Article Summary – An undeveloped lot in Missoula, which is part of the aboriginal territory of the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille peoples, is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) with the purpose of generating revenue for Montana State University. This land is part of millions
Article Summary – Flathead County election officials have been ordered by a district court judge to redo two Kalispell city council elections due to a clerical error that resulted in some voters receiving ballots for the incorrect ward. The error was caused by the county election staff failing to update
Article Summary – The Biden administration has proposed a rule that would require states to gather more data on child removal cases subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act, thereby improving understanding of how Native American children fare in foster care. The rule, proposed by the U.S. Department of Health
Article Summary – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has included a Chicago-to-Seattle passenger rail route through Montana in its list of 15 routes set for restoration. This marks the second time the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s (BSPRA) efforts to expand passenger train service in Montana have been recognized by
Article Summary – U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill aiming to restrict the transfer of federal lands to other owners. The proposed bill would prohibit the Interior Department from selling parcels of federal land larger than 300 acres if they’re publicly accessible, with certain exceptions. The legislation
Article Summary – Montana’s public school finance system uses a complex formula to determine how the cost of running a school district is divided between local (property taxes) and state funds. The state’s “Base Amount for School Equity” and a maximum line dictate the minimum and maximum amount of General
Article Summary – Terry Thompson, former CEO of the Great Falls Association of Realtors, has been appointed as the new election administrator for Cascade County. The appointment follows the removal of the previous Clerk and Recorder, Sandra Merchant, from her electoral duties due to allegations of mishandled elections. Thompson’s appointment
Article Summary – A Broadwater County judge ruled in favor of a group of landowners and water rights holders who opposed a subdivision in an area already facing water supply and quality issues. The judge criticized the Broadwater County Commission and the Department of Natural Resources for approving the Horse
Article Summary – In April 2021, first-term Representative Zooey Zephyr, a trans woman, spoke in opposition to Senate Bill 99, which would ban transition-related medical and surgical care for transgender minors in Montana. After refusing to apologize for her comments, Zephyr was barred by the Speaker of the House from
Article Summary – Public school districts in Montana are preparing to implement a new law aimed at boosting reading proficiency among the state’s youngest students. The law, House Bill 352, will end the Running Start program at Bozeman Public Schools that offered kindergarten instruction for children under age 5, and
Article Summary – Cascade County, Montana, is amid a dispute over who will administer the 2024 elections following allegations of mishandling by the current clerk, Sandra Merchant, leading to her losing the duties. The newly created position of commission-appointed election administrator has four candidates, including the former clerk, Rina Moore.
Article Summary – The US economy added 216,000 jobs in December, with the unemployment rate remaining at 3.7%. Sectors that saw significant job growth include healthcare, local government, construction, and social assistance. Wages reportedly outpaced inflation, with average hourly earnings increasing by 15 cents and rising by 4.1% over the
