Drought spreads across Montana
According to data from the National Drought Mitigation center roughly 63% of Montana is experiencing drought with conditions unlikely to improve anytime soon. It’s Montana’s fifth consecutive year experiencing drought which has brought widespread fishing restrictions across the state and will continue to increase wildfire risks and grasshopper infestations while further diminishing crop production.
Montana still waiting on its share of $6.8B in education funding held by Trump administration
As of Thursday the Trump administration was still sitting on $6.8 billion in authorized and approved Congressional funding for public education. The Montana Department of Public Instruction has been constant communication with districts about funding updates and told the Daily Montanan it remains hopeful the funds will be released.
Funding for Montana PBS YPR and more takes a hit
A $9.4 billion rescissions bill will now head to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature after being passed by Congress Thursday canceling funding for public broadcasting. Yellowstone Public Radio Montana Public Radio the Montana PBS television network and Bozeman-based radio station KGLT face a combined $2.6 million shortfall this autumn. Montana PBS gets almost 70% of those funds.
Feds urge judge to greenlight logging project in Montana grizzly sanctuary
The federal government and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho asked U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen Thursday to reject environmentalists’ concerns about road impacts on grizzlies and greenlight the proposed Knotty Pine logging project through the bear’s habitat in the Kootenai National Forest in Lincoln County Montana He will now consider which party to grant summary judgment to.
Homeless Shelters Seek State Support Amid Increased Need
Montana experienced the second-largest rise in homelessness between 2007 and 2023 prompting shelter leaders to urge state funding for services. 2023 legislation allocated $5 million in one time grants for shelter projects marking the first state funding for homeless shelters. The last legislative session saw no shelter funding bills passed or surviving governor vetoes.
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The Salvation Army has introduced new mobile canteens to improve services for those in need during emergencies and will offer free meals drinks and emotional support. The mobile kitchens are equipped to serve 500 to 700 meals daily and are designed for rapid deployment throughout Montana and neighboring states.
Business leaders and farmers from across Montana gathered at a tariff town hall at the University of Montana Thursday to discuss the impact of tariffs on their daily lives. The event served as a platform for Montana residents to voice their concerns and seek solutions to the challenges posed by tariffs on their businesses and daily lives.
Proposed changes to a domestic animal ordinance recently posted on the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County website are causing alarm among some citizens but the county says the facts are being misconstrued. It will be the topic of discussion at a regular meeting of the Domestic Animal Task Force nest Wednesday evening 6:00 in the Metcalf Senior Center in Anaconda.
The Nova Center for the Performing Arts in Billings is reaching out to the community for help with a significant repair effort. The center is raising funds to cover the costs of a new roof due to water leaking into both theaters. An additional $30,000 is needed to complete the payment for the roof. The center has already raised more than $100,000.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks recently received several reports of dead fish at the Laurel Pond in Yellowstone County. FWP officials have investigated the situation and confirmed the fish kill is a natural event caused by low dissolved oxygen levels in the pond. There is no current concern for human or pet health and safety and fish may still be harvested from the pond.
