Montana’s largest national forest which spans nine counties is ready for the upcoming camping season as Memorial Day approaches. The Butte Ranger District reports all of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest campgrounds are open. Area campgrounds usually fill up over Memorial Day weekend but dispersed camping is also allowed fewer than 300 ...
Veterans Exposed To Toxic Substances May Soon See Increased Benefits
Montana’s Jon Tester the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman said Tuesday it will begin work this week on the Compensation and Overdue Support for Troops (COST) of War Act. The bill would grant immediate access to health care and disability services for all veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service and expand a...
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Advising Boaters To Be Aware Of Invasive Species
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Brian Morris rescinded the mask mandate for the state’s federal courts Tuesday a week after state Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath signaled to state courts to relax their own restrictions put in place since the start of the pandemic. Both federal and state courts have continued through the last yea...
Montana Civil Air Patrol Seeking New Recruits
Lawmakers will be polled soon on whether to override eight vetoes issued by Governor Greg Gianforte after they adjourned the legislative session last month. The Secretary of State is required to poll legislators on whether to override post-session vetoes of bills that received a combined 100 votes from the 150 lawmakers in the House and Senate...
Women Infants & Benefits Receive ARPA Funds
New moms and young children can receive more nutrition this summer with a boost in Women Infants & Children benefits. The American Rescue Plan Act allows an increase in the value of WIC vegetable and fruit vouchers for four months beginning June 1st. It usually provides $9 a month per child and $11 a month in fruits and veggie benefits per...
Helena Residents Working To Restore The Fire Tower
With millennials today making up the largest generation in the United States workforce yet struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic the personal-finance website Wallet Hub today released its report on 2021s best states for millennials. Montana ranks 33rd across 34 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of millennials to average monthly ear...
Youth Dynamics Receives Funds To Aid Montana Children
The Northwest Montana Association of Realtors Charitable Foundation recently presented a $10,000 check to Youth Dynamics, a company providing behavioral health services for children and teens across the state. According to the Daily Interlake, in addition to operating group homes Youth Dynamics provides outpatient therapy family support progra...
Amtrak Service Returns To The Hi-Line
Watercraft inspectors in Montana have found aquatic mussels on 21 boats so far this year and officials expect a busy season trying to prevent the invasive organisms from fouling Montana waterways. Aquatic mussels have no natural predators and can clog water pipes and displace native species. All watercraft including non-motorized boats must be...
Custer Gallatin National Forest Rescinds Fire Restrictions
The group Upper Missouri Waterkeeper petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency Monday, arguing Senate Bill 358 signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte runs counter to the agency’s authority to approve or disprove changes under the Clean Water Act and is a risk to the state’s waterways. It repeals numeric standards for nutrients, namely...
Native Tribes And Reservations Receive Substantial COVID Relief Funds
This summer, Indian Country will receive the largest infusion of federal money in the history of the United States. Rob Chaney reports in the Montana Standard that for Montana’s 13 tribes and seven reservations, that could mean around $500 million to spend recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying economic devastation. Already...