Four laws passed earlier this year that restrict access to abortions in the state are set to take effect October 1st but Planned Parenthood of Montana is suing to halt their implementation. The lawsuit claims the four bills violate Montana’s constitutional privacy equal protection and free speech provisions. The laws passed this year by ...
Weather May Provide Relief For River Spring Fire
Firefighters are currently facing red flag conditions on the Richard Spring Fire that will persist all day and will increase the risk of spot fires, but cooler, humid conditions may take hold afterwards and provide some relief. They are also expecting increased smoke from the Richard Spring fire’s interior as warming and drying over the ...
New Report Highlights Voting Challenges For Native Americans
A new report by the Campaign Legal Center scores how restrictive states’ access to early voting and vote-by-mail are. Montana checked off many of the criteria, but the center’s Caleb Jackson says the state still makes it hard for Native Americans to submit their ballots. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/8-16_73...
Governor Gianforte Sticking With COVID-19 Management Despite Case Surge
With COVID-19 cases rising in Montana and the start of the school year approaching, Governor Greg Gianforte recently reiterated his message to Montanans about the importance of getting vaccinated. He said recently that the uptick in cases is concerning and while he still recommends that everyone check with their doctors and consider getting th...
Senator Tester Details Potential Improvements To Water Infrastructure
Included in the $1 trillion infrastructure bill approved by the U.S. Senate last week is 8.3 billion dollars of funding for Western water projects that farmers, water providers and environmentalists say are badly needed across the parched region. Across the Western states, around one billion dollars would go towards water storage, water recycl...
St. Mary Division Project To See Significant Funding Through Infrastructure Package
Up to $100 million from the infrastructure bill may be coming to the St. Mary Division Project on the Hi-Line to repair and upgrade it providing water to 140,000 acres. Phillips County Extension Agent Marco Manoukian on its importance in a drought year like the one we’re experiencing this year. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uplo...
Governor Gianforte & Superintendent Arntzen Advise Schools To Ease Mask Requirements In Letter
In a recent letter to district school superintendents and trustees, Governor Greg Gianforte and Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen wrote, as the school year approaches, it is critical our kids get back into the classroom in as normal a setting as possible. While the Montana Constitution allows elected boards of trustees in each...
Remaining ARPA Funds For Montana May Go Towards Developing Affordable Housing
The Economic Transformation Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission has recommended putting $15 million from the American Rescue Plan Act toward existing affordable housing projects around Montana that are struggling to deal with cost increases tied to worker shortages supply chain disruptions and price increases in materia...
Senator Tester Details What New Infrastructure Package Will Bring To Montana
There’s even more money coming to the state after the Senate passed the $1 trillion plus infrastructure bill. Senator Jon Tester on what that’ll mean for Montana. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/8-13_737.mp3
Bureau of Economic Research Set To Meet Next Week To Explore New Recession
Next week, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research with Director Pat Barkey will be talking about the economy across the state with the theme, “A Recession Experience Like No Other.” On Voices Of Montana this week, Barkey posed a question. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/8-13_637.mp3