Northern News Network Headlines

Renovation Plans In The Works For Missouri Headwaters State Park

Montana State Parks is developing the first of its kind master plan for Missouri Headwaters State Park a 536-acre park at the confluence of the Jefferson, Gallatin and Madison rivers near Three Forks. Initial reports show visitation increased about 46% between 2019 and 2021. To help guide future development the draft plan ranks the park’s need...

Bill Expanding Veteran Health Care Unanimously Passed By VA Committee

The U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously passed legislation Wednesday co-sponsored by Chairman Jon Tester to offer post-9/11 combat-veterans access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care. During the hearing Senator Tester pointed out how the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act will address additional effects of toxic exp...

Daines Introduces Bill To Aid Communities Near Public Lands

Senator Steve Daines co-sponsored the “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act”               this week. It is intended to support gateway communities and address challenges facing national              parks and public lands like increased visitation and housing shortages.

Judge Rules State Legislators Violated the Constitution

District Court Judge Mike Menahan ruled Thursday legislators violated the state Constitution when they added sections unrelated to the original intent of Senate Bill 319 during a free conference committee meeting one day before the 2021 Legislature adjourned. Those committees by law are confined to discuss amendments to the bill on which the t...

International Meat Packer Reaches Settlement For Price Fixing Case

Brazilian Food Processing Company JBS has agreed to pay $52.5 million to settle litigation accusing it and other meat-packing companies of conspiring to limit supply of the American beef market to inflate prices and boost profit. In a video released by Senator Steve Daines Stevensville Rancher Tony Hudson recently talked about challenges Monta...

Montana Tribes To Receive Settlement Funds From Opioid Case

According to a filing in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, North American tribes have reached settlements over the toll of opioids totaling $590 million with drugmaker Johnson and Johnson and the country’s three largest drug distribution companies. All federally recognized tribes in the United States including Montana’s 12 tribal nations will ...

Anaconda Foundry Fabrication Recieves Spirit Of Montana Award

Governor Greg Gianforte recently presented the Spirit of Montana award to the Anaconda Foundry Fabrication Company for their role in repairing the Hebgen Dam malfunction last December. When presenting the award in Anaconda the governor highlighted the workers’ selfless actions and speed in helping preserve the Madison River.

DEQ Looking To Address Reduced Air Quality In Montana

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s 20 air quality monitors across the state flagged more days in 2021 for diminished air quality than any year in the past decade. The DEQ is now asking for $450,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act grant funding to bolster its monitoring network with a focus on improving coverage in unde...