The Montana Department of Administration (DOA) announced a leadership change at the Office of Public Defender (OPD) today, naming Koan Mercer as the agency’s new director. Mercer will replace Brett Schandelson, who is stepping down after nearly eight years with the office. “Schandelson’s work during his time at OPD was highly impactful and effective,” DOA Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined Johnson Metal Works in Bozeman to celebrate the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities that prepare Montana students for high-demand, well-paying careers. “Apprenticeships open doors for Montanans to learn valuable skills, earn while they learn, and step directly into rewarding careers,” Gianforte said. “Thanks to employers like Johnson Metal Works, we are connecting Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen has appointed Anne Dormady as the new administrator of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), following the retirement of former administrator Joel Wendland. Dormady previously served as bureau chief for the Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Crime Information Bureau. “I am proud to appoint Anne to lead the Montana Law Enforcement Read More…
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…
Bozeman city commissioners voted 4-1 in the waning hours of Tuesday night to adopt the Pride flag as an official flag of the city after hours of public comment. The move allows the city to again raise the rainbow Pride flag after a state law restricting the type of flags that can be flown outside Read More…
July 7 6:13 a.m., dispatch received a report of a hospice death at 85 Fourth Lane NW, Fairfield. 11:26 a.m., Montana Department of Transportation and Montana Highway Patrol were advised of a truck fire on Interstate 15 near Power. Power Volunteer Fire Department responded. 3:39 p.m., Teton County deputy spoke with a Fairfield resident who Read More…
The Montana Jewish Project, a statewide community center headquartered in Montana’s first synagogue, held its third annual Pride Shabbat at the Temple Emanu-El in Helena. In Jewish culture, Shabbat is known as the day of rest, lasting from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. A key pillar of the Montana Jewish Project’s mission is Read More…
The city of Helena Streets team will be paving a section of 11th Avenue, resulting in a closure of part of the street Tuesday through Thursday. The work, which includes asphalt maintenance and paving, will take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from North Fee Street to North California Street. No on-street parking is allowed Read More…
A collection of the best images from the cameras of Independent Record photographers last week: Sawyer Squires pulls a hot branding iron out of an iron pot during a branding for the LF Ranch on June 11 outside Choteau. THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record A rider competes in the Lane Barrel competition at the 60th annual National Read More…
Montana State University is a key player in a major, multi-year grant that has helped train more than 450 nurses across six western states. The Montana Office for Rural Health and Area Health Education Center (MORH/AHEC), which is housed in the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at MSU, received the grant in 2021. Read More…
An observance was held at Saturday’s East Helena Rodeo in memory of a young lady who loved horses and rodeos who died last year in a horse-riding accident at McMaster Hills Recreation Area. A moment of silence was observed for Meghan Rouns Saturday before Day 2 of the 62nd Annual NRA Rodeo in East Helena. Read More…
A pedestrian from Arizona was struck and killed by a semi-truck near Jefferson City, the Montana Highway Patrol reported Monday. A 39-year-old woman from Winslow, Arizona, was pronounced dead on arrival July 11 around 11:15 p.m. on Interstate 15 near mile marker 173, officials said. A semi-truck driven by a 51-year-old man was traveling south Read More…
A pedestrian from Arizona was struck and killed by a semi-truck near Jefferson City, the Montana Highway Patrol reported Monday. A 39-year-old woman from Winslow, Arizona, was pronounced dead on arrival July 11 around 11:15 p.m. on Interstate 15 near mile marker 173, officials said. Montana Highway Patrol badges. THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record A semi-truck Read More…
A celebration of life for Congressman Pat Williams will be held at the University of Montana Dennison Theater at 4 p.m. July 15. Williams died June 25 in Missoula. He was 87. Pat Williams Courtesy of Aidan Williams Doors to the theater will open at 3 p.m. and following the celebration, a reception will be Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today that the state will receive $2.5 million as part of a nationwide $720 million settlement with eight pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the opioid epidemic. The funds, which will be used for opioid abatement efforts across Montana, stem from a multistate agreement resolving claims that the companies played Read More…
For Elizabeth Arnold, mathematics has always been a family affair. While growing up, she spent lots of time solving problems and mathematical puzzles with her father, a now-retired community college professor of mathematics. She remembers going with him to campus as a fourth grader on “Take Your Child to Work Day,” attending his lectures and Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a 23-state coalition in a federal court case defending parental rights after a Delaware father alleged that school officials violated his constitutional rights by concealing his child’s gender identity decisions from him. The coalition filed an amicus brief Monday in Heaps v. Delaware Valley Regional High School Board Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that three communities in coal-impacted areas will receive more than $240,000 in grant funding to support critical public safety upgrades and community development initiatives. The funding, distributed through the Montana Coal Board, will aid local governments and school districts in enhancing infrastructure, improving emergency services, and investing in Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte continued his 56 County Tour today with a stop in Chouteau County, where he held a ceremonial bill signing for legislation aimed at strengthening Montana’s water rights system and improving water administration across the state. Standing along the banks of the Missouri River, the governor was joined by Department of Natural Resources Read More…
The Helena Area Chamber of Commerce and Helena Public Schools district will be discussing bonds over a cold one at various establishments throughout the Queen City ahead of a September vote. Brothers Tapworks, Ten Mile Creek Brewery and Speakeasy 41 will be host venues for Bonds and Brews for discussions about proposed bond issues that Read More…
Hunting regulation season setting scoping meetings are underway around the state this month with more meetings remaining over the next few weeks. These meetings and your input are critical for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff as we work to develop regulation proposals for the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to consider this fall. If Read More…
Hoot-owl restrictions take effect July 2 at 2 p.m. on the lower Madison River from the Warm Springs BLM day-use area downstream to the Jefferson River, and on the Sun River from the mouth of Muddy Creek to the Highway 287 Bridge. Hoot-owl restrictions remain in place on the upper Madison above Hebgen Lake. Hoot-owl Read More…
Milford Wearley, a retired agriculture education teacher and long-time resident of Choteau, was honored with the 2025 Montana Range Days Hall of Fame Award during banquet festivities at Montana Range Days in Miles City on June 24. Montana Range Days (MRD) is a rangeland educational event for young children through adult age individuals that inspires Read More…
The Get Your Kicks at 6 free summer concert series will kick off on July 10 with a performance by Scratchin’ Gravel at the Choteau City Park Band Shell. Each week, a different musical artist will perform in the series every Thursday until Aug. 14 and the concerts will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will host an open house later this month to update the public on a multi-year study of water quality in the middle segment of the Gallatin River, stretching from Yellowstone National Park to Spanish Creek. The public meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 29, from 5 p.m. Read More…
Travelers heading to Montana this summer may face sticker shock at the rental car counter. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) has been named the most expensive airport in the country for car rentals, according to a new survey from travel website Cheapcarrental.com. The survey, which analyzed rental rates across 100 U.S. airports for the peak Read More…
Marley Miller came to the University of Montana as a pre-med student, but quickly discovered a different path through the College of Business to pursue his passion for music and entertainment. Miller switched his major to business management and marketing and joined the UM Entertainment Management certificate program, which offered him real-world experience connecting with Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has been awarded $4 million in federal funding to expand apprenticeship programs across the state. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Round 3 (SAFE3) grant program. The grant will be used to grow Registered Apprenticeship Programs Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen today announced the appointment of Billings attorney Emily Jones to the Montana Judicial Standards Commission, a key body responsible for upholding the integrity and ethical standards of the state’s judiciary. With more than 15 years in private practice, Jones brings extensive legal experience to the commission, which investigates allegations of judicial Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz has signed a historic Shared Stewardship Agreement between the State of Montana and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, launching an ambitious new partnership to accelerate forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction across the state. The agreement establishes a long-term framework to dramatically increase Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Friday that his office has opened an investigation into Lee Enterprises following a February cyberattack that compromised the personal information of nearly 40,000 employees and subscribers, including an undisclosed number of Montanans. Lee Enterprises, based in Davenport, Iowa, owns several major newspapers in Montana, including the Helena Independent Record, Read More…
Montana State University’s most prestigious scholarship has been awarded to 20 high school graduates from across the nation and world, including 15 students from Montana. The MSU Presidential Scholarship is awarded based on scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership and exemplary public service. Students receive an annual stipend plus a tuition waiver. The scholarship is renewable for Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown praised the Montana Board of Land Commissioners this week after approving an estimated $1.7 million in revenue to support the state’s public schools. The decision, made during the Land Board’s May meeting, reflects the board’s continued efforts to responsibly manage Montana’s trust lands in Read More…
In a major legislative milestone for freshman U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), President Donald J. Trump on Friday signed into law the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act, Sheehy’s bipartisan bill to expand and modernize the federal government’s aerial wildfire suppression capabilities. The signing ceremony took place in the Oval Office, where President Trump also issued a Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced today the 2025 recipients of its Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) planning grants, awarding nearly $500,000 in funding to support projects that aim to strengthen local economies across rural Montana. “The ORE Program plays a vital role in creating good-paying jobs, stimulating economic growth, helping businesses grow, and building Read More…
Society tends to protect the identity of cadavers, so not much is known about No. 817. We know the 72-year-old woman was from Montana and that her final cause of death was cancer. One can infer she was a giving person, as she and her caregivers elected to donate her earthly remains to the education Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte this week recognized four distinguished Montana veterans with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation during ceremonies held in Ravalli, Flathead, and Missoula counties. The award honors veterans who not only served with distinction in uniform but who also continue to make a lasting impact in their communities. “Montana’s veterans lead by example. Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced the appointment of State Representative Marta Bertoglio as the new Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, signaling a continued focus on economic growth and job creation in the state. “Marta has been a strong partner in the Legislature and is a driven leader, dedicated to making Montana the best place Read More…
Most student projects made in Gallatin College Montana State University’s carpentry program are eventually disassembled, rebuilt into something new and then taken down again. And again. And again. However, a special few each year stand the test of time. This year, those projects are providing winter shelter for calves at Rocky Boy’s Nation near Havre Read More…
Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced Tuesday a series of national settlements with five major broker-dealer firms over allegations they charged excessive commissions on small retail equity transactions, in violation of state securities laws. The firms—Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. (Edward Jones), LPL Financial LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Stifel, Nicolaus Read More…
The Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is alerting Montanans to a wave of fraudulent text messages impersonating the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) in an attempt to steal personal information and money. Scammers are sending urgent text messages that falsely claim recipients owe fines or traffic tickets and must pay immediately Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte honored seven distinguished Montana veterans this week with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, recognizing their military service and continued contributions to their communities. The ceremonies took place across Garfield, Musselshell, Fergus, and Meagher counties, with a special tribute to a 104-year-old World War II veteran. “As Americans, we have a duty Read More…
Montana State University Athletic Director Leon Costello has been named a 2023–24 FCS Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), recognizing his transformational leadership and the unprecedented success of Bobcat Athletics. Costello, who has led MSU’s athletics department since 2016, was honored this week during NACDA’s annual Read More…
Montana State University has ranked among some of the top schools in the Center for World University Rankings for 2025, based on factors including education, employability, faculty and research. MSU ranked in the top 3.7% of the 21,462 universities reviewed worldwide for the rankings, which were published on June 2. While some university rankings rely Read More…