. NorthWestern Energy Crews Responding to Wind-Related Outages Across Montana Strong winds across Montana on Wednesday caused power outages and interruptions to communications infrastructure. More than 35,000 NorthWestern Energy customers across the state experienced outages as crews and contractors worked together to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. Case Could Affect Grazing Decisions Across the West Secretary of

Governor Gianforte Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration Governor Greg Gianforte has asked President Donald Trump to issue a presidential major disaster declaration for Lincoln and Sanders counties and the Blackfeet Nation due to flooding in northwestern Montana. The governor’s request, submitted Tuesday, outlines the known impacts of the disaster on affected Montana communities. Montana Delegation Introduces Bill to Expand Public

COVID-19, Influenza Case Numbers on the Rise in Montana According to the latest weekly data from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, there were 274 confirmed influenza cases for the week ending December 6, a 66% increase from the 165 cases reported a week earlier. Hospitalizations also increased, rising from nine patients to 11. Reported COVID-19 cases

Celebrating 20 Years of Smoke-Free Spaces in Montana Twenty years ago, in 2005, Montana lawmakers passed the Clean Indoor Air Act, declaring that everyone—from bartenders and cocktail waitresses to the night-shift fry cook—deserves clean, smoke-free air. As vaping and marijuana began appearing in public spaces, state lawmakers updated the definition of smoking to include electronic smoking devices, most recently through

After failed Senate votes, Montanans likely to see health costs soar in new year Two opposing plans to address COVID-era insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year were rejected by U.S. senators Thursday. Unless Congress reaches an agreement before January 1, approximately 67,000 Montanans who purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace are expected to see