Wildfires Continue To Grow Around Montana
Wildfires continue to grow around Montana with at least 30 currently active adding to the 532 already so far this year with the total acreage burned approaching 8,000. The Jericho Mountain Fire in Lewis and Clark County has grown to 351 acres about 2 miles from Rimini. In Lincoln County near Libby the Wolf Syrup Fire has burned more than 90 acres.
Montana Leaders Launch “The Montana Plan” to Challenge Citizens United and Curb Dark Money
Montana political leaders have launched “The Montana Plan,” a ballot initiative to counteract the Citizens United decision, which allowed unlimited political spending from corporations and secret donors. Backed by the Transparent Election Initiative, the plan aims to eliminate dark money from politics. Despite bipartisan dissatisfaction with Citizens United, which increased election costs and favored wealthy influence, outside experts remain skeptical of the initiative’s potential effectiveness.
“One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” Proposed SNAP Cuts, Spark Concerns in Montana Over Food Insecurity Impact
U.S. Senate Republicans have made changes to the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” impacting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If implemented, the cuts could reduce food assistance by nearly $300 billion, affecting up to 250,000 people with lawful immigration status. States would shoulder 15% of food benefit costs. The Montana Food Bank Network warns these cuts could harm Montanans experiencing food insecurity, as SNAP is a key defense against hunger.
Yellowstone County Commissioner killed in plane crash
Yellowstone County Commissioner John Ostlund died in a plane crash Thursday afternoon south of Billings. The conservative Republican well known statewide having been the president of the Montana Association of Counties from 2010 to 2011. He had served as a Yellowstone County Commissioners since 2003.
Stillwater Critical Minerals Mobilizes Drill Rigs to Stillwater West Critical Minerals Project
Energold Drilling has been retained by Stillwater Critical Minerals Corporation to commence work at its flagship Stillwater West project immediately adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater mine’s. It will focus on the expansion of drill-defined mid to high-grade polymetallic sulphide mineralization for metals like copper zinc gold and silver in the most advanced project areas while also testing adjacent priority targets.
Proposed data center could reshape Great Falls economy
The national developer Ardent is proposing a new hyperscale data center campus on 569 acres just north of Malmstrom Air Force Base where tenants would rent space for servers and local leaders say it could redefine the economy of Great Falls. Ardent has already requested up to 600 megawatts of electricity and is waiting for a transmission study from NorthWestern Energy. The project is in its early stages and could take a year to become a reality.
Yellowstone waives $1.2M in right of way fees for telecom company
Yellowstone National Park has waived $1.2 million in right-of-way fees for a company that is installing 187 miles of fiber optic cable in the park. A rule governing right of ways that said fees could only be dropped if the cable was for “exclusive park use” was modified late in 2024 in part to “reflect current policies and practices” adding the new exemption.
More Headlines:
This week the Kalispell City Council decided to transition to all mail-in voting for the upcoming November 4th municipal election. Voters in the city have typically gone to the Flathead County Trade Center to cast ballots unless they made arrangements ahead of time to receive an absentee ballot. The most recent election in 2023 saw 263 poll voters just 4% of eligible poll voters.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is accepting project proposals for funding through its Resource Advisory Committee. They must benefit national forest lands in Broadwater Meagher Teton Lewis and Clark or Judith Basin counties. Eligible projects may include road improvements forest stewardship and land or water restoration. Last year the committee awarded nearly $740,000.
A new nonprofit organization has formed to bring cinema back to downtown Hamilton. The recently formed Hamilton Community Cinema organization hopes to achieve this through pop-up movies and fundraising to secure a permanent location in downtown Hamilton suitable not only for cinema but live music and theater performances.
Remedies are being sought for a property in the North Helena Valley that residents have described as a blight as Lewis and Clark County commissioners have asked staff to seek possible solutions and family members have expressed interest in solving the problem. County officials were told that people involved with the property have died leaving its ownership in question.
Gallatin County is initiating discussions on affordable housing and is asking for ideas from the public to help establish an affordable housing model zoning code. The focus is currently on the Four Corners and Gallatin Gateway areas which have existing county infrastructure and potential for growth. Residents interested in providing feedback can take a survey available on the Envision Gallatin website.
