The Beaverhead-Deer lodge National Forest has closed the Sheridan Work Center in the Madison Ranger District following the retirement of Ernie Gilbert the information assistant who staffed the center. Forest Service maps and firewood permits are still available for purchase in Sheridan at the Sinclair Station on Main Street.
Missoula – Rental Assistance Available
People living and working in Missoula County can request up to $500 in rental assistance from a new emergency fund the Missoula County Board of Commissioners approved Thursday. It was created to help landlords and renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to alleviate some of the economic concerns. The rental assistance payment wi...
MT Above the National Average in Healthcare Workers Per Capita
A new report by Self Financial looks at state with the most healthcare workers per capita as COVID-19 strains healthcare systems. In Montana there are 43,260 total healthcare workers which amounts to 4.07 for every 100 residents. Montana’s number of healthcare workers per capita is above the national average of 3.90.
MDU Warns of Scams Targeting Customers
Montana-Dakota Utilities recently announced it has received several calls from customers notifying the company they were contacted by scammers demanding payment, offering discounts, or leaving a false callback number. MDU does not do that and is asking anyone receiving one of the phone calls or emails to call MDU immediately.
Senator Tester Wants Guard to Receive Active Duty Benefits
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Senator Jon Tester is urging the U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to work with states to mobilize all National Guard members responding to COVID-19 under the appropriate federal Title 32 duty status. That would make certain members of the Guard would receive the benefits and pay they have earned from...
Governor Bullock Requests Census Deadline Extension
Governor Steve Bullock is calling on U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to extend the deadline for the census from Aug. 14th to at least Sept. 30th to ensure an accurate count while allowing for continued health and safety measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. He has issued a directive allowing Montanans to renew their driver’s license ...
Montana Unemployment Numbers Skyrocket
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry said Thursday 35,000 Unemployment Insurance payments were distributed from March 23rd Through April 1st providing benefits to Montanans who have lost their job or have had to reduce work hours due to COVID-19. In the same time frame the Department’s unemployment insurance phone line received more t...
MT Supreme Court Changes Venue on Christensen Appeal
The oral arguments in former Florence physician Chris Christensen’s appeal that were planned for today at the University of Montana’s George Dennison Theater have been canceled and the case will now be decided by the seven justices on the Montana Supreme Court. He was originally charged with 400 drug-related felonies including providing methad...
Federal Government Settles Lawsuit with Park County
The Federal Government said it would pay $1 million to the Gardiner-Park County Water and Sewer District to settle a lawsuit the district filed over high levels of arsenic coming into its system from Yellowstone National Park. A payment to the sewer district for the town at the park’s northern gate has already been made.
MT National Guard Assisting Airports Across the State
Starting today all arriving passengers at airport terminals train stations and most privately owned operations at major airports in Montana will be screened to reduce the spread of coronavirus. They will be asked to share relevant travel and health history and to have their temperature taken. If a passenger exhibits a temperature of 100.4 degr...