Featured Articles in News

Montana State awarded $1.1 million to expand facility for photonics research and development

The Montana Microfabrication Facility at Montana State University recently received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through its Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program. The funding will support current and new Montana Microfabrication Facility customers to rapidly develop, assemble and test photonic integrated circuits, or PICs. In this 2023 file photo, Read More…

Original Governor’s Mansion to Close for Major Restoration Work

The Original Governor’s Mansion will temporarily close to public tours beginning November 1, 2025, as contractors begin a series of critical exterior repairs aimed at preserving one of Montana’s most cherished historic landmarks. The restoration effort, funded through the Governor’s Long-Range Building Program, will address both the mansion and its adjacent historic carriage house. Planned Read More…

Retailers Scramble as U.S. Penny Phase-Out Forces Price Rounding

Now that the United States has officially stopped making pennies, a nationwide scramble is underway among gas stations, fast-food chains, and major retailers to adjust prices and handle cash transactions — a shift that could quietly erode profits for many high-volume businesses. The transition follows President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to halt production Read More…

Death threats against ICE officers up by 8,000%, DHS says

(The Center Square) – Death threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up by 8,000% compared to the same timeframe last year, the Department of Homeland Security said on Friday. Assaults against ICE officers remain at a 1,000% increase, The Center Square first reported. Targeted removal efforts prioritizing arresting violent offenders are ongoing as Read More…

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MT National Guard warns of scam using their name

FORT HARRISON — The Montana National Guard has received numerous phone calls regarding scams targeting civilians. According to the MT National Guard, these scams involve the sales of vehicles that don’t exist, asking for money to support deploying soldiers, and using the addresses of Montana National Guard facilities as business locations.  

Montana will launch Return-to-Work bonuses, and opt-out of federal unemployment benefits

Governor Greg Gianforte on Tuesday announced two measures to address the state’s severe workforce shortage and provide incentives for unemployed Montanans to reenter the labor force. A news release says that the State of Montana will launch a return-to-work bonus program, utilizing federal funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act. Return-to-work bonuses will be Read More…

“Cocktails to-go” now permanent in Montana

Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed HB 226, making cocktails to-go permanent in Montana. A news release says that “this measure supports hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19 and provides increased convenience to consumers.” The law states: “Curbside pickup constitutes the sale of alcoholic beverages in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers that was ordered online or Read More…

Josh Duggar, star of 19 Kids and Counting, pleads not guilty to child pornography charges

The eldest child in the former reality television family, the Duggars, was arrested Thursday for charges related to child pornography. The U.S. Marshals Service in Arkansas arrested Josh Duggar, whose family had been the center of the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting. He was charged with possession of and receiving child pornography and pleaded not guilty Friday. Read More…

WYOMING ADDS 2,000 TAGS TO UPCOMING ELK SEASON

Elk herds are thriving in Wyoming, which means more opportunity for more hunters. Last week, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) announced that the state wildlife commission approved the addition of 2,000 more licenses for the upcoming elk season. According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, the “major herds are nearly 30% over objective” and there’s Read More…

OVER 160,000 WYOMING RESIDENTS MEDICAL DATA MISTAKENLY UPLOADED

A press release put out by the Wyoming Department of Health announced the mistaken exposure of lab test result data with the health information of over 160,000 Wyoming residents. The department said they became aware of the exposure of approximately 164,021 Wyoming residents on March 10, 2021, with a workforce member mishandling health information as early as November 5, 2020. READ FULL Read More…

UM officials issue alert about aggressive bear near campus

MISSOULA, Mont. — University of Montana officials have issued an alert warning community members that an aggressive bear has been spotted just south of campus. Several people called 911 at around 3:30 a.m. Friday, complaining that an aggressive bear was in garbage cans in the 1600 block of Madeline Ave., growling, and acting aggressively. Officers have Read More…

Tester believes MT vaccinations will help convince Canada to re-open border

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) believes the U.S. can convince Canada to re-open its borders to normal traffic if more people follow through on getting their COVID shots. We’ve been telling you about the emotional turmoil facing residents in Montana’s border communities from the continued pandemic shutdown of the Canadian border. READ FULL Read More…

Housing crisis leaves out Montana’s middle

MISSOULA, Mont. — Housing prices in Montana continue to soar. There’s not enough property for sale and not enough units for rent. And in many cases, not enough money to pay for either. We’re working for you to find what it means to be stuck in the middle of what some are calling Montana’s housing crisis. Read More…

Female track stars appeal decision forcing competition with transgender athletes

A group of female high school track athletes is appealing a Sunday federal district decision forcing them to compete against transgender athletes. The case was dismissed by Judge Robert Chatigny on procedural grounds because the two transgender athletes in question have since graduated from high school, making the case moot. Chatigny wrote, however, that if Read More…

Armed Groups Step Into Venezuela as Lawlessness Grows

GUARERO, Venezuela — They bring drinking water to residents in the arid scrublands, teach farming workshops and offer medical checkups. They mediate land disputes, fine cattle rustlers, settle divorces, investigate crimes and punish thieves. They’re not police officers, civil servants or members of the Venezuela government, which has all but disappeared from this impoverished part Read More…

Airline boardings in North Dakota increase in March; more federal aid announced

Passenger numbers at North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports in March increased from the previous month and year but remained well below pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. The airports in Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Dickinson, Grand Forks, Fargo, Devils Lake and Jamestown collectively had 72,504 passenger boardings last month, up from 51,240 in February and from 60,821 in March Read More…

How Wyoming became the promised land for bitcoin investors

Wyoming’s economy is powered by some of the oldest industries in human history, including mining, agriculture and tourism. But in recent years the state has emerged as an unlikely champion of far newer inventions: cryptocurrencies and the blockchain technology that powers them. Now, the Cowboy State is arguably the most crypto-friendly jurisdiction in the United Read More…

Former Vice President Walter Mondale dies at 93

Walter Mondale, who transformed the role of U.S. vice president while serving under Jimmy Carter and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, died Monday at 93, according to a family spokesperson. The big picture: President Biden, who was mentored by Mondale through the years, said in 2015 that the former vice president gave him a “roadmap” Read More…

Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation adds directors to board

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health appointed Elva (Cookie) Allan, Marybeth Flachbart and Jenny Robertson to its board of directors. Allan has worked for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe since 1999 and is the director of strategic initiatives and development office. She has been an advocate for Latino and Native American issues dating back Read More…

Power outages in NW Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — Many residents in the Troy and Thompson Falls area are without power Sunday night. Northern Lights outage map shows roughly 1,000 customers affected by the outage in northwest Montana. READ FULL STORY

J&J faces more scrutiny after CEO’s $30 million payday

The fight over Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky’s $30 million payday is heating up. The state of Illinois, charitable organization OxFam and several religious organizations have filed letters with the Securities and Exchange Commission opposing his pay. The letters urge shareholders to vote no on a “say on pay” proposal set for consideration at Read More…

Governor prohibits “vaccine passports” in Montana

GREAT FALLS — Governor Greg Gianforte on Tuesday issued an executive order prohibiting the state-sponsored development and required use of so-called vaccine passports in Montana. “I strongly encourage Montanans to get a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, which is our best path to protect our family and friends and get back to a more normal life,” Read More…