Featured Articles in Montana News

Knudsen Leads 20-State Coalition Supporting Trump’s Response to Portland Riots

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 states in backing President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal and National Guard forces to Portland, Oregon, in response to violent protests and threats against federal officers. The coalition filed an amicus brief Wednesday in the case State of Oregon and the City of Portland Read More…

Gianforte, Montana Chamber to Host Energy Summit in Bozeman

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on Thursday, October 16, in Bozeman, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to focus on the theme of unleashing American-made energy in Montana. “With rising demand on our energy grid, Montana must continue Read More…

Kurt Alme Confirmed as U.S. Attorney

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kurt Alme to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, returning the Great Falls native to a post he previously held from 2017 to 2020. A seasoned prosecutor and respected public servant, Alme brings decades of experience in both state and federal law enforcement. His confirmation drew strong Read More…

Made by a Griz for Grizzlies: How a UM Alum Invented Bear Spray

Before bear spray, encounters between people and bears often ended in bullets. That changed when graduate student Carrie Hunt developed the life-saving deterrent at the University of Montana in the 1980s. Over 40 years later, bear spray is one of the most important tools for human-wildlife coexistence. https://bigskyheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MVD-office15.mp4 Hunt grew up in Chile, where she Read More…

All in: Montana News

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…

Will The Little Shell Land Base Include Hill 57?

The U.S. House passed the National Defense Authorization Act today. That means the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana is halfway to federal recognition. But will the tribe’s land base include Hill 57? Montana Republican Greg Gianforte voted yea on the defense bill, passing a version of Little Shell recognition bill he’s introduced in the Read More…

UM, state partnership garners $16M to provide health care for Montana families

MISSOULA — A University of Montana partnership with the state has proved doubly lucrative, supporting Montana families’ health needs while garnering nearly $16 million in grants to fund health-related programs. The state-UM partnership has received 12 competitive federal grants that help small rural hospitals, mental health therapists, doctors and clinics – and even public schools Read More…

‘Tis the season to find a mouse in the house

Local specialist offers ideas for controlling rodent pestsBy: DEB HILLNews-Argus Managing EditorFriday, December 6, 2019 Vertebrate Pest Specialist Steve Vantassel holds a northern pocket gopher. This time of year Vantassel spends a lot of time explaining how to get mice out of people’s houses. Photo courtesy of Steve Vantassel “With mice you are either winning or Read More…

Ho ho ho

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Santa Claus made his first appearance of the holiday season during Friday night’s Christmas Stroll parade, spreading good cheer to those who came out in the cold. A number of Lewistown residents braved the cold to enjoy s’mores and more during the Stroll. For more photos of the event, see inside Read More…

MSU seeks to train dentists for rural Montana

People living in many of Montana’s rural communities and on Native American reservations have no dentists, a problem Montana State University is working to solve.   MSU is working with the University of Washington’s Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program to bring dental students from the Spokane-based program to train in Montana’s rural and Read More…

Simple acts of kindness

Recognition changes life of 96-year-old veteranBy: Melody MontgomerySpecial to the News-ArgusFriday, November 29, 2019 (From left) Geyser Superintendent Shawn Harkins, Cook Peggy Hill and Custodian Doug Felman honor Tim McAllister (front, center) with a Bronze Star in Geyser on Tuesday. Photo by Melody Montgomery   A seemingly simple act of kindness can have a profoundly positive Read More…

Snowstorm to hit Montana during holiday travel rush

HELENA, Mont. — Forecasters say a snowstorm is expected bring more than a foot of snow to parts of Montana and create difficult driving conditions for people traveling for Thanksgiving. National Weather Service officials say near-blizzard conditions are expected along the Rocky Mountain Front and near Monida Pass at Montana-Idaho border starting Tuesday night through Thursday. Read More…

It’s bright, it’s sweet, there’s fun stuff to eat: it’s the Lewistown Christmas Stroll

By: DEB HILLNews-Argus Managing EditorFriday, November 22, 2019 Crowds gather around the bonfire, some for warmth and some hoping for a toasted marshmallow or two, at last year’s Christmas Stroll. This year’s Stroll starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. News-Argus File Photo With Thanksgiving just a week away, can the Christmas Stroll be far Read More…

AG Barr to visit Flathead Reservation, Kalispell

U.S. Attorney General William Barr, already scheduled to visit Kalispell Friday, will travel first to the Flathead Reservation to discuss missing and murdered indigenous persons. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes announced the visit Thursday morning. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ office announced that Barr would visit Kalispell with Daines, a Republican representing Montana, to Read More…