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Montana news, with updates on politics and elections, wildfires and air quality, heath care, wildlife, public lands and more, from Montana Public Radio.

Montana Public Radio


    • Oct 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
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    Latest episodes from Montana Public Radio News

    New law requires advanced notice before state officials relocate large predators

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 1:06


    Local and tribal governments will now get an advanced notice before state wildlife officials relocate bears into their area, under a new state law that went into effect this week.

    Researcher seeks input on human tolerance for bison

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 1:45


    When you think of bison, Poland may not be the first place that comes to mind. One researcher is comparing human-bison coexistence on both sides of the Atlantic.

    Lawsuit challenges state law authorizing local police to check immigration status

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 1:08


    A Flathead nonprofit is suing over a state law that allows local police to check immigration status during traffic stops.

    Federal government shutdown freezes farm support services

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 1:19


    Many U.S. Department of Agriculture services are frozen as a result of the government shutdown. The freeze could have significant impacts for Montana's farmers.

    Glacier and Yellowstone are still open during the government shutdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 1:49


    Glacier and Yellowstone national parks will remain open during the government shutdown, according to a federal memo. A major drop in staffing will impact park services and gateway communities.

    State seeks public comment on how to use rural health funding

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 1:13


    Federal lawmakers this summer created a $50 billion fund to stabilize rural hospitals and other providers. State health officials want public comment on how to spend that money.

    Conservation group files second lawsuit over Yellowstone County power plant permit

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 1:08


    Environmental groups filed a second lawsuit over a gas-fired power plant on the banks of the Yellowstone River. The lawsuit takes issue with how the state issued the permit for NorthWestern Energy's Yellowstone County Generating Station.

    Hi-Line farmers under pressure from drought, low prices and tariffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 2:03


    Many of Montana's wheat producers have struggled with drought for five straight years. Now they're facing economic headwinds because of President Trump's tariffs.

    Montana Food Bank CEO decries the loss of USDA hunger survey

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 1:25


    The Trump administration is ending an annual nationwide hunger survey. Montana's statewide foodbank says it's a deeply concerning development that will make it harder to assess needs and gauge the effectiveness of food aid programs.

    Montana antimony mine expands to ramp up production of the 'critical mineral'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 1:13


    Gov. Greg Gianforte joined mining executives from the U.S. Antimony Corporation for a groundbreaking ceremony in Thompson Falls. Antimony is considered a “critical mineral” that's used to develop military equipment.

    In federal court, plaintiffs argue fossil fuel production violates their right to life and liberty

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 5:42


    After winning a landmark climate case at the state level last year, a group of young Montanans are taking the fight to the federal government. They presented their arguments to a judge in Missoula last week.

    Missoula school trustees back proposed lawsuit over state education funding

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 1:35


    A Helena law firm says the state isn't meeting its constitutional obligation to provide a quality education. Missoula schools are the first to sign on to a potential lawsuit over the issue.

    What happens to wildlife during a wildfire?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 8:42


    The word "wildfire" often conjures dramatic images of walls of flame, charred landscapes and one particularly famous photo of elk in a river, surrounded by flames. So, how do wildlife fare during these big fires? This week on The Big Why, a listener asks, why we don't get any statistics on wildlife that die in wildfires.

    Health department: New Medicaid rules may require 50 more workers to implement

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 1:15


    State health officials told lawmakers this week they will likely need more funding to implement Medicaid work requirements.

    Fungus deadly to bats detected in western Montana

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 1:15


    The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome among bats has been detected in northwest Montana. This is the first time the fungus has been detected west of the Continental Divide in the state.

    U.S. House votes to scrap Montana land use plan, testing congressional power

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 4:59


    The future of a land-use plan for tens of millions of acres of public land in eastern Montana is in doubt. The U.S. House of Representatives voted this month to throw the plan out. The plan came together over years with input from producers, tribes and energy companies.

    Bozeman Health opens inpatient mental health crisis unit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 1:26


    People living in southwest Montana have long struggled to find care when they experience a mental health crisis. They often drove for hundreds of miles to get help. A new facility is opening to serve those patients.

    Montana schools with low vaccination rates worry measles will keep kids out of class

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 3:35


    Vaccination rates in schools are no longer gathered statewide, but some districts are sharing that information. Experts say smaller, more rural schools could be at risk of more infections because of lower vaccination rates.

    Court halts livestock grazing expansion in grizzly bear corridor north of Yellowstone

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 0:46


    A federal court ruled Wednesday the U.S. Forest Service broke the law when it expanded livestock grazing in grizzly bear habitat north of Yellowstone National Park.

    Revitalized Hi-Line Harvest Festival draws hundreds to Chester

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 2:16


    A festival in the town of Chester last week brought Hi-Line residents together for music, food and fun. The festival is aimed at building community and celebrating the end of harvest season.

    Newly elected Democratic Party vice chair resigns after 'disruptive' comments

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 1:02


    The new vice chair of the Montana Democratic Party has resigned three days after his election following his criticism of former Sen. Jon Tester, and the party's messaging.

    Court removes block on Medicaid funding restrictions for Planned Parenthood

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 1:24


    Planned Parenthood clinics in Montana are no longer able to bill Medicaid for any services. Federal appeals court last week overturned a previous ruling that blocked the policy from taking effect.

    Court hears arguments in challenge to Trump's energy orders

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 1:21


    Plaintiffs suing the Trump administration over its energy policies argue the executive orders to boost fossil fuel development jeopardize their health. A federal court in Missoula heard arguments in the case this week.

    COVID vaccines still covered by insurance providers as guidelines shift

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 1:33


    Federal health officials have narrowed the recommendation for who should get a COVID vaccine. The committee that makes those decisions is meeting this week, and could make more changes. For now, insurance providers are still covering the costs for vaccinations.

    Montana Democrats elect new party leaders

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 2:03


    Montana Democrats elected new leaders over the weekend. Newer voices prevailed over stalwart members of the party.

    How much does a quality education cost? Commission to examine school funding formula

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2025 5:31


    How much does it cost to teach a child in Montana, and what's the right way to pay the bill? That's the question a group of lawmakers and education advocates will attempt to answer over the next year and a half. MTPR's Austin Amestoy sat down with host Elinor Smith to explain why finding the answer could be easier said than done.

    House backs resolution in favor of new coal lease sales

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 1:40


    The Bureau of Land Management under President Biden decided to end the sale of new coal leases in an area spanning across southeastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming and parts of South Dakota. Montana Rep. Troy Downing carried a joint resolution to reverse that decision. That resolution passed in the House late last week.

    Kalispell officials waited over a year to alert residents about ‘forever chemicals' in the city's water

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 3:53


    The Daily Inter Lake's Jack Underhill is based in Kalispell and has been following the situation. He sat down with MTPR's Elinor Smith to explain the timeline of discovery and how city officials handled the information.

    Why don't we recycle more plastics in Montana?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 9:02


    This week on The Big Why: A listener is curious about recyclables that don't get recycled in Montana. Namely, why is plastic recycling so limited? "We're all encouraged to recycle. But when it comes right down to it, what happens to the things we actually recycle?"

    American Prairie announces 70,000 acre land purchase

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 2:02


    Conservation group American Prairie announced its second largest land acquisition in the history of the nonprofit. Like previous American Prairie land purchases, the move has stirred controversy.

    Sen. Sheehy voices support for passenger train service in Montana

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 2:06


    The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority recently hosted a conference in Livingston's retired railroad station. It focused on restoring stops like the Historic Depot through renewing Amtrak's Big Sky North Coast Corridor.

    Study questions effectiveness of wolf hunting for livestock loss prevention

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 2:13


    Montana wildlife managers are allowing hunters to kill a record number of wolves this season. Supporters of the policy say the practice helps reduce livestock losses to wolves. New research indicates that's not necessarily the case.

    Helena voters approve school bonds

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 1:22


    Helena voters approved two school bonds by a few hundred votes, unofficial results showed Wednesday. A new high school, elementary school and extensive renovations are on the way.

    Duane Ankney, Montana lawmaker and Colstrip booster, dies at 79

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 2:03


    Duane Ankney, a former Montana legislator and longtime advocate for Colstrip, has died at the age of 79.

    Judge says governor can't intervene in utility regulator's suspension

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 2:00


    A district court has blocked the governor from intervening in an escalating dispute among state Public Service Commission (PSC) members over claims of sexual harassment. The PSC is the oversight board charged with regulating Montana's utilities

    Plaintiffs claim Chouteau County commission elections dilute Native votes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 3:18


    Two Native American voters in the Chippewa Cree Tribe are suing Chouteau County for minimizing the impact of Native voters' voices in local elections. They say at-large elections prevent Native Americans in the county from getting a fair say in who represents them.

    Trump cuts cripple Montana food aid programs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 1:49


    Montanans are feeling the loss after the Trump administration cut more than a billion dollars for food aid programs.

    Trump takes aim at air pollution regulations

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 1:54


    The Trump administration wants to repeal greenhouse gas regulations that limit emissions for cars and a variety of other sources. State law prevents Montana from having air pollution standards stricter than the federal government.

    State officials look to fast track Medicaid work requirements

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 1:42


    State health officials are asking the federal government for permission to implement Medicaid work requirements early. Experts worry many people won't be able to keep up with the additional paperwork, even if they are working. KFF, a non-partisan health policy group, estimates 34,000 Montanans could lose coverage.

    Montana Republican leaders back Trump's National Guard deployment

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 1:43


    Montana's top elected leaders say they support President Donald Trump's recent deployment of the National Guard to Washington D.C. Troops there are acting as law enforcement, and Trump says he's considering sending the Guard into more cities.

    Local election ballots are beginning to arrive in mailboxes  

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 1:22


    Ballots are out for some local elections in Montana. Voters will decide on a variety of candidates and issues this fall.

    Montana pediatricians push back on new federal vaccine guidelines

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 1:24


    Montana pediatricians have released their recommendations for childhood vaccines this year. But those suggestions differ from new federal guidelines.

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