Wildlife expert shares how mild winters impact bear activity across Montana
A milder winter in Montana has led to unusual wildlife activity, particularly among bears. However, bear activity is not influenced by warmer temperatures alone. It is primarily driven by food availability. Contrary to popular belief, bears do not hibernate in the traditional sense. While their vital functions slow, they remain somewhat active and are capable of defending themselves if necessary. Wildlife officials urge residents to secure trash and carry bear spray year-round, even during winter.
DNC tells Montana to expect legal action if state hands over election files
The Democratic National Committee’s litigation team has sent a warning letter to the Montana Secretary of State, urging her to reject requests from Trump administration officials within the U.S. Department of Justice to hand over Montana’s voter file. The letter outlines how the agreement currently being negotiated would violate federal election law—specifically the National Voter Registration Act—and states that the DNC is prepared to pursue legal action if necessary.
Agencies across Montana looking to fill first responder roles in 2026
Police officers, firefighters, and other first responders are in high demand across Montana as agencies work to fill various roles in 2026. While these positions are the primary focus, numerous other opportunities are also available. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit their local agency to pick up an application. Across the state, both law enforcement agencies and emergency medical service providers are eager to recruit more personnel.
Knudsen, Gianforte urge Montanans to learn signs of human trafficking during Prevention Month
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Governor Greg Gianforte are recognizing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month by encouraging Montanans to learn the warning signs of human trafficking and report suspicious activity to help stop the crime. According to the Montana Department of Justice, agents worked 64 human trafficking–related cases in 2025 and opened 21 investigations that have been or will be submitted for prosecution.
Officials monitor potential mine waste exposure following Libby-area floods
State officials warn that harmful mine materials may have been released during catastrophic floods that washed through parts of Lincoln County in early December. While most of the flooding affected areas south of Libby and Troy, floodwaters overlapped the southern portion of the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site along the U.S. Highway 2 corridor and Libby Creek.
More headlines:
The University of Montana recently received a $475,000 grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to expand the Youth Voices Project. The initiative engages young people by teaching them to produce audio reporting about their communities. Projects, created through either semester-long high school classes or more intensive week-long summer camps, often air on public radio or appear in professionally produced podcasts.
Developing public services such as water, sewer, and roadways in the Wye area is now written into official policy after Missoula County commissioners approved an infrastructure plan for the region. The county aims to expand housing and business opportunities in the Wye area, with long-term goals supporting a population capacity of 35,000 to 50,000 people.
Cascade County is officially moving ahead with its reserve School Resource Officer program, initially announced in November. Under the program, paid reserve school safety deputies will be fully sworn deputy sheriffs with the same authority as other deputies under Montana law.
More than 300 residents of the Northern Cheyenne community of Lame Deer have been affected after a pump failure disrupted water service to homes, primarily on the east and south sides of town. The outage has upended daily life, forcing families to haul drinking water, rely on portable toilets, and use public showers.
A Walkerville couple plans to save the Salvation Army building in Uptown Butte by transforming it into a music and dining hall. Christy and her husband, Ben, closed on the historic East Broadway property in early December. The project is expected to take more than a year to complete, and the couple hopes to open by the 2027 Montana Folk Festival. The venue will serve as a listening room focused on songwriters and their music.
