Featured Articles in Montana News

Commissioner Brown secures more than $160,000 in restitution for Montana investors

Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced that thousands of Montana investors will receive more than $160,000 in restitution following enforcement actions against several national brokerage firms accused of charging unreasonable commissions on certain equity transactions. The cases involve small principal equity trades conducted between May 2020 and the end Read More…

Department of Livestock reports brucellosis-affected herd in Gallatin County

The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has confirmed that an animal from a Gallatin County livestock herd within Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) tested positive for brucellosis, marking the second detection of the disease in Montana livestock in 2025. State officials said the affected herd has been placed under quarantine and an epidemiological investigation is Read More…

Supreme Court Dismisses Disciplinary Case Against Attorney General Knudsen

The Montana Supreme Court has rejected a recommendation that Attorney General Austin Knudsen be temporarily suspended from office, ruling that the misconduct proceedings against him violated his due process rights. In a 149-page decision issued Wednesday, the court concluded a five-year legal dispute rooted in a broader separation-of-powers conflict between Montana’s legislative and judicial branches. Read More…

Montana Revokes License of Doctor Accused of Unnecessary Cancer Treatments

The state of Montana has revoked the medical license of Dr. Thomas Weiner, the former director of St. Peter’s Health Cancer Treatment Center, following findings that he harmed patients through unnecessary treatments and violated professional standards of care. The Adjudication Panel of the Montana Board of Medical Examiners voted unanimously last week to revoke Weiner’s Read More…

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Montana Commerce Department Launches New Loan Program for Rural Businesses

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Monday that a new loan participation program aimed at expanding access to capital for rural businesses will open for applications on Oct. 1, 2025. The Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Loan Participation Program will partner with local lenders to provide low-interest loans for projects that support job creation, strengthen Read More…

Montana State opens quantum computing facility

BOZEMAN — Montana State University officially opened its interdisciplinary research facility dedicated to the study of quantum computing Aug. 20. Called QCORE, or Quantum Collaborative Research and Education, the high-tech facility is housed in MSU’s College of Letters and Science and positions the university to identify and address grand challenges in quantum systems. Quantum computing is Read More…

Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy Announce All-Stock Merger

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWE) said  their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock, tax-free merger. The deal will create a regulated electric and natural gas utility company with an estimated market capitalization of $7.8 billion and an enterprise value of Read More…

After completing innovation and management graduate program, Montana State alumnus launches food-focused startup

With bachelor’s and master’s degrees now under his belt, Montana State University alumnus Quinn Holland’s advice to current students is still what drives him every day. “Relentlessly chase what excites you in life. If there is something that you are curious about, chase it until the end of the earth and until you’re satisfied with Read More…

Eagle Mount Great Falls Awarded $22,500 Grant

Eagle Mount Great Falls, a local nonprofit providing recreational programs for individuals with disabilities, has received a $22,500 grant from The Hartford to support its adaptive paddle-sports program. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment, including two adaptive rafts, seven kayaks, and four paddleboards, expanding opportunities for participants to engage in river and Read More…

Quantum computing research facility launching at Montana State

When Montana State University’s new QCORE facility opens its doors later this month, it will do so with the help of around 60 outside organizations, companies and individuals – including $44.7 million from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL. Catherine Hahola, assistant director of systems for Montana State University Information Technology, left, and Read More…

Gianforte’s 56 County Tour Highlights Rural Investments, Jobs, and Public Safety

Governor Greg Gianforte continued his 56 County Tour this week, visiting communities across eastern Montana to spotlight infrastructure upgrades, workforce initiatives, public safety investments, and new business openings. “It’s great to hit the road to see firsthand how communities are thriving across eastern Montana,” Gianforte said. “Thanks to our pro-family, pro-jobs agenda, we’re connecting Montanans Read More…

Computers and conservation: Orser speakers forum to host Bill Hilf in September

Hilf will discuss his work surrounding the intersection of emerging technologies and positive societal impacts. At the Allen Institute for AI, a Seattle-based nonprofit, he researches how artificial intelligence can be used for the common good, brainstorming how to apply AI to everything from climate modeling and wildlife conservation to maritime intelligence to protect marine Read More…

Lee Enterprises to Pay $9.5 Million in Privacy Case, Faces New Employee Class-Action Lawsuits

Lee Enterprises, the Iowa-based newspaper chain that owns hundreds of publications in 25 states, including several in Montana, has agreed to pay $9.5 million to settle a subscriber privacy lawsuit — even as it confronts fresh legal troubles from a February 2025 cyberattack that allegedly exposed the personal information of thousands of employees. Three new Read More…

Author Michael Punke to speak at Montana State convocation

BOZEMAN – Author and attorney Michael Punke, whose literary works include “The Revenant” and “Fire and Brimstone,” will speak at Montana State University’s First Year Student Convocation on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The event will be held in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse at 4 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are not required. Author Read More…

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…

Governor Gianforte Seeks Applicants for Two District Court Vacancies in Yellowstone County

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced that he is now accepting applications and nominations to fill two district court vacancies in Montanaʼs Thirteenth Judicial District, which covers Yellowstone County. The vacancies were officially notified to the governor by the Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court on July 18, 2025. This development follows the passage and Read More…

UM Marketing Student Promotes Bio Station

t’s hard to top Grace Porges’ Montana summer internship. A rising senior studying marketing at the University of Montana, Porges has spent her summer promoting the educational opportunities and important science conducted by UM’s Flathead Lake Biological Station. This means long summer days living at the station on the shore of one of America’s largest, 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…

Montana Digital Academy Launches Frontier Learning Lab

The Montana Digital Academy MTDA) has announced the launch of the Frontier Learning Lab FLL, a new statewide innovation initiative designed to help Montana schools explore and integrate artificial intelligence AI, extended reality XR, and other emerging technologies into education. Supported by funding from the 2025 Montana Legislature and building on MTDAʼs leadership in digital Read More…

Report: Feds allowed 1,000s of juvenile gang members, criminals to become citizens

(The Center Square) – Congress has created several programs to allow illegal border crossers claiming to be minors to remain in the U.S. Despite years of documented abuse of the programs, Congress continues to fund them to the tune of billions of dollars. One is the failed unaccompanied minor program, with decades of documented reports Read More…

Montana Maintains Near-Record Low Unemployment

Montana’s unemployment rate held steady at a remarkably low 2.8% in June, marking the ninth consecutive month below 3% and extending a historic run of four straight years with unemployment at or below 3.4%, according to Governor Greg Gianforte. “With more Montanans working now than ever before and historically low unemployment, we’re seeing the results Read More…

University of Montana and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Launch Center for Hunting and Conservation

The University of Montana (UM) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) have announced the creation of the Center for Hunting and Conservation, a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing science, research, education, and outreach focused on land and wildlife management across the United States. The new center builds on the longstanding partnership between UM’s top-ranked Read More…

66 New Officers Graduate from Montana Law Enforcement Academy

Sixty-six newly trained law enforcement officers graduated today from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), ready to serve in 35 agencies across the state. The MLEA, a division of the Montana Department of Justice, provides both basic and advanced training to state, county, city, and tribal law enforcement personnel. Attorney General Austin Knudsen was on Read More…

Gianforte Calls on Congress to Reverse Biden-Era Coal Rule

Governor Greg Gianforte has urged Congress to support two joint resolutions aimed at overturning a Biden administration policy that threatens Montana’s coal industry and could cost the state’s public schools over $4 billion in future revenue. In a letter to lawmakers, Gianforte expressed strong backing for Senate Joint Resolution 61 (S.J.Res.61) and House Joint Resolution Read More…

Zinke Secures Key Funding, Forest Management Reforms, and ESA Rollbacks

Western Montana Congressman and former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a series of major victories for Montana in the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The legislation, which passed out of full committee markup this week, includes several of Zinke’s top priorities—ranging from rural water infrastructure funding to Read More…

As national company bids for East Helena landfill, Missoula company warns of monopoly

A Missoula waste company is officially protesting Republic Service’s purchase of a family-run East Helena waste company. The reason? Monopoly concerns, Missoula-based Grizzly Disposal and Recycling claims. “When you control the landfill, you control the prices,” said Billy Fisher, Grizzly’s general manager. “We already dealt with this in Missoula.” Family business Tri-County Disposal has operated Read More…

First bin store opens in Choteau

The Choteau Juice Box, which opened in mid-April, is a combination shop, selling a wide variety of disposable vape products and smoke accessories on one half of the store and selling liquidation items at bargain prices on the other half. Caine and Shanda Gray are operating the shop at 25 Third St. NE in the Read More…

Choteau, Fairfield, Power receive grants

The Montana Farmers Union Foundation has awarded more than $43,000 to 22 projects that create new opportunities and contribute to the growth and enhancement of Montana agriculture and rural communities. “MFU Foundation’s grant program has been a huge success so far,” MFU Chief of Staff Matt Rains said. “This year, we were excited to see Read More…

Butte-Silver Bow commissioners diving into contentious ‘urban camping’ issues

A Butte-Silver Bow commissioner and some residents say “urban camping” is becoming a serious problem in Butte and they want local laws to regulate it. “Communities across the country and here in Montana are grappling with the public health, safety and environmental changes posed by unsanctioned encampments in parks and other places,” Commissioner Trudy Healy Read More…