Martha Williams was sworn in Tuesday as Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service by Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Before joining the Biden-Harris administration Williams served as the Director of the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks from 2017 to 2020. Previously she was an Assistant Professor of Law at the Blewett...
Sen. Tester Calls For More Supply Chain Transparency
With inflation showing no signs of slowing down and the supply chain still disrupted U.S. lawmakers recently introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act which would update federal regulations for the global shipping industry. At a Senate Committee hearing on the bill, Senator Jon Tester also pushed for increased supply chain transparency.
State Hospital To Address Lingering Issues
Following a special meeting called by the Children Families Health and Human Services Interim Committee Montana lawmakers have agreed to begin drafting legislation to address short-term and long-term issues at the State Psychiatric Hospital in Warm Springs. One new proposal came from Missoula Representative Danny Tenenbaum. It would stop the p...
New Reports Detail Housing Shortage In Montana
The housing crisis in Montana is becoming more real. In 2021, for every Montanan that moved out of state, four out-of-staters moved in with Montana seeing 70,000 transplants from California alone. In 2021, 24% of all real estate transactions here were paid for in cash. Most buyers are coming from out of state as folks leave high-priced urban m...
NRECA President Details Pandemic Adjustments For Rural Electric Cooperatives
The pandemic has affected everyone including rural electric cooperatives. The National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association is holding its annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. On Voices of Montana Monday President Chris Christensen, who is also a board member of Glasgow’s Norval Electric Co-Op with 19 employees, talked about it.
Live From The 2022 NRECA PowerXchange Part 2
Rural electric cooperatives across Montana and the entire country are gathered to celebrate past successes and discuss ideas on how they can all better serve their communities going forward at the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Cooperation PowerXchange. Click below to hear our second day of coverage at the event featur...
Invasive Fish Species Detected Near Yellowstone National Park
One smallmouth bass was caught and released in waters on the border of Yellowstone National Park in the confluence of the Gardener and Yellowstone rivers. The problem is they are voracious predators adaptable and incredibly invasive. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is aware of the incident and what the agency might do is still being discussed.
Northwestern Energy Details Long-Term Goal To Reduce Carbon Emissions
NorthWestern Energy is increasing its efforts to reduce carbon emissions entirely by the year 2050. President and Chief Financial Officer Brian Bird says this deadline was set due in part to implementing technology that is not yet developed.
Electric Co-Ops Investing In Improved Cyber Security
With Russia invading Ukraine, security issues in the U.S. are of growing concern. The National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association is holding its annual meeting in Nashville. Monday, on Voices of Montana, its president and Glasgow’s Norval Electric Co-Op Director Chris Christensen had an example.
Montana Continuing To Drop Mask Recommendations
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less severe COVID cases means less masking is needed. In Montana, there are now 36 counties that are free to go without masks indoors compared to 16 last week. The number of counties with masking recommendations still in place decreased from 44 counties last week to 20 this week. Las...