This past month has been filled with headline-grabbing news events and, for a change, it was not only politics that dominated those news stories, but rather financial markets themselves, with gold and mining shares grabbing a major share of attention.

It appears that market softness due to a slowing Chinese economy may already have affected precious and base metals quotes.

Legislation to allow the Idaho treasurer to invest in gold and silver that must be physically stored in Idaho is headed to the full House.

For “hard money” advocates, this has been a remarkable month. Gold has risen by more than $100, silver has begun to surge, and the headlines are full of news items quite capable of raising public concerns to crisis levels.