Montana Lottery selects gaming contractor after competitive bid
The Montana Lottery has awarded its gaming system contract to the incumbent vendor Intralot Incorporated. The Greek-based company bid 5 cents on each dollar made on the games the company runs for the state lottery below its current rate of 8 cents and also agreed to replace its terminals across the state as part of the new contract. Intralot has been the Montana Lottery’s largest contractor for the last 20 years. The latest contract is for seven years with a possible extension for a total 10-year agreement.
Governor Gianforte Seeks Public Input on Judicial Vacancies in Yellowstone County
Governor Greg Gianforte is seeking public comments on applicants for two vacancies in Yellowstone County’s Thirteenth Judicial District. The public can submit support letters or comments until 5 pm, September 29. Six attorneys have applied for these positions, with applications available at nominatejudges.mt.gov.
Billings Public Schools Hosts “End Zone for Daylis” with NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis to Support Stadium Modernization
Billings Public Schools will host “End Zone for Daylis” featuring NFL Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Terrell Davis as keynote speaker on October 2, at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings. The event supports the Campaign for Daylis to modernize the stadium, which has already raised over $4 million.
Inmates settle into recycled facility in Boulder where state eyes new prison expansion
The Montana Department of Corrections is eyeing the newly revamped women’s prison facility in Boulder in its next phase of expansion that’s so far totaled more than half a billion dollars under Governor Greg Gianforte’s administration. The 240-bed Montana Women’s Prison in Billings is overcrowded. The state still plans to build an entirely new state women’s prison at a place yet to be determined.
U.S. Settles for $18M Over Failure to Stop Doctor’s Abuse at Indian Health Service Facilities
The U.S. Government has reached an $18 million settlement with victims of Dr. Stanley Patrick Weber who sexually assaulted Native American boys for decades at hospitals run by the Indian Health Service in Montana and South Dakota. Weber began working at an IHS facility in Browning on the Blackfeet Reservation in 1986. He was suspected of misconduct as early as the mid-1990s. The new settlement brings the total to $32.5 million paid out to 20 victims who have brought claims.
New Standardized Tests Now In Montana Public School System
A new standardized test designed to make sure Montana students are meeting state and federal requirements has been implemented by the state called the MAST Test. Instead of taking one giant standardized test at the end of the year Montana public school students now take bite-sized exams throughout the year. Montana is one of the first states to adopt the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year Assessment. It keeps the state accountable for its federal funding and helps officials target schools that need more help.
Daines’ bill seeks to streamline U.S.-Canada border crossings for tribal members
Enrolled tribal members may soon be able to freely cross the U.S.-Canada border through legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Daines. It would the repeal a federal law saying they must prove they possess at least 50% of American Indian Race blood. His legislation would favor a system that relies only on proof of tribal citizenship saying the blood quantum requirement was nothing but a hindrance for tribal communities in Montana.
More Headlines:
FEMA has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Windy Rock Fire burning in Powell County about midway between Missoula and Helena. After merging with the nearby Devils Mountain Fire 3,641 acres have been burned with zero percent containment.
The Columbia Falls School District will ask voters to approve an $84.8 million bond to pay for a high school renovation and addition focused on enhancing the school’s career and technical learning offerings and bringing all the school’s spaces under one roof. For a home with a taxable value of $300,000 the 25-year commitment would cost $216.79 in the first year.
Bigfork Fire District voters are set to decide on a mill levy and bond. The proposed $5 million 20-year bond would cover the cost of a new fire station. The proposed permanent mill levy would go toward hiring more firefighters equipment purchases and raising pay. Ballots are due at the Flathead County Election Department Tuesday evening September 9th at 8 o’clock.
The Bureau of Land Management will hold a second public hearing on allowing access to 177 million tons of coal for the Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County. It will take place September 10th in the city council chamber in Hardin beginning at 3 in the afternoon.
House Bill 740 which regulates relationships between pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies goes into effect October 1st. It will require the middleman between drug manufacturers insurers and pharmacies to reimburse all pharmacies a fixed rate for prescriptions. Currently transactions between the parties are much less regulated.
