The number of influenza cases recorded in Montana continues to rise for a fourth week. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services recorded 29 flu cases for the week ending November 23rd up from 26 recorded the week before. COVID-19 cases were down from 330 recorded the previous week while hospitalizations from COVID went up from 10 to 15. No deaths were reported either week. No RSV tests were reported positive in the week ending November 23rd.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a food safety alert reporting a multistate outbreak of 68 salmonella infections that may be linked to Arizona-based SunFed Produce cucumbers grown in Mexico with 16 of those cases and the most in the nation are in Montana. In an email the CDC said the cases come from 19 states that 18 people have been hospitalized and no one has died.
The snow sports industry in Montana grew by 15% in 2023 to add more than $83 million to the state’s economy. According to a new U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report outdoor recreation-adjacent business accounted for 4.6% of Montana’s gross domestic product last year. Since 2012 the value added to the state economy from winter recreation has climbed 161%.
An updated lawsuit by two conservation nonprofit organizations against the U.S. Forest Service and the Bitterroot National Forest allege more environmental review must be conducted for the Gold Butterfly Project in the Sapphire Mountains. Wolverines were apparently identified within the area but their presence didn’t prompt additional environmental review of the project. Wolverines were listed under the Endangered Species Act in November 2023.
The Montana State Hail Insurance Program was created at the request of producers in 1917 to provide basic hail insurance coverage on any crop grown in Montana. The Montana State Hail Board will meet in-person Tuesday morning in Great Falls at SpringHill Suites beginning at 10. The board will review financial reports new business and address general board updates.
Humanities Montana was awarded the Schwartz Prize for its Democracy Project program at the recent National Humanities Conference. The Schwartz Prize established in 1982 celebrates the best in humanities programming and recognizes state councils for creativity innovation and impact. This year’s additional winners include Louisiana and Wisconsin Humanities Councils.
Trapping season got into full swing Sunday with the opening of bobcat marten and fisher seasons. Wolf trapping season opens today in part of Montana except in areas where the harvest quotas have been met for the season. Trapping in a specific geographic area is defined by a federal court order.
Livingston residents are celebrating the impending construction of a 43,500-square-foot recreation center called the Wellness Center. It is being privately funded with gifts solicited by 4 Ranges Community Recreation Foundation and will eventually be owned and operated by the City of Livingston. People who live within the special district from which property taxes are collected for the facility will gain free admission.
In the days leading up to Thanksgiving the nonprofit Flathead Land Trust worked with landowners to place conservation easements on two riverfront properties near Whitefish furnishing permanent protections on a pair of parcels totaling 66 acres. In 2024 seven properties have now been placed under conservation easements in the area totaling 1,217.4 acres.
Some downtown Kalispell properties may be in line for a makeover as the Kalispell Business Improvement District is looking to secure funding that would assist them in making facade improvements. The Kalispell City Council will meet this evening at 7 in City Hall and is expected to vote on whether to allocate tax increment financing funds to the grant program.
