Montana Public Radio News

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.

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

MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Austin Amestoy spoke with Matt Rains, who's a Democrat running for the western U.S. House seat.

The Roadless Rule is back on the chopping block. And what happens next could have really big implications for Montana, the region, and the country – for grizzlies, for other endangered species, and for entire ecosystems. What do we lose, or gain, when our bedrock environmental regulations go away, along with public input on how it all happens?

A Montana senator's push for the Trump ballroom could backfire at the polls. Threats of violence mar present-day politics. Prominent endorsements start to surface as the election gets closer. And a rising Democratic party star is headed to Butte to campaign for a proposed Montana ballot initiative.

MTPR is interviewing with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Austin Amestoy speaks with Seth Bodnar, an independent running for U.S. Senate.

The Iran war has nearly doubled jet fuel prices in the United States. That means the bill for firefighting aircraft operations this summer will likely rise by tens of millions of dollars.

Surging fuel and fertilizer costs due to the Iran war are hitting Montana farmers hard this spring. This comes on top of cost increases for machinery, labor and gas already in effect. Local producers are coping with the financial strain and looking to legislation aimed at alleviating it, for both farmers and consumers.

Prominent Democrat Pete Buttigieg will stump for a Montana ballot initiative in Butte next month. The proposal aims to rein in corporate campaign spending. Buttigieg, a former presidential candidate, will hold a town hall in support of the "Montana Plan" on May 17. He says it could become a blueprint for other states.

A Democratic candidate drops out of the race after allegations of sexual abuse. Rep. Ryan Zinke criticizes President Trump and a Republican candidate. And Democratic House candidates take swipes over dark money and data centers.

MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar Ragar spoke with Al Olszewski, a Republican running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.

MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Shaylee speaks with Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, a Republican running for Montana's western district U.S. House seat.

MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Austin Amestoy speaks with Ray Curtis, a Republican running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.

MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Sam Lux, a Democrat running for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat.

State Senator and U.S. House candidate Jonathan Windy Boy is accused of sexual abuse and has suspended his campaign, according to the Montana Democratic Party.

A spike in rent across Montana during the pandemic coincided with the rise of tenants unions in the state. These organizations of renters have sought solutions from property managers for rent hikes and maintenance backlogs, among other issues. Montana PBS reporter Matthew Standal joined MTPR's Austin Amestoy with more.

Montana University System officials have unanimously agreed to hire Jeremiah Shinn as the University of Montana's next president.

The Trump administration plans to drastically restructure the U.S. Forest Service. The agency manages millions of acres across more than 150 national forests. MTPR's Sheri Quinn spoke with Rob Chaney, author and reporter at Mountain Journal, about what the reorganization spells for Montana and wildfire management.

Some Montana schools are seeking levies to fund staff salaries and mounting technology expenses

Hundreds of miles of open road can stretch between expectant mothers and the maternity care they need in rural Montana. That's where trained, non-medical professionals called “doulas” can help fill the gap. Montana was set to start reimbursing doulas through Medicaid this year, but federal cuts to the health program have put that plan on ice.

The Northern Rockies is expected to have a normal springtime wildfire season, despite the warm winter and low snowpack. That's not an ironclad guarantee, but early indicators are not raising any red flags.