Montana State University has appointed Kevin Amende, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, to oversee its new master’s degree program dedicated to manufacturing, which is set to admit its… Read More
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Gov. Gianforte Signs MEPA Reform Package, Aims to Boost Energy Sector and Cut Red Tape
Governor Greg Gianforte on Monday signed into law a suite of five bills overhauling the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), a move he says will protect the environment while streamlining… Read More
Wyoming Power Plant May Be Proving Ground For Emissions-Free Coal Burning
PacifiCorp confirmed this week it’s moving ahead with a plan that could ultimately retire the iconic smokestacks of its Dave Johnston Power Plant seen to the north while driving between Glenrock and Casper, Wyoming…. Read More
In 3 months, federal oil, gas lease sales total $39 million in 5 western states
(The Center Square) – The Trump administration is continuing to reverse Biden administration energy policies, including its moratorium on new oil and natural gas lease sales on federal land and… Read More
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Gianforte, Knudsen Highlight Efforts During Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Governor Greg Gianforte marked Human Trafficking Prevention Month by urging Montanans to recognize the signs of human trafficking and report any suspected activity to combat… Read More
MSU’s Montana Manufacturing Extension Center releases 2024 report
BOZEMAN — Workers in Montana’s manufacturing sector saw their wages increase by nearly $8,000 on average over the past year, according to a new report released by the Montana Manufacturing… Read More
Former Helena Nurse Accused of Sexual Abuse of ICU Patient Appears in Court
Aaron Gams, a former nurse at St. Peters Health, appeared in Lewis & Clark County Justice Court on Tuesday, facing a felony charge of abusing a vulnerable adult. The allegations… Read More
Tim Sheehy Sworn in as U.S. Senator, Marks Historic Day for Montana
In a moment hailed as historic for Montana, Tim Sheehy was officially sworn in as the state’s newest U.S. Senator. Senator Steve Daines, who escorted Sheehy to the Senate floor… Read More
Montana State University’s Spirit of the West Marching Band Heads to Frisco for FCS Championship
Montana State University’s Spirit of the West marching band will join the Bobcat football team in Frisco, Texas, for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national game on Monday, Jan. 6,… Read More
Montana Supreme Court Orders New Environmental Review for Laurel Gas Plant While Allowing Operations to Continue
In a closely watched decision Friday, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that state regulators failed to conduct an adequate environmental review of NorthWestern Energy’s Laurel natural gas plant. The ruling,… Read More
Montana DOJ Seeks Applicants for Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee
The Montana Department of Justice is accepting applications to fill three positions on the Tow Truck Complaint Resolution Committee. The available roles include a representative from the tow truck industry… Read More
Daines Helps Montanans Recover Nearly $5 Million from Federal Government in 2024
U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his office facilitated the recovery of nearly $5 million for Montana residents in 2024, assisting constituents in resolving federal government issues and closing hundreds… Read More
Violent Venezuelan prison gang members expand operations in western states
(The Center Square) – Members of the violent Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), continue to expand criminal operations in western states, including in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming…. Read More
Pornhub to block access in 13 states as age-verification laws expand across U.S.
(The Center Square) − Pornhub will soon be inaccessible in 13 states after lawmakers passed a slurry of restrictions for social media and other internet sites. The bills require certain age… Read More
Which state is the most taxpayer-friendly?
The Cowboy State has once again won the tax rodeo for having the most competitive tax structure according to the Tax Foundation. The Tax Foundation recently released its 2025 State Competitiveness… Read More
Northwest power planners challenged by increasing demand of data centers
(The Center Square) – With energy-intensive artificial intelligence, or AI, consuming more electricity than traditional data-center activities, reliability of the electrical grid should be the top priority, according to the… Read More
Another federal court rules against DACA, this time related to health care
(The Center Square) – Another federal court has ruled against the federal program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), arguing a Biden administration plan to provide free health care to… Read More
Gender transition procedures for minors receive increased scrutiny from emboldened GOP
(The Center Square) – Gender transition procedures on minors face intensifying scrutiny as the transgender-friendly Biden administration prepares to step down, with Republican lawmakers demanding a federal health agency reveal… Read More
Montana Housing Market Enters Deep Freeze
Montana Housing Market Faces “Frozen” Conditions Amid Affordability Crisis Montana’s housing market is experiencing what experts describe as a deep freeze, and a single statistic highlights why: roughly 80% of… Read More
Report says Florida’s citrus industry crop is down 90% from two decades before
(The Center Square) – A report by a nonpartisan nonprofit says Florida’s citrus industry’s production has dropped 90% in the last 20 years and offers solutions back to primacy. The report… Read More
King County purchases 120 Tesla Model Y vehicles for car-share services
(The Center Square) – King County Metro is adding 120 electric vehicles to its vanpool fleet as part of an ongoing effort to separate from carbon-emitting vehicles. Vanpool services entail… Read More
Wyoming Education Savings Account Program to Launch in January
Wyoming families will soon have greater access to educational choices as the first phase of the Wyoming Education Savings Account (ESA) application process goes live on January 1, 2025. The… Read More
Montana State names endowed chair in precision agriculture
BOZEMAN – As Montana State University’s College of Agriculture develops new programming to continue training the agricultural scientists and producers of the future, a new endowed chair will oversee research… Read More
Secretary Jacobsen: Protecting the treasures that make Montana the Treasure State
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen continued her efforts to safeguard Montana’s natural resources and public access while generating significant revenue for the state’s schools during the December meeting of the… Read More
District Court Judge-Elect Charged in Drug Investigation
Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter, 48, who was recently elected District Court Judge for Lake and Sanders counties, has been charged with one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of… Read More
DNRC Announces Record $92 Million Investment in Montana Public Schools
In a historic milestone, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has announced the investment of more than $92 million in public schools, marking a record-breaking revenue contribution… Read More
NorthWestern Energy Signs Massive Data Center Power Deals
NorthWestern Energy has announced agreements to supply significant amounts of electricity to two proposed data centers in Montana, with combined power demands set to exceed the capacity of the state’s… Read More
Wyoming Transportation Commission Awards $65.7 Million for Infrastructure Projects
The Wyoming Transportation Commission approved nearly $65.7 million in contracts for seven Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) construction projects during its December 19 business meeting. The projects span several counties… Read More
Border crime in Texas linked to child trafficking in Houston area
(The Center Square) – As the largest city closest to the border and a gateway hub for human and drug trafficking and crime linked to cartel and gang violence, Houston… Read More
EPA: Methane emissions down 44% in top oil and gas producing basins
(The Center Square) – Methane emissions from the largest oil- and natural gas-producing basins fell 44% between 2011 and 2013, according to newly published data from the Environmental Protection Agency…. Read More
Former South Dakota State Employee Indicted on 26 Forgery-Related Charges
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that Renee Strong, 55, of Springfield, has been indicted on 26 forgery-related charges stemming from alleged crimes committed while she was an employee… Read More
South Central Judicial District Presiding Judge Bruce Romanick Announces Retirement
South Central Judicial District Presiding Judge Bruce Romanick has announced he will retire on December 31, 2024, after serving 24 years on the bench. First elected as a District Court… Read More
Montana Allocates $37 Million in Federal Housing Tax Credits to Build Affordable Homes
The Montana Department of Commerce announced today the allocation of more than $37 million in federal housing tax credits to support the construction of new affordable housing in five Montana… Read More
Montana Receives $3.5 Million Grant to Support Laid-Off Sibanye-Stillwater Mine Workers
Gov. Greg Gianforte, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today announced that Montana has secured a $3.5 million federal… Read More
Lee Johnson Appointed as Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced the appointment of Lee Johnson as the new administrator for the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Johnson, a veteran with over three decades… Read More
Middle Schoolers to Compete in National Math Exam at MSU
Middle school students across Montana will test their advanced math skills in the American Mathematics Competition 8 (AMC 8), hosted by the Science Math Resource Center at Montana State University’s… Read More
Montana Highway Patrol Seizes Illegal Drugs, Arrests Fugitives in Superior Operation
Montana Highway Patrol troopers conducted a drug interdiction operation in Superior from December 2 to 6, targeting illicit drugs, firearms tied to trafficking, and fugitives. The operation is part of… Read More
Montana Unemployment Rate Holds at Historic Low in November
Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.2% in November, continuing an unprecedented stretch of low unemployment that has persisted for 41 consecutive months, with rates at or below 3.4%. The state’s… Read More
Montana Eases Process for Veterans to Add Designation to Driver Licenses
In a move aimed at improving services for veterans, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is now accepting additional documentation for veterans to obtain a veteran designation on their state-issued… Read More
MSU Graduate School Dean Craig Ogilvie to Step Down
Montana State University announced this week that Craig Ogilvie, dean of the Graduate School and associate vice president of research, will step down from his administrative role at the end… Read More
IRS data shows ‘Blue State Exodus’ over past 30 years
(The Center Square) – Millions of residents in blue states have migrated to red states within the past 30 years, according to federal data. A policy group that analyzed the… Read More
Federal data: School leaders say 40% of students are behind grade level
(The Center Square) – According to a federal survey of school leaders, 40% of students in the nation’s public schools were behind grade level in one or more subjects at… Read More
Wyoming Business Council Welcomes New Team Member
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) has announced an exciting update to its team, with the addition of a new member and a role transition. These changes reflect the organization’s ongoing… Read More
Idaho to Reduce Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate by 20% in 2025
Idaho Governor Brad Little announced today a significant reduction in the state’s unemployment insurance tax rate for 2025, marking a 20% decrease from the previous year. The move is expected… Read More
Montana Business Owners Notified to Report Equipment for 2025 Tax Year
The Montana Department of Revenue has issued a reminder to business owners with equipment reporting requirements to submit their reports for Tax Year 2025. Businesses and individuals owning business equipment… Read More
Applications Open for Reimagining Rural Program
Montana State University Extension is now accepting applications from rural communities across Montana to participate in Reimagining Rural, a three-part series designed to empower small towns to build stronger partnerships,… Read More
Patrik Callis, Montana State’s longest-tenured professor, retires after 56 years
BOZEMAN – In 2006, Patrik Callis predicted in an interview that his retirement from Montana State University would unfold somewhat gradually. He began the process two years later, but didn’t… Read More
ABC News Settles Trump Defamation Lawsuit for $16 Million, Issues Apology
ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” and $1 million in legal fees as part of a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in… Read More
Montana State University Students Win Big at Annual Big Idea Challenge
Montana State University students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit at the annual Big Idea Challenge on Nov. 7, earning $10,000 in prize money for innovative projects ranging from sustainable food products… Read More
Buffalo Bill Center Acquires Deborah Butterfield’s Striking Sculpture “Portal”
The Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West proudly announces the acquisition of Portal, a monumental bronze sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Deborah Butterfield. Created… Read More
Montana State education department works to address statewide teacher shortage
BOZEMAN — At the end of November in Montana, there were 51 openings for special education teachers, and a report on the state’s teacher shortage last year identified special education… Read More
Montana Officials Urge Safe and Sober Driving During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are urging drivers to prioritize safety this December as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. In response to an… Read More