Daines leads $5.2B quantum computing funding redux
Sen. Steve Daines introduced a bill this week to restart research and development funding for quantum computing after the original funding expired in 2023. The bill would provide $2.7 billion through the Department of Commerce and $2.5 billion through the Department of Energy over the next five years. The advanced technology uses simultaneous calculations to solve complex problems at exponential speeds.
NorthWestern Energy Acquires Majority Shares in Colstrip
Governor Greg Gianforte was on Voices of Montana Thursday and made an announcement about what he says could be the biggest news in energy production in the last ten years in Montana.
Governor Greg Gianforte
NorthWestern Energy Public Relations Specialist Jo Dee Black, gives some history and the why.
Jo Dee Black
National Guard Pilot Pleads No Contest in Helicopter Antler Theft
A Montana Army National Guard pilot has pleaded no contest to charges of trespassing with a military helicopter. The May 2025 incident gained national headlines, Deni Lynn Draper later admitted to landing a Black Hawk on private ranch land in Sweet Grass County to take elk antlers. A judge ordered Draper to pay a five-hundred-dollar fine and return the antlers. Two other defendants in the May 2025 incident still face charges.
GOP Sen. Sheehy tells CNN the U.S. “absolutely” owns what happens next in Venezuela
Montana’s junior senator, Republican Tim Sheehy, appeared on CNN Thursday after receiving a classified briefing from top Trump administration officials regarding military actions in Venezuela. Speaking with Dana Bash, Sheehy said the United States “owns what comes next” for Venezuela following the capture of its leader, but emphasized the operation was not intended as regime change. According to Sheehy, the goal is to put guardrails around the current regime and hold elections in the relatively near future.
CSKT uses Water Compact settlement to benefit Charlo irrigation
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are using $8 million of their $1.9 billion Water Compact settlement to restore the Crow Creek Pumping Plant, benefiting irrigators in Charlo and conserving water by October. A new pump house will draw water from Crow Creek and supply it to the Charlo area. The approximately $8 million project includes a new concrete diversion structure with a fish passage, a new pump intake system, and a new pump house.
Single nonpartisan court ballot initiative to move forward
Two groups that sought to enshrine nonpartisan judicial races announced Thursday they are now united behind ballot initiative CI-132. The measure proposes amending Article VII of the Montana Constitution to state, “Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan.” Montanans for Fair and Impartial Judges had previously sponsored CI-131.
Montana lawmakers urge Air Force to address C-130J delivery delays
Montana’s congressional delegation is urging the U.S. Air Force to address delays in delivering new C-130J aircraft to the Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Airlift Wing. In a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force, lawmakers said the newer aircraft would enhance the Wing’s ability to respond to national defense operations, natural disasters, airlift missions, and wildfire and rescue operations.
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Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher has established an ad hoc committee to field and answer questions about the proposed Sabey Data Center in Butte. Experts from various fields will meet every Tuesday through February to discuss the proposed $1 billion data center at the Montana Connections Park.
Yellowstone County could receive $1.5 million in federal funding after a Montana law enforcement and infrastructure bill passed the U.S. House on Thursday. The legislation includes $500,000 to reimburse the county for costs associated with its short-term detention facility, which opened in October. The remaining $1 million would go to the city of Billings to address aging infrastructure that delivers raw water to the city’s new West End water treatment plant.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is urging nonprofit organizations and government entities to apply for water quality grant funding. About $1.5 million is available for nonpoint source pollution reduction projects, with draft applications due by February 20. Approved projects will receive between $10,000 and $300,000, with at least 10% of total project costs matched by non-federal funds.
Law enforcement in Cascade County will take a technological step forward with the addition of a Crime Scene Laser Scanner and crime scene processing equipment, funded through congressional dollars secured by Rep. Troy Downing. The new scanner is expected to save time for officers and improve navigation around crime scenes for the public.
Montana State University football coach Brent Vigen earned more than a trophy following the Bobcats’ championship win. That victory, along with other season successes, brought the head coach at least $180,000 in additional compensation—nearly two-thirds of his base salary. Vigen now holds the highest winning percentage of any MSU head football coach.
