Montana Moves Forward on Regulatory Framework for Blockchain and Digital Assets
The Financial Freedom and Innovation Act took effect this month. It paves the way for companies that issue digital assets to do business in Montana and ensures the State Auditor’s Office has the authority to regulate the industry and prosecute bad actors.
Gallagher Calls EPA’s Appeal Ruling on $20M Butte Center “Deeply Disappointing”
The Environmental Protection Agency is standing by its decision to cancel a $20 million grant awarded to Butte–Silver Bow to build a community recreation and wellness center. The EPA’s Region 8 Office canceled the grant as part of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency spending cuts nationwide.
New Montana Law Increases Penalties for Fleeing Law Enforcement
A new state law increases penalties for those who attempt to evade law enforcement. The charge of aggravated fleeing upgrades a misdemeanor to a felony if the offender:
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has a prior conviction for fleeing,
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engages in reckless driving,
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causes more than $5,000 in property damage,
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leaves the state, or
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causes serious bodily injury or death to another person.
Changes to SNAP Benefits Take Effect in October
The federal government may be shut down, but that hasn’t stopped changes to SNAP benefits from taking effect on the first of the month — the start of the new fiscal year.
Each October, cost-of-living adjustments are made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A family of four will receive $19 more per month — less than a 2% increase — even as grocery prices have risen by nearly 3% over the past year.
Trump’s Major Coal Sales Flop in Wyoming and Montana
After a lowball bid on a federal coal lease Monday in Montana, federal officials indefinitely postponed a Wyoming coal lease sale scheduled for Wednesday. Navajo Transitional Energy Company offered a fraction of a penny per ton for 167 million tons associated with its Spring Creek Mine in southeastern Montana.
More Headlines
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Nance Tower Dedicated at Billings Clinic:
Montana First Lady Susan Gianforte and Penny Nance were among the speakers at Wednesday’s dedication ceremony for the new Nance Tower at Billings Clinic. It adds to a long list of contributions by Bob and Penny Nance, including the Infusion Center and the Inpatient Pediatric Unit. -
Hydrogen Project Canceled in St. Regis:
The federal government has canceled a project that included a small initiative to use solar energy to create hydrogen fuel from well water in St. Regis, a town of 344 residents in far western Montana. The funding would have gone to the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, based in Washington. -
Bigfork Hotel Project Back Before Board:
A request for a conditional use permit to operate a 64-room Inn and Suites by Wyndham in Bigfork was submitted in February 2024 by Bigfork Hotel Group LLC. The proposal returns to the Board of Adjustment next Tuesday after being tabled last year over concerns about increased traffic and limited water and sewer capacity. -
Contaminated Food Incident at Cascade County Jail:
The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office reports that some inmates at the detention center were served food contaminated with blood from a food-service employee. Once the incident was discovered, the kitchen supervisor’s security clearance was revoked, and an investigation was launched into how contaminated food was knowingly served to inmates. -
First Tribally Run Mental Health Center Opens Near Browning:
A groundbreaking step for healing and hope has taken root in Blackfeet Country. Sukapi Lodge, located two miles west of Browning, has become the first licensed and certified Native American–owned and tribally run mental health center in Montana.
