Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will hold a media call to announce investments in renewable energy infrastructure in rural communities across the country Wednesday. States impacted by the announcement include Montana and neighboring states Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Idaho. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/202...
Missoula District Judge Denies Motion From NorthWestern For Lawsuit
A lawsuit challenging the state’s pre-approval statute can proceed following Missoula District Court Judge Jason Marks’ ruling denying NorthWestern Energy’s motion filed with support from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Public Service Commission to dismiss the lawsuit. At issue is the constitutionality of the stat...
New Laws Criminalize Protests & Accomplices In Montana
States including Montana have passed laws that increase penalties for protesters of critical infrastructure like oil pipelines. Rosalyn LaPier who teaches environmental studies at the University of Montana says if someone is convicted under this law, they could be fined up to $150,000 and spend 30 years in prison. https://northernbroadcasting....
Montanans At Risk Of New Type Of Scam
Scams come in many forms. One is what’s called a virtual kidnapping where either through text email social media or a phone call a person is literally held ransom by someone saying he’s holding a relative and unless you fork over some dough they’ll be harmed. Don’t fall for it don’t feel ashamed either. Special FBI Agent Drew Scown. https://no...
FWP Aiming To Address Major Potential Changes At Upcoming Review
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is starting a biennial review of the state’s hunting regulations and this year, the department is looking to take a fresh approach. The review typically has resulted in only minor changes to existing regulations but this year, FWP will tackle more significant changes such as combining hunting districts and...
Senator Tester Details How Montana’s Broadband Funding Will Be Distributed
There’s been a lot of talk about the potentially historic investment in Montana’s broadband infrastructure through the bipartisan package passed by the Senate but with so much federal money coming into the state it also has many wondering how it will be allocated. Senator Jon Tester, one of the bill’s negotiators, recently explained how. https...
Billings Medical Workers Exhausted Of Staff and Resources
The National Guard was recently called in to provide assistance to medical workers at Billings Clinic due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and a lack of space and staff. Billings Mayor Bill Cole on the recent rise in cases. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/9-03_737.mp3
Talen Energy’s Debt Brings Colstrip’s Future Into Question
Talen Energy, which operates Colstrip Power Plant, is $4 billion in debt and facing negotiations with creditors as its bonds are downgraded to a substantial fundamental credit risk. Bloomberg charts Talen’s bonds on a steep decline since May. This week, Fitch Ratings downgraded the long-term issuer default rating for Talen Energy Supply to CCC...
District Judge Dismisses New Challenge To Appointment Bill
District Court judge Mike McMahon has dismissed a lawsuit by former Democratic Representatives Tom Winter and Barbara Bessette challenging Montana’s new judicial appointment process. The case was the second attempt at taking down Senate Bill 140 passed by the GOP-dominated Legislature and signed by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte to a...
Labor Day Listed As One Of The Holidays With Most DUIs
Many Montanans will turn to road trips local travel and day trips this Labor Day weekend increasing the number of people behind the wheel but it’s important to make smart decisions as it is one of the top five most dangerous holidays in terms of DUI fatalities. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safet...