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...
Senator Tester Urges FCC to Move Quickly on Telehealth Program
Senator Jon Tester today urged the Federal Communications Commission to quickly approve $200 million for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program as appropriated by the CARES Act and to launch the Connected Care pilot program. The five FCC commissioners will consider the proposal in the coming days.
Montana Beef Market Status
Montana’s beef market is heading into an uncertain year as the spread of COVID-19 impacts an already unstable market although it had been was forecast to be a better one for cattle producers than 2019. Spring cattle auctions in Montana have also changed to better adhere to social distancing guidelines including dong some sales over conference ...