Trump loosens coal mining restrictions as part of efforts aimed at ‘unleashing American energy’
President Donald Trump signed four executive orders Tuesday afternoon designed to make the United States energy dominant and unleash the nation’s energy reserves including coal. President Trump said the Defense Production Act will make the nation more affordable and secure. The coal executive order requires the Energy Agriculture and Interior secretaries to submit a report within 60 days that identifies coal resources and reserves on federal lands and any impediments to mining them.
No clear path forward for property tax relief in final days of MT legislative session
Governor Greg Gianforte and state legislators have continually said they received a mandate from Montanans this legislative session to provide long-term remedies to the spikes in property taxes state residents saw over the last couple years but with just days left they are at an impasse on how to provide property tax relief. Most legislators are optimistic that meaningful property tax relief will be passed but some believe there’s a possibility the Legislature adjourns.
MT House endorses bill to create new health department to oversee beleaguered facilities
Lawmakers in the state House have endorsed House Bill 851. It would create a new agency called the Department of Health Services to take on certain services currently housed at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The bill requires a third procedural vote before advancing to the Senate. The legislation would focus on facilities and also take up community-based programs like alcohol treatment and veterans services for people with developmental disabilities.
A new study reveals snow in the Rocky Mountains is contaminated with mercury and other metals
The Desert Research Institute in Reno Nevada examined snow samples from nearly 50 sites in the Rocky Mountains and found mercury zinc cadmium and antimony in the water. They were highest in the northern Rockies across Montana Idaho and northern Wyoming where several historical mines are federal Superfund sites. The contamination is fairly low and within federal guidelines for both drinking water and aquatic life.
Reinstatement back pay ordered for fired MHP trooper
Arbitrator Jeffrey Jacobs has ordered reinstatement and back pay for Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Alicia Bragg who was fired about a year ago accused of sharing the results of a workplace climate survey despite orders not to. Jacobs found Bragg was not in the wrong to share the survey administered in early 2024 that found some employees thought the Department of Justice under Attorney General Austin Knudsen micromanaged the agency leading to low morale.
Federal cuts hit Montana food banks
Pantries across Montana that help low-income people including seniors will receive less food to distribute because of recent federal cuts to a U.S. Department of Agriculture program. The USDA cancelled funding for food through the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Last year the Montana Food Bank Network distributed 3.2 million pounds costing an estimated $6.3 million to 330 partners it serves in the state.
More Headlines:
Customers of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana can continue to use Billings Clinic providers within their insurance network. Montana’s largest hospital and the health insurance provider have signed a multi-year agreement on medical reimbursement rates.
The Missoula Parking Commission approved increasing fees Tuesday for leased parking spots and University District permits while imposing larger fines for parking violations. The monthly price for leased parking downtown will increase by 10% for nearly all of the city’s parking lots streetside parking and garages although some lots with little demand will remain the same. The increased fines for parking violations still need to be approved by the Missoula City Council.
Carroll College awarded 14 students in math science and nursing programs with $158,000 in scholarships Tuesday through a 53-year-old program supporting college students. Over the years over $2,980,000 has been awarded to more than 346 students with the average award this year being over $11,280.
Helena will expand four written policies about how it handles victims of crime including providing translators to keep a federal grant after a January audit. The Victims of Crimes Act grants come from the U.S. Department of Justice and has funded Helena’s victim services advocate position since 2016. Federal funds provide $107,000 and general state funds add $60,000.
