21,000 people have already filed unemployment claims with the state. Montana Department of Labor and Industry and Labor Acting Commissioner Brenda Nordlund. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Untitled-4-5-1.mp3
Gianforte to hold Statewide Town Hall on COVID-19
Representative Greg Gianforte will hold a statewide town hall focused on the COVID-19 outbreak this morning at 10 o’clock and people interested in participating can learn how to at Gianforte dot house dot gov slash town hall. Dr. Heidi Duncan a family physician and the physician director of health policy at Billings Clinic will join Gianforte ...
90 Cases and Montana Reports First Death
Montana reached 90 known cases of COVID-19 and the state also reported its first death from coronavirus Thursday although no further information was released as local public health officials worked to contact the person’s family. Since the first four cases were announced March 13th the virus has spread from urban population centers to remote c...
Helena – Sheriff’s Office Thankful for Help From Community
The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office has seen several local individuals and businesses stepping up to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by providing personal protective equipment particularly for inside the county detention center. MTN news reports the sheriff’s office will use the masks provided inside the jail to cover someone’s ...
Montana – Commissioner Rosendale asks for Flexibility from Insurance Companies
Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Matt Rosendale sent a letter to the insurance industry today recommending flexibility to help Montanans and businesses maintain insurance coverage and benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rosendale also encourages Montanans to be proactive and immediately get a hold of their insurance agent if they an...
Helena – Supreme Court Rules on Federal Civil Immigration Detainers
The Montana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that state and local Law Enforcement Officers in Montana do not have the authority to arrest people on federal civil immigration detainers. The Legislature has specifically authorized Department of Homeland Security officers to conduct arrests for state crimes yet it has not done the inverse for state...
Butte – Commissioners Approve Special Loan Program
Butte-Silver Bow Commissioners approved a special loan program Wednesday evening that will make $200,000 available to help local businesses weather the financial fallout from the coronavirus. The program taps the $200,000 from the Butte-Silver Bow Anaconda ARCO Loan Fund established decades ago as part of a settlement with Atlantic Richfield.
Montana – FDA Urges Residents to not Use Rapid Response Test
Public Health Officials are urging residents not to use rapid COVID-19 tests due to serious flaws that could hinder data collection of the disease and provide false results. The Food and Drug Administration has not authorized any test available to purchase for testing at home for COVID-19.
Hamilton – Firewood Permit Fees Waived Until June
The Bitterroot National Forest joined others in the Northern Region to waive the cost of a firewood cutting permits through June 1st. The move follows on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic that’s closed the doors to Forest Service offices nationally. Woodcutters are allowed to take up to 12 cords of firewood annually for personal use and need...
Helena – Public Health Lab Running 300 Covid-19 Tests Daily
The state’s public health laboratory ran 2,193 tests by Wednesday evening and is currently running more than 300 a day submitted from all over the state. The number of test kits in the state is hard to quantify because health care providers are constantly using what’s available but 3,000 test kits from the CDC were received last week.