Montana will launch recreational marijuana sales Saturday January 1st 2022 after Montana’s voters who legalized medical use in 2004 put it in the same category as alcohol in 2020 with 58% of the vote. The Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning projects $130 million in recreational sales in the new year climbing to $195.5 millio...
Helena Airport To Receive New Federal Funding
More than $28 million in federal funding will go to 69 airports across the state including nearly one and a half million headed to the Helena Regional Airport. Director Jeff Wadekamper on what the FAA’s current fiscal year spending money will be used for. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/12-27_737.mp3
Numerous Montana Schools Find High Lead Levels In Drinking Water
In early 2020, the state of Montana required all public schools to test their drinking water for lead and they were given until December 31 of this year to take initial samples. Of the Montana schools that have met the state’s program deadline, most of the 560 Montana schools show high levels of lead in school drinking water. According ...
Analyst Makes Case For Build Back Better Act Addressing Montana Poverty
Like many states, Montana is facing a housing crisis. Opponents of the Build Back Better Act still in Congress say it’s too costly. Adrienne Bombelles with the Montana Budget and Policy Center says it includes much-needed rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program, which could help more people find and afford homes. She says ...
Montana Manufacturers Dodge Economic Setbacks In 2020
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic the manufacturing industry in Montana fared relatively well in 2020 and is on track to return to pre-pandemic levels of business. According to a new report from both the University of Montana and Montana State University with the largest sectors being petroleum and coal and wood products it gener...
Construction Completed For Middle Tow Calf Road
Back-country travelers can once again access Middle Two Calf Road part of the Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway between Winifred and the James Kipp Recreation Area. The Bureau of Land Management recently completed road reconstruction and low-water crossing improvements allowing the road to be reopened to public access. The 19-mile-...
Helena Police Chief Honored By City
Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins has declared December 31st will be Steve Hagan Day honoring the city’s outgoing police chief. Hagan said this about his time with the Helena Police Department. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/12-23_832.mp3
Montana Districting Group Working To Change Counting Of Incarcerated Citizens
The Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission is moving forward with its plan to change how incarcerated people in the state are counted for the purposes of legislative redistricting. In a meeting earlier this month they voted to send out a request for proposals to vendors who may be able to do the necessary analysis. The body is seekin...
CMS Halts Additional Payments For Medicaid In Montana
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has directed Montana to end the state’s requirement that people covered by Medicaid expansion pay monthly premiums beyond what’s authorized by the federal government. In a letter this week, the CMS gave Montana a year to wind down the additional premiums created in 2019 legislation saying they could reduce...
ACLU Challenges State Of Montana Over Transgender Bill
In court Wednesday, Montana defended a requirement for transgender residents to have surgery and then petition a judge in order to update the sex on their birth certificate while the ACLU of Montana said Senate Bill 280 which the Legislature passed is unconstitutional and the law should be blocked while their lawsuit filed in July progresses. ...