To help combat a teacher shortage in Montana students enrolled in teacher prep programs at Montana colleges can apply to be placed in a K through 12 classroom for a full year and continue taking classes while working hands-on in the classroom. In return the state and their district offer them a $1,400 per month stipend housing assistance and a tuition grant if necessary. Once their apprenticeship is complete program participants must teach in a Montana classroom for at least three of the next five years. If they don’t the state can claw back any tuition funds it doled out.
Senator Steve Daines has introduced a bill with bipartisan support to reauthorize the “America the Beautiful Act” for another eight years to address billions of dollars in overdue maintenance at national parks. In Montana out of the eight park units identified by the park service there is a $243 million estimated backlog.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has received a 2024 SNAP Fraud Framework Implementation Grant of $425,000 to help detect and prevent fraudulent submissions for those getting public assistance. The goal is to catch fraud earlier and prevent erroneous payments so those who truly need help are able to receive it. Fraud happens when someone intentionally doesn’t report all household members new income streams or moves out of state and still collects assistance.
In September 2022 an undercover Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer in a vehicle with Canadian license plates was caught observing attendees at a gun show at the Cascade County fairgrounds as part of a gun smuggling task force. When then County Sheriff at the time Jesse Slaughter found out about it he ordered him to leave. Monday Attorney General Austin Knudsen said the Canadian agency contacted the Montana Department of Justice and Division of Criminal Investigations recently about observing gun shows in Bozeman and Kalispell and he has said no way under his watch.
A new Patient Rights Advocate report finds only 12% of Montana hospitals are complying with a federal rule to publicly post prices for common procedures. The non-profit focused on price transparency in health care says non-compliant hospitals are still posting prices, but don’t clearly outline prices for specific insurance plans making it hard to decipher how much you can expect to pay.
Road construction along one of Montana’s national scenic highways is drawing concern from conservation groups worried about fish habitat and summer dump truck traffic through Red Lodge. Beartooth Scenic Highway known for its 5,500-foot climb over 12 miles of switchbacks and inclines was badly damaged by unprecedented flooding along Rock Creek in 2022. Segments of the road were washed out. More work is planned when the snow clears in 2025.
The Laurel School Board has approved an application for a public charter school hoping to give kids another option when pursuing their diploma. After the state of Montana passed a law during that last legislative session that allows schools to apply for a public charter school the Laurel School Board saw the opportunity.
The Poverello Center in Missoula along with the Johnson Street Emergency Shelter are gearing up to serve about 200 guests a Thanksgiving meal with the help of over 50 volunteers. 65 turkeys will be served with 500 pounds of mashed potatoes stuffing green bean casserole gravy and cranberry sauce. Dessert will be 50 pumpkin pies along with other cakes and pies.
Gallatin County Commissioners initiated an election recount Monday with more than 71,000 ballots to be counted to redetermine the results of the county’s government review commission. Last week Rene Flynn the candidate who lost by placing eighth in a seven-seat commission race filed a petition with the county for the recount.
Representative Ryan Zinke is continuing to push back against potential changes to U.S. Postal Service operations in Montana arguing they would alienate rural residents and delay services. He has joined 11 other members of Congress signing a letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission on asking it to keep rural processing centers open and limit consolidation.
