A weeklong celebration of “freedom” may be coming to Montana schools
A weeklong celebration of “freedom” may be coming to Montana schools under a law passed during the 2025 legislative session. House Bill 591 adds “Freedom Week” to a list of codified commemorative days that all last for a single day. The celebration of freedom would be the last full week of September if Governor Greg Gianforte signs it into law. It would require school districts to adopt a policy to ensure the effective conduct of appropriate exercises for the commemorative days. Both the Montana School Boards Association and the Office of Public Instruction support the legislation.
A record number of new businesses registered with the state in April 2025.
According to the Montana Business Economic Report a record 6,700 plus new business registrations were filed in April. Another record of more than 25,000 new business registrations were filed in Montana during the first four months of 2025 setting the pace for another record year. Montana has had record new business registrations annually with nearly 64,000 registered in 2024.
Daines seeks death penalty for ‘illegal aliens’ who kill Americans
Senator Steve Daines is seeking the death penalty for any undocumented immigrant who kills an American. His recently introduced “Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act” says being in violation of federal immigration laws and convicted of killing or attempting and conspiring to is an aggravating factor when considering the death penalty. If enacted his legislation would codify an executive order issued by President Trump earlier this year.
DPHHS officials warn of a statewide spike in overdoses
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services officials have identified an increase in overdoses statewide. Current data includes an estimated seven fatal and 132 nonfatal overdoses. Cases in this latest spike do not appear to be concentrated in a particular county or region of the state. The counties with 10 or more suspected overdoses include Cascade Flathead Missoula Silver Bow and Yellowstone.
REAL ID Needed
Having a REAL ID in order to board a commercial aircraft is now being enforced. Every air traveler 18 years of age and older needs to have a REAL ID compliant state-issued driver’s license or other acceptable form of identification to travel by air. A US passport or passport card are acceptable alternatives. REAL ID has a gold circle with a star cutout in the upper right corner.
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Now that Governor Greg Gianforte has signed Senate Bill 224 into law the state of Montana home to 12 tribes and seven reservations will now recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. The official state holiday will be recognized alongside Columbus Day on the second Monday in October. It was a top priority for a group of Native American lawmakers who work together to advance legislation they say is good for Indian Country known as Montana’s American Indian Caucus.
The U.S. Air Force will hold town hall meetings this week to provide up-to-date information about the Sentinel Missile Program. Tuesday one will be at the Fergus County Fairgrounds in Lewistown. Wednesday another will take place at Fairfield High School in Fairfield while a third is scheduled for Thursday in Great Falls at West Elementary School.
New data shows a more than a 12% drop in homelessness in Missoula since 2023. The number of chronically unhoused veterans decreased by 40%. Missoula is participating in the Built by Zero program aiming for functional zero veteran homelessness by 2026. Since November 2023 veterans without a home decreased from 95 to 53.
Great Falls City Commissioners have approved a $445,000 contract for the Mansfield Theater ceiling repair project. It is being funded with $250,000 of Montana Historic Preservation Grant funds and $147,300 of downtown tax increment financing funds leaving a $47,700 shortfall.
Rodeo is now the official sport of Montana officially recognized by the Montana legislature in 2025 just in time for the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale this Friday through Sunday. The historic horse sale that dates all the way back to 1951 now features a multi-day rodeo concert horse racing and a trade show.
