The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Veteran’s Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act. The bipartisan legislation ensures the rate of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors keeps pace with the cost of living. The bill which will match the annual COLA adjustment to social security benefits now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has asked lawmakers for a bill that would open up state trust lands to residential development expanding on legislation from the 2023 session. That law directed the agency to evaluate the possibility of building affordable housing on state trust lands near cities and towns.
Montana’s rural counties and tribal communities will receive $2.5 million to implement locally developed solutions to behavioral health needs. The investment was recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission as part of $300 million the Legislature approved last year through House Bill 872.
Montana ranks fourth in the nation for the highest rate of people moving here since the pandemic. The state’s population grew by 4.7% from 2020 to 2023 due to in-migration translating to an additional 51,000 people mostly in the western portion of the state. About 73% of people who recently moved to Montana are either employed or actively seeking work.
Democrats looking to preserve their Senate majority in the face of a difficult election cycle announced Thursday they were making a “multi-million-dollar investment” in advertising in Texas and Florida races. They emphasized the investment won’t come at the expense of Montana Senator Jon Tester though who is viewed as the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent.
Carroll College reported Thursday it has 1,167 students across its programs totaling a 4.5% enrollment increase for the current academic year. The private Catholic university has an 82.1% fall-to-fall retention rate.
The Missoula City Council has approved a one-year $670,000 contract with Black Knight Security. It is intended to address issues in city parks and along the public right of way surrounding the city’s two homeless shelters.
Hieronymus Park in Hamilton is closed until further notice due to mating season moose activity. A bull moose in the area had been exhibiting aggressive behavior towards visitors and city officials ask residents to please avoid the area until further notice.
