Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a 23-state coalition in a federal court case defending parental rights after a Delaware father alleged that school officials violated his constitutional rights by concealing his child’s gender identity decisions from him. The coalition filed an amicus brief Monday in Heaps v. Delaware Valley Regional High School Board Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte continued his 56 County Tour today with a stop in Chouteau County, where he held a ceremonial bill signing for legislation aimed at strengthening Montana’s water rights system and improving water administration across the state. Standing along the banks of the Missouri River, the governor was joined by Department of Natural Resources Read More…
Travelers heading to Montana this summer may face sticker shock at the rental car counter. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) has been named the most expensive airport in the country for car rentals, according to a new survey from travel website Cheapcarrental.com. The survey, which analyzed rental rates across 100 U.S. airports for the peak Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen today announced the appointment of Billings attorney Emily Jones to the Montana Judicial Standards Commission, a key body responsible for upholding the integrity and ethical standards of the state’s judiciary. With more than 15 years in private practice, Jones brings extensive legal experience to the commission, which investigates allegations of judicial Read More…
Nearly a week after a Helena man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mayor Wilmot Collins asked Helenans to “not lose compassion” for its police force. “I understand the immense frustration and fear that many of our residents feel about what transpired,” Collins said at Monday’s City Commission meeting. “The facts about what happened Read More…
For the Northern Cheyenne people, archery has long been more than a sport. It’s a skill rooted in tradition, precision, and connection to the land. This summer, that tradition is being carried forward. Local nonprofit Yellow Bird Lifeways recently hosted a youth archery camp, and Chief Dull Knife College is preparing to offer a new Read More…
It’s rodeo week in East Helena. The East Helena Valley Rodeo Association is hosting the 62nd annual East Helena NRA Rodeo this Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12. Gates open both nights at 5 p.m., with the pre-rodeo starting at 6 p.m. and the main event at 7 p.m. The In-County Rodeo is on Read More…
After months of administrative leave, Theresa Ortega of Good Samaritan Ministries is officially retiring from her place as executive director, the nonprofit announced Monday. “As Theresa transitions to retirement, GSM and the Helena community honor her lasting contributions in fostering compassion and advocating for the dignity of all people,” Dan Bartleson of the Catholic Diocese Read More…
A collection of the best images from the cameras of Independent Record photographers last week: People young and old celebrate the Fourth of July on Friday in East Helena. Gary Marshall, BMGphotos.com Helena Police Chief Brett Petty and Lt. Adam Shanks speak to members of the public during a press conference at the Law and Justice Read More…
Almost a year after Journey Emerson died in a head-on collision near Lame Deer, his family hosted an inaugural memorial softball tournament in his honor — drawing dozens of community members to the field at People’s Park to remember the 21-year-old athlete, father, and former high school basketball standout. Wearing a “Mr. 82” shirt, a Read More…
LISA O’DONNELL Winston-Salem Journal The Todd Liberty Parade might be the funkiest and most trippy Fourth of July event around, a joyful mash-up of a Grateful Dead parking lot scene and an Alice in Wonderland-themed birthday party with a generous sprinkling of fairy dust. “It’s people expressing themselves in the funniest ways,” said Bill Wacaster Read More…
In the sandstone cliffs of Bear Gulch more than 3,000 pictographs line the rock walls. Now, for the first time, a visitor center solidifies the site’s Blackfeet history as a central part of the experience, thanks to a partnership between Blackfeet geologist Souta Calling Last and landowner Macie Ahlgren, whose family has owned the canyon Read More…
The City Streets team will be doing asphalt maintenance work, July 7-11, which will close several streets. Here is a list of impacted streets and dates: Monday-Wednesday (July 7-9) Henderson Street from Hudson Street to Euclid Avenue Tuesday-Thursday (July 8-10) Road Work sign 11th Avenue from North Fee Street to North California Avenue Wednesday-Thursday (July Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will host an open house later this month to update the public on a multi-year study of water quality in the middle segment of the Gallatin River, stretching from Yellowstone National Park to Spanish Creek. The public meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 29, from 5 p.m. Read More…
The Prickly Pear Community Fireworks Fourth of July Celebration lit up the sky Friday night in East Helena. Fireworks light up the night sky Friday before the East Helena fireworks show. Gary Marshall The event has become a favorite holiday tradition not only for East Helena residents, but for folks in the surrounding area. The Read More…
The 78th annual reunion and memorial service of the joint Canadian/American First Special Service Force of World War II will be Aug. 13-16 in Helena. The Aug. 15 memorial service, 10 a.m. to noon in Memorial Park at 1203 N. Last Chance Gulch in Helena, is open to the public and includes color guard, benediction, Read More…
Travelers heading to Montana this summer may face sticker shock at the rental car counter. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) has been named the most expensive airport in the country for car rentals, according to a new survey from travel website Cheapcarrental.com. The survey, which analyzed rental rates across 100 U.S. airports for the peak Read More…
Advocates in support of Christopher Martinez, a Helena man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement July 1, urged Lewis and Clark County Commissioners on Thursday to investigate how it was handled, expressing shock over the arrest. Commissioners Andy Hunthausen, Tom Rolfe and Chair Candace Payne listened to the comments made over 80 minutes by people Read More…
A GoFundMe was launched for a Helena family after a father of four was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Christopher is a devoted dad and sole provider to four beautiful children, ranging in age from just 1 to 11 years old,” the GoFundMe writes. Christopher Martinez pictured with members of his family. Martinez Read More…
It’s been more than 20 years since a group of Butte people made a commitment to preserve the culture of Ireland by assuming responsibility for An Ri Ra, the Montana Irish Festival. Prior to 2003, the event was held in Missoula. It was a big undertaking, but the festival committee believed in their hometown of Read More…
In the spring of each year, ranchers gather and brand their herds’ new recruits, continuing a tradition as old as the open grazing days of the western frontier. For as long as cattle have roamed Montana’s vast landscape, they have carried with them a brand, the universal proof of ownership of livestock. In Montana, brands Read More…
Marley Miller came to the University of Montana as a pre-med student, but quickly discovered a different path through the College of Business to pursue his passion for music and entertainment. Miller switched his major to business management and marketing and joined the UM Entertainment Management certificate program, which offered him real-world experience connecting with Read More…
After a Helena man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, some members of the Queen City are responding with a mix of shock and sympathy. Others are less surprised. “We’re horrified,” Valerie Hellermann, executive director of Hands On Global, said. “But I guess it was inevitable.” Christopher Martinez, a 31-year-old Mexican citizen, was detained Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has been awarded $4 million in federal funding to expand apprenticeship programs across the state. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Round 3 (SAFE3) grant program. The grant will be used to grow Registered Apprenticeship Programs Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen today announced the appointment of Billings attorney Emily Jones to the Montana Judicial Standards Commission, a key body responsible for upholding the integrity and ethical standards of the state’s judiciary. With more than 15 years in private practice, Jones brings extensive legal experience to the commission, which investigates allegations of judicial Read More…
MONDAY, JULY 7 Dutton Town Council The Dutton Town Council will meet July 7 at 7 p.m. in the town office. For agenda items or to be placed on the agenda, contact the town office at 406-476-3311. TUESDAY, JULY 8 Cemetery District Board The Teton County Cemetery District Board will meet July 8 at 5 Read More…
Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Teton County Committee. This committee makes important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2025 election must be postmarked or received in the Choteau FSA office by Aug. Read More…
Teton County Fire Warden Ben Rhodes on Tuesday announced that open burning will be banned in Teton county starting at noon on July 4. Rhodes said the continued drought is causing fine fuels like grasses to cure early and dry conditions make fire danger a significant threat for those recreating and working outdoors this summer. Read More…
The Choteau Independence Day activities on July 3-5 include Human Foosball, concerts in the Choteau Pavilion band shell, an arts and crafts show, 5K/1-mile fun run, a parade and the American Legion rodeo, to name a few of the many events. The Choteau Chamber of Commerce, the Choteau American Legion, the Choteau Soroptimists and other Read More…
Get Your Kicks at 6! — a free, family-friendly concert series at 6 p.m. on Thursdays in July and August — welcomes everyone to come and enjoy seven different performers over six weeks along with food and beverage concessions and farmer’s market vendors. Montana State University Extension in Teton County, the Choteau Lions Club and Read More…
Choteau City Council on June 17 approved moving forward with plans to increase rates for water users, saying the increased revenue is needed to fund debt service on water system improvements. The Council will hold a public hearing on the rate increase on July 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council meeting room at the Read More…
Teton County 4-H members were judged in a variety of categories and received ribbons and awards during the 4-H Fair June 25-28 in Choteau. There were 149 4-H members this year with 99 participating in the fair. Members entered 400 projects in the Pavilion and each sat with a volunteer judge to discuss their entries. Read More…
The Teton County 4-H Fair is a wrap following four days of activities June 25-28 in Choteau at the Choteau Pavilion and the Weatherbeater Arena. Teton County’s two Montana State University Extension agents Jenn Swanson and Shelby Jones-Dozier and office staff Jamie Smith and Joan McDowell worked with the 4-H Council to put on the Read More…
Teton County Commissioners, meeting on June 26, approved a $1 an hour raise for elected officials for the new fiscal year, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, as recommended by the County Salary Compensation Board, which met on June 18. The Salary Compensation Board — made up of elected officials and county taxpayers — Read More…
June 23 7:54 a.m., alarm company called in a fire alarm going off at the museum in Bynum. The dispatch for the company called back a few minutes later to report they had reached the contact and it was a false alarm. 8:35 a.m., a wallet that was left in a vehicle in Choteau was Read More…
As we celebrate with fireworks this season, the St. Marie Fire Department reminds everyone to prioritize safety first.Fireworks can be beautiful, but they also pose serious fire risks and safety hazards if not handled responsibly. **Safety Tips for a Safe Celebration:** * Only use legal fireworks and follow all local laws and restrictions. * Always Read More…
Turtle The Theatre Cat, a Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) production, made its debut in front of the Glasgow City-County Library on June 24. A total of 131 audience members of all ages, from babies, to toddlers, to school age to teens and adults enjoyed the half hour production directed by Fort Peck Summer Theatre Read More…
Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday continue to find high prices at the grocery store, based on the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey. An Independence Day cookout will cost $70.92 for 10 guests this year. In…
Glasgow City Ordinance allows fireworks to be discharged within the city limits Thursday, July 3 through Saturday, July 5. Only permissible fireworks are allowed to be fired, set off, exploded, or discharged within the city limits, but aerial projectiles may not have the ability to exceed 10 feet in the air. Fireworks may be discharged Read More…
Fort Peck Summer Theatre’s Annie features over two dozen local actors, a live dog and members of the national Broadway tour. The show will perform at the FPST stage Saturday, July 5 through Sunday, July 20, 2025. Leapin’ Lizards! Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the beloved show features famous characters, a heap Read More…
During the week of June 8 through 14, Glasgow’s James Pearson and Cameron Nelson, as well as Hinsdale’s Lilith Bear, Addison Idler and Charlee McColly participated in the Montana American Legion Boys State and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State at the Carroll College campus with time also spent at the Montana State Capitol. The Read More…
Courtesy Photo / For the Courier The play set at the Glasgow Police Department is open to the public. As a result of funds provided by a grant from the Valley County Community Foundation and assistance from Boy Scout Troop 861 and Eagle Scout Own Thompson, for putting together the play set. The area is Read More…
David “DoDad” R. Hillman, 85, of Hinsdale, Mont., passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Glasgow, Mont. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 5, at the American Legion in Hinsdale, with burial with military honors following at Hillview Cemetery. A full obituary was published in the June 25, 2025, issue Read More…
After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in Montana should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline. “In order to receive many USDA p…