Montana gears up for upcoming elections with new ballot changes
Counties across Montana are preparing for the next round of elections with a focus on engaging voters and ensuring a smooth voting process. Election administrators across the state have been going to trainings from the Secretary of State getting information about each of the different law changes to help make sure they can guide voters through them really well to make them successful for the upcoming elections. Voters can check their registration status ahead of the election by visiting my voter page mt dot com.
Environmental groups sue FWP for not utilizing water rights ‘calls’ amid low flows
Three Montana environmental organizations are suing the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks. They’re asking a district court judge to declare the department is violating the state constitution’s guarantees of a clean and healthful environment by not making water “calls” on several blue-ribbon streams and rivers to keep more water in them amid record low flows.
Unemployment claims in Montana stayed the same last week
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Montana were unchanged last week compared with the week before. New jobless claims were at 348 in the week ending August 9th. Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims jumping by 99.3%. Iowa meanwhile saw the largest percentage drop in new claims by 32.5%. U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 224,000 last week down 3,000 claims on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Under One Big Beautiful Bill 88% of Seniors Will Have Largest Deduction In History
According to a brand new analysis from the Council of Economic Advisers under the One Big Beautiful Bill 88% of all seniors who receive Social Security will pay NO TAX on their Social Security benefits. Seniors who receive the currant average retirement benefit will see deductions that exceed their taxable Social Security income. This amounts to the largest tax break in history for Montana’s seniors.
Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality in 2025 – WalletHub Study
With Women’s Equality Day around the corner and the U.S. ranking as only the 42nd best country for gender equality today the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on the Best and Worst States for Women’s Equality in 2025. Montana ranks 33rd across 17 key metrics. The data set ranges from the gap between female and male executive to the disparity in unemployment rates for women and men.
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The Whitefish City Council is set to approve a $59.6 million budget that calls for an increase in spending over the prior year when it meets this evening at 7:10 in City Hall. The increase is mostly due to a significant increase in capital expenditures of about $5 million and an increase in personnel services at about $1.7 million.
Powell County has received a $500 fine after a contractor hired by the county drove an amphibious off-road vehicle up the middle of the Blackfoot River last week. The incident which spanned 8 river miles and was captured on multiple videos posted to social media drew rebukes from the local angling community and demands for criminal charges from local environmental groups.
The oldest museum in Montana is about to triple in size. The Carter County Museum in Ekalaka received two large grants this year totaling $400,000. The money will be used to expand the museum’s floor space allowing for a larger dinosaur exhibit showcase. The Carter County Museum was founded in 1936 by the Carter County Geological Society.
Integrated Senior Foundation a non-profit senior living provider has received $79.3 million in tax-exempt floating-rate financing for the acquisition of three properties. Two are in Oregon and the third is The Lodge in Great Falls with 78 assisted living units. Together the three properties total 287 units.
Funding for an overhaul of Daylis Stadium in Billings has nearly reached its goal of $12.5 million. Information about Daylis will be presented at a school board meeting today.
