Montana Public Radio News

Montana Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale Friday voted against the Biden Administration's sweeping climate and health care measure as it passed out of the U.S House. The Inflation Reduction Act is now on its way to President Joe Biden's desk.

The Montana Supreme Court has affirmed a block on a referendum that would have asked voters to elect supreme court justices in districts instead of statewide.

Extreme heat and bone-dry conditions are prompting officials to raise the fire danger and implement burning restrictions in parts of western Montana.

The post-election audit consisted of 40 counties recounting several competitive races in a few precincts each to check the accuracy of the results produced by ballot tabulators on Election Day.

The Big Hole Watershed Committee warned the public a week ago such measures were likely possible. Sections of the river from headwaters to North Fork Big Hole River and from Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site to the river mouth have dropped below acceptable flow levels.

The high court on Tuesday ruled that Yellowstone County District Court correctly blocked the abortion laws passed in 2021 while litigation continues in the lower court. The laws ban abortion at 20 weeks, require providers to offer an ultrasound to patients and restrict access to medication abortions.

The three candidates for Montana's new western congressional district squared off for the first time Monday in a public forum hosted in Missoula. Tensions were high between Republican Ryan Zinke and Democrat Monica Tranel.

The measure includes the largest-ever federal spending package on climate change, caps out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors on Medicare, and extends expiring subsidies that help millions of people afford health insurance.

Planned Parenthood of Montana has reversed course on its decision to stop offering medication abortions to patients living in states that have banned abortion.

The Matt Staff Fire burning east of Helena has burned over 1,500 acres and is still active but suppressed, according to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff.

A group of parents known as Stand Up Montana brought two cases in Gallatin and Missoula counties where mask rules were implemented in districts last school year in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Many families in the Jocko Valley commute to work, and gas prices in Montana have been falling more slowly than in other states. Add to that rising rent and food prices, and the Arlee pantry found itself in the center of a perfect storm.

State health officials Friday announced the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Montana. The case was found in Flathead County.

The Big Hole Watershed Committee said Monday that a section of the river from the headwaters to the North Fork Big Hole River and another from the Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site to the river mouth are nearing flows low enough to trigger the voluntary conservation measures.

The two Republicans and two Democrats on the districting and apportionment commission each presented their ideas for what the 100 state House of Representative and 50 state Senate districts should look like based on new population data.

The Elmo Fire near the western shore of Flathead Lake grew to over 18,000 acres at last report. About 150 homes are now in the mandatory evacuation area. Officials on Wednesday said the fire has burned four homes and four outbuildings and has a high potential for reaching Flathead Lake by this evening.

Montana Democrats amended their platform last weekend to make clear their priorities for the next legislative session. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar and YPR's Ellis Juhlin explain what's top of mind for Democrats ahead of the November election.

New evacuations orders were issued Monday afternoon for The Elmo Fire near the western shores of Flathead Lake, which had grown to nearly 13,000 acres and was zero percent contained as of firefighters' most recent update this morning.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte says his administration has surpassed a major goal for economic growth during his first year in office: adding 10,000 jobs that pay $50,000 a year. At the same time, rising inflation is cutting into Montanans' earnings.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks says Big Horn, Musselshell and Treasure Counties join Yellowstone County in passing Stage-1 restrictions, which apply to building fires and smoking outside.

State livestock officials announced this week they have confirmed cases of the avian flu in Flathead County. The highly contagious virus was found in a backyard poultry flock.

Dangerously hot conditions with daytime temperatures 95 to 105 are expected at low elevations through Sunday. Overnight temperatures will be in the 60s.

American Prairie (formerly known as American Prairie Reserve) has obtained a permit from the federal Bureau of Land Management to graze bison on more than 63,000 acres in Phillips County.

Montana Senator Steve Daines previously supported the bill but joined 41 other Republicans Wednesday to block the burn pit legislation over concerns of excess federal spending.

According to data from the state labor department, in 2021 Montana added nearly 13,000 new jobs that pay above the state's median wage. That exceeded the governor's goal to add a net of 10,000 new jobs that pay more than $50,000.

A Billings district judge Wednesday struck down a state law barring some young voters from accessing a ballot before they turn 18, even if they'd be of legal age on Election Day.

A 79-year-old Florida man died Monday morning while attempting to ascend a steep off-trail slope in southeastern Glacier National Park.

Cook Political Report has rated the western district as slightly more competitive than the eastern race, but projects that both will go to Republicans.

Forecasters predict daytime highs approaching 100 degrees heading into the weekend. The National Weather Service urges Montanans to take precautions to avoid heat stress injuries or even death.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined 21 other states in suing the Biden Administration over new guidance that could withhold funds from states that are found to discriminate against LGBTQ youth.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month issued a decision that allows states to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against Native Americans in Indian country. MTPR's Freddy Monares spoke with Indian law attorneys to break down the ruling.

Montana Republicans are zeroed in on the races for two state Supreme Court seats this election cycle which could decide the future of access to abortion in Montana.

There are low levels of phosphorus compared to nitrogen in Flathead Lake relative to other bodies of water, researchers found.

A longtime educator and former Montana Lt. Governor, Angela McLean, will temporarily take the helm at Bitterroot College as it prepares for the start of autumn semester.

Two climbers from the Flathead Valley died while attempting to summit Dusty Star Mountain in Glacier National Park, according to park officials.

According to the report, Indigenous people accounted for nearly a third of all 2021 missing person reports in Montana, despite only making up roughly 7% of the state's total population.

Two climbers from the Flathead Valley died while attempting to summit Dusty Star Mountain in Glacier National Park, according to park officials.

Continued hot, dry conditions prompted the Bitterroot National Forest Monday to bump the fire danger up a notch to “Very High.”

A Flathead Valley nonprofit is helping refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine settle in northwest Montana. Two families have already settled in the Flathead and more will arrive soon.

The Biden administration is urging Montana's governor to encourage more residents to sign up for a federal program offering assistance for broadband service.

The Black Sandy Fire burning in the hills north of Helena prompted about 30 households to evacuate this afternoon.