More than a dozen fires reported in Montana last week
Fire season has begun to kick up in Montana with 886 fires this year including 18 during the last week. Monday there had been 14 new fires in the previous 24 hours. Nearly all incidents this year in Montana have been relatively small with state and federal firefighters aggressively fighting them. The days around the Fourth of July holiday are among the busiest for first responders.
Montana Lawmakers Call on U.S. Trade Representative to Address Alberta’s Energy Trade Barriers
U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representatives Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, addressed trade barriers on the Montana-Alberta Tie Line in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. They highlighted discriminatory practices by the Alberta Electric System Operator against Montana energy firms, that threaten electrical reliability and market access.
NorthWestern Energy Lowers Electricity Rate Hike in Montana Amid Settlement
NorthWestern Energy customers in Montana will experience a temporary reprieve from a recent electricity rate hike. The utility proposed a more modest rate increase, part of a settlement with the Montana Consumer Counsel and major customers, to replace the unapproved hike implemented in late May. Under the new structure, the average household using 750 kilowatts will pay $115 monthly, down from the previous $119.
Trump to consider reversing decision ending coal leasing in Powder River Basin
The Trump administration is considering reversing a Biden-era decision from last year that blocked future coal leasing on public land in the Powder River Basin in eastern Montana and northeastern Wyoming. 1.2 million acres of federal coal in Montana and 480,000 acres in Wyoming could be made available for future leasing. Once the Bureau of Land Management’s new proposals are posted in the Federal Register today the public will have until August 7th to submit comments.
Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting off Planned Parenthood funding
The Trump administration was blocked Monday from revoking Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani partially freezing a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act just days after President Donald Trump signed it into law. Planned Parenthood of Montana receives federal funding primarily through Medicaid.
Montana Food Bank Network warns of SNAP cuts impact
Concerns are rising after President Donald Trump’s recently signed bill which includes significant cuts to government food assistance programs like SNAP. The Montana Food Bank Network says the legislation will strip food assistance away from those who need it the most including children seniors veterans and people with disabilities.
$4 Million Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Programs in Montana
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has been awarded $4 million in federal funding to expand apprenticeship programs across the state helping more Montanans access hands-on training for high-demand high-wage careers in the skilled trades. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Round 3 grant program.
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Kalispell is launching a public campaign for a new master plan meant to guide the city on the future of its parks trails facilities and recreation programs for the next 10 years. An open house will be held at Depot Park this afternoon from 4 to 7 to get residents’ thoughts and concerns regarding municipal parks and programs.
Montana currently has the second-highest per capita rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the United States but is has taken a major step toward protecting wildlife and drivers through House Bills 855 and 932. Together they establish the state’s first dedicated funding streams for wildlife crossings structures proven to reduce collisions and improve landscape connectivity.
A new event will help kickstart the 40th anniversary of the Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies in Lockwood Friday July 18th. The Montana 100 Meter male and female races will be a highlight event and complement the popular Montana Mile which will be held for the 34th time for the men and 26th for the women.
The East Helena Valley Rodeo Association will host the 62nd annual East Helena NRA Rodeo Friday and Saturday. Gates open both nights at 5 with the pre-rodeo starting at 6 and the main event at 7. The Ramblin Rose drill team from Dillon will perform each night.
The Montana Folk Festival begins Friday in Uptown Butte on six stages for three days of music. The festival has been a major economic contributor to the city’s summer economy since 2008 when it first started in the Mining City.
