Governor Steve Bullock has announced emergency rules to streamline unemployment benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Untitled-30-1-2.mp3
Bozeman – Gallatin County is the Latest County to Close Restaurants, but Allows for Take-Out
Gallatin County has closed businesses to limit the spread of coronavirus. Restaurants bars casinos coffee shops breweries wineries and distilleries with public tasting room have been ordered to close through 8 in the morning March 24 but that could be extended. Restaurants can offer takeout drive-through and delivery.
Missoula – Law Enforcement Limiting Responses to Emergency Calls Only
Missoula city and county law enforcement will be temporarily limiting in-person responses to emergency calls only in response to the coronavirus. Fingerprint services have also been suspended temporarily by both departments. The public can still report crimes to the Missoula Police Department on its city website. The Sheriff’s Office will rema...
Apgar – Visitor’s Center and Bookstore Closing Saturday
Glacier National Park will close Apgar Visitor Center and bookstore beginning Saturday until further notice. The park will continue to provide visitor information through alternative means at the Apgar Visitor Center Plaza. Additional information and current conditions are available on the park’s website.
Butte – Food Bank Closing Lobby, but Still Distributing Food
The Butte Emergency Food Bank has closed its front door access to the lobby area and has been distributing pre-packaged boxes of goods to people needing food. The food pantry distributes food packages to about 3,000 individuals or 700 families in the Butte area each month but that number is expected to go up if shutdowns to prevent the spread ...
Whitefish – Emergency Response Fund for Local Non-Profits
The Whitefish Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has announced the activation of a Community Emergency Response Fund to support local nonprofits that are helping those directly impacted by COVID-19. The foundation has committed an initial $150,000 to the fund to address the unexpected needs impacting local families.
Catholic Masses Suspended Across Montana
Bishop Austin Vetter of the Diocese of Helena has joined with Bishop Michael Warfel of the Diocese of Great Falls/Billings to suspend Catholic Masses through at least March 30th. Also upcoming weddings will be postponed or celebrated with only the couple and two witnesses. Baptisms will be delayed unless in an emergency but scheduled confirmat...
Billings – Triage Centers Open
Both Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare have opened triage centers to test patients for COVID-19. The two test centers aim to increase the number of people tested and both hospitals are expected to do the preliminary test for anywhere from 75 to 100 people daily. Samples from patients will be sent either to the state public health lab ...
DEQ Gives Proposed Black Butte Copper Mine Good Marks In Environmental Impact Statement
The Department of Environmental Quality has given the final Environmental Impact Statement and a preliminary water rights determination for the proposed Black Butte Copper Mine near White Sulphur Springs. Today on Voices of Montana Sandfire Resources America Incorporated’s Chief Executive Officer Rob Scargill was a guest. https://norther...
Great Falls – Malmstrom Declares Health Emergency
Malmstrom Air Force Base officials declared a public health emergency Friday announcing a dependent spouse had been tested for COVID-19. According to a press release Monday the test has since come back negative. Officials will continue to follow the declaration of a public health emergency.