Federal cuts spell stormy weather for Montana solar industry
About 2.5% of the homes in Montana now have solar but the industry expects to be hit hard by the Trump administration’s efforts to boost domestic energy production by pushing policies to expand oil natural gas coal and hydropower. The federal government has pulled back programs deemed the “Green New Scam.”
Teacher Charged with Double Murder of Couple at Devil’s Den Arkansas State Park, who recently moved from Miles City
Arkansas police arrested Andrew James McGann, a 28-year-old schoolteacher, for the murder of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den State Park. The couple, recent Arkansas transplants from Miles City, were hiking with their two daughters, who were unharmed. McGann was apprehended at a barbershop in Springdale after a five-day search. He faces two counts of capital murder and remains held without bond in Washington County jail.
Boise Cascade Employees in Billings Strike Over Wages and Benefits After Contract Negotiations Collapse
Boise Cascade employees in Billings have gone on strike after negotiations collapsed, seeking higher wages and better healthcare benefits. The 20 unionized full-time warehouse staff and truck drivers initiated the strike on Tuesday evening. They plan to continue protesting until a negotiated contract is reached between the company and the union, emphasizing the need for improved compensation and benefits.
Northwest states see significant pay increases in July
States across the Northwest reported some of the largest pay increases in July according to research by the payroll company ADP. Montana had the sixth-highest pay increase at 5.1%. Washington led the increase with 5.9% followed by Idaho at 5.6% and Oregon with 5.5%. These figures place the region in a strong position though they do not account for inflation at 2.9% this month down from 3% in June.
Cherry growers narrowly dodge labor shortage as Trump policies worry workers
Montana’s Flathead Valley cherry industry relies heavily on migrant labor and President Donald Trump’s recent immigration policies threw the industry into a new level of uncertainty. Enough families decided to make the trip to Montana though that a workforce crisis was averted this year. The Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association currently has 89 local orchards. Various factors like hail wind and market volatility reduced the amount of cherries that needed harvesting.
Groups protest appointment of religious freedom advocate to MT criminal justice panel
Last week the Gianforte administration notified ACLU of Montana lobbyist Henry Seaton he was being replaced on the Criminal Justice Oversight Council with Jessica Flint from the Alliance Defending Freedom. This week a letter was sent to the governor’s office led by Disability Rights Montana and co-signed by 15 advocacy organizations ranging from the Montana Innocence Project to groups supporting older Montanans criticizing the decision.
NorthWestern Energy Signs Letter of Intent to Serve Quantica Infrastructure’s Montana Data Center Development
NorthWestern Energy announced Wednesday it has signed a letter of intent to provide energy services for Quantica Infrastructure’s proposed data center development in Montana. The projected Phase 1 energy service load is 500 megawatts with phased growth to 1 gigawatt with initial electric service beginning as early as 2026. NorthWestern Energy is currently conducting a transmission study to assess how best to meet Quantica’s energy needs.
More Headlines:
The Montana Department of Corrections is investigating the July 21st death of 34-year-old Chila Rose Dawn Davis who was an inmate at the women’s prison in Billings. She passed away at St. Vincent Regional Hospital and a coroner is assisting the department into the investigation of her death.
An adult bull bison has been killed by a Montana Department of Livestock official after wandering westward from the protected confines of Yellowstone National Park. Bison management in the state is due to the risk the animals pose in spreading brucellosis to livestock.
The Montana Historical Society was recently awarded $50,000 by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana to help launch a free field trip program. It will help bring students from all corners of Montana to visit the State Capitol and Montana Heritage Center. The program will launch in 2026 and additional funds are being sought to help build an endowment that will sustain the program indefinitely.
Starting August 11th updated information will be available for the Block Management Area Program for those planning to hunt in Montana this fall. The program helps hunters access nearly 7 million acres of private and public land at no cost. Later in the month the newest Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program guide will be available to check out.
A crowd gathered in downtown Whitefish Wednesday to celebrate major improvements made to the Baker Avenue Viaduct. Changes include enhanced landscaping decorative lighting and widened pedestrian paths on both sides of the bridge. The viaduct improvements came four years after the completion of the underpass project.
