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 ...
Hamilton – Hospital Implements No-Visitor Policy
Over the past few weeks Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton has had visitor restrictions in place but now a no-visitor policy has been implemented and no visitors can currently access the facilities. For people getting picked up from the hospital an employee will assist in transporting patients to their vehicles.
Deadline Today to Submit Mail-In Ballots for Primary
Governor Steve Bullock issued an order March 25th allowing all of the state’s 56 counties to approve an all-mail primary for the upcoming June 2nd election to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus at polling stations across the state. Several counties have done so and today is the deadline for counties to submit plans for all-mail ballots...
New Daycare Directives from Governor
Governor Steve Bullock issued a directive Wednesday saying day care centers in the state can stay open with additional safety requirements. They must whenever possible limit the total number of children in any one facility to 24. A press release from Bullock’s office Wednesday said facilities that cannot comply with the directive should shut d...