Montana Public Radio News

It's true all elections have consequences. But sometimes, a single vote can make a bigger splash than usual. That may be the case during Montana's June 2 primary election. Montana Free Press reporter Zeke Lloyd sat down with MTPR's Austin Amestoy to explain.

There are now more grizzly bears in more places in and around Yellowstone National Park than at any time in over a century. But until this spring, the population lacked genetic diversity. Montana Public Radio's Nick Mott reports on how fresh bear genes got into Yellowstone, and what it could mean for the bears' endangered species protections.

The Trump Administration is fast-tracking logging on more than 100 million acres of Forest Service land. But some locals are pushing back against one of the projects just north of Yellowstone National Park.

Democratic U.S. House candidate Sam Forstag hopes a Montana visit from AOC will help propel him to victory. Democratic Senate candidates are being walloped in the fundraising wars. And most of Jonathan Windy Boy's Senate colleagues want him gone.

When farmers sell their crops, they usually receive six cents for every dollar you spend on the end product at the grocery store, according to federal data. But a new processing facility is giving farmers a chance to sell a particular crop locally. That could put more money in their pockets.

Montana's top law enforcement officer joined Vice President J.D. Vance for an anti-fraud roundtable this week. President Donald Trump earlier this year declared what he called a “full-scale war” on fraud in public benefit programs like Medicaid and nutrition assistance.

Montana's primary elections are just a few days away, and candidates are vying to stand out in a packed race. In the final days, Democratic U.S. House hopeful Sam Forstag held a rally with Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, in the hopes of securing his party's nomination.

Two of Montana's three Independent candidates for federal office are confident they gathered enough signatures in time to appear on the ballot this fall.

More than 100 years ago, the first women's basketball team in Montana made history traveling around the state and the country. Now, the town of Fort Benton is honoring the team's legacy with a new mural.

The Montana Historical Society is receiving national attention for its work opening the new $100-million Montana Heritage Center in Helena.

Lawmakers recently instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop a more transparent system for reimbursing states post-disaster. Local governments apply for Public Assistance grants to fund emergency responses, but may wait years for updates and payments.

According to a new report released from a national transportation research group, 31 percent of Montana's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and a lack of sufficient funding could make it difficult to maintain that infrastructure.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Trump's nominee to lead the country's largest land management agency. Stevan Pearce has been criticized by public lands advocates for his past support of selling off or transferring ownership of federal lands.

Memorial Day is widely considered the kickoff to the summer tourism season in Montana. But with high gas prices, Americans might be more reluctant to hop in the car for that big road trip. MTPR's Victoria Traxler reports on what high prices at the pump means for the state's busiest season.

Public libraries have books, magazines, movies and … fresh air? Missoula Public Library and its satellite campuses have been set up as spaces where people can gather during hot, smoky days and breathe clean air.

A rising Democratic star and possible presidential candidate gets a warm reception in Montana. Republican "dark money" groups take a keen interest in Montana's Democratic Senate primary, and those Senate candidates make their case at a forum in Missoula.

The Montana Republican Party has taken aim this year at incumbent state lawmakers it feels have strayed from the party line. At the top of its ouster list is one of the Legislature's most powerful members: Rep. Llew Jones of Conrad. MTPR's Austin Amestoy sat down with Montana PBS reporter Sam Wilson to learn more.

Montana Public Radio this spring aired interviews with 20 candidates for federal office. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar joined Austin Amestoy to recap our coverage and share what voters should expect ahead of the primary election.

The Montana GOP is putting a thumb on the scale in competitive legislative primaries. More than a dozen moderate conservatives are facing challenges from hardline Republicans. The results will reveal how deep the state GOP's influence runs.

A lawsuit argues the state's process for redetermining Medicaid eligibility after the pandemic was intentionally devised to kick as many Montanans off the program as possible. Both state and third-party analysis found a large portion of the people unenrolled still qualified.

AOC's return visit to Montana pleases both progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans – for different reasons. President Trump's effect on Montana's election is yet to be measured. A last minute infusion of PAC money to a Democratic Senate candidate raises questions. Voter interest in this mid-term election is hard to gauge.

Researchers are learning more about pesticides that are leaching into Montana's waterways. They're finding that streams and rivers in urban areas might be more impacted than waters near farm fields.

Montana's labor department projects a need to fill more than 4,000 jobs in education and childcare each year, mostly due to workers leaving the industry.

After more than three months in jail, a federal judge allowed undocumented immigrant Roberto Orozco-Ramirez to be released. A longtime mechanic and beloved community member in Froid, Montana, Orozco-Ramirez was detained by border patrol in January. MTPR's Victoria Traxler spoke with Montana PBS reporter Matt Standal to learn more.

MTPR visited two Bitterroot Valley classrooms last month where students were learning what it takes to raise rainbow trout and keep fisheries in good health. MTPR's Austin Amestoy returned to Hamilton as the students released their trout into a local pond.

One seat on Montana's seven-member Supreme Court is up for election in 2026. Two colleagues are competing for the promotion. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar looks at their judicial philosophies.

Tuesday's near record mid-May heat will soon give way to what weather experts are describing as a wintery end-of-the-week ‘shock to the system.' A potent cold front is expected to sweep into western Montana this week, bringing gusty winds and potentially powerful thunderstorms.

Forensic anthropology helps people find and identify deceased loved ones. One Montana-based forensic scientist is aiding those impacted by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person crisis.

Mail-in ballots are en route to voters across Montana. For those who haven't registered to vote, a judge preserved the Election Day deadline to do so.

Along the banks of the Clark Fork River, students are identifying all kinds of “macro-invertebrates” — aka, bugs — that live in the river. The data is one clue scientists use to determine the health of a watershed, along with other indicators like appearance and chemical makeup.

A new nationwide study of school cell phone bans found some improvement in student well-being, but no improvement in test scores.

A congressional candidate reenters the race despite allegations of sexual misconduct. A legislative candidate faces sexual abuse allegations. A GOP "dark money" PAC uses AI to disparage other Republicans. A battle between the A.G. and a county attorney ends up at the state Supreme Court.

If you've spent much time in Missoula, you've probably gotten turned around in the "Slant Streets" at least once. If you've lived there long enough, you've probably heard sensational tales of strife and betrayal surrounding the origin of the Garden City's most geographically confused neighborhood. We're here to set the record straight. It's the saga of the Slant Streets, on The Big Why.

More than six square miles of an aquifer under Montana's Rocky Mountain Front has been removed from federal protections and slated for wastewater. The change comes despite overwhelming opposition from the local community.

A court case out of Louisiana temporarily halted Montanans' ability to get abortion medications by mail. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted that decision. A ruling by the high court against mailing medication would impact rural women the most.

In all but a handful of communities Tuesday, voters in western and central Montana soundly defeated their public schools' requests to help pay for big expenses.

State Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy re-launched his bid for Congress. The Democrat from Box Elder had previously suspended his campaign after allegations of sexual abuse and harassment came to light last month. He cited poor health.

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Austin Amestoy spoke with Kyle Austin, who's a Libertarian running for the U.S. Senate.

Some state Medicaid services are on the chopping block due to a budget shortfall. The state health department estimates it will need at least another $7 million, but isn't saying what services might be cut.

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar spoke with Tom Jandron, a Libertarian running for U.S. Senate.

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler spoke with Michael Black Wolf, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate.

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar spoke with Michael Hummert, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate.