Daines Calls for Boosting Tribal Energy Development
Senator Steve Daines is calling for boosting Tribal energy development and is supporting the Crow Revenue Act which would authorize a land swap to give the tribe greater control over subsurface holdings within its reservation. He’s also for the Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendments Act which would extend authorization for hydropower development at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam.
Property Tax Rebates Pass Halfway Point
Over 197,000 Montana taxpayers have applied for property tax relief through the Montana Property Tax Rebate program for 2024, providing qualifying residents up to $400 on their primary residence. Eligible taxpayers must apply by October 1, with the fastest claim process available online at getmyrebate.mt.gov. Rebates are issued via paper checks; electronic filings typically take about 30 days, while paper applications may take up to 60 days to process.
Northern Cheyenne Group “Ladies with a Purpose” Holds the Line for NC Nation President Small
Northern Cheyenne Nation President Gene Small has asked for a forensic audit of about $90 million received in federal Covid relief funds that hasn’t been accounted for. The Northern Cheyenne Group “Ladies with a Purpose” has rallied behind Small for more transparency but this is just one of many skirmishes they’ve been around. Freelance reporter Emma Jane was in Ashland at Council Headquarters this morning when she addressed the issue on Voices of Montana.
Emma Jane
Youth Hockey Coach Jami Leslie James Convicted on All Charges of Sexual Assault Against Three Boys in Montana
Jurors deliberated for three hours before convicting youth hockey coach Jami Leslie James on all six counts of sexual assault against three boys in Butte and Flathead County. He faces up to 100 years in prison per charge. James showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. District Judge Robert Whelan ordered a presentence investigation, and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 6.
Montana Partners with National Governors Association to Expand Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities Under 406 JOBS Initiative
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has begun work with the National Governors Association Policy Academy on Youth Apprenticeship on an initiative that will help the state advance its strategy for expanding high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for students and young adults. It builds on Governor Greg Gianforte’s 406 JOBS Initiative which focuses on connecting more Montanans with in-demand careers and ensuring businesses have access to a skilled workforce.
Shannon O’Brien elected as chair of Montana Democratic Party
Shannon O’Brien will be the next executive board chairperson of the Montana Democratic party. The former senator from Missoula and 2024 superintendent of public instruction candidate won election Sunday at the state party’s convention in Livingston.
Missoula judge to hear arguments in climate challenge to Trump energy policies
U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen will hear local and national climate change experts Tuesday and Wednesday in Missoula in a federal lawsuit. The case aims to invalidate portions of three executive orders signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year including declaring a national energy emergency to expedite fossil fuel production in his administration’s efforts to unleash fossil fuel energy in the U.S.
No news is bad news as Carbon County flood investigations
Progress into investigations and a lawsuit regarding Stillwater Conservation District’s handling of post-2022 flood repairs has stalled. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General is reportedly investigating the conservation district’s handling of emergency funding awarded for bank stabilization projects but no report has yet been filed. Due to a lack of tourists the region experienced a loss of $95 million in spending resulting in a $128 million impact to the region’s economy according to a study by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research released in August.
Montana Is 2025’s 50th Worst State for Teachers – WalletHub Study
With World Teachers’ Day around the corner and teachers making an average of $3,728 less per year than they did 16 years ago when adjusted for inflation today WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best and Worst States for Teachers. The personal finance website ranked Montana 50th in the nation across 24 key metrics ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student.
More Headlines:
Federal disaster assistance is available to the Crow Tribe of Montana to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms straight-line winds and flooding this past May. Additional designations may be made by FEMA at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further assessments.
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport set a new record this August when 345,533 passengers passed through a 9.9”% increase over last August. Airport officials are estimating passenger counts this month will be 106% to 109% of September 2024’s record numbers. It is one of the fastest growing airports in the country.
Glendive City Court officially closed last week after Judge Kerry Burman and her clerk Mary Alice York issued a public resignation during the meeting of the Glendive City Council before walking out. It happened four months before both were going to be done due to an effort by Mayor Deb Dion over the past year and a half to consolidate the court with the Dawson County Justice of the Peace.
A new mural in downtown Bozeman has transformed the office building at 24 South Wilson Avenue showcasing the local landscape including references to the landscape of the Gallatin Valley region. The theme of the mural is wellness. The Downtown Bozeman Partnership provided a grant to fund the project. Bozeman Health joined as a collaborator reinforcing the wellness message and acknowledging its history of operating their old hospital nearby.
The most competitive candidates running for Billings mayor and city council are raking in cash to fuel the final push before ballots go out next month. Campaign finance reports show some have big bucks backing their bid before the election November 4th while others have yet to spend a dime.
