Drought prompts early fishing restrictions, impacting Montana’s $900M angling industry Fishing draws more than 3 million anglers and generates $900 million annually to Montana but drought conditions are causing concerns for rivers lakes and fishery health in western Montana. Hoot-owl restrictions are typically implemented in the later su...
Montana’s Legal Employment And Government Accountability Law Now In Effect The Montana Department of Labor and Industry announced Tuesday it will begin enforcing the new Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law. It requires employers to verify the lawful employment status of all workers before they are hired. It will begin outreach t...
Loss of federal funding doesn’t spells end for all library hotspot programs A federal grant that allowed for hotspots in libraries that provide wireless internet access became available in 2020 from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration in response to the Covid-19 pandemic but Monday the money stopped. A total of 54 Mon...
For massive Great Falls data center proposal energy supply is crucial to push project forward A proposed data center in Great Falls may require enough electricity to power 88% of Montana’s approximately 540,000 housing units. NorthWestern Energy will play a large role in the project. The Public Service Commission has asked it to prove it won’...
Federal changes could impact Montana broadband expansion Two years ago the federal government announced Montana would be eligible for more than $600 million in funding through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the U.S. who’s still unserved. The state is expected to finish complete recommenda...
Governor Greg Gianforte Signs Drunk Driving “Bobby’s Law” Governor Greg Gianforte held a ceremonial signing of Bobby’s Law at the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse headquarters in Evergreen Wednesday which will make it easier for prosecutors to pursue felony convictions in cases involving a drunk driving fatality. The bi...
Montana law faces challenge over impact on Indigenous voting rights A new Montana law is facing legal challenges from the ACLU of Montana and others who argue it restricts Indigenous communities from participating in the state’s electoral process. Senate Bill 490 passed in the 2025 legislative session eliminates eight hours of voter regi...
Montana’s strategic military presence in a shifting global landscape As global tensions escalate Montana plays a vital role in U.S. national defense through Malmstrom Air Force Base. It oversees 15 missile alert facilities across the state each equipped with underground launch control centers. These facilities form a key part of the nation’s n...
Montana Unemployment Claims Montana Increased Last Week New jobless claims in Montana increased to 540 in the week ending June 13th up from 520 the week before. U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 245,000 down 5,000 claims on a seasonally adjusted basis. Connecticut saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims by 70.1%. The Virgin Isla...
Wildfires Continue To Grow Around Montana Wildfires continue to grow around Montana with at least 30 currently active adding to the 532 already so far this year with the total acreage burned approaching 8,000. The Jericho Mountain Fire in Lewis and Clark County has grown to 351 acres about 2 miles from Rimini. In Lincoln County near Libby the ...
