Montana reports $84.1 million in hunting and fishing license tax revenue in 2024 According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections, Montana generated $4.7 billion in tax revenue in 2024. Of that total, $84.1 million came from hunting and fishing license taxes. The Census Bureau notes that state and local g...
Proposed AI Data Center Sparks Debate in Rural Montana Data centers are increasingly looking to Montana, drawn by a skilled workforce, vast open land, and a property tax rate of less than one percent. Now, a proposed artificial intelligence data center near Broadview—a town of about 130 people in rural Yellowstone County—is placing that nation...
Another record passenger year for Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport 2025 was another record-setting year for Montana’s busiest airport. Last year, 2,809,419 passengers traveled through Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, a 6.3% increase over the record-setting year in 2024. The airport’s multi-phase, $190 million East Terminal E...
Four years of legalized adult-use marijuana in Montana produce more than $1 billion in sales In the four years since Montana began allowing the legal sale of adult-use marijuana, the state’s retailers have sold more than $1 billion in product. Adult-use sales have risen enough to offset a sharp decline in purchases regulated and taxed as medic...
Wildlife expert shares how mild winters impact bear activity across Montana A milder winter in Montana has led to unusual wildlife activity, particularly among bears. However, bear activity is not influenced by warmer temperatures alone. It is primarily driven by food availability. Contrary to popular belief, bears do not hibernate in the trad...
Daines leads $5.2B quantum computing funding redux Sen. Steve Daines introduced a bill this week to restart research and development funding for quantum computing after the original funding expired in 2023. The bill would provide $2.7 billion through the Department of Commerce and $2.5 billion through the Department of Energy over the next fiv...
New Postal Rule Could Slow Voter Mail in Rural Montana A new U.S. Postal Service rule on postmarks could impact rural voters in Montana and across the country, and advocates for Native communities are particularly concerned. Instead of postmarking mail on the day it is received by local post offices, the postmark will now reflect the date it r...
Judge allows B–SB–led lawsuit over tainted fire gear to proceed U.S. District Judge Brian Morris is allowing a class-action lawsuit to proceed against the manufacturers and sellers of chemicals used in firefighter gear that have allegedly been linked to cancer and other illnesses. Butte–Silver Bow joined the lawsuit in April. On Tuesday, Morri...
Mountain Snowpack Thin at End of 2025, but the Future Looks Snowier Montana’s snowpack at the end of December was meager compared to the long-term average, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service data. However, the National Weather Service is predicting that much of the state will see above-average precipitation over the next one t...
Health Tips as Montana Flu Cases Rise During the Holidays Flu cases are on the rise in Montana, and experts are sharing advice on staying healthy in the new year. Everyone six months and older should receive a flu vaccine. Anyone 65 and older who has not yet been vaccinated is encouraged to receive a high-dose flu vaccine. Basic hand hygiene c...
