Does the government have a compelling reason to force kids to wear masks in schools? That’s the question behind a lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of parents against three Missoula school districts. Quentin Rhoades a lawyer in a Missoula law firm is representing the plaintiffs and said this Tuesday on Voices of Montana. https://northernbroa...
UM To Expand Telehealth Services
The University of Montana College of Health will be able to expand its telehealth services through a second round of pandemic relief funds from the Federal Communications Commission. Just over $679,000 will be allocated to the college which will allow it to purchase telemedicine kits that will expand services to those living in rural settings....
Millions Of Relief Dollars Still Available For Montana Renters
Montana could see a dramatic rise in tenant evictions now that the CDC’s moratorium has been ruled illegal. Amy Hall with the Montana Legal Services Association points out that Montana Emergency Rental Assistance is still an option available to those struggling to pay their rent. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/9-01...
Governor Issues Ruling That Prohibits Mask Mandates
Today, Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services issued and emergency rule to promote the parents of schoolchildren as the ultimate decision-makers on matters pertaining to their child’s health, meaning that children will not have to wear masks in schools if their parents don’t want them...
Overdose Awareness Event Aims To End Stigma Surrounding Victims
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day and organizers in Billings are holding an event tonight at Rose Park at 6:30 to honor those lost to overdoses in Montana. Event organizer Kim Edinger says there’s also still stigma surrounding the people involved that they hope to end. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/8-3...
Debate Continues Over Water Rights To The Columbia River System
A struggle continues in the Columbia River System by environmentalists who want more water for salmon runs and hydro-power generators for electricity. Joe Lucas, General Manager of the Western Montana Generation and Transmission Cooperative, recently on Voices of Montana said the stakes are high. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/upl...
Montana Universities Adopting Various Mask Policies
State universities adopted guidelines this summer than can require students faculty and other staff to wear masks in classrooms and laboratory settings but at the University of Montana, the distinction is that faculty can elect to require masks in lab and classroom settings. Montana Tech reported Monday it continues to rely on strongly encoura...
National Guard Arrives At Billings Clinic
For the second time in two years Billings Clinic is bringing in the National Guard to ease staffing shortages and postpone non-medically necessary procedures as the hospital is packed with COVID patients with no end in sight. In the last seven days 27 more people have died of COVID-19 in Montana of which seven were Yellowstone County residents...
Colstrip Residents Suing Power Plant
More than 100 current and former residents of Colstrip are suing the power plant and the Rosebud Mine around which the community is built alleging damage from coal dust. The lawsuit filed in Rosebud County alleges that dust from coal piled at Colstrip Power Plant as well as trucks that deliver coal from Rosebud mine poses a health risk and has...
Montana Nursing Program Receives $100 Million Donation
Montana State University announced a philanthropic gift of $101 million for its College of Nursing from Mark and Robyn Jones, founders of Goosehead Insurance as they seek to help address access to health care for rural and frontier communities. It is the largest single donation given to a nursing program and will provide funding for new facili...