Hundreds of Ballots Rejected Following New Law Requiring Voters to Write Birth Year on Ballot Envelopes A new Montana law requiring voters to include their birth year on ballot envelopes has led some county election officials to reject a number of ballots during this year’s local elections. The change stems from House Bill 719, passed by the 2025 Legislature, which

Food assistance on the chopping block for Montanans next month if shutdown persists Nearly 78,000 Montana residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy groceries may soon be forced to go without. The state health department has been directed by the federal government to withhold SNAP benefits starting in November unless Congress reopens the government. Helicopter

NorthWestern Plans ‘Large Load’ Tariff for Montana Data Centers According to filings with the Montana Public Service Commission, NorthWestern Energy plans to propose a “large load” tariff that would establish rules for interconnecting data centers in Montana. The regulated utility intends to serve at least three data centers that could collectively reach a load of about 2,250 megawatts by 2030.

Black Hills Corporation and NorthWestern Energy Merger Seeks Regulatory Nod NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corporation have filed a joint application with the Montana Public Service Commission seeking regulatory approval for their proposed merger. The review process is expected to conclude in late 2026 or early 2027. Company officials say the merger will not affect energy service or rates for

Medicare Open Enrollment Kicks Off in Montana — and Plans Are More Expensive Than Ever More than 260,000 Montanans are being notified that they have until December 7 to enroll in a Medicare plan for next year. Some plans will see double-digit percentage increases in premium prices, while others will carry higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Meanwhile, the 77,000 Montanans