Mail-in ballots were sent to about 512,000 eligible voters October 11th and roughly 24 percent or about 124,000 of those have been returned so far. After years of anticipation and multiple delayed roll outs Montana’s new voter software ElectMT will be debuted statewide in federal elections this year so every vote however received will count. Presidential election years tend to have greater voter turnout.
Governor Greg Gianforte is in Colstrip this morning to welcome a recent $700 million investment to enhance power grid reliability in Montana and North Dakota. Known as the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation Project it extends across the two states and is expected to create up to 3,800 megawatts of new capacity.
44 people in Montana died from influenza and 98 people died from COVID-19 in the respiratory illness season from October of 2023 through this May. As we enter the cold weather months this year the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is encouraging people to stay up to date on immunizations stay home when sick get tested and evaluated for proper treatment and practice good hygiene.
State Farm has reviewed 18,000 claims and paid out an additional $5.2 million to Montanans following action by the state’s Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Troy Downing for unfair claims settlement practices. A two-year examination of State Farm’s claim handling practices and found it had underpaid several third-party automobile claims for which it was fined $2 million.
The Commission on Practice recommended Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen be suspended from the practice of law for 90 days Wednesday. Last year h had been accused of violating attorney ethics rules by working to undermine public confidence in the judicial branch through public statements and court filings during a separation-of-powers dispute in 2021.
With the average credit limit on credit cards decreasing in 42 of the 50 states year-over-year today the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on the States Where Credit Limits Decreased the Most to highlight areas where people might be struggling financially. The overall rank for Montana is number one on the list decreasing by 11.02% for accounts opened in the second quarter of this year versus last year’s second quarter.
The Whitefish Community Foundation awarded $6.68 million to 80 Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations during the Great Fish Awards Ceremony this week. This year’s Great Fish Match is the largest in the history of the Challenge.
The Montana Department of Transportation has been investigating options to address a crash pattern on Montana Highway 78 south of Roscoe. The safety improvements project will enhance roadway safety features at the sharp curves near Butcher Creek Road.
Billings Public Schools decreased its energy bill by 26.3 percent or $1,056,033 last year with energy-efficient equipment and practices. Projects such as installing solar panels at Riverside Middle School that have allowed School District 2 to save money on energy.
Production for the “Yellowstone” prequel “1923” has ramped up in western Montana with crew and stars spotted at multiple locations in recent weeks. Crews wrapped up shooting at the historic Daly Mansion in Hamilton this week and have also been seen at locations in Milltown
