Montana influenza death count at highest in past 7 flu seasons
According to the latest data from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services influenza deaths in Montana have climbed to the highest number in the past seven seasons. New data shows 48 people have died of influenza during this flu season in Montana surpassing last year’s total of 44. There are 11 weeks left of data to report in the flu season for 2024-2025.
Governor Gianforte Signs Landmark Judicial Reform
Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 409 into law today, reinforcing judicial reform in Montana. The legislation protects the State Legislature’s authority by preventing courts from revising the framework for preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders. It mandates that only U.S. Supreme Court caselaw applies in these matters. The bill passed the Montana House 57-42 and the State Senate 31-18.
U.S. Supreme Court Ends Decadelong Youth Climate Case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a petition from young climate activists, ending the decade-long Juliana v. United States case. Filed in 2015 in Oregon, the plaintiffs argued the government’s fossil fuel policies violated their constitutional rights. In Montana, a similar case saw the state Supreme Court uphold a ruling that fossil fuel permits must consider climate impacts, reinforcing the state’s constitutional right to a clean environment.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Helena to push for balanced federal budget
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Helena Monday to advocate alongside Montana Governor Greg Gianforte for a balanced federal budget. The two governors pushed for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would block Congress from spending more than it took in through revenue each year.
Democratic coalition blocks expulsion of GOP Sen. Ellsworth; leaders to broker discipline
The Montana Senate couldn’t decide Monday how to punish Republican Senator Jason Ellsworth after he attempted to use state money he had control over to arrange a contract for a longtime friend and former business partner. Minority Leader Pat Flowers and President Matt Regier said they will now negotiate how to move forward with addressing Ellsworth’s actions.
With roadblocks in the rearview Hecla forges ahead with Lincoln County mine
The Idaho mining company Hecla could receive approval as early as this summer to begin exploration work south of Libby. Such approval would clear the way to determine how much copper and silver is beneath the surface and if it’s economically viable to open a full-scale mine in the far corner of northwest Montana. By some estimates there are 500 million ounces of silver and 4 billion pounds of copper beneath the Cabinet Mountains. Miners could be working in Lincoln County for the first time in more than a decade.
51 H-1B petitions filed by Health Care and Social Assistance employers classified under the Health Care and Social Assistance industry in Montana in 2024
Employers classified under the Health Care and Social Assistance industry based in Montana submitted 51 H-1B petitions during 2024 and all of them were approved. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
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Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham held his state of the city address Monday in front of a lunchtime crowd of a few dozen people at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture’s Crawford Theater. He said there’s so much happening in the city that sort of escapes notice telling them things are happening every day that the staff works really hard at.
Following an inspection process into the March 10th derailment of the cable on Triple Chair fatally injuring Billings snowboarder Jeffrey Zinne after a fall to the ground Sunday the Willow Creek chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain was reopened. Monday however the ski area closed entirely due to sustained high winds.
In a standard annual notice the Office of Public Instruction says Montana’s Annual Application for Funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is available for public comment during the month of April. A copy of the application is available through the Special Education Web page.
Billings Logan International Airport plans on some repairs and improvements to the crosswinds runway used by lighter airplanes. Monday evening the city council approved the $6,169,295.00 Runway Reconstruction and Extension Project. It will be paid with $4 million from the airport’s FAA Airport Improvement Program entitlement grant funds and a combination of other sources of money.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest will have prescribed fires through Friday this week weather permitting. Today the Helena Ranger District plans to burn about 250 acres in the American Bar area northeast of Helena. Prescribed fires are used to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
