Montana News & Current Events | Public News Service

Young people who are transitioning out of foster care could be spending the holidays without a support system. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 29, 2021

Aging Out of Foster Care System Presents Challenges for MT Youth

MISSOULA, Mont. - Young people who age out of the foster care program face unique challenges. Those challenges can feel especially acute and …

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed endangered-species protections for gray wolves in 2020. (Dennis Donohue/Adobe Stock)

Conservation Groups: Tribal Nations Should be Partners in Wolf Management

HELENA, Mont. -- To honor the Biden administration's steps toward greater ties with tribal nations, conservation groups are calling on it to list the …

Steven Ladefoged, owner of Montago Coffee, says conservation is important to protect Montana's $2.4 billion recreation economy. (Steven Ladefoged)

MT Businesses: Measures in Congress Crucial for Climate Action

HELENA, Mont. - Nearly three dozen Montana businesses are thanking U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., for his work on the infrastructure bill signed by …

The child tax credit provides families $300 a month for children younger than age six and $250 for children ages 6 to 17. (vetre/Adobe Stock)

Build Back Better to Provide Boost to MT Families, Supporters Say

HELENA, Mont. -- Supporters of the Build Back Better Act are touting the benefits it will bring to families in Montana and across the country…

Katharine Heyhoe is a climate scientist from Canada who now lives in Texas. (Ashley Rodgers)

Grassroots Family Ag Group Marks 50 Years in MT

BILLINGS, Mont. - A grassroots organization that stands up for family agriculture in Montana is celebrating 50 years this week - and looking toward …

A project to mitigate flood damage in Three Forks, Mont., is expected to cost $5 million. (CheriAlguire/Adobe Stock)

Infrastructure Bill's Passage Could Bring Flood Relief for MT City

THREE FORKS, Mont. -- The passage of the infrastructure bill in Congress could provide relief for a Montana community threatened by floods. Three …

The Freedom to Vote Act would make a number of changes to the law including creating a public holiday for election day. (yavdat/Adobe Stock)

Congress' Attempt to Open Up Voting Access Stalls

HELENA, Mont. -- States such as Montana have passed legislation some advocates believe could make it harder to vote. Meanwhile, measures at the …

Montana's redistricting commission has chosen a congressional map, with the possibility of small tweaks before it is finalized. (Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission)

Opposition from Tribes as MT Chooses Congressional Voting Map

HELENA, Mont. - Tribal nations and organizations say they're frustrated with the congressional map Montana's redistricting commission has chosen…

Conversation-minded candidates in six Montana cities won elections earlier this week. (caseyscalf/Adobe Stock)

Conservation Candidates Win in MT Elections

HELENA, Mont. -- Results are in, and conservation is one of the big winners from this week's elections in Montana. In municipal races across the …

The Rural Incubator Project for Lawyers is a 24-month fellowship program that places attorneys in rural areas to help low-income clients. (snowing12/Adobe Stock)

Rural MT Legal Aid Program Ranks Among Most Innovative Nationwide

HELENA, MT -- A legal services program in Montana has been selected as one of the most innovative justice programs in the country. The Rural Justice …

There are 20 crisis pregnancy centers in Montana, compared with six abortion-care clinics. (Lorie Shaull/Flickr)

Centers "Deceive" on Reproductive Health, Study Finds

HELENA, Mont. -- A new report investigates facilities that dissuade women from getting abortions. Known as crisis-pregnancy centers, the facilities …

The two Democratic commissioners on the Montana Districting and Apportionment Committee drew the group's 11th proposed map. (Legislative Services Division)

Native Americans Look On as MT Panel Eyes 2 Redistricting Maps

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana's redistricting commission is nearing a decision on how to draw its two congressional districts. Native American …

Calls for audits have swept across states after false claims the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

Zeal for MT Election Probe Stirs Concerns of Undermining Voter Confidence

HELENA, Mont. - Republican lawmakers in Montana want to investigate the 2020 election. Some are concerned this could weaken trust in voting. In a …

Ballot collection for absentee voters can be an important service in Montana because weather can be hard to navigate at election time. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Ballot Collection Law Could Affect Older Montanans' Ability to Vote

HELENA, Mont. -- A new law in Montana, which its backers said was designed to cut down on fraud, could instead make it more difficult for some …

Wolves had made a major comeback in the West, but wildlife managers say policies in Montana threaten to roll back that progress. (jimcumming88/Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Professionals Decry Direction of MT Management

HELENA, Mont. -- Wildlife managers and biologists in Montana are airing their frustration over how the state is managing its natural resources…

Democratic commissioners have proposed five maps for Montana's two congressional seats, and Republicans have proposed four. (olinchuk/Adobe Stock)

MT's Independent Redistricting Panel Dampens Partisan Conflict

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana's redistricting commission has released proposed maps for Montana's two new congressional seats, and the commission's …

A collaborative has proposed managing 200,000 acres of public lands along the continental divide near Helena, MT. (Lincoln Prosperity Group)

Diverse Groups Unite for Public Lands Proposal in MT

LINCOLN, Mont. - Residents in western Montana have proposed a unique approach to managing the landscape. The Lincoln Prosperity Group includes …

The grasslands of the West are critical habitat for migrating pronghorn. (hdsidesign/Adobe Stock)

Impacts from Imperiled Pronghorn Migration Routes Reach Beyond Species

HELENA, Mont. - Millions of pronghorn used to roam the West freely. But impediments like road and fences, as well as a changing climate, threaten the …

Long gaps in public access sites make it difficult for people to access the lower Yellowstone River for short trips. (Lower Yellowstone River Coalition)

Funds Aim to Increase Recreation on Lower Yellowstone River, Eastern MT

MILES CITY, Mont. -- An investment in public access along the lower Yellowstone River is poised to open up recreation for eastern Montana. Montana …

Election day this year is Nov. 2. (bizoo_n/Adobe Stock)

Montanans Encouraged to Get Engaged on Voter Registration Day

HELENA, Mont. - Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day and organizations across the country are encouraging people to make sure they're signed up …

Rachel Winn, right, says her new van should be handicap accessible for her son by November. (Rural Dynamics)

Program Helps Montanans with Disabilities Afford Assistive Tech

HELENA, Mont. - It can be hard for people with disabilities to afford the assistive technology they need to perform daily activities. A program in …

Solar jobs could be an avenue for Montana workers in coal-dependent sectors. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

Upcoming Summit Explores Clean Future for MT Energy

HELENA, Mont. - An event coming up soon looks at the prospects for clean energy in Montana. The Energy Future Summit will be held virtually Oct. 1…

The oil and gas industry has more than 800 approved permits to drill in Montana, according to Wild Montana. (kat7213/Adobe Stock)

Calls for Reform as Oil, Gas Leasing on Public Lands Resumes

HELENA, Mont. -- Conservation groups in Montana are calling on the federal government to overhaul oil and gas leasing on public lands. President Joe …

Sen. Jon Tester helped craft an infrastructure package that won over 69 senators in August. (Carlos M. Vazquez II/Department of Defense)

Montanans Visit Tester's Offices to Urge Support for Climate Policies

HELENA, Mont. -- Montanans are delivering a message to the offices of Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., across the state today: Support bold investments in …

Since Native Americans protested the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016, multiple states have passed laws restricting protests. (Hrag Vartanian/Adobe Stock)

Anti-Protest Laws Could Jeopardize Native American Religious Rights

HELENA, Mont. - State legislatures across the country have passed laws criminalizing an essential part of civic participation in a democracy - …

Preparing for a doctor's visit is an important part of ensuring children feel comfortable there when they arrive. (Jaren Wicklund/Adobe Stock)

Guide Helps Kids of All Abilities Make Choices in Doctor's Office

MISSOULA, Mont. -- A doctor's office can be an intimidating place for children. A new guide from Montana can help kids of any ability advocate for …

A recent poll finds 68% of Montanans have struggled to pay a medical bill, even while they had health insurance. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

Poll: Montanans Eager to See Health-Care Costs Go Down

HELENA, Mont. - As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Montanans are thinking about the quality of their health care, according to new research. A poll …

The Senate's infrastructure bill was passed 69-30, but split Montana's senators. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

MT Conservationists Hail Congress' Moves on Climate, Infrastructure

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Montana conservationists are praising a bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in the Senate as key for addressing the changing …

Native Americans living on reservations sometimes have to drive hours to get to a polling location. (Nathaniel Gonzales/Adobe Stock)

Bill in Congress Could Reshape Native American Voting Access

HELENA Mont. - A measure introduced in Congress could lower barriers to voting for Native Americans across the country. The Native American Voting …

Protecting chickens from bears is one of the top reasons people have used the Electric Fence Incentive Program. (Russ Talmo)

Electric Fencing Incentive Program Provides Bear-Prevention Tool

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Got a grizzly problem? A Defenders of Wildlife program is helping folks deter bears from their property, by reimbursing …

Montana allows voters to track their ballots online. (The Toidi/Adobe Stock)

High Marks for MT Vote-By-Mail, Early Voting – Obstacles Remain

HELENA, Mont. - Montana earns points in a new report for providing access to early voting and vote-by-mail, but the achievements come with a major …

Pronghorn populations migrate more than 200 miles between Montana and Canada. (Sue Smith/Adobe Stock)

Fence Mapping Project Helps Wildlife Move Across West

MISSOULA, Mont. - Wildlife is being fenced in across the West, and researchers are now mapping these lines to understand how they affect animals…

Families with children under age 6 could get up to $3,600 through the federal Child Tax Credit this year. (tomertu/Adobe Stock)

Child Tax Credit Lifts MT Families Out of Poverty, Backers Say

MISSOULA, Mont. - More than 200,000 Montana families are seeing extra money in their bank accounts because of the extended federal Child Tax Credit…

Montana and 14 other states use an independent commission to draw legislative districts. (Natalia Bratslavsky/Adobe Stock)

MT Prepares to Draw Regained House Seat

HELENA, Mont. -- With detailed census data being released this month, the work to draw Montana's new congressional district will begin in earnest …

There are more than 58 million acres of farm and ranch land in Montana. (Annika Charter-Williams)

August Challenge for Montanans: Eat Local Every Day

BILLINGS, Mont. - Montanans are being challenged this month to eat locally grown foods, every day of August. The Northern Plains Resource Council is …

The Blackfeet Reservation is one of seven tribal reservations in Montana. (Kushnirov Avraham/Adobe Stock)

DIY Estate Planning Essential for MT Tribal Members

HELENA, Mont. - COVID-19 is underscoring the importance of ensuring that people's estates are in order, but estate planning can be be tricky for …

Identifying such health factors as autism spectrum disorder or cerebral palsy at a young age can help kids when they start school. (StaCheck Photography/Adobe Stock)

MT Effort Helps Identify Developmental Delays Before Kids Start School

HELENA, Mont. - A Montana campaign is renewing its efforts to help identify developmental delays in young children. The Centers for Disease Control …

About 39 miles of the Gallatin River would be designated Wild and Scenic under legislation in Congress. (Matt/Adobe Stock)

Diverse Coalition Backs Legislation to Protect MT Rivers

HELENA, Mont. -- A wide range of groups are supporting an effort to protect cherished rivers in Montana. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has introduced …

There are more than 1,100 wolves in Montana, according to recent state estimates. (gatito33/Adobe Stock)

Film on Indigenous People's Connection to Wolf Calls for Endangered Listing

HELENA, Mont. - With the gray wolf imperiled across the country, a new film explores the cultural connection between indigenous people and wolves…

There are about 50,000 college students in Montana. (Jitze Couperus/Flickr)

How MT's New Student ID Voting Law Could Affect Turnout

HELENA, Mont. -- Voting-rights groups are concerned a new Montana law could depress student turnout in elections. This session, state lawmakers …

Loosened COVID-19 restrictions could draw more people to events over the July 4th weekend.(Maridav/Adobe Stock)

As July 4th Approaches, Far-Right Appeal to Veterans Raises Concerns

HELENA, Mont. -- Far-right groups could be active over the Independence Day weekend, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to release a …

The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing 8 million acres of land in Montana. (Bob Wick/BLM)

Varied Group of Backers Urge Stone-Manning's Approval to Head BLM

HELENA, Mont. - A diverse group of supporters is speaking up for Tracy Stone-Manning as the process to nominate her for director of the U.S. Bureau …

Independent cattle ranchers feel the squeeze from large meatpacking companies such as JBS. (Gerwin Schadl/Adobe Stock)

Cyberattack Offers Chance for Reform in Meat Industry

HELENA, Mont. -- Ranchers see opportunities for reform in the wake of a cyberattack on the world's largest meatpacking company. JBS controls nearly …

About 52,000 children were living in households with high housing cost burdens in 2019. (melissadoar/Adobe Stock)

Discouraging Trends for MT Children Leading into Pandemic, Data Shows

HELENA, Mont. -- Troubling trends in Montana may have made the pandemic harder for children, a new report shows. The latest Annie E. Casey's KIDS …

A study compared the number of women in municipal office and in the state Legislature in Montana. (mandritoiu/Adobe Stock)

Study: MT Women Better Represented at Local Level Than in Most States

HELENA, Mont. -- A new study found Montana ranks high for the percentage of women office holders. Women are steadily becoming more prominent in …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

HELENA, Mont. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Students now have to show a second form of identification if they use their student ID to register to vote in Montana. (Jos/Adobe Stock)

Students Targeted by MT Legislation This Session

HELENA, Mont. - Montana students were the subject of multiple pieces of legislation during this year's session. Amara Reese-Hansell, program …

Wild Montana's Executive Director Ben Gabriel announced the organization's new approach at an event in Helena. (Wild Montana)

Name Change Refocuses MT Org on Wild Places of All Kinds

HELENA, Mont. -- One of the country's oldest grassroots conservation groups is changing its name, and also broadening its mission. The Montana …

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