Warm dry weather ahead as crews continue work on Montana fires
Several large wildfires continued to burn around the state Monday as hot weather will hit triple digits this this week causing some concern for fire managers. Northeast Montana is under a Heat Advisory until Wednesday evening with daytime highs expected to be between 95 and 105 degrees. Motorists should take caution making sure they aren’t dragging chains or running their cars in tall grass. Anything that creates sparks can be dangerous and even harvesting fields needs to be done with caution.
Montana settles lawsuit agreeing that students with disabilities can stay in public schools till 22
Facing the threat of a class-action lawsuit the State of Montana and Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen have come to an agreement in federal court to allow those with disabilities to stay enrolled in public schools until they reach their 22nd birthday. The suit was brought by parents of two disabled students and challenged by Disability Rights Montana. The change will take effect beginning in the upcoming school year and means districts will continue to provide support and education for individuals with disabilities who are not following a general diploma track.
Another campaign launches effort to preserve Montana’s nonpartisan courts in 2026 election
Montana now officially has two campaigns that have submitted proposed language for their respective ballot initiatives for nonpartisan judicial elections. Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts officially launched its campaign Friday. The first campaign was Montanans for Fair and Impartial Judges which submitted the paperwork in July.
2025’s Most Fun States in America – WalletHub Study
With 82% of Americans still planning to take a summer trip today the personal-finance company WalletHub released its report on 2025’s Most Fun States in America. Montana ranks 30th on the list across 26 key metrics. The data set ranges from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.
Mission Butte Fire grows to largest in state
The Mission Butte Fire that was reported at 6,149 acres Monday morning with no containment has grown to be the largest in the state about 5 miles east of St. Xavier in Big Horn County. There are currently 36 wildfires burning in Montana.
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Reach Higher Montana has been awarded a four-year grant totaling $1.1 million from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The money will support the continued growth and impact of the Montana Work-Based Learning Collaborative a statewide initiative aimed at expanding enhancing and improving work-based learning opportunities for students across Montana.
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen cast votes during Monday’s Land Board meeting that will generate estimated revenue of nearly $1.6 million for Montana’s trust beneficiaries. Roughly $1.5 million would benefit Montana Tech. The board approved several items including the town of Jordan’s request for an easement to expand its wastewater treatment facility.
An order warning Butte residents not to consume tap water from the city’s water system is now lifted in all parts of the Mining City. Test samples have shown that everyone in Butte-Silver Bow is in the clear though a health advisory remains for some elderly infants and those with severely compromised immune systems.
A bridge replacement has caused the closure of approximately 3 miles of road west of Seeley Lake through the first week of September. West Side Bypass also known as National Forest System Road number 2190 is closed as workers replace Deer Creek Bridge. The project is funded through the Great American Outdoors Act and is meant to strengthen the bridge while improving hydraulic capacity and passage for aquatic species.
Billings Clinic unveiled the newly-named Fortin Trauma Tower at a naming ceremony on its downtown Billings campus Monday. It was made possible through the generosity of the Fortin Family Foundation whose decades-long commitment to Billings Clinic continues to shape the future of health care across Montana Wyoming and the western Dakotas.
