Montana Unemployment Edges Up to 3.4%, Still Among Nation’s Lowest Montana’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.4 percent in December, but the state still ranks among the top ten in the nation for lowest joblessness. Governor Greg Gianforte says the state’s long‑term stability is backed by continued job growth, with payrolls adding more than two thousand jobs last month, especially

Montana Gas Prices Dip Below National Average as Local Rates Hit Two-Year Lows Drivers in the Treasure State are seeing some relief at the pump. According to AAA, Montana’s average gas price has dropped to $2.73 per gallon, sitting 13 cents lower than the current national rate. Montana’s average gas price 13 cents lower than national rate This marks a

Conservation nonprofits sue feds over wolverine management A coalition of environmental groups is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat for the wolverine. The species was listed as threatened in November 2023, primarily due to the effects of climate change. Federal law requires the agency to designate critical habitat within one year of a

Rural ambulance funding program in jeopardy A program aimed at keeping Montana’s rural ambulance services financially afloat is in jeopardy after federal health officials said the state cannot implement it. A provision in the “Big Beautiful Bill” prohibits states from creating new provider taxes to obtain additional federal funding. Existing provider taxes, however, are allowed to remain in place. State

Out-of-state providers target Native people in $55M insurance scheme According to an announcement from State Auditor James Brown, out-of-state substance use treatment facilities have been carrying out a deceptive scheme targeting Native people in Montana, resulting in up to $55 million in fraudulent health insurance claims. PacificSource alerted the state auditor’s office in January 2025 about the suspected fraud. Montana