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On April 18th, the Bureau of Land Management adopted a long-awaited rule that aims to put conservation initiatives "on equal footing" with oil and gas leasing, grazing and other commercial uses of federal land. The rule "combines our ongoing work with a vision for conservation to help us manage lands into the 21st century," BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said in a video announcing the rule. "It ensures that the BLM can carry out its multiple-use and sustained-yield mission...
Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC) recently announced a partnership with the Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC) to host a series of housing conversations in Eastern Montana. These workshops will provide a platform for discussing the pressing issues of housing in rural communities and exploring innovative solutions. The first workshop will be held in Glendive on April 15th, 1-4 pm, in the courthouse basement. The second workshop will take place...
Mid-Rivers Communications recently announced the award of 76 scholarships to students from the Cooperative’s service area, an increase of 40 scholarships over the original 36 planned. Last fall, the Cooperative announced the availability of 30 Higher Education Scholarships of $2,000 each, and 6 Dawson Community College/Miles Community College Scholarships of $2,500 each. However, following a review of the applicants and funds available for scholarships, the Mid-Rivers Board of Trustees voted to expand the awards to include s...
The supplemental property tax bills heading to property owners around the state this spring, made necessary by a November Supreme Court decision, represent a monumental headache for both local tax officials and homeowners. They also illustrate how the tax issue has driven a wedge between Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican seeking re-election this year, and local government leaders across Montana’s political spectrum. Nearly all of the dollars collected by Montana’s property tax system flow, directly or indirectly, to loc...
Last year, during a dispute with Gov. Greg Gianforte over the state's "95 mill" school equalization property tax, officials with 49 of Montana's 56 counties chose to reduce their fall tax bills against the wishes of the Montana Department of Revenue. This month, after landing on the losing side of a November Montana Supreme Court ruling, those counties' treasurers are left with the thankless task of sending supplemental property tax bills to hundreds of thousands of property...
At 5 p.m. Monday, the window closed for candidates to file to run for elected office in Montana this year, officially setting the stage for a hugely consequential election season. Toward the top of the ballot - not counting the presidential contest between presumptive nominees Joe Biden and Donald Trump - voters will have a choice between incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and a slew of challengers intent on stopping the Democrat from winning a fourth term, chief among them...
The Montana Department of Commerce recently announced that $320,000 of grant funding has been allocated to support 26 start-up or expanding Native American businesses in Montana. The funding is through Commerce's Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant Program. "For Montana's economy to remain resilient and strong, it is vital that tribal businesses continue to expand and grow in numbers," said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "That's why...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting March 4 and running through March 29, 2024. This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health. “The USDA has a long track record of fostering and supporting the vital relationship b...
A wave of major budget cuts is hitting public schools across the state - a situation officials from four of Montana's largest districts attribute to declining enrollment, inflexibilities in the state's school funding formula, and a funding cliff facing schools as pandemic-era federal relief money runs out. District leaders from the Helena, Great Falls, Bozeman and Missoula public schools, meeting with reporters in Helena Friday, also said increased property values and the...
Over the past year, we've fielded many reader emails about charter schools in Montana. The curiosity is understandable - one of the two charter school laws passed by the 2023 Legislature is currently tied up in district court, and the other has already generated 19 public charters in nearly a dozen communities. But one recent email posed a question we hadn't yet covered: exactly how much state funding did the Montana Legislature direct toward these new educational...
The federal agency that oversees Montana's Medicaid program has approved requests from Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration to cover more services for Montanans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders, part of a multiyear effort to leverage state and federal funds to fill gaps in Montana's health care system. The state Department of Public Health and Human Services on Monday announced the green light from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for three distinct...
Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC) continues to partner with the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SEMDC) to provide enhanced financing opportunities for small businesses in our community and the EPEDC 5-county service region. EPEDC's Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program offers qualifying small businesses access to low fixed interest rates and flexible payment options. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SEMDC, EPEDC can expand its reach and offer even more comprehensive services to...
Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale, who just last week announced a highly anticipated run for U.S. Senate, is dropping his campaign after former President Donald Trump — the ultimate kingmaker in modern GOP politics — endorsed his primary opponent Tim Sheehy last Friday, shortly after Rosendale’s announcement. “I have long been a supporter of the President, and remain so. But I have been forced to calculate what my chances of success would be with Trump supporting my opponent,” Rosendale said in a statement relayed by his ca...
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen says more than 240 candidate filings have been processed by the Secretary of State's Office as of 5 p.m. on Friday, February 2. "Twenty new candidate filings were processed by our office this week, bringing the total to 242 now that the calendar has turned to February," said Secretary Jacobsen. "Many of this week's filings were for the state legislature, but I wish all of the candidates the best of luck during the upcoming election c...
Under new leadership for part of 2023, the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation continues to show itself successful in its efforts to work with businesses and government entities to secure funding for projects in five counties across eastern Montana. EPEDC Executive Director Terra Burman provided a presentation to the organization's Board of Directors during its annual meeting at Yellowstone River Inn in Glendive at the end of January. Burman made it a point to...
Thirty-five Montana Farm Bureau members experienced the venerable 105th American Farm Bureau Convention January 19-24 in Salt Lake City. During the meeting of the country's largest agricultural organization with the theme "New Frontiers," members learned from workshops and tours, heard top-notch speakers on leadership, discussed policy during the Delegates Session, attended committee meetings and enjoyed networking with other farmers and ranchers. "Attending the American Farm...
The record-breaking cold snap Montana saw this month brought days of below-zero temperatures across the state - and with them what major Montana utility NorthWestern Energy said was record-high electric demand from its customers. The arctic blast, and how the state's energy system responded, triggered a wave of analysis from folks engaged in Montana's running debate over renewable energy, coal generation and the future of the state's electric grid. The Montana Environmental...
Todd Lackman, an agricultural education teacher from Miles City, represented Montana in the national Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet held during the 105th American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt Lake City. The Discussion Meet has competitors addressing pre-determined questions on current issues and developing goals and solutions. Lackman advanced to the Sweet Sixteen round in the tough competition. Discussions covered agricultural finance, sustainability, and engaging...
On Monday, Governor Greg Gianforte announced an investment of up to $8 million to improve community-based response services for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission, the investment represents the second allocation of $300 million in funding the governor devoted last year to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems. “With this investment, Montanans who are exp...
Montanans have until March 1 to report the number of each type of livestock they own and to pay the per capita fees set yearly by the Montana Board of Livestock. This is the first year the payment due date has been March 1. The Board of Livestock has also changed per capita fee rates this year. Livestock owners must report and pay for what they own as of February 1, 2024. If you reported last year but no longer own livestock, you still need to submit a reporting form to let us know your livestock count is zero. Owners can...
Gov. Greg Gianforte will seek re-election, he announced on MTN News Tuesday. He will again be joined by Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras on the ballot, he said. Gianforte, a Republican, was elected by a wide margin in 2020, breaking a 16-year streak of Democrats in the Montana governor’s office. In the last four years, he’s presided over two legislative sessions featuring substantial GOP legislative majorities, helping to shepherd through income tax cuts, charter school expansions, restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ health care and...
From Virginia to the Big Sky, Glendive picked up a new industry set to ramp up operations at the beginning of February following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with local and state officials at the new facility on January 10th. Brixtel Defense, an ammunition manufacturer, this week announced that the industrial business has opened a facility in Glendive, marking a $125,000 million investment in the state. The company's Chief Executive Officer Andy Mansoor, Glendive Mayor...
Numerous school staff at districts across Montana received email threats Tuesday night. The threats were not believed to be credible. Ekalaka Public Schools announced Wednesday morning that schools in Ekalaka would continue with their regular schedule. “We are aware that school officials across the state received threatening messages. These messages were not specifically targeting Ekalaka Public Schools. We have been in contact with local law enforcement, and we will take measures as a precaution, but we do not believe t...
Former State Senator and Montana rancher Ric Holden, Glendive, has taken steps to enter the 2024 Eastern Montana Congressional race. Holden represented the southeast corner of Montana in the state senate for eight years before term limiting out at the end of the 2002 special session. Holden returned to the family ranch to continue with his ranching operations and insurance claims business since that time. Holden's old senate district contained Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Carter,...
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte have purchased a new private residence in Helena, the two announced Monday. For a sum of $4 million, the Gianfortes now own Helena’s Samuel T. Hauser House, a 9-bedroom mansion built in 1885 by the industrialist and territorial governor of the same name. The Gianfortes purchased the home, located on Madison Avenue in Helena’s historic Mansion District, with their own funds, according to a statement, but intend to ultimately donate the property to the state, which wou...
