Featured Articles in Montana News

Hundreds celebrate grand opening of Combined State Labs building at Montana State 

Hundreds of people, including Montana State University faculty, staff, students and alumni, along with community members, legislators and industry professionals, gathered Friday to celebrate the completion of the Combined State Labs building. The tri-lab agricultural facility, located on the west side of South 19th Avenue, brings together MSU’s Montana Agricultural Experiment Station Wool Lab, the Montana Department of Livestock’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Analytical Lab. Established at Read More…

Montana Auditor Prevents $1M in Fraud in Second Quarter

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…

Knudsen Reports Rise in Meth, Cocaine Seizures; Fentanyl Seizures Decline

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…

All in: Montana News

Human trafficking hits home

Some of the most vulnerable people in our society are at risk of becoming a casualty of a disturbing crime. It could start as innocently as a young person befriending a stranger on the Internet, or a teenager feeling entrapped and looking for a way out. The criminals might use flirtation, or psychological manipulation, to Read More…

Attorney General reaches $13.5 million settlement with pharmaceutical company

MISSOULA, Mont. – The following is a press release from Montana Department of Justice: Attorney General Tim Fox announced today a $13.5 million settlement with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI). This settlement is in regard to BIPI’s alleged off-label marketing and deceptive and misleading representations made in its promotion of four of its prescription drugs: Read More…

Conservation easement sought near Libby

The Stimson Lumber Company owns forestland across the Pacific Northwest, but it sees challenges in Northwest Montana’s growing population. Barry Dexter, the firm’s director of resources, says that developing areas’ lands “come out of timber production and go into mini-ranches or home sites for folks, and so that’s a little challenging for a fire management Read More…

Hockey is coming into the mainstream in Montana

BOZEMAN – With the big winter season in Montana you would think hockey would be a popular sport. But in it has found itself struggling to catch on with the community. However, the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association is changing that. This winter they are hosting five youth hockey tournaments at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds for Read More…

Montana firefighters help fight California wildfires

MISSOULA, Mont. – The following is a press release from the Montana National Guard: Fifty-four Montana wildland firefighters and 16 wildland engines are headed to California to assist in firefighting efforts. The state of Montana received a request from the California Office of Emergency Services Tuesday afternoon to provide critically needed firefighting resources to support Read More…

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders visit Malmstrom AFB

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders visited Malmstrom Air Force Base recently to spend time with airmen and families of deployed service members as part of their 82nd USO tour. The cheerleaders met with airmen and had lunch with family members of deployed airmen to enhance morale and welfare and show appreciation for their service. READ THE Read More…

Montana attorney general sues Oxycontin maker

HELENA- Montana Attorney General Tim Fox announced Dec. 4 a consumer protection lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, which manufactures opioid medication Oxycontin. Fox’s office claims that Purdue should be held partly responsible for the prescription opioid epidemic. In a press release, Fox said: “As our investigation revealed and our complaint alleges, for years, Purdue knew the Read More…

Counties push for increased wildfire salvages

Northwest Montana’s county commissioners want to see more fire-scorched timber salvaged from Lolo National Forest. The Forest Service is racing to complete the assessments, environmental reviews and public review processes required for area salvage operations to proceed. If timber isn’t cut within one year of a wildfire, weather and insect damage can render it useless. Read More…

Montana sees bump in sexual harassment claims

Montana saw an increase in November in the number of sexual harassment complaints filed such as those that have toppled the great and near great across America, but a state official hesitates to say if it is reflecting the national trend. In 2017, Montana has seen 25 sexual harassment complaints, said Tim Little, attorney for Read More…

UM officially announces Hauck as head football coach

MISSOULA, Mont. – In a highly anticipated announcement,  The University of Montana is officially naming Bobby Hauck the 37th head football coach for the Grizzlies. Director of Athletics Kent Haslam will formally reintroduce the returning coach in the Washington-Grizzly Stadium Canyon Club this morning at 10:30 a.m. READ THE FULL STORY.

Montana Officials Looking to Salvage Timber After Wildfires

MISSOULA — Montana officials are working on determining how much timber burned in summer wildfires at Lolo National Forest is salvageable. The Missoulian reports nearly 10 percent of the 3,125-square mile (8094-sq. kilometer) national forest in western Montana was burnt. Lolo National Forest Supervisor Timothy Garcia says based on their Forest Plan allocations and past experience with Read More…

State leaders honor former Montana governor Judy Martz

(HELENA) Montana state leaders paid their last respects Friday morning to former Governor Judy Martz, the state’s first female governor. Montana Highway Patrol troopers and Butte-Silver Bow police escorted Martz’s family from Butte to Helena. When they arrived at the Montana State Capitol, Gov. Steve Bullock, Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, Attorney General Tim Fox and other Read More…

CFAC pays first refund to feds

Columbia Falls Aluminum Company has reimbursed the federal government for some of the costs of investigating its former Columbia Falls plant. The aluminum mill was permanently closed in 2015 and declared a Superfund site last year. The company is currently investigating the site under the Environmental Protection Agency’s oversight and direction. In its Agreement on Read More…

$25 million investment to expand UP campus

The University of Providence continues with President Tony Aretz’s big, bold and fast mission to reinvent itself with three new construction projects. Thanks to a $25 million investment from the school’s partner Providence St. Joseph Health, work on a new University Center, wrestling facility and updates to the Student Union could begin as early as November. Read More…

Fox Lauds Opiod Fight But Emphasizes Meth and Alcohol Abuse

Both President and Mrs. Trump both spoke on Thursday about the epidemic of opiod drugs in the U.S,, however Montana Attorney General Tim Fox also emphasized the challenge of both alcohol and methamphetamine. “Attorney General Fox appreciated the president’s announcement of a state of emergency over the opiod epidemic,” said. spokesman Eric Sell. “It’s important Read More…

Montana Non-Profits Can Now Sell Raffle Tickets Online

As of this month, Montana non-profits will have an easier time using gambling to raise money. “Effective October 1, non-profits that have registered with our department can sell raffle tickets online,” said Angela Nunn from the Montana Gambling Control Division. “The second piece of that is that they can also sell raffle tickets outside of Read More…