Judge Awards Plaintiffs in Montana Climate Case Nearly $3M in Attorney Fees and Costs
Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Kathy Seeley has awarded the 16 youth plaintiffs and their attorneys in the Held v. Montana climate case nearly $3 million for nearly four years of litigation. The 10 attorneys received $2.85 million in fees, while the plaintiffs were awarded another $98,667 in costs — approximately $238,000 less than the original request made earlier this year.
New Montana Democratic Party Vice Chair Resigns 3 Days After Election
Max Johnson, the newly elected vice chair of the Montana Democratic Party, resigned on Wednesday — just three days after being elected by more than 100 delegates at a convention in Livingston. His resignation followed comments he made to reporters at the convention, in which he criticized former Democratic Senator Jon Tester. Tester later responded with unflattering remarks about Johnson on his podcast.
BNSF Addresses Utility Permit Issues Raised by Lawmakers, Montana Cities
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway officials told lawmakers this week they would “dig in” to address utility easement concerns raised by leaders from multiple Montana cities. Officials from four different towns brought their concerns to the legislature. The issue, which is also linked to the state’s rural broadband expansion efforts, came to a head earlier this summer during an Energy and Technology Interim Committee meeting.
U.S. Begins Review of U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Ahead of 2026 Deadline
U.S. trade officials have begun the formal review process for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inviting public comments in advance of next year’s renegotiation. The USMCA, which replaced NAFTA in 2020, governs trade among the three North American nations. The agreement requires a mandatory joint review in July 2026. If the countries do not agree to extend the pact, it will expire in 2036.
WalletHub Study: States With the Most & Least Student Debt in 2025
With average student loan debt surpassing $39,000 per borrower, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its 2025 report on the states with the most and least student debt. Montana ranks 38th overall across 12 key metrics, which include average student debt, unemployment rates among 25- to 34-year-olds, and the share of students with past-due loan balances.
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Town Pump Challenge Supports Food Pantries Across Montana
The Town Pump Challenge has helped food pantries keep their doors open and shelves stocked for 22 years. This year’s campaign runs through November 30. Its slogan, “Be a Friend in Deed — Help Those in Need,” emphasizes the initiative’s vital role in supporting food security across Montana. -
Missoula Redevelopment Plan Unveiled for Johnson Street Parcel
A consulting firm unveiled its vision Wednesday for redeveloping a Missoula-owned parcel off Johnson Street. The plan includes a mix of housing types for various income levels. Currently, the average market-rate rent in Missoula is around $1,700 per month; with subsidies, that could be reduced to about $1,200 to meet affordability goals. -
Billings Donates Compost to Amend Park Garden
The Billings Parks and Natural Resources Division has run a composting program for six years. This year, the city is donating compost to the Amend Park community garden. The compost is created from organic materials collected from city parks and local businesses. -
Operation Santa Begins 113th Year at U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service has kicked off the 113th year of Operation Santa. Postal customers across Montana and the nation are invited to help fulfill the holiday wishes of thousands of children and families who might otherwise go without gifts on Christmas morning. -
New Multi-Use Facility to Transform Gallatin County Fairgrounds
A new multi-use facility is set to transform the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman. Plans include art and entertainment venues, a hotel, affordable housing, and retail and office space. The project is expected to take 5 to 10 years to complete and will cost millions of dollars.
