Montana’s unemployment rate increased to 3.3 percent in November, continuing a streak of more than four consecutive years with unemployment at or below 3.4 percent, state officials announced. The state’s jobless rate remained well below the national unemployment rate of 4.6 percent for November, leaving Montana about 1.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. average. Read More…
MoFi, a nonprofit community development financial institution serving Western states, has received an $85 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The award comes as part of a record $10 billion allocation round that included 142 organizations nationwide. The New Markets Tax Read More…
Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon is facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment of emergency personnel stemming from a November traffic stop in Broadwater County, a case that has drawn added scrutiny because of her public comments and separate, pending ethics complaints. McKinnon, 66, was cited after a Broadwater County sheriff’s deputy alleged she Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Gov. Greg Gianforte on Tuesday recognized Human Trafficking Prevention Month by encouraging Montanans to learn the warning signs of human trafficking and report suspicious activity to help stop the crime. Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers—often part of organized criminal enterprises—exploit adults or children for Read More…
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…
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Then you can really enjoy this spectacular, 16,000-square-foot, mountain-top dream home in the winter wonderland that’s Big Sky, Montana. Maybe strap on your snowshoes and explore the miles of powdery trails that meander through the home’s 160 wooded acres. Or master the moguls at nearby Big Sky Read More…
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…
For the last five years, University of Montana sprinter Alex Mustard has been representing the Grizzlies on the track, and now he has set his sights even higher, to represent Montana and the United States on the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team. KGVO News spoke with Mustard just after his winning ‘Olympic Hopefuls’ performance was broadcast Read More…
More than two years into reforms designed to slow, or even reverse, the growth of offenders in Montana’s correctional system, state officials say they see indications of progress. But most early data show scant change. Prisons and alternative programs for criminal offenders are still full to capacity, and there’s been no reduction in the number Read More…
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…
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…
Ask Glacier Park International Airport Director Rob Ratkowski what the big storyline of 2019 was and he has a simple answer: passenger growth. “It was huge,” Ratkowski said of the 15 percent increase in passengers moving through the airport in 2019. “And next year will be even bigger.” Ratkowski said he expected boarding numbers at Read More…
HELENA — The Montana Lottery drew the winning ticket number for the 2019 Montana Millionaire game on Friday morning. The grand-prize winning ticket is number 042230. It was sold at a Town Pump in Kalispell. All 180,000 tickets of the $20 tickets were sold out by 1:12 p.m. on December 2nd – five days earlier than Read More…
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…
HELENA — A federal judge has ruled that Native American tribes, including the Fort Belknap Indian Community, can continue with a lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris issued the ruling last Friday. The Fort Belknap and Rosebud Sioux tribes have claimed Trump exceeded Read More…
We’ve learned it’s a Georgia-based timberlands company that will be purchasing Weyerhaeuser’s Montana holdings, in a deal announced last week. Weyerhaeuser made headlines three years ago when it decided to close its Columbia Falls mill not long after buying Plum Creek Timber in an $8 billion deal. It cited a “continued shortage” of logs to Read More…
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…
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 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…
The Little Shell Tribe has been fighting for federal recognition for more than a century and as of Friday, their fight is over. On Friday, the National Defense Authorization act for 2020 was signed by the president, making the federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians officially become law. The bill was Read More…
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…
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…
MISSOULA — Head coach Bobby Hauck and the Montana football team signed 17 new Class of 2020 recruits to the team during Wednesday’s early signing period on National Signing Day. Seven of Montana’s newest signees hail from the Treasure State while three come from California, two from Oregon and Utah and one each from Idaho, Read More…
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…
STRONG (SUN JOURNAL) — A former Montana woman was arrested Saturday at a Strong residence in connection to the death of her 5-month-old daughter on Sept. 25 in Montana. She allegedly had methamphetamine in her system and was slumped over her child in a vehicle when police found her in Butte, Montana, according to a Read More…
BILLINGS — Seven Montana TV stations owned by Cowles Media, including KFBB in Great Falls, have been unable to produce normal newscasts since last Monday after a cyber-attack infected computer operating software. “Systems and software are integrated among all the TV stations. The attack to the vital software has caused delays in video feedback and Read More…
LAS VEGAS — Montana, say hello to your two newest world champions. Helena steer wrestler Ty Erickson and Miles City tie-down roper Haven Meged claimed 2019 PRCA world titles Saturday during the final round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday. Meged’s race was as close as they come. Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterFriday, December 13, 2019 Your Neighbor Cares President Cheryll Tuss, left, and Treasurer/Secretary Marita Valencia have been involved with the local non-profit since its inception in 2015. They are currently looking for volunteers. Photo by Charlie Denison A young family needs help with their rent for the month of December. They Read More…
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…
Arthur Blank has a new ranch. The Arthur M. Blank Family of Businesses announced Wednesday it has closed on the purchase of Paradise Valley Ranch, a 9,300-acre property between the city of Livingston and an entrance to Yellowstone Park. Paradise valley is near Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and West Creek Ranch, two interdependent properties belonging Read More…
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…
The Montana National Guard and the Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) were recognized in Washington D.C. with the Army Community Partnership Award for their work in creating the Ten Mile Creek Community Park. Major General Matthew Quinn, Adjutant General for Montana, and Mary Hollow, Executive Director for PPLT received the award at the Pentagon on Read More…
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…
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…
MISSOULA — State wildlife officials have released the final numbers for the big game hunting season in Western Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) reported checking 10,225 hunters with 837 harvested game animals at its three long-standing check stations in western Montana from opening day on October 26 until the general big game hunting Read More…
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…
Once again, tickets for The Montana Lotttery’s Montana Millionaire game have sold out at a record pace. All 180,000 tickets were sold out by 1:12 p.m. on Monday, five days earlier than in 2018. The Montana Lottery has yet to set an official date, but the grand prize drawing will be held sometime between Dec. Read More…
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…
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Crow Chairman Alvin “A.J.” Not Afraid Jr. was among several Native American tribal leaders who traveled to Washington D.C. this week to visit President Donald Trump as he signed an executive order regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. According to a post on the Crow Tribe of Indians Facebook page , Not Afraid stood near the president Read More…
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…
BILLINGS — Montana’s first suspected case of CWD in a wild elk killed near Red Lodge was recorded Monday, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In addition, three deer killed in south-central Montana also tested positive for the disease Monday. They included a mule deer taken on national forest land near Crooked Creek in Read More…
The FBI is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying persons responsible for placing skimming devices on ATMs in Washington, then using the skimmed information in Montana. In early March, the unknown suspects placed skimming devices on ATMs at various locations in Vancouver, Washington. The devices were installed for the purpose of recording information from Read More…
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…