Conservation nonprofits sue feds over wolverine management
A coalition of environmental groups is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat for the wolverine. The species was listed as threatened in November 2023, primarily due to the effects of climate change. Federal law requires the agency to designate critical habitat within one year of a species being added to the Endangered Species Act, but officials have yet to begin the process of delineating habitat for the wolverine.
Montana–Canada border traffic falls sharply in 2025
Passenger and freight traffic across Montana’s northern border fell sharply during the first 11 months of 2025. Full shipping container crossings into Montana dropped 21% from their 30-year peak in 2024. Over the same period, individual crossings declined by 29%—the steepest year-over-year drop in recent decades outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least 80 Native Americans in Montana victimized in health care scheme
Montana State Auditor James Brown’s office has identified and worked to remedy a health care fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans. Federal agencies have approved the rescission of 80 fraudulent insurance enrollments, allowing the state to claw back more than $23.3 million. The auditor’s office has identified 207 total enrollments suspected of fraud, representing as much as $54.7 million in unjustified claims.
Army Corps expects slightly higher river levels this year
Lower-than-normal snowpack on the plains and near-average snowfall in Montana’s mountains has the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicting near-normal water flows and slightly higher river levels on the Missouri River in 2026. The Corps is monitoring dam reservoirs that remain millions of cubic feet below buffer levels. Officials are cautiously optimistic that spring runoff will help reservoirs recover, though they expect to remain in water conservation mode through June.
Bill containing funding headed to president’s desk
The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that includes $12.2 million in funding for several Montana projects and has sent it to the president’s desk for signature before the funds can be distributed. The funding was announced today in a press release from Senator Tim Sheehy, who has been a proponent of the measure.
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This week, Kadin Hawkeye Lewis admitted in federal court to hoarding Molotov cocktails in a Park County trailer near Pray, south of Livingston. Prosecutors say Lewis was planning an attack on Chico Hot Springs. Journal entries presented in court showed Lewis decorated his writings with Nazi symbols, expressed racist views, and praised school shooters.
Two billboards urging drivers to watch for elk are now visible along Highway 191 to and from Big Sky. The stretch of road south of Gallatin Gateway has one of the highest concentrations of elk movement and wildlife-vehicle collisions in the region. The billboards were created by local residents hoping to reduce collisions this winter.
For the first time, Billings Public Schools is partnering with TEDx to elevate student voices through a special speaking event. Students from high schools across Billings are serving on a committee to help evaluate and select speakers. The event is scheduled for April, with the theme “Uncommon: Unique Ways for a Unique World.”
Sabey Corporation, the company proposing a large data center in Butte’s business park, is asking for more time to consider its potential operations before closing on a land deal with Butte-Silver Bow County. Meanwhile, county commissioners are asking the Montana Public Service Commission to protect existing ratepayers from possible electricity rate increases tied to large new power demands, including data centers.
The Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Advisory Council has launched a sponsored license plate, with proceeds supporting the council’s work. The plate was created in response to the disproportionately high rates at which Indigenous people go missing and the historical lack of adequate resources and response.
