The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is inviting public comment on the state’s 2022-2024 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report and a new pH Assessment Method for Streams and Rivers. In addition, DEQ has opened a call for data and surface water assessment requests for the next integrated report cycle, which will be submitted to Read More…
Senator Steve Daines underscored the importance of strong economic and strategic ties between the United States and Central Asia during the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference this week, delivering both the opening and closing remarks at the event. Over the past 20 months, Daines has visited all five Central Asian nations, meeting with their presidents Read More…
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) over a data breach that allegedly exposed the sensitive personal and medical information of hundreds of thousands of members. The filing comes as Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown launched a separate investigation into the Read More…
In a game packed with big plays, wild momentum swings, and a finish few will forget, the No. 2 Montana Grizzlies held off Eastern Washington 29–24 on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium to remain unbeaten on the season. The win pushed Montana to 10-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Sky Conference play, keeping the Grizzlies firmly Read More…
Montana State University and the Downtown Bozeman Association will host the university’s 2025 Homecoming pep rally Friday, Sept. 26. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Willson Avenue in downtown Bozeman. Head coach Brent Vigen and the 2025 football captains will help rally the crowd along with Read More…
Students at Morning Star School in Bozeman had an unusual start to their Friday morning: a visit from Governor Greg Gianforte and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. McMahon is traveling to all 50 states as part of her “Returning Education to the States” tour, an initiative aligned with President Donald Trump’s goal of shifting Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte recognized Sergeant Bob Longcake of Shelby with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, honoring both his military service during the Vietnam War and his decades of dedication to veterans and his community. “Sergeant Longcake exemplifies the very best of Montana’s veterans,” Gianforte said. “From his courageous service in Vietnam to his tireless Read More…
The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) welcomed 11 new troopers into its ranks Friday during the 82nd Advanced Academy graduation ceremony. The event included remarks from Attorney General Austin Knudsen and MHP Colonel Kurt Sager, followed by a formal swearing-in and badge-pinning ceremony. “I am proud to welcome 11 new troopers to the Montana Highway Patrol,” Read More…
As a project manager who specializes in campus recruiting for one of the world’s largest professional service firms, Reannon Crider insists on visiting her alma mater – the University of Montana. Crider grew up in Helena and graduated from UM in 2015 with a degree in management information systems, one of UM’s highest earning degrees, Read More…
The Reimagining Rural program, an initiative of Montana State University Extension, will host the second annual Reimagining Rural Roadshow Oct. 1-2 in Glasgow. Designed as a one-stop connection point, the roadshow brings state and regional resource providers together with rural community leaders in a rural setting. Launched in 2019, Reimagining Rural is dedicated to providing Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today the opening of the fourth annual Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest, inviting Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 17 to share their hunting experiences. “For the past three years, young hunters across Montana have shared incredible stories that celebrate our hunting heritage and love of the outdoors,” Gov. Read More…
Montana State Auditor James Brown has joined elected leaders and financial officers nationwide urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the delisting of Chinese companies that fail to meet U.S. anti-fraud and transparency standards. The move is aimed at protecting American investors and strengthening national security. “Montanans should not be forced to roll Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R–Mont.) emphasized the importance of expanding energy production in tribal communities during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing this week. Speaking with David Conrad, Acting Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, Daines highlighted the potential for tribal energy projects to strengthen sovereignty and fuel Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke (R–Mont.) this week welcomed Montana’s inaugural Honor Flight as 32 veterans from across the state traveled to the nation’s capital to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service. Zinke met the group at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where he spoke with the veterans, answered questions, and reflected on the meaning Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte this week signed an executive order creating a new Energy Task Force charged with developing strategies to expand affordable, reliable energy production in Montana. “With increasing demand on our energy grid, we must meet the challenge head-on to ensure affordable, reliable power for Montanans now and into the future,” Gianforte said. “After Read More…
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) announced today that Montana has been selected to participate in the National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy on Youth Apprenticeship, a national initiative aimed at expanding high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for students and young adults. The program, supported by a $50,000 award, will allow Montana to work with Read More…
The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is now accepting applications for the Chrome for Kids Wish Fund, a grant program that supports nonprofits dedicated to granting wishes for chronically or seriously ill children. The Chrome for Kids Wish Fund was created by the Montana Legislature and is financed through voluntary $20 donations collected when residents Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed the opening brief in William Trevor Case v. State of Montana ahead of oral arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) scheduled for October 15. The Attorney General’s Office will defend a Montana Supreme Court ruling that law enforcement may enter a home without a search Read More…
Montana’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the State Historic Preservation Review Board will hold their tri-annual public meeting on September 18 at the Big Timber Carnegie Library. During the meeting, the board will review and forward nominations for six historic properties across Montana to the Keeper of the National Register at the U.S. Department Read More…
As a growing number of schools across Montana ponder moving to a four-day school week, a researcher at Montana State University and her colleagues are examining the impacts of such a change on children. Among other topics, MSU’s Emily Tomayko and her collaborators have examined questions related to the impact of a four-day school Read More…
overnor Greg Gianforte this week recognized Montana veterans for their service to the nation and their lasting contributions to their communities, presenting the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation during ceremonies in Beaverhead and Silver Bow counties. “Montana is stronger because of the selflessness and leadership of our veterans,” Gianforte said. “These men and women answered Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is warning Montanans about the dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a powerful opioid derivative that is being sold over the counter in gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores across the state. 7-OH is a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant and has been linked to a growing number of deaths. Read More…
The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) command staff has wrapped up its annual district tour, a statewide effort to connect directly with troopers, captains, sergeants, and professional staff across MHP’s seven districts. The yearly tour provides an opportunity to strengthen internal bonds, set future goals, and celebrate accomplishments. This year, Colonel Kurt Sager and MHP leadership Read More…
The Burton K. Wheeler Center at Montana State University will host a lecture and book discussion on political corruption and accountability this September. The event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Strand Union Building’s Procrastinator Theatre. Admission is free for students and $10 for the public. Registration is required and Read More…
Aspiring healthcare workers in Great Falls will have a new pathway to medical careers beginning September 2025 with the launch of the Great Falls Medical Assistant School, an 18-week program offering hands-on training, certifications, and externships at the Open Door Medical Clinic. The program, conveniently located at 2 5th St N #204, is designed to Read More…
Montana residents are losing millions to cryptocurrency scams, including a growing number involving Bitcoin ATMs, state officials warn. Montana State Auditor James Brown, who also serves as commissioner of securities and insurance, said his office has documented $600,000 in crypto ATM-related fraud since 2023. Brown emphasized that funds sent through these machines often go overseas, Read More…
Prosecutors with the Montana Attorney General’s Office on Thursday charged a 31-year-old Carter County man with three felony counts of sexual abuse of children for possession of explicit images and videos depicting a child under 12, including at least one image digitally altered using artificial intelligence. Shy Herbert McCutchan was arrested in Alzada by the Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte has approved $308 million in broadband deployment grants aimed at closing Montana’s digital divide, backing 32 projects that will extend high-speed internet to nearly 72,000 unserved and underserved locations across the state. The funding recommendations were presented Tuesday by the state’s Communications Advisory Commission (CAC), which voted unanimously to advance the projects Read More…
The Montana Historical Society will kick off the fall season with the return of its popular public lecture series in September, while also joining forces with the Montana 250th Commission to host a statewide virtual book club in anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The lecture series, which regularly draws history enthusiasts Read More…
Montana Grizzly Athletics produces much more than championships and scholar student-athletes. Griz Athletics contributes more than $94 million in total spending for Missoula-area businesses annually according to a new report published by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. A day after again announcing record-setting football season ticket sales, the report notes the increased demand Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte on Friday celebrated the second anniversary of the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library of Montana, a program that delivers free, high-quality books each month to children under five in every corner of the state. Partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the program aims to boost early Read More…
hen not immersed in the wild lands of the Northern Rockies, University of Montana alum Earle Layser and his late wife, Pattie, of Alta, Wyoming, were often on the move – or putting pen to paper and taking photos to capture their experiences. Between them, they published hundreds of stories on conservation and natural history, Read More…
Starting this fall, Montana State University students will see increased career opportunities due to a revamp of the hospitality degree program. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management will now have two paths to choose from: a business-specific concentration from MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship or a sustainable food systems-focused concentration Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday marked the opening of Eshylon Scientific’s new facility in Bozeman, cutting the ribbon on the semiconductor manufacturing solutions company’s relocation from California to Montana. The governor toured the site and highlighted the investment as part of Montana’s growing technology and semiconductor industry. “Montana is becoming a hub for entrepreneurship and Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requesting public input on a draft guidance document that would establish how the agency determines performance reclamation bonds for coal mines. The bonds are intended to ensure funds are available to complete mine reclamation if a company is unable or unwilling to carry out its reclamation plan. Read More…
In an effort to deliberately focus its academic strengths, the University of Montana is launching fall semester with two new colleges led by two new interim deans. The largest collection of academic units at UM – the venerable College of Humanities and Sciences – has been divided into two new units: the College of Science Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced Monday that a new loan participation program aimed at expanding access to capital for rural businesses will open for applications on Oct. 1, 2025. The Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Loan Participation Program will partner with local lenders to provide low-interest loans for projects that support job creation, strengthen Read More…
BOZEMAN — Montana State University officially opened its interdisciplinary research facility dedicated to the study of quantum computing Aug. 20. Called QCORE, or Quantum Collaborative Research and Education, the high-tech facility is housed in MSU’s College of Letters and Science and positions the university to identify and address grand challenges in quantum systems. Quantum computing is Read More…
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWE) said their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock, tax-free merger. The deal will create a regulated electric and natural gas utility company with an estimated market capitalization of $7.8 billion and an enterprise value of Read More…
Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8% in July, marking the tenth consecutive month below 3% and extending a four-year stretch at or below 3.4%, according to state labor data released this week. The state continues to rank among the five lowest in the nation for unemployment, 1.4 percentage points below the national rate of 4.2%. Read More…
With bachelor’s and master’s degrees now under his belt, Montana State University alumnus Quinn Holland’s advice to current students is still what drives him every day. “Relentlessly chase what excites you in life. If there is something that you are curious about, chase it until the end of the earth and until you’re satisfied with Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has reappointed Scott Aspenlieder and Garret McFarland to the state’s Gaming Advisory Council (GAC). Aspenlieder, of Billings, has served on the GAC since 2021 and currently holds the position of chair, representing the public at large. He also serves on the Billings City Council and owns Performance Engineering. McFarland, of Read More…
Eagle Mount Great Falls, a local nonprofit providing recreational programs for individuals with disabilities, has received a $22,500 grant from The Hartford to support its adaptive paddle-sports program. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment, including two adaptive rafts, seven kayaks, and four paddleboards, expanding opportunities for participants to engage in river and Read More…
When Montana State University’s new QCORE facility opens its doors later this month, it will do so with the help of around 60 outside organizations, companies and individuals – including $44.7 million from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL. Catherine Hahola, assistant director of systems for Montana State University Information Technology, left, and Read More…