Featured Articles in Montana News

Montana Department of Commerce Awards $1.4 Million to Boost Rural Emergency Services

he Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 rural safety agencies will receive more than $1.4 million in grant funding to enhance emergency service capabilities in areas experiencing increased tourism. The funding, allocated through the Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program (METAP), aims to strengthen public safety across rural communities. “Emergency services are critical Read More…

Board of Regents approves new institute at Montana State to address national security

BOZEMAN — The Montana Board of Regents today approved Montana State University’s proposal to establish a new institute to help address the nation’s security needs through applied research, technology development and education for the next generation of leaders. The Institute for National Security Research and Education, or INSRE, will serve as a hub at MSU, Read More…

Montana State University Appoints William Thomas as New Dean of College of Letters and Science

Montana State University announced today that William Thomas, a seasoned administrator and faculty member from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been selected as the new dean of the MSU College of Letters and Science. Thomas will officially assume his role on January 13, 2025. “William Thomas brings a wealth of experience as a scholar, educator, Read More…

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Montana Supreme Court dismisses lawsuits related to university campuses

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Montana Supreme Court says two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of campus-related bills passed in the 2021 legislative session should be filed in district court first. One lawsuit was filed by the Montana Board of Regents and the other by the Montana Federation of Public Employees, which multiple other parties joined. Wednesday’s rulings Read More…

Logan Health union nurses deliver strike notice

The union representing nurses at Kalispell Regional Healthcare, which rebranded this week as Logan Health, announced Friday they plan to strike from June 1 to June 3 “unless Logan Health bargains in good faith.” Nurses voted 372-199 in July 2019 to unionize as SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and have been negotiating for a union contract for Read More…

New database and portal aims to ‘streamline’ reports of missing indigenous people

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Blackfeet Community College unveiled a new portal that will help people report cases of Montana’s missing and murdered indigenous people. Kimberly Loring’s sister, Ashley Loring-HeavyRunner went missing on the Blackfeet Reservation in 2017. “When she went missing, there was a gap of when she was reported missing, because we had that Read More…

MT National Guard warns of scam using their name

FORT HARRISON — The Montana National Guard has received numerous phone calls regarding scams targeting civilians. According to the MT National Guard, these scams involve the sales of vehicles that don’t exist, asking for money to support deploying soldiers, and using the addresses of Montana National Guard facilities as business locations.  

Montana will launch Return-to-Work bonuses, and opt-out of federal unemployment benefits

Governor Greg Gianforte on Tuesday announced two measures to address the state’s severe workforce shortage and provide incentives for unemployed Montanans to reenter the labor force. A news release says that the State of Montana will launch a return-to-work bonus program, utilizing federal funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act. Return-to-work bonuses will be Read More…

“Cocktails to-go” now permanent in Montana

Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed HB 226, making cocktails to-go permanent in Montana. A news release says that “this measure supports hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19 and provides increased convenience to consumers.” The law states: “Curbside pickup constitutes the sale of alcoholic beverages in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers that was ordered online or Read More…

UM officials issue alert about aggressive bear near campus

MISSOULA, Mont. — University of Montana officials have issued an alert warning community members that an aggressive bear has been spotted just south of campus. Several people called 911 at around 3:30 a.m. Friday, complaining that an aggressive bear was in garbage cans in the 1600 block of Madeline Ave., growling, and acting aggressively. Officers have Read More…

Tester believes MT vaccinations will help convince Canada to re-open border

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) believes the U.S. can convince Canada to re-open its borders to normal traffic if more people follow through on getting their COVID shots. We’ve been telling you about the emotional turmoil facing residents in Montana’s border communities from the continued pandemic shutdown of the Canadian border. READ FULL Read More…

Housing crisis leaves out Montana’s middle

MISSOULA, Mont. — Housing prices in Montana continue to soar. There’s not enough property for sale and not enough units for rent. And in many cases, not enough money to pay for either. We’re working for you to find what it means to be stuck in the middle of what some are calling Montana’s housing crisis. Read More…

Power outages in NW Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — Many residents in the Troy and Thompson Falls area are without power Sunday night. Northern Lights outage map shows roughly 1,000 customers affected by the outage in northwest Montana. READ FULL STORY

Governor prohibits “vaccine passports” in Montana

GREAT FALLS — Governor Greg Gianforte on Tuesday issued an executive order prohibiting the state-sponsored development and required use of so-called vaccine passports in Montana. “I strongly encourage Montanans to get a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, which is our best path to protect our family and friends and get back to a more normal life,” Read More…

Montana University System prepares to allow concealed carry of firearms on campus

HELENA – The Montana University System is looking for your input, when it comes to carrying guns on campus. House Bill 102 was passed by the Montana House of Representatives, expanding where people can carry a concealed weapon. The bill would relax gun restrictions in Montana by allowing concealed carrying of firearms on college campuses and allow people Read More…

Pictograph Cave State Park reopens to public

BILLINGS – Pictograph Cave State Park southeast of Billings will reopen Wednesday, two months after it was closed by a rockfall that blocked the access road and several trails. Since a rockfall in January, Park employees and contractors have worked to clear the road and trails and assess the threat of future rockfalls from the Read More…

Governor Gianforte visits local meat shop, ranch

To close out Montana Agriculture Week, Governor Greg Gianforte toured the Feddes’ Family’s Amsterdam Meat Shop in Manhattan, which was awarded a MT Meat Processing Award Grant from the CARES Act. At the site, the governor heard from owners how this investment allowed them to increase their processing capacity and get their beef from pasture Read More…

Montana selected for academy on Cybersecurity Policy

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte announced Monday in a release that Montana is one of four states selected to participate in the National Governors Association’s (NGA) 2021 Policy Academy to Advance Whole-of-State Cybersecurity. In the new policy academy, Montana will work with the NGA on developing and implementing cybersecurity workforce development plans. “As one Read More…

Montana, Texas lead suit that seeks to block Biden administration’s cancellation of Keystone XL’s border permits

Montana and Texas are leading a 21-state coalition that seeks to block the Biden administration’s cancellation of Keystone XL’s border crossing permit. Other states in the suit include North and South Dakota, as well as Wyoming and Nebraska. The suit was filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas by Read More…

Former Montana Tech football player charged with two counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent

BUTTE — A former Montana Tech and Jefferson High School football player, Derek James Nygaard, was charged Tuesday with two counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent. Butte-Silver Bow prosecutors formally charged Nygaard, 19, of Clancy, who appeared with his lawyer, David Maldonado, and his parents in Justice of the Peace Jimm Kilmer’s court. A warrant Read More…