For massive Great Falls data center proposal energy supply is crucial to push project forward
A proposed data center in Great Falls may require enough electricity to power 88% of Montana’s approximately 540,000 housing units. NorthWestern Energy will play a large role in the project. The Public Service Commission has asked it to prove it won’t negatively affect ratepayers or the state’s electrical grid.
Montana Department of Revenue Sends Property Value Notices Reflecting 2025 and 2026 Rate Changes
The Montana Department of Revenue is mailing property classification and appraisal notices to all owners of residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural land properties. These notices are not tax bills. They include the department’s determination of market or productivity value and the taxable value for each property that will be used by individual county treasurer to determine property taxes owed for tax year 2025 and 2026. These notices will reflect recent rate changes enacted by the 2025 Legislature that were signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte.
Montana VA Urges Thoughtfulness for Veterans This July 4th
The Montana VA advises caution during Independence Day fireworks, as loud noises can trigger PTSD symptoms in veterans. Dr. Robert Connell, Deputy Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health at the Montana VA. urges residents to be considerate and communicate with neighbors before setting off fireworks outside of July 4. To honor our heroes by ensuring a safe, trauma stressless celebration, respecting those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.
BLM approves 74-mile natural gas pipeline from Helena to Three Forks
The Bureau of Land Management has OK’d a 74-mile natural gas pipeline from Helena to Three Forks. The BLM approved NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to build the pipeline through an accelerated 14-day environmental review process which is being used in response to the national energy emergency declared by President Donald Trump.
As the GOP megabill nears a floor vote questions arise about coverage losses
Budget strains for Montana hospitals could become more common if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act becomes law. Tucked inside the roughly 1,000-page reconciliation bill is a provision to increase Medicaid eligibility reviews to every six months rather than once a year. Montana is not one of the states however to see a reduction in the percentage of Medicaid costs the federal government covers.
Gianforte administration plans to centralize state agencies’ HR IT procurement
Governor Greg Gianforte intends to streamline government. He will centralize state agencies’ putting more under the Montana Department of Administration. Some agencies have their own staff for those services. It currently operates HR IT and procurement divisions
Study Ranks Montana 28th Overall For Health Care In America
A new nationwide report has ranked the places to live for good health care. The Commonwealth Fund’s 2025 State Health System Performance Scorecard ranked all 50 states using 50 measures including outcomes like avoidable deaths life expectancy and hospital use. Montana came in at 28th overall on health system performance for 2025. Montana ranks 31st for Health Care Access and Affordability.
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The University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research Director Patrick Barkey is retiring today after leading the center since 2008. Over the past 17 years Barkey has guided a team of 20 research professionals helping business government and the public understand the economy of Montana. Barkey also led the BBER to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Outlook Seminars.
Cherry season is about to start in the Flathead Valley prompting farmers to get on the schedule for the cherry pitting service offered by Mission West Community Development Partners in Ronan for the past 20 years. The service allows producers to bring their cherries in for pitting by a commercial pitter readying them for value-added sales like frozen cherries dehydrated cherries or to be used in products like jams and BBQ sauces.
Montana’s apprentice hunter program now includes trappers after Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 96 into law. Now individuals 10 years and older can obtain an apprentice trapping certificate allowing them to purchase a trapping license and trap with a qualified mentor for up to two license years.
Gallatin County commissioners will be considering prohibiting camping on public properties and rights-of-way except in places where it is specifically allowed. A drafted ordinance will receive its first public reading of the draft Tuesday morning at 9 in Room 306 at the Gallatin County Courthouse.
A 60,000 foot facility for wastewater treatment is being constructed on the north end of West Yellowstone that will be able to accommodate up to 1.52 million gallons of water a day more than doubling the current plant’s maximum peak flow. It is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026 and serve the town’s needs for more efficient water processing for well over 50 years.
