Montana Public Radio News

Elk are a familiar sight in much of Montana now, but that hasn't always been the case. By the early 1900s, unregulated hunting had led to massive declines in wildlife nationwide. But In Yellowstone, elk populations were exploding thanks to protections in place there. The solution to restoring elk outside the park seemed obvious. Less obvious was how to make it happen. This week on the Big Why, we trace the animals' bumpy path from the living laboratory called Yellowstone Park to the Bitterroot Valley and beyond.

Tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump last year are still straining Montana farmers. Producers are left in limbo as they wait for a ruling on the legality of those tariffs.

The first report on Montana's new public charter schools shows their students generally lag behind peers in standard public schools. But, that data comes with caveats.

Some Laurel residents don't like the state's plan to build a psychiatric hospital near town. The backlash came quickly after state officials announced the site location.

The federal government could partially shut down this weekend if Congress doesn't pass a spending package. Montana's congressional delegates are holding the Republican line to advance law enforcement funding.

Montana's largest utility has released a draft plan of how it will generate power for the next two decades. It's soliciting public comments on that plan in meetings across the state.

According to a 2025 Forbes report, Montana ranks number one in the nation for drunk driving fatalities. One local nonprofit is offering a reward for drinkers who keep their keys in their pocket.

With state-of-the-art exhibits and free admission, the new Montana Heritage Center museum in Helena is a tantalizing field trip destination for teachers. But school travel is expensive. Now, a donor-funded grant is helping busloads of students visit the “Smithsonian” of Montana.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently launched its new Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program. That means more funding for Montana farmers and ranchers who prioritize the health of the land they work.

Amid internal strife at the Montana Public Service Commission, a legislative committee will study reshaping the state's utility oversight board.

Helena city officials Monday solidified policies for limiting interactions with federal law enforcement. Citing the unrest in Minneapolis, some residents say they aren't strong enough.

The Montana political world awaits UM president Seth Bodnar's decision about his future, and Republicans aren't waiting to put out an attack ad. Democratic Senate candidate Reilly Neill thinks a conspiracy is behind a possible Bodnar Senate run. And new candidates with no political experience continue to enter the congressional races.

A program aiming to keep Montana's ambulance services financially afloat is in jeopardy, as federal health officials say the state can't implement the program. Rural ambulance providers could close if it fails.

A state senator pleaded not guilty Thursday to an official misconduct charge over a no-bid contract he awarded to a longtime colleague in 2024. The case is now headed for a jury trial.

One former, and two current state senators are challenging a new property tax policy in court. Around 80% of residential property owners saw tax relief last year under the policy. The lawsuit amplifies a fracture between Republican lawmakers.

A massive plumbing failure at Montana's state prison revealed serious faults in the facility's infrastructure. Despite recent state investments, putting money into prison projects can be a hard sell.

Montana education officials approved two new public charter schools Friday. That's the fewest since lawmakers paved the way for the schools in 2023.

For nearly three decades a federally funded project has worked to deliver clean water to thousands in northeastern Montana. A proposed policy would extend that work.

University of Montana President Seth Bodnar's resignation announcement Wednesday sent shock waves across the state. It also led to more questions than answers.

The Bureau of Land Management announced its decision Friday to cancel key bison grazing permits for American Prairie, which is working to build a 3 million-acre nature reserve in northeastern Montana.

A Bozeman Republican has launched a challenge to Montana's senior senator.

Wetlands make up just 3% of total land in Montana. But new research finds their benefits have much larger ripple effects.

Farmers across the country have called for increased federal support for months, citing dire economic conditions. A letter sent to Congress on January 15 signed by 56 prominent agricultural groups warns of further fallout.

Montana's congressional delegates are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump. However, they've been quieter on Trump's push to take Greenland.

A text from former-Sen. Jon Tester has Democrats all shook up. University of Montana President Seth Bodnar may enter the Senate race. And the Democratic candidates for the western district House race have similar sounding campaign messages.

The Trump administration has reversed its decision to cut billions of dollars worth of grants for addiction and mental health care across the country. Grant recipients in Montana were taken off guard by the cuts and sudden reversal.

Former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has weighed-in on the state's 2026 race for the Senate. In a widely circulated text message, the Democrat indicated support for a potential independent candidate.

If you've been to a taproom, you know that at most breweries across the state there's a three pint limit and they stop serving at 8 p.m. One listener wants to know why. We've got answers. Pull up a stool, crack open a local brew and settle in for a taproom tale – or some barroom banter, depending on the time of day.

Montana Highway Patrol Troopers are now accepting Mobile IDs, an optional and new alternative to traditional driver's licenses.

A law that went into effect this school year requires volunteers at public schools to have their fingerprints taken. Schools generally support the policy, even as some bear a big new expense — $20,000 per month, in the case of Missoula schools.

In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed that law enforcement officers had probable cause to enter a Montana man's home without a warrant. The Court wrote that probable cause does not only apply to criminal activity, but also to emergency aid.

Researchers at the University of Montana found people's attitudes about wolves are fairly neutral regardless of their political beliefs. But when participants answered questions about political beliefs and then wolves, attitudes changed in a big way.

To meet climate goals, some organizations use a mechanism called carbon offsets to counteract some of their emissions. Money raised by a voluntary carbon offset program at the University of Montana is being used to cap abandoned oil and gas wells.

Mobile crisis teams are struggling. These are the teams of mental health professionals that respond to behavioral health calls instead of police. Those programs don't have reliable funding, and the teams that remain say they need help.

Hundreds of Missoulians gathered Sunday night to honor Renee Good who was shot and killed by an ICE agent last week in Minneapolis. The candlelight vigil, organized by grassroots groups Missoula Resists and Indivisible Missoula, was one of thousands held across the nation this past weekend.

The Montana Food Bank Network moved into its new Missoula headquarters this fall. It's nearly twice the size of the former building and it's already making a difference. The organization, which distributes food to more than 300 partners across the state, faced unprecedented demand for its services last year.

Federal officials have reduced the number of vaccines recommended for children. Some state medical groups say they will continue to follow the old guidelines. Parents will need to talk to their doctor to get the shots that are no longer recommended for all children.

Former firearms executive Ryan Busse has entered the race for Montana's western congressional district, the Democrat announced Thursday.

Several Hi-Line news outlets share coverage to keep their papers full and running. Havre's weekly just joined them.

Midterm elections typically don't attract much attention, but 2026 may be different. With three of Montana's four seats in Congress on the ballot, nearly a dozen challengers have thrown their hat in the ring. Republican incumbents are favored in all three races, with the western district race seen as the most competitive.

A ballot proposal to limit campaign spending in Montana is blocked from advancing. The state's high court Tuesday ruled it doesn't pass legal muster.

A Montana district court ruled in favor of an environmental group that challenged the state's approval of new septic systems in the Gallatin Valley. The group argued that the state failed to assess cumulative impacts from the septic systems and how they may harm the river.