Featured Articles in Montana News

1M homes to be powered by Montana coal mine expansion

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of the Interior on Tuesday approved expansion of coal mining in Montana, marking the second largest coal expansion since President Donald Trump took office in January as 33.75 million tons of federal coal will be recovered, 300 jobs ensured, and a million homes powered by the decision. The Read More…

UM Program Awarded $2.4M to Support Behavioral Health Care Across Montana

A University of Montana program that trains students for careers in behavioral health care recently received a $2.4 million grant to continue growing the program and produce more providers serving Montana’s children, young adults and those in rural and underserved areas of the state. UM’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program was awarded the Read More…

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Miss Montana 2020 application deadline: March 15

The application deadline for this year’s Miss Montana Competition, including more than $300,000 in cash and applied scholarships, is March 15. Applications require a $200 sponsor fee. Montana young women between the ages of 17-25, and teens between 13-17, have the opportunity to earn college scholarships and learn leadership skills by entering the Miss Montana Read More…

Senator Tester gets in on the Dolly Parton challenge

BOZEMAN- What is the Dolly Parton challenge? It’s four photos of what could be your profile photos for social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Tinder. Montana Senator Jon Tester got in on the fun but added a twist. Instead of using a “Tinder,” photo he used a “Farmersonly,” photo. READ FULL STORY

Red Cross seeking more blood donations in Montana

The American Red Cross is issuing a call for donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets. The organization notes in a news release that since influenza has been escalating across the country, it’s preventing some donors from giving. The Red Cross also reports that during winter weather has been threatening to cancel Read More…

Montana High School Association to add girls wrestling, boys powerlifting as sanctioned sports

BILLINGS — The Montana High School Association executive board passed proposals for the MSHA to add girls wrestling and boys powerlifting as sanctioned sports during the MHSA’s annual meeting on Monday in Billings. The sports will be offered to member schools beginning with the 2020-21 school year. It was announced in late November that the Read More…

Federal search warrant details human smuggling on Montana-Canada border

MISSOULA, Mont. — Just two days ago, a U.S. magistrate signed a federal search warrant in what agents suspect is a human smuggling case across Montana and Canada’s border. The 25-page document details something Border Patrol agents told NBC Montana during our special “On the Border” series last year. We toured the border near Havre and Saint Mary with Border Patrol Read More…

Montana Court Reverses $35 Million Child Abuse Verdict Against Jehovah’s Witnesses

The Montana Supreme Court has reversed a $35 million judgment against Jehovah’s Witnesses for failing to report child sexual abuse. A lower court had found that the church illegally failed to report a child sexual abuser to authorities, which allowed him to continue sexually abusing another child. The unanimous decision from seven state Supreme Court justices found Read More…

New Montana Heritage Center coming to Capitol Complex

HELENA – The Montana Historical Society will officially be getting a new look, as the Department of Administration decided to remodel and add a connected building to create the new Montana Heritage Center.  The corner of 6th and Roberts will be the location for the new Heritage Center. This location is at the Capitol Complex and is on existing state-owned property.   The Historical Society says by keeping the Read More…

Montana continues to see rise in STDs

State health officials are worried as the number of Montanans diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease continues to rise.   Montana’s gonorrhea numbers — expected to total 1,500 cases in 2019 — haven’t been this high in 40 years, according to the Department of Public Health and Human Services.   Dana Fejes, the state STD/HIV Read More…

Online higher education magazine names MSU one of top 10 public universities on the rise

College Gazette, an online higher education magazine, has recognized Montana State University on its list of the top 10 public universities on the rise across the nation.   To compile the list, College Gazette chose schools that have made measurable strides over the past 20 years in a variety of areas, including their programs, student Read More…

Looking back 40 years

Reflections on Fergus High 1979 basketball championshipsBy: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterFriday, December 27, 2019 (Back row, from left) Manager Kelly Mantooth, Colin McRae, Scott Donisthorpe, Ken Koncilya, Mac Johnson, Grady Trogstad, Allen Powell, Dave Rageth, Jess Knerr, Ron Osborne, Craig Aasved, (middle row, from left), Hal Bourke, John Bohyer, Kurt Schultz, Steve Diekman, (front row, from Read More…

Kids in the Classroom

Garfield Elementary kindergarten and first grade students answer the question of the season: “What do you want for Christmas?” Photos by Charlie DenisonBy: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterMonday, December 23, 2019 Alyssa Vanek, 1st grade: I want an L.O.L winter house. It comes with a brother, a sister and a pet.” Chandler Martin, kindergarten: “I want a Read More…

Montana sheriffs publish “Glamour Shots” calendar for charity

The Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association is offering 2020 calendars featuring “glamour shots” of sheriffs from across the Treasure State to raise funds for charity. The Association said on Facebook calendars are $10 each and available by contacting local sheriff’s offices. Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin started the “Sheriff Glamour Shot Challenge” in September, Read More…

Using Berkeley Pit water to power Los Angeles? It’s actually being talked about

Using Berkeley Pit water to help power Los Angeles with renewable energy? A global leader in power systems is talking with state and local officials about doing just that. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power System America Inc. has met with Montana Resources, Atlantic Richfield, NorthWestern Energy and Butte-Silver Bow officials in recent months. Last week, the company Read More…

Park Archivist

Official oversees millions of priceless documents related to Yellowstone National ParkBy: Justin PostYell’Friday, December 20, 2019 Yellowstone National Park Archivist Anne Foster stands among rows of historic documents stored in the archives at the Park’s Heritage and Research Center, Dec. 4. Enterprise photo by Justin Post   Most people first entering the historical archives at Yellowstone Read More…

Anonymous donor pays off meal balances at Missoula school

Some students at a Missoula elementary school have received an early Christmas present. Lowell Elementary School Principal Barbara Frank recently received an anonymous donation of $5,300, made in honor of Eileen Lake, to pay off all outstanding cafeteria balances at the school. While the school district did shift away from the providing free breakfast and Read More…

Windham and Utica Highway to get turning lanes

Local petition results in project’s programmingBy: Melody MontgomerySpecial to the News-ArgusTuesday, December 17, 2019 BNSF and Herzog crews work on the new signals and gates in Windham in 85 degree heat on July 10.  Photo courtesy of Joe Jenkins Local efforts in Windham show how citizens can come together and have a positive effect on the Read More…