followed by a meal.

Yom Kippur is observed by a wide range of Jews, including secular ones, with high synagogue attendance. In Israel, it’s a national holiday: no public transport runs, media broadcasts cease, and streets are quiet except for children biking or skating in secular areas. Globally, some athletes (e.g., Sandy Koufax) have famously skipped games to observe it. The UN recognizes it as an official holiday since 2016. In progressive denominations like Reconstructionist Judaism, emphasis may shift from sin to personal growth and intentions.




 

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