Governor Encourages Public Support for Organ Donor Memorial
Governor Greg Gianforte is asking Montanans to consider supporting the Threshold of Life Memorial, which honors organ, eye, and tissue donors; encourages education on organ donation; and promotes donor registration. In 2023, the design and location on the Montana State Capitol grounds were approved by the Legislature, and the current fundraising goal is $500,000. In Montana, more than 198 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ, and 86% of Montanans are registered organ donors.
Lawsuit Challenges Montana’s Response to ‘Held’ Climate Case
Thirteen young Montanans asked the state Supreme Court on Wednesday to strike down a trio of newly enacted environmental laws. Among the requests, the lawsuit seeks to void House Bill 285, which amended the state’s bedrock environmental law, the Montana Environmental Policy Act.
Daines’ Bills to Boost Funding for Montana’s Rural Communities Gain Bipartisan Support
Senator Steve Daines has introduced his Small County PILT Parity Act, designed to ensure counties with populations under 5,000 receive fair compensation through the federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes program. Currently, these counties are capped under the existing formula, limiting funding for essential services such as emergency response, public safety, and road maintenance.
Tribe Considering Proposal to Make All Members 100% Crow Blood Quantum
According to Crow Tribal leaders, the tribe’s population is shrinking for the first time, with more enrolled members dying than new members joining. Under proposed legislation, any enrolled member would be considered 100% full-blooded Crow, even if their blood quantum is only 25%. This change would allow children of some tribal members—who were previously ineligible—to become enrolled.
Montana Energy Task Force Tackles Future Power Demand Amid AI Data Center Proposals
Governor Greg Gianforte’s Energy Task Force is working to address growing energy needs and the potential arrival of hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers. The state and region have been slow to pursue new power generation due to efficiency gains and limited economic demand, but the task force hopes to pivot toward rapidly increasing capacity.
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The Corvallis Public School Board has unanimously approved a student club called “Club America,” a local high-school branch of the national right-leaning organization Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk. According to the group’s website, it has more than 1,000 affiliated high-school chapters and over 800 on college campuses nationwide.
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The Missoula City Council remains at an impasse over whether to install artificial turf or replace the grass at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, home of the PaddleHeads baseball team. On Wednesday, the council delayed a final decision until January to gather more scientific information on the effects of artificial turf.
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Crews have begun demolishing the old Lolo School buildings, some of which had been vandalized. The school has been vacant since a new $26 million facility opened on Farm Lane in September 2023. A subdivision is planned for the site along U.S. Highway 93.
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State regulators are giving the City of Billings until December 19 to respond to initial air-quality violations at its Animal Control building incinerator. The Department of Environmental Quality launched an investigation after law enforcement used the incinerator in September to burn illegal drugs. The city faces several violations.
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Concerns about potential measles cases in Ravalli County are rising after possible exposure in neighboring Missoula. If a measles case is confirmed in a school, county health officials will advise schools to exclude students who are not vaccinated or otherwise immune through prior infection or a qualifying blood test.
