Montana State Auditor James Brown announced his Securities Division prevented more than $1 million in fraud-related losses for Montanans in the second quarter of 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to more than $2 million. Working in conjunction with financial industry partners, the Securities Division prevented $1.15 million in fraud-related losses for 10 Montanans between April Read More…
Sen. Tim Sheehy rejoined the U.S. Navy Reserve in a ceremony at the Oval Office on Tuesday, where President Donald Trump administered the oath of enlistment to the Montana Republican and former Navy SEAL. Sheehy, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2008 and completed SEAL training before serving as a Navy SEAL Officer Read More…
Cocaine and methamphetamine seizures in Montana increased sharply during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while fentanyl seizures continued a downward trend, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced. “Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs continue to threaten communities, and the battle against the cartels that are bringing them into our state Read More…
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum joined Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Idaho Gov. Brad Little in Big Sky on Tuesday to announce a proposed federal rule that would give Western states significantly more flexibility to manage grizzly bears — the first major management reform since the species was listed as threatened under Read More…
Crow Tribal Chairman Alvin Not Afraid Jr. issued an executive order mandating all tribal members to stay home in order to control the potential spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a press release issued by the tribe Friday. The order, which goes into effect March 28 at 12:01 a.m. and stays in effect until Read More…
Even though the Montana Science Center is temporarily closed, executive director Abby Turner was keeping an eye out for what the center could be doing for Bozeman. “We had been watching the ways that people are helping out,” Turner said. “For us, we knew that some of the resources that we had available at the Read More…
LIVINGSTON — One day late last week, Dan Vermillion, owner of Sweetwater Travel in Livingston, woke up to a flurry of emails. There were seven different requests to book his vacation rentals for up to six months. Normally, a booking is three days, five days, maybe a week. By: Johnathan Hettinger – Montana Free Press LIVINGSTON Read More…
GREAT FALLS — Governor Steve Bullock on Thursday afternoon issued a directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations as efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue. The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday March 28; Bullock said implementation of the order will buy Read More…
BOZEMAN — An organic chemist from Montana State University is one of 25 educators in the 2020 class of Cottrell Scholars, an award honoring both academic leadership and innovative research in the physical sciences. Sharon Neufeldt, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in MSU’s College of Letters and Science, received the award last month Read More…
On March 11, before there were any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montana, 57 Montanans filed a new claim for unemployment benefits. On March 18, with 15 cases of the virus in the state, there were 2,830 new claims — an increase of nearly 50 times in seven days. Gov. Steve Bullock and the Department Read More…
The State of Montana will be implementing emergency onsite and remote work procedures for many state employees begining Montay, Mar. 23. The change is to reduce potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus while maintaining necessary state-government operations. The State of Montana is one of the largest employers in Montana with more than 20,000 employees. READ Read More…
BILLINGS – Hospitals and other medical facilities around the country have been facing a shortage of masks in recent weeks, as the threat of COVID-19 has spread. In Billings, surgeons who typically would use a new mask for every procedure have been asked to use just one mask a day so that they don’t eventually Read More…
The Montana Office of Public Instruction said in a news release on Wednesday that it has submitted state and federal waiver requests to ensure that schools in Montana continue to receive funding, do not have to make up lost hours due to school closures, continue to have nutrition resources for students, and do not have Read More…
GREAT FALLS — Governor Steve Bullock on Wednesday evening said that two new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Montana. The two new cases are a Missoula County man in his 50s, and a Gallatin County man in his 60s. The tests, conducted by the DPHHS Public Health Laboratory, were confirmed Wednesday evening. Read More…
HELENA – A sprawling lawsuit to force the state to rewrite its energy policy, to combat climate change, has been filed in state District Court – and most of the lead plaintiffs aren’t even old enough to vote. 16 Montana youths, acting through their guardians and with the help of two environmental law groups and Read More…
The Lewis and Clark Public Health Officer issued an order Monday afternoon closing most food, drink, and fitness establishments in Lewis and Clark County, beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. The order specifically applies to bars, breweries, distilleries, casinos, restaurants, fitness centers, athletic centers, gyms, and workout studios. It exempts food establishments that provide Read More…
BILLINGS, Mont. – The Yellowstone County Health Officer has declared a public health emergency and ordered the closure of bars, brew pubs, wineries, and casinos in Yellowstone County to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The order also includes restaurants, with the exception of takeout and delivery services. Excluded from the order are food service Read More…
Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) invited high school students in Montana to participate in the 2020 Congressional Art Competition. “Through the Congressional Art Competition, Montana’s high school students can showcase their talents. The winner’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol where hundreds of thousands of visitors will see it,” Gianforte said. “I look forward Read More…
HELENA — The Montana High School Association executive board has decided to suspend spring activities across Montana following the growing threat and concern of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “All MHSA spring activities will be indefinitely suspended until further notice,” stated a release sent Monday morning. “This includes practices and contests/meets/festivals.The Executive Board will reevaluate this Read More…
BILLINGS, Mont. — A Canadian company said Wednesday it has started preliminary work along the route of the proposed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline through the U.S. in anticipation of starting construction next month, as opponents await a judge’s ruling on their request to block any work. TC Energy spokeswoman Sara Rabern said the Calgary-based company Read More…
Montana State University and two Bozeman schools have cancelled international trips due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, and students studying in Italy will cut their trip short. Seventeen MSU art students and one professor in Italy are leaving Rome this week, and have been asked to self-quarantine off-campus for 14 days Read More…
Update 4:50 p.m. Gov. Steve Bullock said in a news release that the Montana woman who tested positive for COVID-19 in Maryland was last in Montana in November 2019 and was not in the state during the 14-day incubation period. “Since the case was announced earlier today, public health officials have been working nonstop to Read More…
Montana State Auditor, Matt Rosendale, says fear and uncertainty in the market can leave investors vulnerable to scams. He advises Montanans to follow these tips: – Never accept any investments that are “guaranteed.” Investments are never guaranteed. – If someone offers an investment that is only available for a short period of time, that is Read More…
BIG TIMBER, Mont. – A Montana woman from Big Timber is being quarantined on a cruise ship where at least 21 passengers tested positive for coronavirus. Judy Vidack, a retired fourth grade teacher at Big Timber Grade School, announced on Facebook she is still aboard the ship and she is also feeling well. Vidak is Read More…
With less than a month to go before the U.S. Census Bureau kicks off its headcount of every person in the country, Montana has only hired half of the workers it says it needs. The bureau is still seeking temporary workers leading up to census day on Apr. 1. There are currently 2,400 projected temporary Read More…
More money is available in exchange for information on two separate February poaching cases in southwest Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Monday that donors boosted the cash available for information about poached elk and pronghorn in the Paradise Valley and several trumpeter swans that were shot and killed on Central Park Pond Read More…
BOZEMAN, Mont. — The 14-year-old West Yellowstone boy accused of murdering his 12-year-old nephew will find out in July if he’ll be tried as an adult. A Gallatin County court will decide if James Sasser III will be tried as an adult on July 7. READ FULL STORY
Weeks after Hardin teen Selena Not Afraid’s body was found near an I90 rest stop, Big Horn County investigators are responding to tough questions and criticism from their own community. Last weekend, authorities released final autopsy results for the 16-year-old Not Afraid, who went missing on New Year’s Day from a rest stop between Billings Read More…
KALISPELL — Officials in Washington State reported Monday that four more people have died from the coronavirus bringing the state’s death toll to six and as the cases continue to add up, Flathead County officials are taking pre-preemptive measures to help contain a potential outbreak. Kalispell Regional Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Doug Nelson says Read More…
HELENA — U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is asking the federal government to delay enforcing Real ID requirements in Montana, as state authorities continue to issue compliant identification. Daines’ office announced Monday that the senator had sent a letter to President Donald Trump, asking for a one-year extension of the Oct. 1 enforcement deadline. In the Read More…
Montana schools are now mandated to test drinking water for lead, following state rule changes related to school health. Schools are required to test all fixtures that may “reasonably provide water for human consumption or for food preparation,” such as drinking fountains, water bottle refill stations and sinks. Schools may begin testing as early as Read More…
What about the inflatable Raptor? Erica Schnee, principal of Bozeman’s new Gallatin High School, laughed when she raised the topic to the guy in charge of school buildings, Todd Swinehart, as they huddled in Bozeman High’s Berg Library. They meet weekly to go over hundreds of details and decisions that go into building Read More…
As NorthWestern Energy seeks to acquire more power for its Montana customers, it’s already charging some of the highest electric rates in the region, among major utilities, an MTN News analysis shows. As of next week, NorthWestern’s residential customers in Montana will be paying 11.6 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for their power – the Read More…
A Montana State University police officer has been suspended after an investigation found that she violated the department’s code of conduct and safety policies during a January traffic stop. MSU released a report Thursday outlining what happened when Officer Angela Roundtree got involved in a Jan. 8 traffic stop and had a verbal altercation with Read More…
A Flathead County District Judge on Thursday denied Michael Goguen’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit by Whitefish’s police chief, whose December 2019 complaint accuses the wealthy philanthropist of interfering with a criminal investigation and trying to get the city’s top law enforcement officer fired. Goguen denies the allegations set forth in the lawsuit by Whitefish Read More…
Bozeman’s crime rate is the lowest in Montana when compared to other cities similar in size. Bozeman Police Chief Steve Crawford rapped his knuckles on his wooden desk several times when talking about the city’s low crime rate. “I knock on wood and don’t want to jinx it, right?” Crawford said. READ FULL Read More…
GREAT FALLS — Two military veterans were honored on Friday in separate ceremonies – one in Great Falls and the other in Conrad. This is all part of the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation, recognizing outstanding Montana veterans who have honorably served both country and community. At the VFW Post 1087 in Great Falls, U.S. Representative Read More…
The city of Whitefish has been approved for three State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans worth a combined $20.1 million to upgrade its wastewater treatment technology and meet more stringent standards for treating ammonia and other nutrients. The city’s wastewater collection and treatment system has over 58 miles of sewer main and 16 lift stations, portions Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. — At Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, many inmates wake up every day and go to work. “This is just like a regular job on the street,” said inmate David Smith. “It’s from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day, two breaks and a lunch, and they treat us as if this was Read More…
GREAT FALLS — KRTV received the following message on Sunday afternoon: “Is there any way KRTV could analyze this news article and determine if it’s factual at all? This post is going around recently, and I can’t find any other news article to back it up. ” The message included a link to an online Read More…
A fourth inmate at the Big Horn County Jail is facing 4 felonies following the escape of 3 inmates over a week ago. According to court documents, Casey Wallace Leider is accused assisting 3 individuals escape from jail. Leider faces 4 felony charges. They are Assault on a Peace Officer by Accountability, Aggravated Kidnapping, Criminal Read More…
MISSOULA — The Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association — along with numerous other non-profit organizations around the state — received word from Montana’s Motor Vehicle Division in September of 2019 that their specialty license plates were in danger of being revoked. Nonprofits were given until Dec. 31, 2019 to have 400 of their plates on Read More…
MISSOULA – Wednesday’s incident brought back painful memories for the Missoula Police Department. February 12, 2020, marked ten years since the death of MPD Sgt. Robert J. Heinle. Heinle was shot in the line of duty in 1998. The Missoula Police Department posted about the incident Wednesday morning hours before one of their officers was shot Read More…
As America’s craft beer industry continues to boom, the waste it generates can pose challenges for sewer systems. But if it’s used in the right spot, in the right amount, it’s potentially beneficial and can actually save wastewater treatment plants money. In Bozeman, Mont., the Water Reclamation Facility treats more than 6 million gallons of Read More…