Author: jmccullough

Early Childhood Virus Lingers Longer Than Usual

A sick toddler laying in a hospital bed.

BILLINGS, Mont. — Respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV, is lingering longer than usual this year. The Northern News Network’s Ken Adelblue spoke with Michelle Evans, immunization section supervisor with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, about a recommendation to continue immunizations through April. Typica...

Shameful Acts of Deception

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen presenting to a crowd.

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana Department of Justice hosted an Elder Justice Summit Tuesday at Billings Clinic, highlighting the growing problem of elder abuse and financial scams targeting seniors. The summit, spearheaded by Attorney General Austin Knudsen, focused on both physical and emotional abuse, as well as increasingly sophisticated fin...

NO 3-PEATS IN CLASS A

Billings Central Boys Basketball Team poses for a picture with the State Champion Trophy

Rams dethrone Beavers BILLINGS — It was a tough Saturday for teams seeking three-peats at the State A Basketball Tournament in Great Falls. In the boys matchup, two-time defending state champion Dillon ran into a buzzsaw as Billings Central rolled to a 70-48 win over the Beavers. Toby Stewart rode five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 23 poi...

Montana Initiative Seeks More Local Food on Plates

A lady speaking to Glendive Community Members.

GLENDIVE — Montanans who grow, process, sell and serve food are being invited to help shape a new statewide initiative aimed at increasing the amount of locally produced food consumed in Montana. Robin Kelson, executive director of Abundant Montana, says the effort is called “33 by 33 for Montana.” The goal is to have 33% of the food consumed ...

Lodge Grass Boys, Baker Girls Win Southern B, Poised for State

Baker girls basketball team poses with their trophy.

BILLINGS — The unbeaten Lodge Grass boys rolled past Three Forks 66-43 in the Southern B divisional title game Saturday at First Interstate Bank Arena at MetraPark. TJ Gros Ventre led the Indians with 20 points and said the team’s trust in each other helped spark the decisive win after a slow start. “Confidence. We came out with confidence. We...

Montana Businesses to See Workers’ Comp Rate Reduction

Montana State Fund Logo

Montana State Fund Proposes Rate Cut, Continuing Trend of Lower Costs for Employers HELENA, Mont.  — Montana businesses could soon see some relief in their workers’ compensation insurance costs. Montana State Fund (MSF), the state’s non-profit workers’ compensation insurer, has proposed a 5% average rate reduction for Montana busin...

‘Goodbye Wives and Daughters’ Revives Memory of Montana’s Deadliest Mining Disaster

Theatre in Ronan, MT.

RED LODGE, Mont. — Eighty-three years after Montana’s deadliest mining disaster, a new song and community event are helping preserve the memory of the 74 miners who died in the 1943 Smith Mine explosion near Bearcreek. Singer-songwriter Linda McKenzie recently released “Goodbye Wives and Daughters,” a tribute inspired by one miner’s final chal...

Code Girls Stand United: CEO Marianne Smith Says Human Skills Still Key in New Tech Era

Code Girls United

BILLINGS, Mont. — Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the tech world, and Montana is no exception. Recent reports indicate AI is writing an increasing portion of code, with some industry leaders claiming it can now handle nearly all programming tasks. But what does this mean for Montana’s workforce and the skills needed to thrive in a...

Dillon Boys Look To Continue Dominance

Beaverhead County High School Logo

BILLINGS — The Beaverhead County boys basketball team begins its quest for a Class A state three-peat Thursday as the Western A Divisional Basketball Tournament tips off in Hamilton. Impressive field This year’s field is stacked. The Beavers, Butte Central and Frenchtown each enter with 8-2 Southwest A conference records, while Ronan and Colum...