Trump to expedite permitting for Libby Exploration Project under Cabinet Mountains
The Trump administration will “expedite permitting” for the Libby Exploration Project and a proposed detailed permitting timetable for the proposed copper and silver mine will be published on or before May 2nd. There are an estimated 500 million ounces of silver and 4 billion pounds of copper beneath the Cabinet Mountains.
Judge extends temporary block on Montana trans ‘bathroom bill’
Legislation to limit which restrooms trans people can use had its first hearing Monday in the courtroom of Missoula County District Court Judge Shane Vannatta. She decided from the bench to continue the freeze on the law’s implementation until at least May 16th. The ACLU of Montana and Legal Voice filed a lawsuit hours after Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 121 into law March 27th.
Overdoses in Montana are seeing another spike
According to the Department of Public Health and Human Services drug overdoses in Montana are seeing another spike. From March 1st to April 15th there were seven fatal and 132 nonfatal overdoses and April is on track to have higher-than-average suspected opioid overdoses. Before 2020 the state averaged about eight overdose deaths per year but in 2023 it saw 123 fatal opioid the highest since tracking started in 2009.
Montana gas prices drop second week in a row
Gasoline prices in Montana have dropped 1.2 cents a gallon this week averaging $3.12. According to GasBuddy dot com they are now 4.9 cents a gallon higher than a month ago and 44.6 cents lower than a year ago. Montana is currently ranked 13th in the U.S. when it comes to the average price of gas one pot higher than last week. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week averaging $3.10 per gallon.
As Yellowstone opens for summer season park officials expect full staffing despite federal cutbacks
Yellowstone National Park is now open for the summer season and officials say despite government cutbacks it will be fully staffed this summer. About 360 of a planned 390 seasonal rangers are already hired and the rest are expected to have their contracts approved soon. According to officials there will be more seasonal hires on duty this year than at any time in the last five years.
Two proposals for marijuana tax revenue advance in wake of Senate Bill 307 failure
Montana lawmakers have advanced House Bill 932 and Senate Bill 537 seeking to change the allocation of taxes on recreational marijuana as the 69th Legislature closes in on its final days. Both revise the funding for conservation initiatives the Legislature established in 2021 following voters’ passage of Initiative 90, which legalized recreational marijuana and sought to direct how the taxes levied upon it would be spent.
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The Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Board of Public Education announced a six-year agreement Monday with the nation’s largest school accreditor. It enables the 42 Cognia Accredited Montana public schools to avoid duplicating state accountability requirements and accreditation requirements while allowing access to the continuous improvement resources afforded Cognia members.
Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary of supporting local governance. The center recently launched the Montana Grown Leadership Academy to enhance the professional and leadership capabilities of city and county staff. The in-person training focuses on key management and leadership principles.
The Ravalli County Behavioral Health Coalition met with the Ravalli County commissioners recently to discuss services being provided with Crisis Diversion Grant funds. Representatives from 11 counseling housing and mental health providers discussed the work being done by the coalition to combat mental health crises across the county.
A bill that would increase access to childcare for daycare and preschool employees is in the works at the Montana Legislature. House Bill 456 would grant employees of childcare facilities access to the Best Beginnings Scholarship. The federal and state funded program covers the costs of childcare for families earning less than 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
