Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 state attorneys general seeking to intervene in two federal lawsuits that could eliminate a widely used permitting process for oil and natural gas pipelines crossing rivers, streams and wetlands. The states argue that eliminating Nationwide Permit 12, a federal authorization administered by the U.S. Read More…
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joined senior federal law enforcement officials to announce expanded efforts to combat government benefits fraud in Minnesota, including new financial reporting guidance, a $25 million whistleblower incentive program and additional enforcement actions targeting alleged Medicaid fraud. The announcement came one day after federal investigators executed search warrants and arrested four individuals Read More…
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service have proposed new regulations tightening eligibility and verification requirements for federal health insurance subsidies, implementing changes enacted under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. The proposed rules would affect the Premium Tax Credit, a refundable federal tax credit that helps qualifying individuals and families purchase health Read More…
GRAND FORKS, N.D.—The University of North Dakota will host retired Air Force Col. Patrick “Mike” Shortsleeve, a national security and intelligence expert now working in the defense industry, for a campus presentation Nov. 5. Shortsleeve, vice president of strategic development at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., will speak at 2:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Read More…
FORT WASHAKIE – A Wyoming tribe is looking to hemp and medical marijuana as potential ways to bolster the Wind River Reservation economy and treat illnesses, an approach more and more tribes view as potentially lucrative. In late September, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe’s General Council voted to approve a resolution to have a group Read More…
MISSOULA — State wildlife officials have released the final numbers for the big game hunting season in Western Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) reported checking 10,225 hunters with 837 harvested game animals at its three long-standing check stations in western Montana from opening day on October 26 until the general big game hunting Read More…
People living in many of Montana’s rural communities and on Native American reservations have no dentists, a problem Montana State University is working to solve. MSU is working with the University of Washington’s Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program to bring dental students from the Spokane-based program to train in Montana’s rural and Read More…
Once again, tickets for The Montana Lotttery’s Montana Millionaire game have sold out at a record pace. All 180,000 tickets were sold out by 1:12 p.m. on Monday, five days earlier than in 2018. The Montana Lottery has yet to set an official date, but the grand prize drawing will be held sometime between Dec. Read More…
Recognition changes life of 96-year-old veteranBy: Melody MontgomerySpecial to the News-ArgusFriday, November 29, 2019 (From left) Geyser Superintendent Shawn Harkins, Cook Peggy Hill and Custodian Doug Felman honor Tim McAllister (front, center) with a Bronze Star in Geyser on Tuesday. Photo by Melody Montgomery A seemingly simple act of kindness can have a profoundly positive Read More…
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New York Jets cornerback Brian Poole is usually the one trying to grab footballs out of people’s hands. But following last Sunday’s Jets victory over the Oakland Raiders, it was Poole looking for a ball snatched from him. Poole, playing in his 58th career game, scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday. During a celebration Read More…
Crow Chairman Alvin “A.J.” Not Afraid Jr. was among several Native American tribal leaders who traveled to Washington D.C. this week to visit President Donald Trump as he signed an executive order regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. According to a post on the Crow Tribe of Indians Facebook page , Not Afraid stood near the president Read More…
HELENA, Mont. — Forecasters say a snowstorm is expected bring more than a foot of snow to parts of Montana and create difficult driving conditions for people traveling for Thanksgiving. National Weather Service officials say near-blizzard conditions are expected along the Rocky Mountain Front and near Monida Pass at Montana-Idaho border starting Tuesday night through Thursday. Read More…
BILLINGS — Montana’s first suspected case of CWD in a wild elk killed near Red Lodge was recorded Monday, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In addition, three deer killed in south-central Montana also tested positive for the disease Monday. They included a mule deer taken on national forest land near Crooked Creek in Read More…
The FBI is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying persons responsible for placing skimming devices on ATMs in Washington, then using the skimmed information in Montana. In early March, the unknown suspects placed skimming devices on ATMs at various locations in Vancouver, Washington. The devices were installed for the purpose of recording information from Read More…
By: DEB HILLNews-Argus Managing EditorFriday, November 22, 2019 Crowds gather around the bonfire, some for warmth and some hoping for a toasted marshmallow or two, at last year’s Christmas Stroll. This year’s Stroll starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. News-Argus File Photo With Thanksgiving just a week away, can the Christmas Stroll be far Read More…
Kanye West has been denied a permit to build an amphitheater on his ranch in Wyoming. The Park County Planning and Zoning Commission made the decision Tuesday after the rapper changed his plans for the structure near Cody. West told county officials he now wants to include residential space. READ FULL STORY
LARAMIE, Wyo. — The board of trustees at the University of Wyoming has voted unanimously in approval of several new educational programs. The Laramie Boomerang reports voting, which took place during the board’s November meeting, granted approval for a new computer science education certificate, a master’s in “environment and natural resources in society,” and go-ahead for a neuroscience and Read More…
U.S. Attorney General William Barr, already scheduled to visit Kalispell Friday, will travel first to the Flathead Reservation to discuss missing and murdered indigenous persons. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes announced the visit Thursday morning. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ office announced that Barr would visit Kalispell with Daines, a Republican representing Montana, to Read More…
The committees overseeing plans to expand the Montana Historical Society could finalize their report on possible sites for the building by the end of the week. The steering and building committees met in Helena Wednesday, for their final meeting before submitting their report on locations for the Montana Heritage Center. The report will go to Read More…
HiSet, career education, college placement and moreBy: MIRIAM CAMPANReporterTuesday, November 19, 2019 Paula Walker, HRDC adult education lead instructor, sits in her office Thursday. Part of Walker’s job is to ease the anxiety of tests and schedules for those returning to education. Photo by Miriam Campan HRDC’s Adult Education program offers a second chance towards a Read More…
Brothers James, left, and Chris Wright stand by Café 406, which they hope to open by spring 2020. The restaurant will be Lewistown’s new greasy spoon, where people can go for an omelet, Belgian waffles or one of Chris’s famous “man dogs.” Photo by Charlie Denison PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires Read More…
Kylie Jenner has sold a majority stake in Kylie Cosmetics to beauty conglomerate Coty Inc. Coty, owned by the European investment firm JAB Ltd., acquired a 51% controlling stake in the company for $600 million, valuing the brand at $1.2 billion. The Wall Street Journal reports that Jenner will remain the “public face” of the brand. Jenner founded the brand in 2015, and Read More…
HELENA – In a few weeks 27 young ladies from around the country will be vying for the title of Miss Rodeo America and one of those contestants is our very own Miss Rodeo Montana Kayla Seaman. The pageant will be held December 1st -9th at the Tropicana in Las Vegas in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo. She will go through eight days Read More…
In October of this year, the BLM released an environmental assessment for adding more wind turbines to Wyoming’s Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project. BLM Rawlins Field Manager Dennis Carpenter, was quoted then in a BLM press release when he said, “The project fulfils many of the agency’s priorities, including sustainably developing energy resources, modernizing Read More…
By: MIRIAM CAMPANReporterFriday, November 15, 2019 Dr. Cassandra Lopez has recently joined the staff at the Central Montana Medical Center. Photo by Miriam Campan “They convinced me to come out and interview. The job here was just too good to pass up,” said Dr. Cassandra “Cassie” Lopez, who joined CMMC on Nov. 1. When Tori Poser Read More…
BUTTE, Mont. — A rescue mission in Butte is opening a “low-barrier” homeless shelter to take in persons who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Montana Standard reports the Butte-Rescue Mission is opening the shelter Friday at the urging of Silver Bow County officials and community leaders. Modular units in the city Read More…
FARGO — After a year of construction, the 18-story Block 9 building in downtown Fargo reached its full height of 235 feet when the roof was poured Thursday, Nov. 14. The structure that is changing the city’s skyline is now the second-tallest building in the state behind the state Capitol. A flag has been hung on the Read More…
CASPER – Gov. Mark Gordon said he “firmly supports” the state Health Department’s director amid allegations that a 2015 Medicaid fraud investigation was obstructed by various government officials, a charge that has been denied by those involved. “The Governor firmly supports Mike Ceballos, the Director of the Wyoming Department of Health and his ability to Read More…
On any given day, thousands of packages from Walmarts, Targets, and stores around the country travel north along a two-lane road out of Billings, Montana — past the Tumbleweed Saloon, past cows grazing on empty rangeland, past the Busy Bee Cafe and stands of short pines — to the town of Roundup, where they will be Read More…
The owner of three struggling Powder River basin coal mines says it’s negotiating with a new broker to back the bonds required to keep the mines operating after the Navajo Nation said it’s pulling its financial support. Erny Zah, a spokesman for the Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC), said Wednesday the firm doesn’t foresee a Read More…
Two grizzly bears have been killed in northwest Montana, one by a hunter and one by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Information and Program Manager for District One, Dillon Tabish provides details. “We had an adult male grizzly bear that was euthanized this weekend near Libby after he broke into a garage seeking a food Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON ReporterTuesday, November 12, 2019 Local veteran and American Legion Post 16 Vice Commander John Payne plays “Taps” to conclude the Bells of Peace ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park Monday (Veterans Day). American Legion Post 16 Commander Bryan Armour spoke during the commemoration. The Honor Guard also paid their respects. Photo by Charlie Denison Read More…
Moore’s Mamie Hertel will represent National FFA as the central region vice president during the 2019-2020 year. Photo courtesy of FFA Sat, 11/09/2019 – 5:00am Moore’s Mamie Hertel has done it again. Hertel is the first female from the state of Montana to be elected as a national officer in FFA. Just prior to Read More…
Lewistown women choose military serviceBy: MIRIAM CAMPANReporterFriday, November 8, 2019 Roberta Mae Deal (left) not only served in the WAACs, but was also a model for recruiting more women (not to mention selling Grapette soda pop). Image courtesy of Miriam Deal Campan Army reservist Sandy Alexander, now Sandy Youngbauer, stands at a camp in Saudi Arabia Read More…
The head of North Dakota’s Commerce Department has personally retained an attorney amid a criminal investigation into audit findings of potential state law violations. Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer appeared Wednesday before the Legislature’s Audit and Fiscal Review Committee to answer lawmakers’ questions related to audit findings that agency officials mishandled appropriations and also skirted public Read More…
MEXICO CITY — A Williston, N.D., woman and four of her children were among those killed during a series of brutal attacks in northern Mexico on Monday, Nov. 4, according to a family member’s Facebook post. The onslaught has sent shock waves through two countries and prompted impassioned responses from political leaders. Kenny LeBaron Read More…
KEMMERER, Wyoming. — The Lincoln County, Wyoming Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a couple in Star Valley. A news release from the sheriff’s office indicates deputies were doing a welfare check at a home on Alta Drive just before noon Monday. When deputies arrived, no one answered the door so they entered the Read More…
IDAHO FALLS – Police in Idaho are looking for information after equipment was stolen from a Montana fire crew on their way home from fighting fires in California. According to a Facebook post from the Idaho Falls Police Department, a crew stopped at the Super 8 in Idaho Falls to spend the night Sunday. Sometime between Read More…
In a decade when many American universities are struggling with falling enrollment, Montana State University’s student population has grown, along with its graduation numbers and spending on instruction. MSU’s fall report card on itself also showed that while the Bozeman campus still has more tenured and tenure-track faculty than non-tenured or adjunct instructors, the Read More…
A local businesswoman and activist in Havre has been recognized on the floor of the Senate. The office of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said he recognized Havre’s Dottie Wilson for her tremendous impact on the state of Montana in his “Montanan of the Week” this week. Each week Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterTuesday, November 5, 2019 Lori Byron, left, and husband Robert delivered a presentation on how climate change impacts public health during the Rotary Club’s meeting Monday at the Elks. Photo by Charlie Denison Before every Rotary International meeting in Lewistown, Rotarians recite the four-way test, which they consider an ethical guide for Read More…
Local five-year-old beats cancerBy: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterTuesday, November 5, 2019 Daizee Dae Douglass celebrates being cancer free at Billings Clinic Thursday, Oct. 3. Photo courtesy of Tammy Jo Douglass Five-year-old Daizee Dae Douglass has not had the most ordinary childhood. In June of 2017, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and she’s been going Read More…
By: CHARLIE DENISON Senior ReporterFriday, November 1, 2019 A sign on Highway 87 west of town directs travelers to Main Street, part of local tourism efforts. Photo by Deb Hill Jan Stoddard How do we bring more tourist dollars to Lewistown? Much discussion took place on this topic Thursday morning at Central Feed Grilling Co. during Read More…