Featured Articles in Montana News

Montana Department of Commerce Awards $1.4 Million to Boost Rural Emergency Services

he Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 rural safety agencies will receive more than $1.4 million in grant funding to enhance emergency service capabilities in areas experiencing increased tourism. The funding, allocated through the Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program (METAP), aims to strengthen public safety across rural communities. “Emergency services are critical Read More…

Board of Regents approves new institute at Montana State to address national security

BOZEMAN — The Montana Board of Regents today approved Montana State University’s proposal to establish a new institute to help address the nation’s security needs through applied research, technology development and education for the next generation of leaders. The Institute for National Security Research and Education, or INSRE, will serve as a hub at MSU, Read More…

Montana State University Appoints William Thomas as New Dean of College of Letters and Science

Montana State University announced today that William Thomas, a seasoned administrator and faculty member from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been selected as the new dean of the MSU College of Letters and Science. Thomas will officially assume his role on January 13, 2025. “William Thomas brings a wealth of experience as a scholar, educator, Read More…

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Registration open for Montana State University STEAM Day on April 13

BOZEMAN — Registration is now open for Montana State University’s STEAM Day on Saturday, April 13. The daylong program offers girls in grades 6-8 creative, hands-on workshops to explore science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. MSU faculty and community members will teach workshops on topics such as astronomy, geology, robotics, health, engineering and microbiology. Read More…

Legal Challenge Targets Montana Law Requiring Gender and Racial Diversity on Boards and Committees

A recent federal lawsuit challenges a Montana law aimed at promoting gender and racial diversity on state boards and commissions. The lawsuit, filed by the national organization Do No Harm, focuses on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners. This board oversees the licensing and regulation of healthcare professionals in the state. According to the complaint, Read More…

Montana State chef to participate in regional culinary competition

BOZEMAN — A chef with Montana State University’s Culinary Services Division will participate in a regional challenge on Monday that recognizes expertise and skill among collegiate dining professionals. The National Association of College and University Food Services’ Culinary Challenge will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. March 25 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center Read More…

President of Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Neel Kashkari to Visit UM

MISSOULA – Neel Kashkari, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will visit the University of Montana on Monday, April 8, to conduct a public townhall meeting. Kashkari, one of the nation’s leading monetary policymakers, oversees all operations of the bank and leads numerous initiatives that aim to improve the economic Read More…

Montana Logging Industry Faces Uncertain Future

Pyramid Mountain Lumber officials have announced their intention to sell the mill rather than resorting to an auction, although no concrete plans have been finalized apart from the impending closure. The company’s decision to shutter operations has sent shockwaves through the lumber industry, with many individuals and stakeholders deeply impacted by the news. Dick Rossignol, Read More…

Montana State business college helps students develop networking skills

BOZEMAN — This semester, Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship held its first career symposium, a casual event intended to help students become comfortable talking to potential employers and collaborators. About 300 students attended the event, which was held Feb. 12 in the Strand Union Building on the MSU campus. There, Read More…

AG Knudsen announces another record-breaking year for fentanyl seizures

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today an over 20,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures by anti-drug forces in Montana since 2019. Additionally, over twice as much fentanyl was seized in 2023 compared to 2022, shattering previous records. In 2023, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task forces seized a total of Read More…

Montana State engineering students draw recognition at regional competition

BOZEMAN — A team of six Montana State University students from the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering drew recognition at a recent competition that pitted them against 1,400 other students from across the region. The undergraduate students, each majoring in construction engineering technology, were among 40 MSU students who competed in the Associated Schools of Read More…

Registration open for 2024 edition of 406 Grazing Academy

BOZEMAN – Registration is now open for the three-day 406 Grazing Academy, an annual workshop aimed at ranchers seeking to hone their grazing management skills and learn new strategies. This year’s event will be held June 11-13 in Miles City, and registration is open until April 26. Registration costs $200 per person and includes materials, Read More…

Montana State announces new nurse-midwifery program

BOZEMAN — The Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University has taken another step toward improving health care for state residents, particularly those living in rural, frontier or Native communities. The nursing college has been authorized by the national Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education to start a nurse-midwifery track in its Read More…

UM Law Alumnus Races to Success

MISSOULA ­– Kyle Fickler grew up in Drummond, Montana. From a young age, he was always drawn toward motorsports and racing. He loved tinkering on cars and figuring out how to make them go faster and with more power. “My cousin took me to my first drag race in Spokane when I was around 14 Read More…

Montana Highway Patrol commissions 12 new troopers

HELENA – The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) commissioned 12 new troopers at a graduation ceremony at the Civic Center in Helena Friday. Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Sager addressed the new troopers prior to their badge pinning and taking the oath of office. “I’m confident that the new troopers are prepared to Read More…

Montana State student wins civic engagement scholarship for volunteer work on campus

BOZEMAN – Montana State University junior Sophia Adams says her childhood experiences as the younger sibling of a brother with autism shaped her wish to serve people living in difficult circumstances. “I felt a responsibility to look out for other people,” said Adams, an aspiring medical doctor and Honors College student majoring in biochemistry in Read More…

Poll shows 7 states oppose electric vehicle mandates

(The Center Square) – Polling from the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the leading trade association of fuel, shows seven states oppose gas car bans. Polling from the presidential and senate battleground states of Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, shows most registered and likely general election voters oppose government efforts to ban new Read More…

Montana State professor to discuss rural education in provost’s lecture Feb. 13

BOZEMAN — An internationally recognized scholar will discuss rural education in the next installment of Montana State University’s 2023-24 Provost’s Distinguished Lecturer Series. Jayne Downey, professor in the Department of Education in the College of Education, Health and Human Development and director of the MSU Center for Research on Rural Education, will deliver “Rural Education Read More…

Governor Gianforte Invests $8 Million to Improve Behavioral Health Crisis Response in Montana

Governor Greg Gianforte announced an investment of up to $8 million to improve community-based response services for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission, the investment represents the second allocation of $300 million in funding the governor devoted last year to reform and improve Read More…

Montana Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in December

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana set new records for total employment and labor force in December, according to data compiled by Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “More Montanans are working than ever before thanks to the hard work of job creators and Read More…

Montana State students find research opportunities abound at inaugural event

BOZEMAN — Montana State University hosted its inaugural Undergraduate Research Fair on Monday, Jan. 22. The event, sponsored by MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development, is designed to introduce students to on-campus research opportunities. “The Undergraduate Research Fair is important as it makes opportunities to participate in research more accessible to all students,” said Read More…

Illegal Immigrant faces 40 years in prison for stabbing murder in Montana

(The Center Square) – An illegal foreign national in Montana faces up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty in Bozeman to mitigated deliberate homicide for stabbing a man to death. Francisco Padilla Canales initially pled not guilty and faced charges including deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping, tampering with witnesses and information, and aggravated burglary. Read More…

Montana State awarded grant to boost high-performance computing capacity

BOZEMAN – Montana State University, the state’s largest research entity and a designated Carnegie R1 institution, has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to significantly expand its computational infrastructure for research.  The grant was awarded to MSU’s Research Cyberinfrastructure Core Facility, which manages the advanced information technology systems that support large research Read More…

Rocky Vista University announces plans to create college of veterinary medicine

Rocky Vista University (RVU), which inaugurated the RVU Montana College of Medicine (MCOM) in July 2023, announced its plans for the establishment of the Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine in Billings, MT. The college will provide a comprehensive Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program to train future veterinarians. RVU has been diligently working Read More…

Kalispell Launches Educational Campaign Ahead of Public Saftey Levy

Scheduled for a mail-in ballot this March, the $4.6 million levy, if sanctioned, will finance the acquisition of new equipment and the recruitment of additional personnel for Kalispell’s police and fire departments. After experiencing a rise in call volumes and delayed response times over the years, Kalispell city officials are initiating an educational campaign ahead Read More…

DOJ Seeks Applications For Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee

HELENA – The Montana Department of Justice is seeking applications to fill two spots on the Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee. The positions available are a representative of the tow truck industry from eastern Montana and a representative of the commercial truck industry. The Committee reviews and resolves complaints involving tow truck issues. The term Read More…

Governor Gianforte Appoints Director of Commerce

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Paul Green to lead the Montana Department of Commerce as its director. “As a veteran with a background in business and economic development and strong leadership skills, Paul has my full confidence, and he will make an outstanding director for the Department of Commerce,” Read More…