The Bureau of Reclamation is investing $54.5 million in two Montana Rural Water Projects to ensure more residents have access to clean safe drinking water. The Rocky Boys North Central Montana Rural Water System will get $47.5 million to plan and design upcoming on-reservation water delivery pipelines. $7 million is for the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System for more pipeline installation and the planning and design of Phase 5 service in Hobson.
In each of the past two years the Montana Department of Corrections sent 120 prisoners to a privately run prison in Arizona operated by CoreCivic and last week sent it another 120. Thursday CoreCivic announced another deal to house 240 more inmates at its Mississippi facility for a total of 600 Montana inmates that are under management of CoreCivic excluding those at is privately run Shelby Montana facility.
Since January 1st 2022 medical and adult use marijuana have been legal to purchase in Montana by individuals 21 and over. According to the Montana Department of Revenue between then and December 2024 cannabis sales in Montana have generated $947,002,982. Montana has a total of 426 cannabis dispensaries and is ranked 10th in the country for having the most.
Wind turbines have become a fact of life in some rural areas in Montana that have many acres of wide-open space. Some Wyoming legislators have proposed a bill that will allow some of their old coal mines to become repositories for expired wind turbine blades. That may help Treasure state wind turbine companies. The fiberglass blades are considered non-toxic so there’s little danger to the environment. The mines would make money by charging a disposal fee and the Cowboy State would take a cut of the revenue too.
Baby Boomers defined as those between the ages of 60 and 78 own 40.0% of Montana Homes the 7th Most in the United States. In fact a 2024 survey conducted by Redfin found that 78% of Americans over the age of 60 want to remain in their current home. Baby Boomers account for more than 37% of homeowners nationwide and their desire to stay where they are is contributing to a significant decrease in housing inventory available for first-time buyers.
The Montana Air National Guard is set to undergo upgrades at its base at Great Falls International Airport. The 120th Airlift Wing will begin converting facilities and infrastructure for the new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft starting in October. The new aircraft are expected to arrive in March 2026 and will replace the existing C-130H models.
Logan Health Women’s Care is now offering gynecologic oncology services in the Flathead Valley. Three experts on a Billings Clinic–Logan Health outreach team are providing the new service. The oncology team will rotate between Billings Clinic-Logan Health facilities across the state.
The U.S. Marshals Service Montana Violent Offender Task Force marked its 20th anniversary Thursday of partnering with federal state tribal and local law enforcement agencies to arrest violent fugitives. Since it was formed the taskforce has closed a total of 22,520 warrants across Montana the United States and globally.
A survey posted on Facebook by the city of Billings Public Works Department shows support for continued residential snow plowing despite complaints following the first big snow storm of the season. Of the more than 1,800 surveyed 87 percent said they want the program to continue. Some said the response to plowing was slow while others said they were satisfied.
The annual Darby Dog Derby hosted by the Bitterroot Mushers is set to return to Gibbons Pass Road near Lost Trail Saturday and Sunday after a one-year hiatus due to below-zero temperatures but this weekend single digits are expected. There are currently 16 teams signed up to compete at the Darby Dog Derby.
