Data Centers Stir Community Debate on Energy, Resources, Benefits

Montana emerging as potential hub for AI, cloud data centers Montana is emerging as a potential hub in the growing national race to build artificial intelligence and cloud computing data centers, but the projects are also prompting debate over water use, electricity demand and local economic impacts. Energy experts speaking on the “Voices of Montana” radio program said the state’s

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

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 chalk message scrawled on a dynamite box lid

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

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 tech-driven economy? The question

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Dillon Boys Look To Continue Dominance

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 Columbia Falls hold 10-2 marks in the

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Billings Schools Erase $8 Million Deficit, Reduce Dropouts

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Billings Public Schools have eliminated an $8 million budget deficit over the past two years while reducing student dropouts and increasing teacher pay, district officials said. Superintendent Erwin Garcia said the financial turnaround required closing Washington Elementary School, reducing staffing and cutting department budgets. Difficult budget decisions The district eliminated 22 full-time equivalent positions tied to

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