Montana ranks as a top state for starting a new business
Montana has been recognized as one of the top states in the U.S. for starting a business achieving one of the highest scores for the total number of new businesses. Entrepreneur Media reports Montana holds an opportunity score of 9.55 the highest in the list. Nationally there have been more than 21 million new business applications filed in the past four years with Montana ranking number one followed by Oregon Nevada and Utah.
Judge’s order allows two Montana State grad students to continue studies work
U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen issued a ruling Tuesday that will continue to allow two foreign graduate students at Montana State University to study and work despite the federal government’s efforts to revoke their student status April 10th. He determined the termination of the MSU student’s Student Exchange Visitor Information System records and their inability to work would cause irreparable harm.
Montana judge finds trans care ban unconstitutional
A 2023 state law banning many gender transition-related medical services for transgender minors is unconstitutional according to a 59-page ruling Tuesday from Missoula district Judge Jason Marks. He prohibited its enforcement finding it violates the Montana Constitution’s right to privacy equal protection and free speech. The law had been temporarily enjoined before it was scheduled to take effect and the Montana Supreme Court upheld that block in 2024.
Gianforte signs law to increase age limit for MT Medicaid expansion work requirements
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed a bill into law that aims to make it easier for eligible individuals to enroll in Medicaid expansion and another one that would claw back eligibility slightly. The Department of Public Health and Human Services has said it will reapply to the feds for permission to institute its existing community engagement requirement and now include an increased age limit.
American children among group deported following Hi-Line immigration arrest
U.S. immigration authorities deported eight children some of whom were United States citizens following the arrest of 21 people in late April near the Montana-Canada border at a remote crossroads east of Sweet Grass. Authorities deported the children along with their mothers to Canada while keeping the women’s husbands and others in the United States to face criminal immigration charges.
More Headlines:
Safe Haven Baby Boxes is preparing to unveil its first box in Montana this June in Billings. The organization provides an anonymous and safe way for parents to surrender an infant while educating the public about Safe Haven laws. In Montana infants up to 30 days old can be surrendered face-to-face at hospitals, fire departments or police departments.
By late fall the new $60 million Montana Heritage Center home of the Montana Historical Society in Helena will be a community hub connecting thousands of people each year to Montana’s rich history through unique exhibits. Most recently exhibit spaces are starting to be filled with the largest artifacts like tractors and chuckwagons.
A South African family labeled as refugees by the U.S. Department of State arrived in Missoula this week according the refugee relief organization International Rescue Committee. The South African migrants underwent an expedited immigration process the product of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February.
After a meeting with state federal and local officials a local group advocating for Maclay Bridge west of Missoula said they would not sign an agreement to move forward with removing it until the proposal goes through more stringent federal environmental and historical review. The single-lane structure was built in the 1950s.
The Billings Gazette has signed a letter of intent to sell its building to Stockman Bank that plans to maintain the downtown structure’s look and feel. As things stand Stockman’s plans are to make the Gazette building the face of its insurance wing as well as utilizing its warehouse space. Most Gazette employees will be working remotely until a new location is settled upon.
