Data Center Invite Drops Dilemma on Butte–Silver Bow Commissioners: ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’
Sabey Data Centers, the company proposing a massive, billion-dollar data center in Butte, has offered to fly Butte–Silver Bow commissioners on a private jet to Quincy, Washington, to showcase one of its giant data centers there. At least three commissioners have expressed interest in going. In April, the commissioners agreed to sell 606 acres in the county’s industrial park to Sabey.
PSC: NorthWestern ‘Illegally’ Transferred Colstrip Shares to an Unregulated Company
The Montana Public Service Commission is attempting to assert control over NorthWestern Energy after the company failed to seek state approval before acquiring more coal-fired energy. In a federal filing, the PSC says the utility acted illegally in a recent deal involving shares of the Colstrip Generating Plant. The company formed a subsidiary that is not subject to state regulation in order to hold and sell the newly acquired shares.
Lawmakers Urge Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Program Funding
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has urged U.S. House leadership to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program. The program provided essential support to 32 Montana counties, distributing $16 million from the U.S. Forest Service in 2023. However, the funding expired last year without reauthorization during budget negotiations. Montana’s entire federal delegation endorsed a letter seeking renewed SRS funding.
Fish and Wildlife Commission Votes to Reduce Nonresident Deer Licenses
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted new deer hunting regulations aimed at reducing pressure on public land and helping the state’s struggling mule deer population recover from a multiyear decline. The commission voted to reduce available nonresident deer hunter licenses by about 2,500 for the 2026–2027 hunting seasons.
Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Death Toll on Track to Match Last Year’s Record of 72
With 2025 drawing to a close, 71 grizzly bears have died from various causes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, nearly matching last year’s record death toll of 72. The most common causes remain the same, including roughly 30 bears killed for attacking livestock, at least eight struck by vehicles, and seven killed by other bears. Twelve of the deaths remain “under investigation,” with no official cause yet listed.
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Montana investors will receive more than $160,000 in restitution after several national brokerage firms agreed to settlements over unreasonable commissions on small equity trades. The settlements cover transactions from May 2020 through April 2025 and involve five brokerages, with additional agreements anticipated.
The Road Dogs motorcycle group held its 41st annual toy run to support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program in Billings, collecting well over $100,000 worth of toys for local families in need. The donations will help the Salvation Army serve more than 2,500 families in Yellowstone, Carbon, Stillwater, Bighorn, and Musselshell counties.
According to Bloomberg News, citing a White House official Sunday, the United States is set to unveil a long-awaited farm aid package today. The package will offer $12 billion in assistance to farmers impacted by low crop prices and tariff policies.
The Missoula Board of County Commissioners has placed a hold on the land use and zoning compliance permit for a proposed gravel pit near Bonner. According to Missoula County, the decision comes amid concerns from local residents about potential impacts on the Blackfoot River. Officials are requesting details on mitigation efforts to protect the river and the surrounding environment from runoff.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Great Falls man with British citizenship in November who has lived in Montana for 11 years and is expecting a child with his fiancée. A federal judge has temporarily barred ICE from transferring 26-year-old Dakota Wheeler out of Montana. Wheeler remains in custody at the Cascade County Detention Center and, as of Friday, was still listed on the jail roster.
