Gianforte: Montana Prepared For Wildfire Season
Governor Greg Gianforte says Montana is well-prepared for the Treasure State’s wildfire season. That’s what he said earlier this week while recognizing May as Wildfire Preparedness Month saying that increased funding and innovative technology is helping the state stay ready. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has been able to keep 95% of wildfires under its direct protection to ten acres or less and the governor is asking Montanans to do their part by limiting the risks of starting wildfires. The first wildland fire of this season at Yellowstone National Park was spotted in the northwest portion of the park on Memorial Day but was snuffed out.
Montana U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ Met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
Montana U.S. Senator Steve Daines, member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, met today with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Armenia. Senator Daines discussed U.S. critical mineral investments and regional security concerns, including the Trump Administration’s desire to achieve a lasting peace in the region. He echoed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s most recent statements that there would be tremendous benefits from Armenia and Azerbaijan signing a peace agreement.
Montana Launches 2025 Summer Food Program to Provide Free Meals for Kids
OPI Superintendent Susie Hedalen announces Montana’s 2025 Summer Food Service Program, providing free, nutritious meals for children and teens statewide. Sponsored by USDA, it aims to keep youth healthy and strengthen community ties. Meals are free for kids 18 and under at upcoming sites, helping kids stay fed and ready to learn this summer.
U.S. Dept. of Labor announces ‘phased pause’ at Job Corps centers
The U.S. Department of Labor issued a press release this morning saying it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide. Montana’s Trapper Creek Job Corps Center near Darby and the one near Anaconda together serve 331 students. Both centers currently have about 46 employees and are considered to be important economic drivers for the small communities.
Montanans could lose health care access under GOP budget proposal
The U.S. House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act just before the holiday weekend and the Senate will take it up next week. If passed as is federal health care spending will go down by $700 billion over the next decade reducing Montana’s share by about $300 million every year. Enhanced subsidies for the insurance marketplace won’t be renewed increasing the state’s uninsured population by about 40,000. About 50,000 Montanans could lose Medicaid because of harder to keep up with paperwork requirements.
Ten plaintiffs from Montana’s landmark climate case challenge Trump admin’s energy policies
Ten of the 16 Montanans who successfully challenged Montana’s prohibition on greenhouse gas emissions analyses under the state constitution are now seeking to undo several executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at “unleashing” domestic fossil fuel production and undoing green energy policies implemented by former President Joe Biden. Thursday they filed a 126-page federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Montana.
Canadian border crossings decline means uncertainty for Montana tourism
With summer months approaching the busiest season for tourism in Montana Canadian border crossing declines means uncertainty for Montana. According to data from US Customs and Border Protection in April 2024 40,625 travelers crossed into the US at the Sweetgrass Port of Entry. In April this year just 32,658 entered a nearly 20% decline. The declining Canadian dollar because of uncertainty surrounding trade policies and tariff threats also makes travel and spending in the U.S. more expensive for Canadians than in the past deterring some travelers who think it’s no longer worth a trip.
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The Bigfork Fire District Board of Trustees has approved a bond initiative and mill levy to present to voters in a special election September 9th that will address infrastructure and staffing deficiencies. If approved the funding will be used to replace and upgrade aging facilities that no longer meet current safety design and operational standards.
The Montana Hospital Association Board of Trustees has appointed “Ed” Buttrey as President and chief executive officer for the Association effective July 1st succeeding “Bob” Olsen who has been president and CEO since 2022. In addition to his legislative work Buttrey has served as a board member on the Benefits Health System Board of Trustees in Great Falls since 2015.
Lewis and Clark Public Health has expanded its Universal Home Visit Program to Jefferson Broadwater Meagher and Powell Counties to provide infant support services to all new mothers in the region. Mothers participating in the program can receive up to four home visits all free of charge thanks to a grant from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Since February at least ten mothers have been enrolled with more prepared to receive assistance.
The statewide nonprofit AWARE Incorporated and the Western Montana Mental Health Center are merging with the new organization to operate under the AWARE name. The mental health organizations provide services in northwest Montanans and have worked together for years providing mental health services. The merger should result in little to no disruption for patients.
Eight veterans have received new headstones at the Lewis and Clark County Cemetery the latest in renovations by local VFW 12177. The headstones were inscribed with the war the veterans fought in and a best approximation of birth and death dates. A forensic pathologist plans to examine the graveyard over the summer to find the locations of all dead even if they can’t be identified.
