According to former Budget Director Kurt Alme, Montana’s economy is on the right upward track. On Voices of Montana recently, he said this about the ARPA funding the state has received from the federal government intended to help states in need because of the pandemic’s impact.
Montana Unlikely To See Liquor Shortage Despite Supply Chain Issues
During fiscal year 2020, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shipped out 935,539 cases of liquor and saw a 14.34% increase last fiscal year. This year, there is plenty of product available in Montana even though halfway through this fiscal year, the number is on pace to match the record-setting fiscal year of 2021. Historically, Montana li...
Montana DEQ Exploring Changes For Water-Quality Standards
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is considering new rules for a law passed in 2021 that changed water quality standards and opponents say it could roll back current standards across the state. Andrew Gorder with the Clark Fork Coalition says the state needs the ones being used now to protect waterways that are essential to Monta...
Jefferson County Gold Mine On Track To Begin New Operations
The Golden Sunlight Mine about five miles northeast of Whitehall in Jefferson County is hoping to finish its commissioning and ship its first concentrates which will be used in gold production before the end of the month. The mine employed 17 people full-time in January and expects to employ up to 37 once reprocessing is in full production not...
Elder Abuse Reports Rising Across Montana
A record 4,500 Montanans were victims of elder abuse in 2020 an increase of nearly 30% since 2018. Former San Diego County District Attorney Paul Greenwood was on Voices of Montana Friday.
Attorney General Says All Meth In Montana Now Coming From Mexico
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen recently visited the Mexican border to check on what’s being done about a drug that is the main driving source behind many of the crimes in Montana.
January Snowpack Reported As Below Normal Levels
Monthly Natural Resources Conservation Service SNOTEL site totals across Montana show January precipitation was below to near normal. As of February 1st, all major basins had below normal snowpack except the Lower Clark Fork, Kootenai and St. Mary’s River basins. In general, west of the continental divide snowpack was better than east of the d...
Montana Economist Highlights Wealth Inequality With Current Housing Market
The annual Economic Outlook Seminar will continue its travels Tuesday to Kalispell, a city that is having housing shortage problems as much of the rest of the state is which is raising prices exponentially for those wanted to get a part of the American dream. Dr. Patrick Barkey Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Affairs at the Uni...
Proposal Released To Restore Pompeys Pillar
The Bureau of Land Management is taking comments on a proposal to keep Pompeys Pillar 30 miles east of Billings intact. The sandstone landmark where William Clark cared his initials on July 25th 1806 is cracked and deteriorating. The Yellowstone River flows past Pompeys Pillar in 2016. The historic site which was granted National Historic Land...
Senator Tester Introduces Agriculture Right To Repair Bill
Senator Jon Tester introduced the Agriculture Right to Repair Bill this week which would require manufacturers to make any parts software or tools available that are needed to repair their own equipment. According to Tester, the bill became necessary once new software began making home repairs impossible.