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Montana Free Press
Petitioners ask Montana utility board to integrate climate impacts into regulatory decisions
This story is adapted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. Forty-one climate organizations, conservation nonprofits and businesses have petitioned Montana’s utility board to take climate impacts into account in its regulation of monopoly power companies. In a petition filed...
Montana proponents for public access, landowners, await implications of Wyoming lawsuit
When four hunters used a specially constructed ladder to step from one corner of public land in southern Wyoming to another, the ripples from that decision were initially small but have since ignited an impassioned debate that could open — or unequivocally restrict — access to more than eight million acres of public land across the West. In a three-part series, Montana Free Press will explore “corner-crossing” and what it might mean for public access in Montana. This is the first installment of that series.
Weigh in on what we should ask Montana’s candidates
This story is adapted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. As our team here at MTFP gears up for this year’s inevitably busy election season, we’re planning to focus our election coverage primarily on two things: first, how various power players and moneyed interests are trying to influence how Montanans cast our votes and, second, how those votes are likely to translate to government policy after the winning candidates are sworn in.
What should we ask the candidates?
The MT Lowdown is a weekly digest that showcases a more personal side of Montana Free Press’ high-quality reporting while keeping you up to speed on the biggest news impacting Montanans. Want to see the MT Lowdown in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. As our team here...
Montana delegation split on short-term funding vote to avoid federal shutdown
This story is excerpted from Capitolized, a weekly newsletter featuring expert reporting, analysis and insight from the editors and reporters of Montana Free Press. Want to see Capitolized in your inbox every Thursday? Sign up here. President Joe Biden on Friday signed a stopgap funding measure to keep the federal...
Montana Department of Transportation Director Mack Long to retire
Montana Department of Transportation Director Mack Long is retiring, the office of Gov. Greg Gianforte said in an announcement Friday. Long, who has headed the department since his appointment by Gianforte in January 2021, will be replaced in an interim capacity by deputy director Larry Flynn. “I’m grateful to Mack...
Let’s talk about the rumor
This analysis is adapted from Capitolized, a weekly newsletter featuring expert reporting and insight from the editors and reporters of Montana Free Press. Want to see Capitolized in your inbox every Thursday? Sign up here. We don’t know if incumbent Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale had a secret reason for dropping...
Let’s talk about the rumor
Get an insider’s look into what’s happening in and around the halls of power with expert reporting, analysis and insight from the editors and reporters of Montana Free Press. Sign up to get the free Capitolized newsletter delivered to your inbox every Thursday. February 29, 2024. We don’t...
Abortion restrictions struck down by state court
A state district court judge in Yellowstone County has ruled that three Republican-backed abortion restrictions passed in 2021 are unconstitutional, delivering another blow to conservatives who support limiting when and how Montanans can terminate pregnancies and a win for advocates of reproductive rights. The years-long case, brought by Planned Parenthood...
Missoula City Council forwards levy to add firefighters, station
Since joining the Missoula Fire Department in 2008, Andy Drobeck has seen the city and the number of emergency calls grow without a corresponding increase in the number of firefighters. “There are many times per day when nearly every engine is out, running from one call to the next,” said...
Health department under corrective plan for delayed SNAP applications
Federal officials have required Montana to implement a corrective action plan to improve what they call “unacceptable” delays in processing food assistance applications, a problem that the state health department has attributed to the strain that Medicaid redeterminations have created for its workforce over the last year. In...
Rosendale announces House re-election bid
Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale, a Republican who flouted the wishes of GOP party bosses and entered the race for the U.S. Senate only to end his campaign six days later, will run for re-election in Montana’s eastern House district, he announced Wednesday. “Over the last few days, I have...
Contracts finalized for Montana’s new public charter schools
The Montana Board of Public Education unanimously approved contracts Wednesday for 19 public charter schools in communities around the state, a final key step in enabling those new schools to begin operating this summer. “We’re delighted to have reached this milestone in implementing the provisions of House Bill 549 that...
Who’s running for office in Montana in 2024? Here’s a running list.
Montana’s 2024 ballot will host a suite of consequential elections — among them a race that could decide the balance of the U.S. Senate, two open seats on the Montana Supreme Court, two U.S. House races, the governorship, and a bevy of other statewide offices. And, for good measure, there may be some major ballot measures thrown in too. With less than a year to election day, campaign announcements are coming fast and furious from seasoned politicians and grassroots activists alike.
Montana expands Medicaid coverage for housing assistance and transition from prison
The federal agency that oversees Montana’s Medicaid program has approved requests from Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration to cover more services for Montanans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders, part of a multiyear effort to leverage state and federal funds to fill gaps in Montana’s health care system.
Helena City Commission puts safety levy, new fire station to voters
The Helena City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to add a safety levy and a 20-year bond onto the June 4 ballot to pay for new emergency services personnel and a third fire station. Both Helena fire and police departments need to add staff to keep up with the needs...
Five things to know about Montana’s school funding formulas
This story is adapted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. Montana’s K-12 school system plays an essential role in this state — as essential as any of the many public institutions covered by Montana Free Press. It’s also an expensive endeavor, with districts across the state spending, according to data from the state Office of Public Instruction, about $2.5 billion last year.
Montana Supreme Court sides with DEQ, Tintina, in dispute over central Montana copper mine
The Montana Supreme Court on Monday issued a decision that brings a central Montana copper mine one step closer to operation. In a 5-2 decision, the justices wrote that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality made a “reasoned decision” when it issued a permit to Tintina Montana Incorporated (now Sandfire Resources America) to extract approximately 14 million tons of copper from a mine in Meagher County.
A Helena dining staple stays in the family
Each of our state’s communities has unique food spots that have become institutions over the decades. Old-timers may remember when these establishments first opened their doors. As far as young people go, these eateries and taverns are so embedded in their town’s fabric that they can’t imagine life without them.
A story beneath our feet
The MT Lowdown is a weekly digest that showcases a more personal side of Montana Free Press’ high-quality reporting while keeping you up to speed on the biggest news impacting Montanans. Want to see the MT Lowdown in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. The land beneath our...
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