Governor Gianforte Approves $308 Million In Awards
Governor Greg Gianforte has approved $308 million in broadband deployment grants. The funding includes 32 projects that will cover all 71,975 unserved and underserved locations in Montana with fiber fixed wireless and low-earth satellite technologies.
Highway Patrol reminds drivers to heed school bus laws
As the school year gets underway across the Treasure State law enforcement is reminding Montanans about the importance of being safe around school buses. According to the Montana Highway Patrol from 2023 through 2024 the agency issued a total of 144 school bus violations including 80 citations and 29 warnings issued to people who failed to obey school bus traffic laws.
Proposed critical mineral list could benefit Montana mining companies
Proposed for the draft critical minerals list published in the national registrar this week are minerals including copper silver and lead. One Montana company hoping the new list will scale up production is Sandfire Resources America which is developing the Black Butte Copper mine at its permit site near White Sulphur Springs.
Feed Montana Fundraiser set to start in September
The upcoming month of September has been designated as National Hunger Action month and the Montana Food Bank Network is asking for help to support fellow neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Feed Montana’s goal is to bring in $90,000 the equivalent of at least 360,000 meals for Montana families. Recognizing National Hunger Action Month is particularly critical this year as Montanans face increased barriers to affordable nutritious food because of funding cuts by the Trump administration.
Feds takes next step in removing protections from 6.4 million acres of Montana’s national forests
This week the Trump administration took the next step in repealing the Roadless Rule protecting nearly 60 million acres of national forest land from logging and development including more than 10% in Montana. The U.S. Forest Service will publish its Notice of Intent in the Federal Register today kicking off a 21-day public comment period that will run through September 19th.
More Headlines:
The Montana Republican Party has hired Andrew Pierce as its executive director. He will fill the vacancy created by the departure earlier this month of political consultant Tyler Newcombe who took a role in the state auditor’s office. Pierce will begin in his new role on September 8th.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced new hunting and fishing opportunities across the country. In Montana the changes will allow for new opportunities during the upcoming hunting and fishing seasons beginning September 2nd. The adjustments are designed to better align with state regulations and provide consistency for hunters and anglers.
The Crow and Northern Cheyenne communities have taken a step to address the healthcare crisis on the reservation by unveiling a new housing facility. dedicated to a late Crow nurse. The Medicine Spotted Beads Memorial Building will provide housing for medical professionals at the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Hospital.
Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative in Lewistown recently released capital credit retirements to patrons totaling $2,090,583.26 for 2025. It reflects portions of the 1996 1997 and 2024 patronage allocations. This year’s larger than normal payout is a testament to the strong position of the cooperative.
Yellowstone National Park is cautioning anyone visiting to stay alert and heed its warning signs ahead of annual grizzly bear capture operations which start Monday when biologists will monitor Yellowstone’s grizzly bear population through October 15th. Affected areas of the park will have access points marked with bright warning signs to keep people away.
