Northern News Network Headlines

Extinguishing the “Hidden” Threat: Montana’s New Coal Seam Strategy

Coal Seam Fire 1

  A Smoldering Chain Reaction For decades, the rugged landscape of eastern Montana has been sitting on a literal “chain reaction” of fire. What begins as a simple lightning strike often ignites exposed coal veins, which then smolder underground for years—sometimes decades—only to resurface and spark massive, uncontrollable wil...

Early Childhood Virus Lingers Longer Than Usual

A sick toddler laying in a hospital bed.

BILLINGS, Mont. — Respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV, is lingering longer than usual this year. The Northern News Network’s Ken Adelblue spoke with Michelle Evans, immunization section supervisor with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, about a recommendation to continue immunizations through April. Typica...

Shameful Acts of Deception

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen presenting to a crowd.

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana Department of Justice hosted an Elder Justice Summit Tuesday at Billings Clinic, highlighting the growing problem of elder abuse and financial scams targeting seniors. The summit, spearheaded by Attorney General Austin Knudsen, focused on both physical and emotional abuse, as well as increasingly sophisticated fin...

CSI Office Steps Up Montana Fraud Fight as AI Fuels New Scams

fraud graphic tech

Fraud in Montana is evolving rapidly—and state officials warn that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and harder to detect than ever before. On a recent episode of Voices of Montana, State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Jim Brown said fraud investigations and prosecutions have surged 80% during his fi...

A Frozen Crime Scene: The Predator’s Calling Card

Photo by Mark Jacobsen

A Frozen Crime Scene: The Predator’s Calling Card Visitors strolling through the Hall of Horns and Teeth at the Museum of the Rockies often pause at a duck-billed dinosaur skull that seems, at first glance, simply impressive in its size. But a closer look reveals a startling secret: a single, broken tooth embedded deep in the fossilized face. ...

Radical Animal Rights Proposal Threatens Hunting, Fishing, Agriculture

no-hunting-sign

A proposed ballot initiative in Oregon is drawing national concern from conservation leaders who say it could fundamentally change how wildlife is managed in the United States. During a recent episode of Voices of Montana, filmmaker Tom Opre joined policy leaders from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) to discuss Initiative Petitio...

NO 3-PEATS IN CLASS A

Billings Central Boys Basketball Team poses for a picture with the State Champion Trophy

Rams dethrone Beavers BILLINGS — It was a tough Saturday for teams seeking three-peats at the State A Basketball Tournament in Great Falls. In the boys matchup, two-time defending state champion Dillon ran into a buzzsaw as Billings Central rolled to a 70-48 win over the Beavers. Toby Stewart rode five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 23 poi...

Montana Initiative Seeks More Local Food on Plates

A lady speaking to Glendive Community Members.

GLENDIVE — Montanans who grow, process, sell and serve food are being invited to help shape a new statewide initiative aimed at increasing the amount of locally produced food consumed in Montana. Robin Kelson, executive director of Abundant Montana, says the effort is called “33 by 33 for Montana.” The goal is to have 33% of the food consumed ...