Featured Articles in News

Auditor James Brown Joins Call for SEC to Investigate CCP-Linked Insurers

Montana State Auditor James Brown has joined elected leaders and financial officers nationwide urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the delisting of Chinese companies that fail to meet U.S. anti-fraud and transparency standards. The move is aimed at protecting American investors and strengthening national security. “Montanans should not be forced to roll Read More…

Daines Calls for Boosting Tribal Energy Development

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R–Mont.) emphasized the importance of expanding energy production in tribal communities during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing this week. Speaking with David Conrad, Acting Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, Daines highlighted the potential for tribal energy projects to strengthen sovereignty and fuel Read More…

Governor Gianforte Launches Energy Task Force

Governor Greg Gianforte this week signed an executive order creating a new Energy Task Force charged with developing strategies to expand affordable, reliable energy production in Montana. “With increasing demand on our energy grid, we must meet the challenge head-on to ensure affordable, reliable power for Montanans now and into the future,” Gianforte said. “After Read More…

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Darlene Mae Demko

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Darlene (Murch) Demko, who left us on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Great Falls, Mont., surrounded by her loved ones, at the age of 89 years old. No services are planned. Born in Hinsdale, Mont., to Harold and Beatrice Murch, July 24, 1935. She grew up and Read More…

Red Bottom Celebration Held In Frazer

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in the June 26, issue of the Northern Plains Independent. The story is being republished with permission. The 122nd Red Bottom Celebration was held in Frazer June 19-22. Attendees were treated to a mix of rain and sunshine, as well as a wide array of dance competitions and Read More…

Law Enforcement Report

For the week of June 30 through July 6, there were 51 motor vehicle stops, four reports of loose dogs, two reports of missing dogs, one report of a barking dog, one report of loose livestock, and two reports of deer/antelope being removed from the ro…

Yard Of The Week

Cindy Taylor’s yard at 321 4th Avenue North is a testament to her neighbors’ love for Cindy as much as their continuing care for her yard while she is away getting treatment. The neighbors pitched in time and money to buy plants and then take care of…

‘We’re all immigrants:’ Roughly 50 people become American citizens in Billings ceremony

In what’s a usually quiet and restrained space, cheers and applause rang out in an American flag-adorned courtroom as immigrants became official United States citizens in a ceremony Wednesday. New U.S. citizens attend a Naturalization Ceremony at the United States District Court in Billings on Wednesday. Citizens of 15 countries attended the morning ceremony with Read More…

State Announce $4 Million Grant to Launch Montana’s First Teacher Apprenticeship Program

Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson announced a $4 million federal grant to establish Montana’s first registered teacher apprenticeship program, a major step toward strengthening the state’s education workforce and addressing critical teacher shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. “Preparing the next generation of Montana’s workforce and Read More…

UM Researcher Studies How Ads Distract From Side Effects

Most people would agree that television commercials are an irritant at worst and beverage break at best. For University of Montana marketing researcher Jesse King, commercials – namely pharmaceutical advertisements – are intensely interesting and a focal point of his studies for the past several years. Specifically, King studies how images used in those ads Read More…

International group visits Choteau, Bynum projects

Choteau and Bynum were among eight north-central Montana communities showcased for International Economic Development Council members attending a three-day rural retreat, organized in partnership with the Great Falls Development Alliance and Great Falls Montana Tourism. The IEDC brought 400 attendees, about half of whom work in rural communities, to the conference June 23-25, based in Read More…

July 7-13

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…

From Maine to Texas, federal agents continue to arrest MS-13 gang members

(The Center Square) – Across the country, federal agents are arresting members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) U.S.-Salvadoran transnational gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing transnational gangs and cartels to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. In February, eight were Read More…

Pedestrian struck and killed by semi-truck near Jefferson City, MHP says

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…

Superintendent Degenfelder Appoints Members to Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder today announced the appointment and reappointment of three distinguished individuals to the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board: Steve Lupien, Jill Bramlet, and Joe Feiler. “Steve, Jill, and Joe are all independently qualified charter school advocates,” Superintendent Degenfelder said. “Each brings unique and exceptional expertise to the board through Read More…

Attorney General Knudsen Announces $2.5 Million Opioid Settlement with Eight Drug Manufacturers

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…

Baesler Honors Finalists for 2026 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Award

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler on Friday announced the four outstanding educators selected as finalists for North Dakota’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award, praising their dedication and commitment to shaping the future of the state’s students. The finalists are: Julie Dawes, Grand Forks County Jared Sagvold, Ransom County Kelsey Tunseth, Traill County Holly Wheeling, Burleigh Read More…