Typical Montana home value up 66% in four years
According to new valuations by the state Department of Revenue the typical Montana home’s value has gone up 66% over the last four years while the per-capita personal income grew by 26%. As of 2024 the average personal income of $67,625 was enough for a $1,700-a-month house payment if no more than 30% of it is put toward housing expenses. The department’s valuations are produced every other year to calculate property tax bills.
U.S. Farms Are Going Broke Fast — 2025 Filings Already Beat All of Last Year
According to new data from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in just the first three months of 2025 259 farms across the U.S. filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy more than the total filed during all of 2024. Between 2017 and 2022 2,782 farms ceased operations in Montana. The number of farms in Montana has decreased by 13% since 2002.
The U.S. House could decide to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
The U.S. House is set to consider whether grizzly bears in the region in and around Yellowstone National Park should be taken off the endangered species list. A resolution passed the Natural Resources committee Tuesday by one vote. It’s the latest development in the ongoing battle over the future of grizzly bear protections in the lower 48 states.
States With the Most People in Financial Distress – WalletHub Study
With 8.8 million Americans having at least one credit account where they are late on their payments or have been allowed to delay them today WalletHub released its latest report on the States with the Most People in Financial Distress. Montana ranks 29th. The personal-finance website sheds light on the financial troubles experienced by people across the U.S. and to show where those difficulties are most pronounced.
Federal judge: No jurisdiction over challenge to Helena immigration arrest
U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen said Tuesday he does not have jurisdiction over a legal challenge by a Christopher Martinez Marvan who was arrested in Helena earlier this month after the Mexican man was mistaken for a different Latino man. Federal law puts the opportunity to challenge the arrest in immigration court. Martinez may raise the issue before an immigration judge at his hearing in Tacoma Washington August 19th.
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Flathead County commissioners voted Tuesday to approve an interlocal agreement between the state and county to coordinate the operations of a 90-bed prerelease center in Evergreen. In the arrangement Flathead County agrees not to seek to operate manage or assume responsibility for the day-to-day functions of the center scheduled to open in the fall.
The 2025 harvest continues to be a good one for Northwest cherry growers. Over the past week growers from Montana Washington Oregon Idaho and Utah have averaged over 460,000 boxes a day. This year’s crop is a full 1.5 million boxes ahead of the 2024 crop at this time of year.
Big Sky Senior Services and the Adult Resource Alliance have officially merged to form Allies in Aging. The two Billings nonprofits aim is to address the needs of the rapidly growing elderly population better together. By 2040 the number of centenarians is projected to reach four times today’s levels. This demographic shift has underscored the necessity for improved services for seniors.
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed Senate Bill 514 into law giving Montanans a 10-day head start for upland game bird hunting to encourage residents to enjoy the hunting season. It becomes effective on March 1st 2026 and includes ring-necked pheasant but not mountain grouse.
Gallatin County commissioners unanimously approved an urban camping ordinance Tuesday that bans public camping on county property and right-of-ways and provides enforcement tools. The goal is to prevent urban camping numbers from escalating as it has in other Montana cities. The ordinance has been in the works for about a year and a half and will go into effect August 15th.
