In: News Headlines

Yellowstone Glacier and Grand Teton national parks had their second-busiest years on record in 2024. Yellowstone finished the year with more than 4.74 million visitors. Grand Teton had 3.62 million visitors. Glacier’s totals have not yet been updated with December figures but tourism had already pushed visitation to 3.18 million by the end of November. July is the busiest month in all three of the parks but April May and October also saw increases.

As of January 20th 364 Montanans were serving their prison sentences in a private out-of-state facility up from around 200 inmates last August. Governor Greg Gianforte says Montana’s prison needs more space and is now asking for money to expand the one in Deer Lodge. The Department of Corrections is scheduled to appear before state lawmakers in the coming weeks to talk about its operations and budget.

Cascade County District Court judge John Kutzman has ordered files maintained by legislative staff which contain information related to drafting and supporting legislation be opened immediately. He found that valuable public information is often contained in the so-called “junque files” including lobbyist support and contact information of the people who were instrumental in drafting them.

Montana allows the death penalty but in 2015 a court ruled the agent specified in the law not be used effectively topping executions. House Bill 205 would replace that language with one that says to use a substance or substances sufficient to cause death to restore Montana’s status as a death penalty state. There are two people currently on death row.

While the U.S. has a trust responsibility codified by dozens of treaties to assist tribes in providing public safety in Indian Country tribes in Montana have long said the federal government has not sufficiently funded these entities and therefore is not holding up its end of the deal. House Joint Resolution 1 urges Congress to fully fund law enforcement in Indian Country. Specifically the resolution calls for government-to-government consultation with tribes and increased funding                                                  for public safety on reservations.

For over 60 years the County Water District of Billings Heights has purchased water from the city to distribute to customers and its residents still pay the Magic City for sewer garbage and storm drain service. Now Billings and the Heights Water District are considering consolidation for its roughly 6,000 customers.

Veterans and Veteran families have received a donation from Malmstrom Air Force Base thanks to  coordination efforts of the Great Plains Veteran Services Center in Great Falls. Clothing and shoes came from the Airman’s Attic including about 30 bags worth. The men’s and women’s sizes range from toddler to adult.

Starting May 22nd the Helena Regional Airport will have a third daily United Airlines flight to Denver which will run through the summer. If the new arrangement does well it could remain year-round. Air travel resources have been tighter since the pandemic and small airports across the country are competing for the limited planes.

The community newspaper in the town of Lincoln will be closing permanently unless the owners can find a buyer. A lengthy explanation about the situation is on the newspaper’s website Blackfoot Valley Dispatch dot com.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is extending its support to Crow Tribe members affected by the severe storm and straight-line winds last August 6th. Temporary Disaster Recovery Centers are being set up at various locations to assist with disaster assistance applications. Crow Tribe members who experienced damage to their homes or property can apply for help with repairs and other needs.

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