Rural ambulance funding program in jeopardy
A program aimed at keeping Montana’s rural ambulance services financially afloat is in jeopardy after federal health officials said the state cannot implement it. A provision in the “Big Beautiful Bill” prohibits states from creating new provider taxes to obtain additional federal funding. Existing provider taxes, however, are allowed to remain in place.
Laurel site for new state mental health facility has buy-sell agreement
The State of Montana has initiated a buy-sell agreement for a property near Laurel that is intended to become a forensic mental health facility. The 114-acre site, which is currently mostly farmland, is located near a developing Love’s truck stop, a storage facility, an auto shop, and several homes. The land is owned by Miller Trois LLC, which has held the property since 2008. The LLC is registered to Billings resident Norman Miller.
Earlier Montana primary election challenges schools
Efforts to move Montana’s primary election earlier to align with the 2028 presidential race are facing resistance from public schools. State and local educators are warning lawmakers against changes to the election calendar that would require voters to decide on school budget issues before fall enrollment figures are known. At issue is whether to move the primary election earlier in the year and potentially combine it with spring school elections.
Seth Bodnar resigns as UM president, citing possible run for Senate against Daines
Seth Bodnar announced Wednesday that he plans to step down as president of the University of Montana. The decision is the latest indication that the higher education administrator may be considering a run in this year’s U.S. Senate race as an independent candidate. It marked his first public acknowledgement of a potential Senate bid, though he remains noncommittal. Bodnar did not mention any other possible jobs or next steps beyond politics.
Bozeman Republican joins U.S. Senate race
A Bozeman Republican has launched a challenge to Montana’s senior U.S. senator. Political newcomer Trey Gregory is running against incumbent Senator Steve Daines in the Republican primary. Gregory, originally from Georgia, describes himself as an entrepreneur and consultant on his campaign website. Daines has held the Senate seat since 2015, after previously serving one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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A Helena Public Schools bus driver and bus attendant were taken to the hospital as a precaution Wednesday morning after a vehicle sideswiped a school bus in the Helena Valley. A northbound vehicle crossed the median and struck the bus. The driver of that vehicle was cited for careless driving.
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Residents in Stevensville woke up without water Wednesday morning due to a computer system error. The issue was resolved within about an hour and a half after the town issued a notice. The outage affected two neighborhoods and the Stevensville School District. The district was preparing to send students home, but water service was restored in time for classes to continue as normal.
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The Great Falls City Commission unanimously selected Cassidy Blomgren as the city’s new municipal court judge, effective January 30, replacing Steven Bolstad, who served on the bench for 11 years. The municipal court handles traffic citations, misdemeanor criminal cases, city ordinance violations, and orders of protection.
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Progress continues on a large housing development known as Ravara Homes in Missoula’s Northside neighborhood. The project will combine income-qualified and market-rate housing with a small neighborhood grocery store, a taphouse-style restaurant, a coffee shop, office space, and nearby parkland and open space.
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Montana’s business landscape continues to shift, with some companies closing while others expand or open new locations. Hayden Beverage is closing its Montana operations, including its Missoula location, as it consolidates operations in Boise. Montana Coffee Traders also closed in August 2025, highlighting the challenges even long-established businesses can face.
