Montana Public Radio News

Montana's largest utility this year struck deals to power three data centers — and counting. NorthWestern Energy has promised them at least twice the amount of electricity used to power all homes and businesses in the state. As data centers look to break ground in Montana, some worry ratepayers will have to subsidize their colossal power needs.

The federal government is open again. That means families on federal food assistance are getting full payments after more than a month of uncertainty. Even with the end of the shutdown, reservation residents and tribes may still face consequences in the aftermath.

Missoula County is set to significantly update its floodplain map for the first time in 50 years. Hundreds of property owners could soon be added to the flood zone. MTPR's Austin Amestoy visited the flood-prone Orchard Homes neighborhood to learn more.

Most Montana homeowners this year are paying less in taxes than last year, according to the state. That's due to phase one of a new property tax system.

Stafman served in the Legislature for three terms, representing the Bozeman area since 2020. Prior to his resignation, he sat on the Law and Justice Interim Committee.

The agriculture industry is facing acute challenges: high input costs, tariffs, and a lack of federal support. The state faces limitations as it tries to help. MTPR's Victoria Traxler spoke with Montana Department of Agriculture Director Jillien Streit to learn more.

Low-income Montanans receiving federal housing assistance are having better luck finding rentals. A state study led to an increase in the amount of funding families receive.

With winter approaching, a creek restoration project is wrapping up in the Bitterroot Mountains. Crossing the finish line was hard won. The project faced mounting challenges from federal funding cuts and layoffs. Uncertainty over federal support adds more hurdles for future improvements.

State education leaders have picked the next Montana Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes excellence in the classroom. This year's recipient is culinary arts teacher Kortney Douma of Belgrade High School. She joined MTPR's Austin Amestoy to talk more about the award and what it's like to merge the kitchen and the classroom.

Dozens of airports face possible flight reductions beginning Nov. 7 due to the federal government shutdown. Montana airport directors advise travelers to stay informed.

Montana health officials have submitted an application for the state's share of a $50 billion rural health fund. Montana will receive at least $500 million over five years. The federal funding is aimed at helping rural hospitals fill the gap left by Medicaid cuts

Open enrollment for Marketplace health plans is underway, Many Montanans could face steep premium hikes if Congress doesn't renew existing tax credits. That debate is at the heart of the federal government shutdown. MTPR's Aaron Bolton reports on what that would mean for one Montanan.

More than 100 years ago, Montana sent the first woman to Congress, before women had the right to vote. Jeannette Rankin blazed a trail for suffrage and the anti-war movement. Now, a new biography of Rankin's life and legacy is hitting shelves. MTPR's Austin Amestoy visited with author Lorissa Rinehart about her book.

State health officials say they are working to quickly send partial payments to families on federal food assistance. A court ordered the Trump administration to partially fund the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown.

Helena's county health department held its first community baby shower over the weekend. Around 60 expecting families qualified to participate.

A new legislative committee met Monday to start digging into questions about free speech on college campuses.

Most Montana homeowners should see a drop in property taxes after sweeping tax reforms go into effect this year. Renters, however, could see the cost of living rise after lawmakers made a mistake reforming property taxes.

Montana tribes are trying to find ways to feed members who will lose federal food assistance. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has been paused because of the federal government shutdown.

Montanans who rely on federal food assistance could get partial payments in November. That's after benefits were set to freeze because of the federal government shutdown. Multiple courts Friday ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay for SNAP costs.

Hey, Montana! This is your Morning Edition host, Austin Amestoy with a request for you.I tell stories for MTPR about education and schools in the Treasure State, but I know there are more stories out there waiting to be told. That's where you come in.Please head to MTPR.org to fill out my education news survey. Let me know the cool things happening in your schools, questions you have or things you wish would change about education in Montana.I'll use your responses to make my reporting better.

Wind farms are facing strong opposition in much of southeastern Montana, but Stillwater County is welcoming wind power with open arms. New turbines went online there in August, and plans for up to 400 more are under consideration.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has stalled or altered multiple proposed ballot initiatives. Backers of a campaign finance initiative are challenging his actions in court.

The state's utility oversight board has elected a new president. The Public Service Commission's previous leader was ousted last week amid allegations of misconduct.

When public schools face deep budget cuts, art and music programs are often the first to be slashed. A new nonprofit in Missoula is hitting the road with a mobile pottery studio to help fill the gaps.

The city of Missoula is weeks away from finalizing new rules expanding how many homes, apartments and businesses can be built on land within the city.

Some of Montana's largest counties are rejecting more ballots than usual this election. A new requirement is tripping up voters. State law now requires mail-in voters to write their birth year in addition to their signature.

For decades, Libby residents have lived with the deadly aftermath of asbestos exposure from a closed vermiculite mine. It contaminated the local baseball fields where kids played, it was in gardens, and it insulated homes. Hundreds have died from asbestos-related diseases. Two families were awarded damages from BNSF Railway in 2024. Now the railway is appealing that decision, saying it's not liable for those deaths.

Montana's top education official this month sent a letter to schools telling them to “stay compliant” with state and federal laws. The letter from Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen references concerns schools are teaching diversity, equity and inclusion and gender identity. But it stops short of explaining what prompted those concerns. MTPR's Austin Amestoy spoke with the Superintendent to learn more.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that it's partially reopening local offices that help farmers get federal financial support. That's happening as Montana's farmers say they're on the brink of disaster.

Seniors are one of the fastest growing homeless populations, but most homeless shelters aren't equipped to help with specialized needs. MTPR's Aaron Bolton visited a shelter for seniors in Utah to see if their model could work in Montana.

This week on The Big Why, we're exploring Montana's 56 counties. A listener from Billings wants to know how they got their shapes. Finding the answer led MTPR's Austin Amestoy down a rabbit hole where he found a saga of boom and bust, backroom dealing and an unlikely folk hero.

Federal food benefits for low-income Americans won't be available next month. Federal officials say funding has run dry because of the government shutdown.

Drought experts say unpredictable precipitation patterns are making drought forecasts more difficult.

Ballots are on their way to voters' mailboxes. Local elections around the state will take place November 4.

It's fall pledge week at Montana Public Radio. 75% of our funding comes from listeners like you. Visit www.mtpr.org today and make a donation in any amount to support the Montana news you rely on.

Protestors in cities and small towns across Montana turned out for "No Kings" rallies, including in Billings, Bozeman, Dillon, Fort Benton, Helena, Hamilton, Kalispell, Lewistown and Missoula.

Three hunters in two separate incidents recently came face to face with grizzly bears near Big Sky. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says there were no injuries, but advises recreationists to be wary.

A federal judge Wednesday dismissed a climate lawsuit brought by a group of young people in Missoula. In their case, they requested the court strike down Trump administration executive orders promoting fossil fuel development.

Federal officials have rejected an offer to mine coal on federal lands in southeastern Montana. It was the only bid for the lease following the Trump administration's push for increased fossil fuel extraction.

In 2023, the DEQ listed sections of the Gallatin River as impaired due to recurring algal blooms. The blooms choke out fish and degrade water quality. State scientists are amid a six-year study trying to understand what's causing the harmful blooms. The state says it will use the results to inform local development regulations and a plan to protect the river.

Monday marked the first state-recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day in Montana. Missoula celebrated with a powwow and a dedication for a massive new downtown mural.

Congress has voted to overturn part of the federal management plans for millions of acres of BLM lands in eastern Montana. The development of the Miles City plan involved mineral owners, industry groups, landowners, ranchers, farmers, hunters and 17 tribal nations.