Featured Articles in Montana News

Montana Revokes License of Doctor Accused of Unnecessary Cancer Treatments

The state of Montana has revoked the medical license of Dr. Thomas Weiner, the former director of St. Peter’s Health Cancer Treatment Center, following findings that he harmed patients through unnecessary treatments and violated professional standards of care. The Adjudication Panel of the Montana Board of Medical Examiners voted unanimously last week to revoke Weiner’s Read More…

Montana Lottery announces Montana Millionaire winning numbers

The Montana Lottery on Friday announced the winning numbers for this year’s Montana Millionaire game, which awarded five $1 million prizes. The winning ticket numbers are: #1: 200837 #2: 315500 #3: 387095 #4: 582688 #5: 589431 Players holding winning tickets are encouraged to begin the claims process by visiting the Montana Lottery’s website at montanalottery.com/claim-your-prize. Read More…

UM Western Appoints Estee Aiken as Interim Provost

The University of Montana Western has appointed Dr. Estee Aiken as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective Dec. 27, 2025, university officials announced. Aiken will succeed Dr. Brian Elliott, who has served in the interim role for the past seven months. University leaders thanked Elliott for his service and leadership during a Read More…

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Montana Revokes License of Doctor Accused of Unnecessary Cancer Treatments

The state of Montana has revoked the medical license of Dr. Thomas Weiner, the former director of St. Peter’s Health Cancer Treatment Center, following findings that he harmed patients through unnecessary treatments and violated professional standards of care. The Adjudication Panel of the Montana Board of Medical Examiners voted unanimously last week to revoke Weiner’s Read More…

Montana Lottery announces Montana Millionaire winning numbers

The Montana Lottery on Friday announced the winning numbers for this year’s Montana Millionaire game, which awarded five $1 million prizes. The winning ticket numbers are: #1: 200837 #2: 315500 #3: 387095 #4: 582688 #5: 589431 Players holding winning tickets are encouraged to begin the claims process by visiting the Montana Lottery’s website at montanalottery.com/claim-your-prize. Read More…

UM Western Appoints Estee Aiken as Interim Provost

The University of Montana Western has appointed Dr. Estee Aiken as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective Dec. 27, 2025, university officials announced. Aiken will succeed Dr. Brian Elliott, who has served in the interim role for the past seven months. University leaders thanked Elliott for his service and leadership during a Read More…

USDA grant brings free wellness series to farmers and ranchers in western Montana

Farmers and ranchers across western Montana are invited to participate in Better Together: A Wellness Series for Farmers and Ranchers, a free, in-person workshop series made possible through a newly awarded U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program grant. The series is led by MSU Extension in Missoula County in partnership with Read More…

Gianforte Approves 406 JOBS Year One Plan

Gov. Greg Gianforte  announced his approval of the 406 JOBS Year One Work Plan, a comprehensive roadmap developed by the State Workforce Innovation Board aimed at modernizing Montana’s workforce development system. “Government usually struggles to move at the speed of business, but 406 JOBS is proving that wrong,” Gianforte said in a statement. “We launched Read More…

Montana Joins Multistate Lawsuit Against Uber

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging the ridesharing and delivery company engaged in unfair and deceptive practices related to its Uber One subscription service. The lawsuit was filed in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, 22 states, and the District of Columbia. It raises concerns about Uber’s enrollment, billing Read More…

Knudsen Leads 26-State Coalition Seeking DOJ Probe of China-Linked Climate Groups

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a 26-state coalition of attorneys general in requesting a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into two climate activist organizations with alleged ties to China, citing potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In a letter sent Tuesday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Read More…

MHP Operation in St. Regis Nets Dozens of Arrests, Large Drug Seizures

Montana Highway Patrol troopers conducted a multi-day interdiction operation in St. Regis earlier this month aimed at combating criminal activity and removing illicit drugs from the community. The operation ran from Dec. 7 through Dec. 11 and involved MHP’s Criminal Interdiction Team (CIT) and Strategic Enforcement Traffic Team (SETT), working in partnership with the United Read More…

Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for Northwestern Montana Flooding

Gov. Greg Gianforte announced that President Donald J. Trump has approved Montana’s request for a presidential emergency declaration to help the state respond to severe flooding in northwestern Montana. “Thanks to President Trump’s quick response, Montana is securing the additional resources our communities need to respond to this emergency,” Gianforte said in a statement. “While Read More…

Gianforte Donates Portion of Salary to Mountain Shadow Association in Lodge Grass

Gov. Greg Gianforte on donated a quarter of his annual salary to the Mountain Shadow Association in Lodge Grass, marking the twelfth and final day of his fifth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign. The donation supports the nonprofit’s work strengthening families, restoring parent-child relationships, and advancing community-led healing and addiction recovery efforts in Lodge Read More…

Sen. Jason Ellsworth Charged with official misconduct

Prosecutors in the Montana Attorney General’s Office  filed official misconduct charges against state Sen. Jason Ellsworth, alleging he acted outside the scope of his lawful authority as a public servant and improperly handled a state contract. Prosecutors also asked the court to suspend Ellsworth from office pending final judgment. The charges stem from a Montana Read More…

Montana AG Knudsen Sues Uber Over Uber One Subscription Practices

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Monday filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging the ridesharing and delivery company engaged in unfair and deceptive practices tied to its Uber One subscription service. The lawsuit, filed in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, 22 states and the District of Columbia, raises concerns about Uber’s enrollment, billing and Read More…

Sheehy Nominates Four Montanans for U.S. Service Academies

U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy has nominated four Montana students for admission to United States Service Academies, recognizing their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to public service. Sheehy said the nominations reflect both the students’ accomplishments and the importance of military service to the nation. “My wife and I met at the Naval Academy, and we Read More…

GAO Report Reveals Widespread Fraud in Obamacare Marketplace

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation has uncovered massive fraud and systemic weaknesses in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, including fake identities receiving subsidies, misuse of Social Security numbers, billions in unreconciled payments, and insurers collecting tax credits for deceased individuals. The report validates longstanding Republican concerns that the ACA subsidy system lacks Read More…

Governor Gianforte Declares Flooding Disaster in Northwestern Montana

Governor Greg Gianforte has issued an executive order declaring a flooding disaster in northwestern Montana as historic rainfall and snowmelt swell local rivers. “Continued rainfall across northwestern Montana has flooded some of our communities, including the town of Libby,” Gianforte said. “This order will ensure resources are deployed quickly and effectively to protect Montanans and Read More…

Montana Unemployment Insurance Reforms Save Businesses $23 Million

More than 32,000 Montana businesses will see a reduction in unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates in 2026, resulting in over $23 million in savings, the Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced. “By reforming our tax code and cutting back the thicket of red tape tying up job creators, we’re helping Montana businesses grow and Read More…

Montana Awards Over $8 Million in Federal Funding for Affordable Housing Projects

The Montana Department of Commerce announced that six organizations will share more than $8 million in federal funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the Housing Trust Fund (HTF), and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The grants support the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing while bolstering the state’s economy with good-paying jobs. Read More…

Daines Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominees

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) has announced his nomination of four Montana students seeking enrollment at the nation’s U.S. military academies. “As the son of a U.S. Marine, it is an honor and a privilege to nominate outstanding young Montanans to compete for an appointment to the United States service academies,” Daines said. “All of Read More…

Montana DOJ Warns Public About Fake County Jail Websites

The Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning residents about scammers operating fraudulent county jail websites that target families of inmates in an effort to steal personal and financial information. OCP has received reports of a fake website, musselshellcountyjail.org, which impersonates the official Musselshell County Detention Center. The site falsely offers Read More…

Governor Gianforte Highlights Veteran Therapy Program in “12 Days of Giving”

On the fifth day of his annual “12 Days of Giving” campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte spotlighted Underwater Soldiers, a Montana nonprofit that provides therapeutic scuba diving for veterans while helping clean the state’s waterways. “Montana veterans have given so much to protect our freedoms and serve our communities,” Gianforte said. “Underwater Soldiers gives veterans a Read More…

MVD Rolls Out Next-Generation Driver Licenses and IDs

The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) unveiled a redesigned driver license and identification card today, featuring enhanced security elements aimed at reducing driver license fraud and identity theft. The new credentials, described as among the most secure in the nation, will begin issuance in December 2025. Current cards will remain valid until their expiration dates. Read More…

Montana State junior wins $10,000 scholarship from energy society

Montana State University junior Molly Coonfield, who is studying electrical engineering with a minor in mechatronics, recently received a $10,000 scholarship from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Power and Energy Society. The society provides up to 20 scholarships and real-world experiences annually to undergraduates who are interested in building a career in power Read More…

Montanan Katie Verderber to represent Team USA in 2026 Winter Paralympics

Montana attorney Katie Verderber has been selected to represent Team USA in Wheelchair Mixed Curling at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The announcement was made Monday, Nov. 24, by USA Curling, the national governing body for Olympic and Paralympic curling in the United States. Verderber will join teammates Matthew Thums of Read More…

Trucking Industry Exec Earns UM Honorary Doc

Lana Batts likes to say if you got it, a truck brought it. As a former president of the Truckload Carriers Association and a senior vice president of government affairs with the American Trucking Association, Batts became a standout figure in the male-dominated transportation sector. She has been described as a trailblazer for women who Read More…

64 New Officers Graduate from Montana Law Enforcement Academy

Sixty-four new officers who will serve in 41 agencies across Montana graduated Friday from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), part of the Montana Department of Justice. The academy provides both basic and advanced training for state, county, city, and tribal law enforcement officers. Attorney General Austin Knudsen attended the ceremony to congratulate and address Read More…

Montana Heritage Center Completes $60 Million Fundraising Campaign

The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) announced today that its $60 million fundraising campaign for the Montana Heritage Center has been successfully completed, thanks to a final $165,000 gift from the Oakland Family Foundation of Great Falls. The state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open to the public on December 3 with free admission. After MTHS reported Read More…

Montana State to award honorary doctorate to alumnus whose foundation supports injured veterans

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Eric Hastings, a Montana State University alumnus and founder of a national organization that serves traumatically injured servicemen and women, will receive an honorary doctorate degree from MSU during the university’s fall commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12, at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Today, the Montana Board of Regents approved Read More…

Montana Highway Patrol Troopers Honored for Bravery and Excellence

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen honored two Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) troopers Thursday for exceptional acts of bravery and service. Trooper Jourdon Gulick received the MHP’s highest honor, the Award of Valor, for his courageous actions during a fiery vehicle rollover in 2024. Trooper Nick Wade earned the Attorney General’s Award of Commendation for going Read More…

Gianforte Signs Agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

During a strategic trade mission to Japan, Governor Greg Gianforte signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to explore potential investments in data center and energy infrastructure projects in Montana. “Montana offers affordable, reliable energy, a skilled workforce, and a welcoming environment for innovation,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This agreement with Mitsubishi Read More…

PSC Cuts NorthWestern’s Rate Request by $43 Million

NorthWestern Energy customers will see lower utility bills and receive refunds with interest after the Montana Public Service Commission finalized a sweeping decision in the company’s 2024 electric and natural gas rate case, rejecting $43 million of the utility’s proposed costs while approving construction of a new Yellowstone County power plant. The decision caps a Read More…

More Funding Available for School Field Trips to Helena

The Montana Historical Society is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the second wave of its History and Civics Travel Grant program. Thanks to generous support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, the Society has already awarded funding to 46 schools across 23 Montana counties—from Eureka to Hardin—making hands-on history accessible Read More…