Since the start of the month, state health care workers have administered about 80,000 COVID-19 vaccines. About 42% of the state’s eligible population is considered to be fully vaccinated amounting to nearly 386,000 people. County health departments are offering walk-in vaccine clinics at multiple sites throughout the state and information on ...
Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To Campus Bills
The Montana Supreme Court has dismissed two petitions seeking the court’s stay on a new law allowing concealed carry-on college campuses that goes into effect Tuesday saying they failed to establish an emergency that could not be first handled in District Court. On May 20th the Montana Board of Regents asked the court to put the brakes o...
Superintendent Arntzen Calls Upon Attorney General To Challenge School Theory
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen has made a formal request of Attorney General Austin Knudsen to issue an opinion on the legality of teaching so-called antiracism and Critical Race Theory in Montana Public Schools. Montana is distinct in that the 1972 Constitution calls for the state to recognize the unique cultural her...
Rimrock Foundation Adds New Location For Mental Health Services
In direct relation to the over 40% increase in mental health needs due to COVID-19 the Rimrock Foundation is expanding their Community Mental Health Services. Rimrock has opened a larger and more convenient location at 1601 Lewis Avenue Suite 101 in Billings. This new location allows Rimrock to address the growing need for mental health care i...
Beaverhead-Deerlodge Completely Open For Memorial Day Weekend
Montana’s largest national forest which spans nine counties is ready for the upcoming camping season as Memorial Day approaches. The Butte Ranger District reports all of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest campgrounds are open. Area campgrounds usually fill up over Memorial Day weekend but dispersed camping is also allowed fewer than 300 ...
Veterans Exposed To Toxic Substances May Soon See Increased Benefits
Montana’s Jon Tester the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman said Tuesday it will begin work this week on the Compensation and Overdue Support for Troops (COST) of War Act. The bill would grant immediate access to health care and disability services for all veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service and expand a...
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Advising Boaters To Be Aware Of Invasive Species
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Brian Morris rescinded the mask mandate for the state’s federal courts Tuesday a week after state Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath signaled to state courts to relax their own restrictions put in place since the start of the pandemic. Both federal and state courts have continued through the last yea...
Montana Civil Air Patrol Seeking New Recruits
Lawmakers will be polled soon on whether to override eight vetoes issued by Governor Greg Gianforte after they adjourned the legislative session last month. The Secretary of State is required to poll legislators on whether to override post-session vetoes of bills that received a combined 100 votes from the 150 lawmakers in the House and Senate...
Women Infants & Benefits Receive ARPA Funds
New moms and young children can receive more nutrition this summer with a boost in Women Infants & Children benefits. The American Rescue Plan Act allows an increase in the value of WIC vegetable and fruit vouchers for four months beginning June 1st. It usually provides $9 a month per child and $11 a month in fruits and veggie benefits per...
Helena Residents Working To Restore The Fire Tower
With millennials today making up the largest generation in the United States workforce yet struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic the personal-finance website Wallet Hub today released its report on 2021s best states for millennials. Montana ranks 33rd across 34 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of millennials to average monthly ear...