Grizzly Encounters Spiking in Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reports there have been more than 40 conflicts with grizzly bears statewide since the beginning of September. So far this year, there have been 184 reported grizzly conflicts, and 28 bears have died. New reports from Yellowstone indicate that 63 grizzlies have died in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem this year. Since fall is the season when human-bear conflicts typically spike, officials warn this could lead to a record number of mortalities.
Update: Department of Corrections Continues to Seek Water Leak at Montana State Prison
The Montana Department of Corrections is continuing to search for a water leak discovered Friday morning that disrupted water service at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. The Montana Army National Guard has deployed eight members of Company A, 372nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, to help ensure a steady supply of potable water. A water leak detection and mapping consultant from Missoula has also been brought in to assist in locating the problem.
Water Law Takes Effect Allowing Temporary Leasing
A new law designed to make it easier for landowners to temporarily lease their water rights—without risking the loss of those rights—is now in effect. Senate Bill 178, passed during this year’s legislative session, allows temporary leasing and is supported by conservation groups such as Montana Trout Unlimited. They see it as a way to compensate landowners for keeping water in streams during increasingly hot and dry summers. Applicants for a temporary lease must describe how the water will be used and submit a plan to mitigate any potential adverse impacts.
Inmate Advocates Say Montana’s Reliance on Private Prisons Comes at a Cost
Current contracts with CoreCivic cost the state roughly $19 million per year to house Montana prisoners out of state. The Department of Corrections attributes this to years of overcrowding at Montana’s only state-owned prison for men in Deer Lodge. Construction has recently begun on additional housing units and cells. Since Governor Greg Gianforte took office, Montana’s prison expansion projects have totaled more than half a billion dollars.
Montana to Celebrate First Statewide Indigenous Peoples’ Day Today
For the first time, Montana is officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a statewide holiday. Senate Bill 224, passed during the 2025 legislative session, honors the many distinct Indigenous nations in Montana following years of advocacy by Indigenous leaders and allies. The day celebrates their resilience and acknowledges their ongoing contributions to the state.
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A new Construction Academy has been launched to allow both Bozeman and Gallatin High Schools to teach trades such as plumbing and construction—skills that are in high demand and don’t require a college degree. The academy will begin this fall, offering students hands-on learning from start to finish. Milwaukee Tool has donated all the necessary equipment for the program.
According to the mapping and GPS software website Maptitude, Montana ranks first in the nation for registered motorcycles per 1,000 residents, at 62. Nationwide, the average is 25.5. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division notes that owners can obtain permanent registration for light vehicles, including motorcycles, that are 11 years old or older.
The Laurel Fire Department is celebrating the arrival of a brand-new firetruck—customized entirely by the department and built in Louisiana. The upgrade will help modernize equipment and improve firefighter safety, replacing an older truck that was prone to malfunctions.
Montana State University has opened a new Veterans Park on campus. The dedicated space honors service members and offers veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families a place for reflection. It is located beside the Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center.
A free seminar designed to help older adults protect themselves from scams is scheduled for October 21 in Kalispell at Immanuel Living’s Auditorium. Montana Representative Courtenay Sprunger and Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown will host Scam Smart: Protecting Seniors from the Newest Scams. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will last approximately two hours.
