Montana Congressman Troy Downing leading push to keep national cemeteries open on federal holidays.
Montana Congressman Troy Downing is leading a bipartisan push to keep national cemeteries open on federal holidays.
He introduced H.R. 5942—the National Cemetery Access Act—just ahead of Veterans Day. The bill ensures families and veterans can visit gravesites on days like Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Downing says honoring fallen heroes shouldn’t be restricted by holiday closures. The bill has support from lawmakers across the country, with Senator Steve Daines sponsoring the Senate version.
Montana’s rivers are in the spotlight next Monday in Bozeman.
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper is hosting a public forum at the Bozeman Public Library to discuss the state’s rollback of numeric nutrient standards—key tools used to measure and control water pollution. Speakers include Executive Director Guy Alsentzer and MSU Ecologist Dr. William Kleindl, who will break down the legal and scientific impacts of the repeal. The event runs from 6:15 to 7:00 PM on November 17, and aims to rally community action to protect Montana’s waterways.
Montana Athletes Shine at Helena’s Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, Bozeman Bobcats Headed to USA Games
Hundreds of athletes from across Montana participated in the Helena-based Special Olympics Montana basketball tournament, featuring over 200 games and 70 teams over the weekend. The event showcased various competitions, including 3v3, 5v5, and skills contests, with the support of around 1,000 volunteers. It promotes inclusion, health, confidence, and respect, strengthening the community. The Bozeman Outreach Bobcats, who played in the tournament, will represent Montana at the Special Olympics USA Games next year in Minneapolis.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Will Not Publish Nationwide Recovery Plan for Gray Wolves
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not issue a nationwide recovery plan for gray wolves. The plan was slated to be launched in December of this year. Endangered Species Act protections currently apply to gray wolves in 45 states, but the Northern Rocky Mountain population, which includes wolves in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, is exempt from the rule.
Montana Ranching Groups Praise Congressman Ryan Zinke for Supporting Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Bill
Ranching organizations are heaping praise on Congressman Ryan Zinke for his co-sponsorship of the Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Act. Walter Schweitzer, President of Montana Farmers Union, says passage of the bill will stop multinational packers from misleading consumers by importing substandard foreign beef and selling as U.S. Beef at U.S. beef prices.
Congressman Troy Downing Introduces Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 to Support Low-Income Homeowners and Landlords
Congressman Troy Downing has introduced the Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025. It’s designed to address the nationwide housing crisis by providing essential home repair assistance to low-and-moderate-income homeowners and small landlords. Among other provisions, the bill ensures resources reach homeowners and small landlords with the most need, providing grants to low-and-moderate-income homeowners and smaller landlords who agree to fair rental practices.
Jury Finds Helena Police Officers and Deputy Justified in Shooting of Danielle Moore
A coroner’s jury has found three Helena police officers and one Lewis and Clark County sheriff’s deputy justified in the March shooting death of Danielle Moore after she threatened a judge and others at the courthouse with a gun. The jury took just under an hour to find the four law enforcement officers had committed justifiable homicide when they shot Moore a total of 16 times on the afternoon of March 14th.
Trump Administration Orders States to Reverse November SNAP Benefits, Threatens Funding Cuts; Montana Ensures No State Funds Used During Shutdown
The Trump administration has ordered states to “immediately undo any steps” that were taken to provide full November benefits to millions of low-income Americans through the Supplemental and Nutrition Assistance Program, claiming that the move was “unauthorized. The Trump administration also threatened to cancel federal funding for states who did not abide by the order. Montana is not in danger as Governor Greg Gianforte has declared no state money will be used to fund SNAP during the government shutdown.
