Governor Greg Gianforte declined to commit the state to participate in a U.S. Department of Interior effort Wednesday. In a letter to a senior Department of Interior official, he called President Joe Biden’s “30 by 30” initiative long on philosophy and short on detail.” It aims to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030...
Postal Reform Act Passes U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate passed the Postal Reform Act Tuesday which will ensure long-term reliable mail service and put the U.S. Postal Service on sound financial footing. The legislation passed the House earlier this week and will now go to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. Among other things it permanently requires the Postal Servic...
Cancer Support Community Montana Expands Services
Cancer Support Community Montana out of Bozeman offers emotional support education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones free of charge. Tuesday, it announced their services will be expanding to communities statewide. Chief Executive Officer Becky Franks on how exactly they will be doing that.
2022 NRECA PowerXchange Facebook Live Interview
From the NRECA PowerXchange in Nashville! Ryan Hall, Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association Director of Communications, joined Taylor and Tom for a Facebook Live report direct from the convention.
Sen. Tester Honors Montana Veteran At U.S. Committee Meeting
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Bataan Death March the forced march of U.S. and Filipino prisoners of war by Japanese forces during World War II. At a joint Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing with the nation’s leading Veterans Service Organizations Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester recognized Be...
Montana Working To Increase Teacher Salaries
Montana is ranked among the lowest states for starting salaries with teacher pay of approximately $35,000 annually. The 67th Legislature appropriated $2,492,048 to incentivize and enhance competitive base pay for early-career teachers. Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen has announced the initial data release on the TEACH ACT as...
DPHHS To Address Staff Shortage At State Hospital
The Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs is at risk of losing its federal funding if a number of conditions aren’t improved by a Monday deadline. Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Adam Meier says one area they’re focusing on is providing competitive wages to address a current staffing shortage.
Ag Dept. Director Highlights Rural Montana’s Mental Health Challenges
After receiving a $500,000 federal grant the Montana Department of Agriculture is getting behind a program titled “Beyond the Weather” to address the issue of farmers’ and ranchers’ mental health. Recently on Voices of Montana Director Christy Clark talked about the stresses they face every day many of the rest of us don’t.
Panel Rules PSC Map As Unconstitutional
A three-judge federal judicial panel has ruled the current Montana Public Service Commission map violates the one-person one-vote rule of the U.S. Constitution. Tuesday, the justices ordered Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen to implement a new map ahead of the 2022 election. It shifts Glacier, Pondera and Musselshell Counties into District 1...
Montana Economist Sees Legislature Providing Housing Solution
It’s well known there’s a major housing shortage across Montana but it’s too soon to tell what solutions will look like. Patrick Barkey Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana recently acknowledged this uncertainty but highlighted one possibility.