The Montana Department of Corrections has begun the process to find additional out-of-state prison beds because of its shortage in facilities. The Crossroads Correctional Center near Shelby has 759 inmates for 753 beds and the Montana Women’ Prison in Billings with a capacity of 240 is housing 248 inmates.
New data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reveals a significant decrease in veteran homelessness in Montana over the last year highlighting efforts to support veterans. Nationally veteran homelessness has decreased by 7.5% in the last year. Montana’s decrease is even more notable at 18.8% since 2023. Veterans are particularly vulnerable to homelessness with various contributing factors.
At a Legislative caucus Tuesday Republicans pledged to exercise more majority authority during the upcoming 69th Legislation session while Democrats embraced their increased number of seats. Senator elect Matt Regier beat out two other multi-term senators and will be president of the upper chamber starting in January. Republican Senator Tom McGillvray will be the Senate majority leader.
Recently-elected members of the Montana House Democratic Caucus voted for five of their fellow incoming legislators Tuesday to serve as leaders during the 2025 Legislative Session. Representative Katie Sullivan will serve as House Minority Leader. Representatives Tyson Running Wolf SJ Howell Melissa Romano and Jonathan Karlan will be House Minority Whips. Representative Jennifer Lynch will serve as House Minority Caucus Chair.
Montana now has more new residents defined as five years but still has old school trust lands today as a tribute to a Treasure State Value. Flathead County has the largest amount public land goings back to the time of President Teddy Roosevelt and the creation of Glacier National Park. School trust land is something Montana most states no longer have.
For the more than 18,000 students in Montana who require specialized education services families can apply for an Education Savings Account and are encouraged to apply by December 1st to secure accounts in January. House Bill 393 authorizes Education Savings Accounts for students with special needs empowering parents to pursue the education that best meets the needs of their children.
The Cascade City-County Health Department in Great Falls says several Salmonella cases have been confirmed in in recent days but the source of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed. As of Tuesday six students at Sacajawea and Valley View elementary schools one staff member at another school and one person with no school connections had been identified.
Helena’s St. Paul United Methodist Church St. Paul’s celebrated three years of free weekly showers for the unsheltered Tuesday. It works with United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area and Good Samaritan Ministries to provide snacks coffee and water. Every three months haircuts lunches a mobile medical unit and clothes are available too.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission passed regulations Tuesday for recreational coyote and wolf trapping in an attempt to reduce the amount of incidental grizzly bear trappings. The will impact western Montana the Rocky Mountain Front and areas of Montana near Yellowstone National Park. They would take effect if a grizzly is found to be caught or injured in a foothold trap or snare in grizzly bear country.
The Billings City Council has established its priorities for the upcoming legislative session voting on a resolution to highlight key areas it wants to focus on. Priorities include public safety housing economic development infrastructure shifting the tax burden and self-governing powers for cities and towns.
