Measles reported in Gallatin County state’s first cases in 35 years
State health officials reported Montana’s first five cases of measles since 1990 Thursday in Gallatin County. The children and adults who are unvaccinated or their status is unknown were exposed while traveling outside of Montana and are They are being isolated at their home. This puts Montana among two dozen states with over 700 cases as of last week. Two children and an adult have died.
Democrats and GOP propel state budget bill through the Senate
The $16.6 billion budget bill funding the operation of Montana’s state agencies for the next two years passed a key milestone Thursday clearing a preliminary floor vote in the state Senate. It will hold a final vote on House Bill 2 in the coming days before sending it back to the House to give lawmakers there a chance to review the relatively minor changes made by the Senate. The House previously approved the budget.
Bill preventing discipline for pronoun misuse passes in senate
A bill allowing for public schools and state employees to refuse to use preferred pronouns or deadname gender queer person’s without discipline has passed in the Senate and is heading to Governor Greg Gianforte. It prevents discipline for those refusing to use something other than a person’s legal name and their sex assigned at birth. It also applies to students and includes public institutions of higher education.
Rising overdoses in Montana prompt $300M investment in recovery programs
The Department of Public Health and Human Services is alerting Montanans to a rise in overdoses emphasizing the availability of recovery and treatment programs. The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission is investing $300 million to improve services including $400,000 for Wellness Kiosks that dispense fentanyl testing strips and naloxone. 95 suspected opioid overdoses were reported last month significantly higher than the monthly average of 69 in 2024. Fentanyl is suspected in most cases though confirmation is not always possible. Other drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine are also involved.
Report analyzes potential financial impacts of state controlled public lands in Montana
A recent report has highlighted the potential financial implications for Montana if federal public lands were transferred to state control saying it could place a significant financial burden on Montana taxpayers. Currently Montana relies on federal agencies to cover costs related to wildfire mitigation road maintenance and rural school funding. The state has 30 million acres of public lands which benefit from federal management and funding.
Forest Service Announces Hiring of Firefighters
The Northern Region of the U.S. Forest Service is hiring permanent wildland firefighters across national forests and grasslands in Montana north Idaho North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota. Job seekers can apply through next Thursday at USA Jobs dot gov. Job information is available online on its careers webpage.
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The Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum will be open only one day a week down from five this summer following cuts to federal seasonal U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’ staff by the Trump administration. The reduction in federal services is one of many in Montana Nebraska South Dakota and North Dakota.
The Butte Rescue Mission will be hosting an Easter Sunday supper to celebrate the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some 200 homeless men women and families are expected to attend. Volunteers will be there to serve the holiday meal.
Makoshika State Park in Eastern Montana has been a summer recreation mecca for many years. This year Fish Wildlife and Parks plans to add more RV sites with electric hook-ups 4 primitive hike bike campsites and day-use facilities in the Gunner’s Ridge area.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is asking for photo and video evidence of algal blooms and other data from the Big Hole River before making an impairment determination. The DEQ’s request comes after Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and the Big Hole River Foundation submitted a petition asking that it be declared impaired by nutrients.
