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HELENA, Mont. – Following a year of records for low unemployment, labor force growth, and total employment, on Tuesday Governor Greg Gianforte announced Montana's unemployment rate fell to 2.8% in December as the state's total employment and labor force reached an all-time high. "Thanks to the hard work of Montanans and our pro-business, pro-growth, pro-jobs policies, 2022 was a year of record-setting economic growth for Montana," Governor Gianforte said. "In the year a...
One week before Gov. Greg Gianforte was scheduled to give his State of the State address to the Montana Legislature, a panel of lawmakers tabled and then revived one of the flagship bills in his tax package, which would spend a quarter of the state’s nearly $2 billion surplus on property tax relief for homeowners. In the Legislature’s third week in Helena, two key property tax bills got hearings in the House Taxation Committee – House Bills 222 and 189. Rep. Tom Welch, R-Dillon, is sponsoring House Bill 222, which would...
When the Montana Legislature gaveled in two years ago, COVID-19 served as a major disruptor that added a layer of stickiness to an already complex — and occasionally opaque — process. But the pandemic also facilitated technological adaptations that let Montanans say their piece to the legislators shaping state law on their behalf without making the winter drive to Helena. Members of the public with telephone service or a stable internet connection will again be able to testify before House and Senate committees remotely in...
Senator Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, is sponsoring a bill to help maintain and increase hunters’ access to private land through Montana’s Block Management Program. Senate Bill 58 would double the limit on the money that landowners can receive for participating in the Block Management Program from the current $25,000 per year to $50,000 per year. The increase would help compensate landowners for voluntarily allowing public hunters onto their properties. “Block Management is one of the best and most popular conservation tools...
This is a Public Notice of requirement to obtain an aerial hunting permit to hunt predatory animals from aircraft. Pursuant to MCA 81-7-501, a person, except an employee of the state, its subdivisions, or the federal government who is acting within the scope of the person's employment, may not engage in the aerial hunting of predatory animals, as defined in 81-7-101, without first obtaining a permit from the department of livestock. Resident landowners are authorized to...
Effective January 1, 2023, the Montana minimum wage increased 75 cents to $9.95 per hour. It’s the largest inflationary increase since voters passed a ballot initiative to increase the minimum wage by $1.00 an hour to $6.12 in January 2017 and then make inflationary changes each year. An estimated 23,500 Montana workers, or five percent of the workforce, received hourly wages less than $9.95 in 2022 and are likely to receive higher wages due to the 2023 minimum wage increase, state labor officials said....
A panel of four state legislators last week reached an impasse over who should become Montana’s next commissioner of political practices. Now, the task of narrowing the field to a single candidate falls squarely on Gov. Greg Gianforte, whose office has yet to provide a glimpse of any frontrunner. The goal of the Legislature’s COPP nomination committee on Dec. 28 was to screen the pool of applicants vying to replace Jeff Mangan and agree on at least two names to forward to Gianforte for his consideration. In all, five can...
The Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee is seeking proposals for demonstration projects, applied research, and market development projects designed to address needs and opportunities for Montana’s alfalfa seed industry. Proposals are due February 8, 2023. The committee will review proposals at the first regular meeting of the year. It will review all applications and make recommendations to the department for funding. Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application involving p...
Southeast Montana's first late-season hunt, previously known as a shoulder season, will run from Nov. 28 - Feb. 15. In FWP Region 7, the late season allows antlerless elk hunting with either an unused over-the-counter general elk license or a limited-draw elk B license on private lands in Hunting Districts 702, 704, 705. A late-season hunt is a firearms season that occurs outside the general season and is focused on antlerless elk harvest. Late-season hunts are not intended...
Robert and Tracy Smith are the proprietors of Gunny's Guns, Broadus' new (and only) gun shop. Located at 207 North Trautman in the former Fruit truck barn (just north of the intersection of Trautman and Wilson, east of the post office), Gunny's features a variety of firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, and other gear for the shooter or hunter. Robert and Tracy were raised in the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana, as members of Montana families that stretched back gener...
Preliminary enrollment figures released by the Office of Public Instruction Thursday show a slight increase in Montana's K-12 student population this fall - the second consecutive year of gains following a significant dip during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the latest headcount, conducted in public schools across the state on Oct. 3, Montana's statewide enrollment has reached 149,879 students. That's a 681-student increase from OPI's official enrollment...
MILES CITY – The weather was a bit milder for the final weekend of the general hunting season, but hunter traffic was still down a bit at check stations on Sunday in southeast Montana. Hysham check station The number of hunters passing through the Hysham check station was below what is typical for the closing weekend of the general deer and elk season. A total of 61 parties (average = 70) and 98 hunters (average = 138) were contacted by FWP staff. Although the hunter numbers were slightly down, the harvest rate was 11 p...
On Nov. 1, at 125 South Main Street in Baker the ribbon to mark the official grand opening of the much-anticipated Junction 39 was cut at 10 a.m. "This will make it so real," said JoDee Pratt while preparing things for the opening. "It's actually kind of mind-blowing," added Deanna Hayden. Junction 39 is the vision of Baker community members JoDee Pratt, Rita Breitbach, Pam Nelson and Deanna Hayden. "We talked a couple of different times about doing some sort of second-hand st...
Montana State University Extension is reminding Montanans to open a Medical Care Savings Account or make deposits into their accounts before Dec. 31 to save money on Montana income taxes. An MSA is an account used to reduce the cost of saving for medical expenses and long-term health care. According to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, an MSA offers several benefits, including a reduction on state income taxes. For example, if a person has taxable income over $21,600, they could save approximately...
Despite the wintry conditions that marked the closing weekend of pronghorn season, a lot of hunters still came through southeastern Montana check stations on November 13. Hysham check station "Check stations provide an opportunity for regional FWP staff to visit with hunters and to better understand what they are experiencing in the field in relation to management prescriptions such as mule deer B license allocation," explained wildlife biologist Steve Atwood. "With the onset...
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK Plenty of space, minimal human activity and protected lands ensure thriving wildlife and waterfowl population. Together, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, tucked in Montana's northeast corner and Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge out of Malta make a home for more than 200,000 ducks and geese, as well as lake pelicans. Other havens, such as Half-Breed National Wildlife Refuge at Rapelje, Freezeout Lake near Choteau and War Horse Lake National...
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK With the exception of some stretches of the Yellowstone, most of the rivers of the high plains are mellow - no whitewater excitement, just serenity, solitude, beauty and a sense of the past. The water moves at an easy pace past islands, sandbars and groves of cottonwoods interspersed with a carpet of grasses and other riparian vegetation providing a home to river wildlife. The landscape along the rivers has changed little with time. A modern day...
Across the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Christmas and holiday tree permits are available at local respective Ranger Districts or online through Recreation.gov. Permits for the 2022 Holiday season are $5.00/tree (limit 3). A small transaction fee is associated with the online platform. Fourth graders, through Every Kid Outdoors, can also obtain a free permit through Recreation.gov or at Ranger District offices. "Gathering a holiday tree with friends or family is a long-cher...
Republicans serving in the incoming State Senate caucused today and chose the Senate’s leadership for the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Senate Republicans elected Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, to serve as the next President of the Senate. Ellsworth was the Senate President Pro Tempore during the 2021 legislative session. “It’s an honor to serve as the next President of the Senate,” Ellsworth said. “I look forward to working with senators on passing a conservative balanced budget, providing financial relief and lower...
Montana mountain lion hunters will find some significant changes to the mountain lion regulations this year, including changes to season structure and licensing types. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers three types of lion licenses for sale this season: a general mountain lion license, a limited special mountain lion license (must have applied by July 22), and an unlimited special mountain lion license. Hunters may only purchase or apply for one license. The exception is those who do not draw a limited special license may...
MILES CITY – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking information on a mule deer buck that was illegally shot and left to waste just north of the Yellowstone River bridge on Monday. Warden Sergeant Casey Prell responded to a report of a poached deer just past the bridge on Highway 59 North in Miles City. The buck was last seen alive in the area on Sunday around 2 p.m. Anyone with possible information about this incident is encouraged to visit https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont to provide details or call the FWP violation r...
The Ag Development and Marketing Bureau at the Montana Department of Agriculture focuses on expanding market opportunities for Montana farmers. Marketing Officer Weston Merrill recently led a team of South American buyers searching for high quality chickpeas, lentils, green peas, durum, wheat, and barley. “In experiences like this, associating the buyer with the seller is unique. My role is to make that connection succeed.” Department of Agriculture Marketing Officer Weston Merrill said. The team traveled throughout the Tre...
One June evening a few years back found us at the site of Chief Joseph's surrender, just beyond the northern slopes of the Bear Paw Mountains. A thunderstorm was tailing off in a cloud-laden sky. On the western horizon, a widening gap revealed a setting sun. As a prelude to an unfolding concert the elements and the heavens merged. As pastel hues of crimson tinted the breaking clouds, the sun slowly disappeared from sight. Just when we thought the drama was complete, the pinks...
he Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced the rescission of a 2014 memo intended to provide guidance on changes in use for municipal water rights. “After reviewing the memo and its implementation over the last six years, we have determined that the memo is restrictive in how it directs historical use to be calculated and does not account in full for the variety of ways municipalities can produce historical use information,” said Nate Ward, Water Rights Bureau Chief. The Guidance for Municipal Purposes and...
Republican Matt Rosendale, the current representative of Montana’s at-large U.S. House district, has handily won his race to return to Congress. With nearly all votes in Montana’s expansive eastern U.S. House district counted as Wednesday morning, Rosendale beat independent businessman Gary Buchanan and Democratic former Billings City Council member Penny Ronning, receiving 114,330 votes, more than the rest of the field combined. Buchanan received 44,512 votes, two percentage points more than Ronning’s 40,570 votes. Liber...
