COVID-19, Influenza Case Numbers on the Rise in Montana
According to the latest weekly data from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, there were 274 confirmed influenza cases for the week ending December 6, a 66% increase from the 165 cases reported a week earlier. Hospitalizations also increased, rising from nine patients to 11.
Reported COVID-19 cases totaled 209, up 58% from the 132 cases reported the previous week.
Cascade County Inmates Test Positive for Hepatitis C After Being Served Blood-Contaminated Food
A lawsuit was filed earlier this month by 27 inmates at the Cascade County Detention Facility. According to the suit, at least three inmates tested positive for hepatitis C after being served food contaminated with a kitchen worker’s blood in September. Testing is ongoing for the remaining inmates, and additional plaintiffs may be added to the case.
Montana Delegation Touts Benefits of Proposed Bitterroot Mine, Calls for Transparency
The Montana congressional delegation recently sent a letter to federal officials outlining potential benefits of developing the proposed Sheep Creek mine south of Darby. Supporters say the project could expand U.S. critical mineral production and reduce dependence on China for rare earth elements.
The move comes after Ravalli County commissioners released letters to the delegation opposing the proposed mine’s designation as a Federal Permitting Council FAST-41 project.
Montana Report Praises 2025 City Elections, Flags New Birth-Year Rule
The Montana Election Observation Initiative has released its final report on the 2025 city elections. The report says Montana’s vote-by-mail system—anchored in signature verification and paper ballots—continued to meet key security and access standards.
Pre-election logic and accuracy tests for tabulators were completed on time and in public, and ballots were consistently tracked, batched, and securely stored between processing sessions.
‘Serial Litigation’: Another Ballot Issue Group Sues Montana AG Over Legal Determination
The ballot initiative group Montanans Decide sued Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Monday after his office ruled the group’s proposed Ballot Issue 8 language legally insufficient.
The proposed constitutional amendment would limit the government’s ability to push back during the initiative process and set timelines for legal challenges and approval of ballot language, among other measures.
More Headlines
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During Monday evening’s Kalispell City Council meeting, Jarod Nygren was officially voted in as the new city manager. Nygren’s first official day is today, beginning a five-year contract. He has been serving as interim city manager and director of the city’s Development Services Department. Nygren is expected to receive a $200,000 annual salary, no bonus alternatives, and a $750 monthly vehicle allowance.
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About 10 emergency management officials from across the state have gathered in Libby to support local responders with additional resources for flood mitigation efforts. Their primary goal is to help prepare for potential natural disaster impacts while monitoring precipitation forecasts and high-wind alerts.
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Gallatin County commissioners approved $523,800 from the Gallatin County Open Lands Fund to help protect White’s Potato Farm, located about three miles south of Manhattan, from development. The farm, owned and operated by Matthew White, produces seed potatoes, wheat, barley, and alfalfa. The 185 acres slated for a conservation easement are part of a 191.22-acre parcel.
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Montana Highway Patrol troopers conducted an interdiction operation in St. Regis from December 7 through December 11 to combat crime and remove illicit drugs from the community. In addition to large drug seizures, 41 deportation arrests were made. A total of 51 arrests resulted from the operation.
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After receiving nearly 2,000 votes from the Billings community, ZooMontana announced the names of its new bobcats: Sonny and Goldie. Sonny was named after Sonny Holland, a notable Montana State University alumnus and coach, while Goldie reflects one of the university’s colors.
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