BLM Makes More Lands Inhabited by Greater Sage-Grouse Available for Energy Development
The Trump administration is planning to make more acres of public land available for energy and mineral development, a move that is worrying environmentalists who are monitoring the declining population of greater sage-grouse. On Monday, the Bureau of Land Management announced plans to modify its greater sage-grouse land-use plan on about 50 million acres of sagebrush habitat across Montana and seven other Western states.
Gas Prices in Montana Drop Again
Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 2.2 cents per gallon in the last week. Prices in the state are 15 cents per gallon lower than a month ago but 10.3 cents higher than a year ago. Montana is currently ranked 21st in the U.S. for average gas prices, the same position as last week. As of Monday morning, the statewide average price was $2.83 per gallon for unleaded regular.
Daines Helps Montanans Recover More Than $50 Million from Federal Government in 2025
Senator Steve Daines announced Monday that his staff helped return more than $50 million from the federal government to Montanans in 2025. More than 95 percent of the recovered funds came from the Internal Revenue Service.
Daines’ office handled 1,122 casework messages from constituents and worked on 639 cases, including a quarter that were veterans-related. His staff also attended 2,170 meetings and events across Montana on behalf of the senator in 2025.
Attorney General Knudsen, MVD Award Grants to Nonprofits Helping Chronically Ill Children
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Motor Vehicle Division have awarded the Montana Hope Project and Cancer Support Community Montana a total of $26,500 from the Chrome for Kids Wish Fund. When a Montana resident registers a motorcycle or quadricycle, a $20 donation fee is deposited into the fund.
Montana Community Foundation Gives Record $10.5 Million in 2025
The Montana Community Foundation announced that total giving in 2025 from grants, scholarships, and other programs will reach $10.5 million, the highest amount in its 38-year history. The foundation distributed $6 million from endowments funded by thousands of donors, directly benefiting more than 800 organizations doing impactful work across the state.
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This year’s Thompson Family Food Drive in Butte collected 75,000 pounds of food and $50,000 in donations. Launched in 1989 by Jim and Margie Thompson, the drive marked its 37th year. More than 50 volunteers helped unload, organize, and distribute food items at the local food bank.
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A hydrothermal explosion was caught on video at Yellowstone National Park on Monday morning, marking the second major event at the same location in recent months. A Yellowstone Volcano Observatory webcam captured the explosion at Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin just before 9:30 a.m.
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The Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry is undergoing major changes following a Montana Supreme Court ruling that limits what information the state can publicly share. The order removes or reduces long-standing requirements for individuals convicted before newer registry laws were enacted.
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Sixteen nonprofit organizations across Montana and one in South Dakota were recently awarded grants totaling $99,000 from the Margaret V. Ping Foundation. Ping, who was born in Missouri, raised in Hardin, and founded the organization in 2009, focused the foundation on peace and justice, hunger relief, and environmental concerns. She died in Billings in 2016 at the age of 103.
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Travel center operator Love’s has acquired three freight factoring companies to strengthen its financial services division. There are currently three Love’s Travel Stops operating in Montana, with a fourth location under construction in Laurel. The company says the 3,400 customers using the acquired services will not experience any delay or disruption in funding.
