Travel Boycott Cuts Canadian Visitation To Montana
Canadian tourism is on the decline with cross-border visits down more than 30% compared to last summer. At high-traffic areas like Sweetgrass and Roosville visitation from Canada is down by almost a third. Canada even has its own “buy local” movement that encourages avoiding U.S. trips hurting Montana’s economy that leans on Canadian visitors. The state stopped marketing to Canadians entirely and shifted focus to U.S. visitors.
Department of Interior Greenlights Major Expansion of Montana’s Rosebud Coal Mine, Supporting Jobs and Energy Production
The Department of Interior has approved the expansion of Montana’s Rosebud Mine, permitting the extraction of 33.75 million tons of federal coal and extending operations until 2039. This marks the second-largest federal coal mine expansion since the second Trump administration began. The expansion is expected to sustain over 300 jobs, boost Montana’s economy, and align with the Trump administration’s push for American energy dominance. The Rosebud Mine fuels the Colstrip and Rosebud power plants, generating over 1,500 megawatts to power more than a million homes. The expansion could generate over $9 million in annual federal royalties.
Flathead Lake to remain near full pool
SKQ Dam operators predict Flathead Lake will remain within 12 inches of full pool throughout August following a month of unusually wet weather. Energy Keepers previously predicted the water level would fall 3 feet below full pool by August 31st as a result of warm and dry spring conditions. That forecast didn’t account for the number of summer rainstorms.
Midwest utility adopts intelligent wildfire risk monitoring solution
Wildfire season means keeping up with technology so Northwestern Energy has adopted the MetX platform from weather intelligence and technology. It helps the utility keep a close eye on critical fire indicators. The platform also allows NorthWestern Energy to set custom alert thresholds for Northwestern’s service area which includes 626 high-risk weather zones where conditions can shift rapidly and MetX enables earlier action to help reduce the risk of service interruptions and infrastructure damage.
2025’s States with the Most Underprivileged Children
According to the Children’s Defense Fund in the United States one in seven children lives in poverty. Today WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key indicators of neediness. Montana’s overall rank is 15th in the nation with a total score of 51.16. The Treasure State is 10th in health and 11th in education. The state’s socio-economic welfare is ranked 23rd. The data set ranges from the share of children in households with below-poverty in come to the child food-insecurity rate to the share of maltreated children.
Recent rains help lower fire danger across parts of Montana
Many areas of Montana have seen unseasonable precipitation reducing fire danger to below average levels in parts of the state something meteorologists say hasn’t been seen in the region in about 40 years. While this summer’s robust moisture across the Northern Rockies and North Central Montana offers a rare mid-season reprieve from wildfire concerns it doesn’t eliminate all risk. It remains important to stay vigilant and aware as fire danger could spike again if the rain pattern fades.
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Over 100 people urged the public to vote in favor of a Helena Public Schools bond issue in a street rally Monday. A $283 million bond will be voted on by the public September 9th. by the public. Ballots will be mailed out August 22nd. The campaign pushing for the vote is called Yes! for Helena Schools.
Body cameras are now being used by the Montana Highway Patrol. Axon contractors are busy installing brand-new camera systems into vehicles and connecting them to body cameras which the over 250 troopers have never worn. While the body cameras are new the patrol has had cameras in its vehicles for decades.
MontanaFair goers will soon be able to have a corndog and a cold lemonade soda, or beer and watch some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world compete at Rodeo Billings. Finishing touches are being put on the new outdoor arena at MetraPark that will be the home to the inaugural Rodeo Billings to be held August 14th through the 16th.
The Poverello Center in Missoula is set to host its final neighborhood meeting for the Johnson Street Emergency Shelter on Zoom this afternoon at 5:30. The discussion will focus on the ongoing housing sprint and the shelter’s impending closure. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with staff from Missoula’s Houseless Programs Department.
The developer of the $27 million Cornerstone Plaza in south Butte says Chipotle and Planet Fitness are expected to open in November and Dave Leon is close to landing a PetSmart. Construction is well underway as well as planning for other businesses in the initial lineup.
