Yellowstone’s Distinct Bison Herds Have Merged Into A Single Entity After Decades Of Wandering the Park
For the first time in over a hundred years Yellowstone’s bison herds have merged into a single genetically unified population. Tissue samples analyzed from 282 animals found significant genetic overlap confirming that the two herds have interbred extensively over the past two decades. The study was published in the Journal of Heredity. Yellowstone bison are now one thriving population genetically and behaviorally.
Are Trump Administration Tariffs on Canadian Impacting Travel to the U.S.
With the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada what is the effect on Canadian travel to this country? Today, on Voices of Montana Director of the Institute for Tourism and Recreation at the University of Montana Melissa Weddell had the latest.
(Melissa Weddell Canadian travel to U.S.)
Trumps “Liberation Day” speech is Tuesday at 2 PM Mountain Time. Where he will hopefully define the details of the possible 20% tariff increase that will apply to all countries.
Fort Peck Reservation Community Members Demand Change Amid Persistent Violence
In response to recent violence, over 100 Fort Peck Reservation community members rallied at Fort Peck Community College on March 22, demanding change. Proposals include a neighborhood watch and youth programs. Meanwhile, Montana’s American Indian Caucus in Helena advocates for enhanced public safety legislation for Indian Country.
Senate Advances Historic Income Tax Relief for Montanans
The Senate passed Senate Bill 203 through second reading Monday and will vote to pass it during a third reding today before going to the House. It raises the income bracket starting point for the top personal income tax rate to $100,000 for single taxpayers twice that for married joint filers and 1.5 times that for head of household filers. The lower tax rate is 4.7% and the higher rate is 5.9%. If it becomes law it will be effective for the 2025 tax year.
Influenza COVID-19 cases decline in Montana
Respiratory illnesses including cases of influenza and COVID-19 are on the decline in Montana but so far this flu season 48 people in Montana have died of the virus the most flu deaths recorded in the state in the past 7 flu seasons. 105 cases of COVID-19 cases were reported for the week ending March 22nd down from 139 the week before. One additional death was recorded from COVID to bring the 2025 total to 21.
Republican Says Trump Tariffs Will ‘Absolutely’ Inflict Short-Term Pain
Senator Tm Sheehy spoke to CNN Monday about President Donald Trump’s tariff plan. The Montana Republican said the promises to impose more Wednesday would “absolutely” cause “short-term pain.”
GOP Rep. Zinke: Broad Tariffs ‘Hurt a Lot of People’ Tariffs Need to Be ‘Short’ for Clear Purpose
On Monday’s broadcast of NewsNation’s “Cuomo” program Representative Ryan Zinke stated tariffs are useful for fair trade agreements and ensuring a needed manufacturing base but tariffs broadly applied also hurt a lot of people. He said we have to make sure the tariffs are short and they’re for a purpose and that purpose should be narrowly defined.
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Boyne USA the parent company that owns Big Sky Resort and several other ski areas in North America has agreed to pay nearly $25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by condominium owners in three Big Sky properties it manages. The plaintiffs disputed the validity of condo rental programs and the requirement that rentals be exclusively managed through Boyne.
After a plummeting population of bighorn sheep north of Fort Peck Reservoir the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted in an emergency Monday online meeting to halt all hunter harvests of the species in the area this season. Last year FWP counted only 121 where in the past bighorn sheep surveys in the region found 100 to 300 animals in the hunting district.
Just three days after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Montana urging lawmakers to pass a resolution asking for a Constitutional Convention in order to craft a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution Montana Senators shot the proposal down. Senate Joint Resolution 4 sought a convention of the states for the sole purpose of proposing the balanced budget amendment.
No confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the state of Montana although 20 other states have outbreaks. With that being said state health departments encourage people to look at their immunization records if they are unsure if they have been vaccinated or not. People who are born before 1957 are presumed to have evidence of immunity.
The Corvallis Blue Devils will host Missoula Sentinel in the first home game on their new baseball field at Bitterroot Ballpark Saturday. The field’s construction marks a step towards meeting rising demand for playing space in the Bitterroot Valley. The Corvallis Baseball and Softball Association was behind fundraising and donations for the nearly $1 million project.
