Fewer Canadians visited northwest Montana this spring amid strained relations
The number of Canadian tourists visiting the Flathead and Glacier regions this spring has declined compared to last year and that has industry leaders casting a cautious eye toward the summer. The drop-off has been felt by businesses in the region where Canadians make up 9 out of every 10 international visitors. Its impact is big for the revenue of local businesses in the spring quarter. A recent study by research firm Longwoods International found that 60% of Canadians say Trump’s statements and policies make them less likely to visit the U.S.
Zinke proposes $64 million for sewer systems, other western Montana infrastructure projects
Representative Ryan Zinke has filed 15 funding requests through Congress worth $64 million to fund various new infrastructure projects in western Montana which the Republican Congressman represents. The process is different than the budget reconciliation bill that was passed by the House in May and will be taken up by the Senate this week.
Law enforcement agencies in 40 states are partnering with ICE 287(g) program
The Montana Department of Justice has signed an agreement with ICE to allow state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions. Gallatin and Flathead Counties actively participate in the 287(g) federal program while Cascade County is listed as “pending”. This means that these counties have entered into agreements with ICE to allow their officers to work in partnership with ICE agents on immigration enforcement.
Tim Sheehy Elizabeth Warren find common ground over ‘right-to-repair’ military contract provisions
Montana Republican Senator Tim Sheehy and Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren are teaming up to tackle an issue they say is costing the Department of Defense billions of dollars. According to a story in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle they plan to introduce a bill that would apply “right-to-repair” provisions across the board with hopes to cut expenses increase military independence and encourage more competition in the contractor market.
Your Car Loan Just Got Cheaper as New Bill Allows Tax Write-offs on Interest
The U.S. House passed President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” last month which will be taken up in the Senate this week. It includes an above-the-line deduction of up to $10,000 in car loan interest for taxpayers including Montanans. It only applies to cars with their final assembly in the United States and includes SUVs cars trucks vans motorcycles all-terrain models and RVs.
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Montana’s Summer Food Service Program has been launched ensuring those 18 years old and younger across the state have access to free meals during the break from school. Several communities across the state plan to operate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program and serve free meals to kids.
Great Falls Public Schools will increase student meal prices for the upcoming school year by 10 cents. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to evaluate the prices charged for paid student meals every year to ensure prices remain in line with federal reimbursement rates for free and reduced-priced meals.
Legislation proposed by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has been signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte. The new law changed a requirement for Montana boaters removing the requirement for validation decals. It adds more boating accident reporting requirements clarifying details on lifejackets and updating right-of-way rules.
Whitefish continues to chip away at a list of improvements planned for Armory Park. This evening the City Council will meet to consider awarding a $153,880 construction contract to Lipka Excavating for the fourth phase of planned improvements including a foundation for a storage garage grading and development of a new well.
Many of Montana’s rivers are currently experiencing peak flows due to snowmelt runoff and with the main channels running high and often murky fishing side channels has become a safer and more effective strategy. Fish tend to move away from the banks in these conditions. Anglers are advised to use streamers or double-nymph rigs favoring flies that are either dark or brightly colored to attract the attention of fish in the turbid water.
