Federal changes could impact Montana broadband expansion
Two years ago the federal government announced Montana would be eligible for more than $600 million in funding through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the U.S. who’s still unserved. The state is expected to finish complete recommendations for awarding funding by September and could hear a decision from the federal government on whether to approve the final proposal by December.
Zinke says he’s a ‘no’ on Senate megabill amid public land sales push
Representative Ryan Zinke said Thursday he’ll vote against the Senate’s version of the GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill” over a provision that would mandate the sale of up to 1.2 million acres of public lands. In a separate interview with CNN that Zinke also posted on social media Thursday he pushed back on land sale supporters’ argument that the land can be used for affordable housing.
Drying out: Conditions point to risky fire season looming
With conditions on the ground in Montana mirroring those of recent active years officials are warning this summer could bring higher risk of wildfires. Temperatures into the 90s are expected next week in the region accelerating the drying out of fuels. Wind forecasts are mostly normal but higher winds would speed up the drying process. Several fires have already started in Montana including the nearly 500-acre Jericho Mountain fire in the Boulder Mountains southwest of Helena.
Pride decolonized: Northern Cheyenne revives tradition with two-spirit celebration
During Pride Month and Victory Day Wednesday the Northern Cheyenne community gathered at Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer for a multi-generational event celebrating two-spirit relatives reaffirming roles that have existed long before the term “LGBTQ+.” The term “two-spirit” was coined in 1990 as a pan-Indian way to describe the various third-gender roles accepted in many Indigenous tribes for individuals aligned with both masculine and feminine energies.
The GOP’s federal budget bill could affect health care assistance in Montana
Though final negotiations for the federal “megabill” are still underway in Washington D.C. nearly every path to the trillions of dollars the White House hopes to hand out in income tax breaks requires deep cuts to Medicaid. According to findings from the Montana Healthcare Foundation an estimated 31,000 Montanans could lose their health coverage if provisions in the draft budget bill go into effect. The government-funded health insurance program covers more than 214,000 Montanans.
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In the past five years Montana elopements have boosted Glacier National Park’s economy and increased its visitation numbers. Due to Glacier’s limit to the number of people who can attend a wedding ceremony in the park there is an increased number of micro-ones occurring as well. According to the wedding website The Knot the average wedding cost in 2025 is $33,000.
After 25 years of shipping household waste to Missoula Lake County is bringing its garbage home to the county’s own landfill on Kerr Dam Road. That’s where Neumann Construction of Kalispell is building the first of three seven-acre cells designed to safely hold household trash. Currently Lake County residents generate about 25,000 tons of garbage annually.
Missoula airport officials announced Thursday daily flights from The Garden City to Chicago will extend year-round starting this winter with the goal of increasing regional connectivity and lowering ticket prices. A partnership between local and state groups has secured them through American Airlines starting December 18th and through at least the next year.
The Yellowstone Radio Club will hold an open house Saturday beginning at 8 in the morning at ZooMontana. Club members will have mini lectures at 10 Noon 2 and 4 offering an introduction to ham radio what you can do with it and why it’s a valuable emergency communication method.
Flathead Valley Community College staff members have been recognized for their commitment to education. The college library was named one of 30 recipients of the 2025 Excellent Library Service Award by the Montana State Library honoring its commitment to outstanding service and student support. It marks the 12th and final year of the award which honors outstanding achievement in library services across the state.
