Focus on meat processing and rural business growth A regional official with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) says new federal loan programs and regulatory reforms could help expand small meat-processing operations across Montana. Justin Everett, who oversees SBA operations in the Rocky Mountain region, recently visited several Mont...
Firefighters are responding to two separate wildfires burning on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in south‑central Montana, one prompting evacuations near Red Lodge and another smoldering in remote terrain south of Big Timber. The East Side Fire, (top photo, morning of April 21), burning along East Side Road south of Red Lodge on the Bearto...
By Tom Schultz, Voices of Montana MONTANA – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and advocates across Montana are emphasizing both prevention and recovery efforts for children and families impacted by abuse. On Voices of Montana, host Tom Schultz opened a three-part discussion by noting the lasting impact of child abuse and the import...
By Tom Schultz, Voices of Montana HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Supreme Court has sided with a lower court in continuing to block enforcement of a 2023 Montana law defining sex as strictly male or female for purposes of state records. In a 5–2 decision released April 14, the court upheld a preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 458, al...
Stockman Bank was recently named to the Forbes list of the world’s best banks for 2026, marking the fifth consecutive year the 73-year-old Montana institution has appeared in the rankings. Among U.S. institutions, just 72 banks were included in the rankings this year. Stockman Bank is the only bank headquartered in Montana to make the list. CE...
By Tom Schultz A growing policy debate in Montana centers on a fundamental question of governance: should the state’s Public Service Commission remain elected by voters, or transition to an appointed regulatory body? The discussion is expected to surface during the 2027 legislative session, where lawmakers are considering a proposal that would...
Supreme Court Decisions Spotlight Free Speech and Birthright Citizenship Two high‑profile U.S. Supreme Court cases were on the Voices of Montana docket as host Tom Schultz was joined by Derek Oestreicher, Chief Legal Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for the Montana Family Foundation. Together, they unpacked the implications of a majo...
Written by Cody Ross Discover Montana’s Historic Icon: The Anaconda Smoke Stack Perched above the landscape of Anaconda, Montana, the towering silhouette of the Anaconda Smoke Stack commands attention. Standing at an impressive 585 feet, it is the tallest free-standing brick structure in the world—a relic from Montana’s industrious past. Built...
Written by Cody Ross Northern News Network A Mission to Prevent Collisions and Fatalities Railroad safety is a vital concern across Montana’s expansive landscapes, where open spaces can sometimes lull drivers and pedestrians into a false sense of security. To address this, Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization, works tirelessly to edu...
Global Conflict Highlights Strain on Energy Supply Chains Instability in the Middle East is once again putting pressure on global energy markets, underscoring the importance of reliable transportation infrastructure for oil and gas. During a recent interview on Voices of Montana, Montana Petroleum Association Executive Director Sonny Capece sa...
