Latest wildfire forecast ‘looking grim’ for large swaths of the West
Federal forecasters are warning the fire season could be very active across broad areas of the region in July and August. That includes nearly all of Montana and Idaho and significant parts of California and Nevada. Several factors behind the forecast from the National Interagency Fire Center include expected above average temperatures and dryness for much of the region over the next couple of months.
Montana DOC shifts inmates to Boulder addressing overcrowding issues
In a move to address overcrowding in state prisons the Montana Department of Corrections is relocating female inmates from Montana Women’s Prison in Billings to the former Riverside Special Needs Unit in Boulder. It used to be a sub-unit of Montana State Prison for male inmates with serious medical needs. This year legislators allocated $246 million through House Bill 833 to address capacity issues including the potential construction of a new women’s prison.
Montana’s Gas Prices Rise
Average gasoline prices in Montana have risen .4 cents a gallon in the last week averaging $3.16 today. According to GasBuddy dot com prices in Montana are 3.2 cents per gallon higher now than a month ago but 30.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Montana is currently ranked 12th in the U.S. when it comes to the average price of gas two spots higher than last week.
Potential Federal Cuts Possible for Montana’s Essential Air Service
Federal spending cuts could be coming to rural airports across the country with the Essential Air Service Program facing a $300 million downturn. EAS directs federal money to air carriers operating in rural environments and Montana has seven airports that receive money through the program. Cape Air signed a four-year $75 million contract in 2023 with the five airports doing Billings runs.
Montana’s Conduit Bond Financing Options Expanded for Non-Profits Businesses
With Senate Bill 104 now law The Montana Facility Finance Authority will begin providing conduit bonds to a broader range of projects. The Authority has served as a statewide issuer of healthcare bonds for over 40 years facilitating the issuance of more than $4 billion in bonds across Montana. Now even more Montana businesses and nonprofits will benefit from a clear reliable route to the bond market without relying on taxpayer funds.
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The Missoula County Public Schools administration has decided to change the spring break date next year to April 6th through the 10th. District officials say that could potentially improve student and staff well-being by placing the break later in the semester.
Bozeman Health is expected to open a 14-bed unit this fall for adults who need longer-term psychiatric care. Patients in a mental health crisis can get specialized care through the hospital’s ER now but those who need more than three-days of care have to drive more than a hundred miles to the next closes mental health inpatient psychiatric unit in Billings.
The Special Olympics Summer Games are set to begin Wednesday evening in Billings with a thousand athletes. The event will feature a range of sports including track and field cycling gymnastics and soccer. Opening Ceremonies begin at 6:30.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks experts are collaborating with Montana State University to track trout populations in the Upper Jefferson River Basin. This year is expected to see more population increases from last year however they still are currently at below average levels. Last year researchers found less than 1% of fish were ill.
Helena voters have approved one of the three school levies alleviating some of the school district’s elementary general fund deficit but leaving technology issues unresolved. They passed the requested $293,681 elementary general fund levy but rejected the two technology levies for the district’s elementary and high schools which totaled about $3 million.
