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With Election Day just a little over two weeks away over 17.67% of absentee voters in Montana have sent their ballots back with several counties in south central Montana in the lead. About 25.03% of all absentee ballots have already been submitted in Yellowstone Yellowstone County and returned absentee ballots in Stillwater Sweet Grass  and Golden Valley Counties are also sitting around the 25% mark.

Cases of pertussis are increasing in Montana with this year’s whooping cough numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels with 45 reported cases across the state this year. In pre-pandemic years the U.S. saw around 17,500 cases of annually and this year almost 18,000 cases have been reported. The disease’s symptoms can resemble other respiratory illnesses but are marked by a severe cough and health departments advise those showing symptoms and not up to date on vaccinations to seek medical care.

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated protections on vaccination status in healthcare facilities in Montana. Healthcare providers can no longer refuse potential employees based on their vaccination status. Montana House Bill 702 which prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status in the workplace is now back in effect.

Glacier National Park welcomed a record number of visitors in September when more than 600,000 passed through its entrances. Yellowstone National Park hosted over 800,000 visitors last month its second highest September on record. In 2023 Montana’s two national parks brought in more than $716 million in spending to nearby communities helping anchor the state’s recreation economy.

After dropping 11 weeks in a row Montana gas prices are increasing slightly up .3 cents a gallon in the last week. Prices in Montana are still 10.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 68.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy Patrick DeHaan provided the current numbers.

Missoula residents could see their water bills jump next year as the Missoula City Council considers a rate increase. Residents would see their water rates rise by 7% next year while wastewater rates would increase by 9% if the proposal is approved.

Improved water flows have allowed a section of the Big Hole River to be reopened to fishing. It extends for 26 miles from the river’s confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River downstream to Dickie Bridge. An annual fishing closure remains in effect from Dickie Bridge to the Jefferson River.

Monday the Montana Land Board conditionally purchased a 32,891-acre conservation easement to expand public access in northwest Montana. It is in the Salish and Cabinet mountains between Kalispell and Libby.

The Flathead Food Bank will host the third annual Feed the Need benefit concert Thursday at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. Donations will support the food bank programs to address child hunger. In the last two years the Feed the Need Benefit concert raised $117,723.

Bozeman city commissioners are scheduled to vote this evening on parameters of a new permit system for so-called “urban camping.” It remains unclear how enforcement of the ordinance would result in getting people off the street and into housing.

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