Oil and gas leasing on federal land in Montana and North Dakota is expected to resume early this year. The federal Bureau of Land Management is planning a lease sale for the first quarter of 2022 but has not finalized details. There are 6,850 federally owned mineral acres available in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. Oil and gas compa...
Montana PSC To Begin New Investigation Into Century Link
The Montana Public Service Commission is launching an investigation into Century Link Communication’s “legacy infrastructure” where customers in rural areas continue to report telephone problems like the inability to reach 911. Kiela Szpaller with the Daily Montanan reports the PSC adopted a staff recommendation into the adequacy of Century Li...
Montana Sees Big Early Numbers From Marijuana Sales
Treasure State dispensaries had $1,566,980 million in recreational marijuana sales last weekend racking up $313,396 in tax revenue from a 20% tax on sales. Another $17,305 came in from a 4% tax on medical marijuana sales worth $417,305. The Department of Revenue’s Cannabis Control Division tallied a combined total almost $2 million with ...
Montana Collected Nearly $17 Million From Court Actions In 2021
U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson announced Monday that the District of Montana collected $16,904,987 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2021. Of this amount $4,885,558 was collected in criminal actions and $12,019,429 was collected in civil cases worked by the district or jointly with components of the Department of Justice. https://northe...
New Law Affecting Business Equipment Taxes Now In Effect
The 2021 Montana Legislature passed House Bill 303 changing how Montana taxes business equipment. The new law increases the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $300,000 for Tax year 2022. Businesses whose statewide market value of equipment is $3000,000 or less are exempt from the business equipment tax. After the report is submi...
Montana FWP To Roll Out Regulatory Changes For 2022
With the new year there are updates at Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks being implemented. Communication and Education Program Manager Bob Gibson. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1-04_832.mp3
Great Falls Middle School To Go To Remote Learning This Week
Today, East Middle School in Great Falls is switching to mobile learning rather than in-person attendance. Northern News Network’s Eric Young reports this decision is not due to COVID-19 infections, though. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1-04_737.mp3
Public Service Commission To Review Re-districting This Week
A judge has ruled the 5 Public Service Commission districts don’t truly represent the number of residents in each but should and January 7th, there will be a hearing to help determine what to do about it. Representative Derek Skees who is running for a Public Service Commission seat was on Voices of Montana Monday. https://northernbroadcasting...
Montana Receives Funding For Healthier Food Programs
The state will receive $3,639,90.00 from U.S. Department of Agriculture in funding for school districts to purchase unprocessed and minimally processed domestic food such as fresh fruit, milk, cheese, frozen vegetables and ground meat to help overcome school nutrition supply chain challenges. This adds to the flexibilities the Superintendent o...
Group Working To Improve Civics Education For Future Montana Voters
Civics education provides young people with the basis for becoming informed and engaged members in elections and although Montana has its own standards for civics, it’s not among about three-quarters of states that requires it so students can graduate from high school. Dr. Khalilah Harris who manages the Center for American Progress’s K-12 edu...