Canadian Pacific joins Buffett in rejecting railroad consolidation narrowing merger prospects
Canadian Pacific Kansas City joined Warren Buffett’s BNSF Railway Tuesday in rejecting participation in any near-term rail industry consolidation for Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion tie-up with Norfolk Southern that would reshape the movement of goods ranging from grains to autos across the country. The largest export from Montana is agricultural goods with BNSF playing a crucial role in getting crops to ports for international export.
Butte’s Tommy Mellott Waived by Raiders; Billings’ Junior Bergen Sent to 49ers Practice Squad
Tommy Mellott, a Butte native and former MSU quarterback, was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round and converted to wide receiver and returner. He was waived today. Junior Bergen, a Billings native and ex-Montana Grizzly, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Today he was cut and signed to their practice squad.
BLM Montana/Dakotas Announces Public Hearing on Spring Creek Mine Coal Lease Applications in Hardin
The Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Office will hold a public hearing on September 10, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hardin Council Chambers to discuss coal lease applications at the Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County. Together, the proposed tracts cover about 1,412 acres of federal and private surface and nearly 177 tons of coal.
Trump White House cuts healthy food grant, hitting tribal communities in Montana
Thousands of residents on the Flathead Indian Reservation will soon pick up boxes filled with fresh organic produce and locally sourced meats for what could be the last time. The federal grant that funded the food distribution program has been disbanded by the Trump administration. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program gave tribal and state governments money to purchase food and meat from local farmers and ranchers then turn around and distribute it to people who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access such items.
Montana delegation asks Trump to impose 50% tariffs on imports of Russian palladium
Montana’s federal delegation has asked President Donald Trump to impose a 50% tariff on all imports of Russian palladium which is a precious metal. They allege that country is committing ongoing market manipulation and dumping and that the palladium produced at the Sibanye-Stillwater mine is a critical part of the supply chain and important to national security. Last year the company more than 600 workers in Montana last year blaming Russia for tanking the market for palladium.
Attorney General Knudsen leads coalition urging EPA to halt funding climate activist group
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a 23-state coalition of attorneys general Tuesday in a letter urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to cancel grants to the Environmental Law Institute which they allege has been funding climate advocacy trainings for judges across the country. In 2024 the institute received 8.4% of its revenue from EPA grants.
Cities Where People Overspend the Most on Cars in 2025 – WalletHub Study
With American auto loan debt reaching $1.66 trillion WalletHub has released its report on the Cities Where People Overspend the Most on Cars in 2025 comparing the median auto loan balances and incomes across more than 2,500 U.S. cities ranking them based on their auto debt-to-income ratios. Great Falls came in at 28% with Kalispell at 30%. Billings’ 55% beat Missoula’s 59% ratio will Bozeman hit 60% and Helena had a 65% radio of debt-to-income.
More Headlines:
A colony of bats near Libby Dam has tested positive for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome marking the first detection of the deadly disease in western Montana. Every spring state biologists swab bats at more than 30 roosting sites across the state as part of ongoing efforts to monitor the spread of white-nose syndrome.
The Board of Granite County Commissioners has passed an emergency resolution establishing Stage II Fire Restrictions for private lands outside of government jurisdiction in Granite County in anticipation of a busy Labor Day weekend. People cannot participate in any activities that generate flames nor can they operate internal combustion engines.
Greater Yellowstone is currently facing a surge in harmful algae blooms caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that has the potential to produce toxins that can sicken people pets and wildlife. The blooms have been confirmed in at least four lakes in Montana so far this month. Neighboring states are also seeing similar patterns.
Flathead-area Representative Republican Tom Millett faces an unpaid income tax bill totaling at least $427,000 after repeated court losses in a years-long dispute with the federal government. According to court filings Millett failed to file an income tax return in every year between 2004 and 2012 except 2010. That period includes at least one year 2009 when the IRS says he earned more than $100,000.
Montana State University alumnus James Corwin’s art is making an impact this summer. The 2014 graduate designed a new Montana license place released this month. His artwork also appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post a 204-year-old nationally distributed magazine known for depicting American culture.
