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Montana Free Press
Health department vows changes to avoid delayed contracts
The head of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services said the agency has nearly cleared its backlog of incomplete contracts that risked people’s access to health services. Even so, some organizations say the state still owes them tens of thousands of dollars for services already provided.
Study finds Montanans are increasingly OK with wolves
This story is excerpted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. Montanans are increasingly tolerant of wolves, according to newly released research from the University of Montana’s Human Dimensions Lab and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The study, first conducted...
A taste of Mardis Gras in Montana
If I say “Mardi Gras” (continuing through Feb. 18) chances are I can guess the first place that comes to your mind. New Orleans, also known as the “Big Easy,” is far enough away to be a bit of a mystery for many in Big Sky Country. I’ve been there a few times, and it’s always a great reminder of how culturally rich and diverse our country is.
The school choice tide flows into court
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. For years, major school...
Busse flings the “F” word
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. January 25, 2024. Democratic gubernatorial...
State signals intent to sue over federal wolverine protections
Montana notified the federal government Friday that it plans to file a lawsuit over the federal wildlife service’s November decision to designate wolverines as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Chief of Conservation Policy Quentin Kujala said in a release that the...
PSC President James Brown pushes back on audit findings
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. Public Service Commission President (and state auditor hopeful) James Brown stood before the Legislative...
Governor-hopeful Busse talks housing affordability
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. Ryan Busse, the only Democrat currently mounting a challenge to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte...
Dem candidate Busse: Gianforte agenda is ‘fascism’
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. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse held the first major press conference of his campaign...
The beleaguered whitebark pine is in trouble. Can it be saved?
This story was originally published by Yale Environment 360. Sitting atop the highest slopes in western North America, the whitebark pine has adapted to the continent’s harshest growing conditions. Temperatures in the sub-alpine zone where it thrives are often well below zero, snow is measured in feet and winds often exceed 100 miles an hour. These stout, twisted trees are survivors: The oldest have grown for nearly 13 centuries.
Constitutional abortion backers file lawsuit to get on November’s ballot
Backers of a constitutional initiative to legally protect abortion access have petitioned the Montana Supreme Court to allow their proposal on the 2024 ballot after Montana’s attorney general labeled the measure “legally insufficient.”. Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, the political committee supporting the constitutional abortion amendment drafted by Planned...
Northwest addiction treatment centers will remain open after state inspections
A company that operates 86 treatment beds between two addiction treatment centers in northwest Montana will stay open following state investigations into poor admissions practices, inadequate documentation of treatment plans and a failure to appropriately report serious incidents. Inspectors with the state health department decided in January to extend the...
Native American communities have the highest suicide rates in Montana, yet interventions are scarce
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.” To reach the Native and Strong Lifeline, call “988” and press 4. Amanda MorningStar has watched her children struggle with mental...
Missoula residents balk at pricey assessments for sidewalks
Over the last three months, Kathleen Kimble and her husband Bill Fleischman, along with many of their Rose Park neighbors in Missoula, have received some distressing letters. In early November, the city of Missoula notified the retired couple they would owe $9,000 as part of an upcoming project to add or replace aging sidewalks along Franklin and Ivy streets. Under city code, residents are assessed for a portion of the sidewalk work adjacent to their property.
United Way conducts annual homeless count in the Helena area
The nonprofit organization, United Way of Lewis and Clark County Area, is gearing up to conduct its annual count of the number of homeless people living in Helena. The point-in-time survey is conducted each year to see how many individuals in the community are either living in shelters or other forms of temporary housing. The results are assembled by the U.S. Department of House and Urban Development and the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition and play a factor in federal and local policymaking and funding, according to a United Way press release.
PSC declines to reverse NorthWestern Energy rate hike
The NorthWestern Energy rate hike that the Montana Public Service Commission adopted in October will stand following a decision from the commission this week. The increase was originally forecast to raise residential customers’ electricity bills by 28%, but a reduction in NorthWestern’s property tax bill and a “true-up” process designed to square NorthWestern’s forecasted market power purchases with its actual expenditures have brought that figure down slightly.
Lewis and Clark County Health Department faces budget cuts, service reductions
The Lewis and Clark County Department of Public Health plans to cut positions and reduce services as the county works to balance its budget. County commissioners last fall directed the health department to cut about $400,000 for the upcoming year’s budget. The plan includes eliminating six staff and administrative positions and cutting back on immunization and health inspection services.
Biofuel company’s wastewater plan draws scrutiny
Rocky Mountain Front rancher Lisa Schmidt has a reputation for keeping a close eye on the 16 springs that sustain her cattle and sheep operation. She knows she’s lucky to have the springs on her property, and she doesn’t take them for granted — especially not after high oil prices in 2011 led the property’s mineral rights holders to explore an alternate source of subsurface revenue: oil and gas reservoirs.
New special education accounts draw legal challenge
Disability Rights Montana and the Montana Quality Education Coalition, two organizations that advocate for public school students, filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging the constitutionality of a new state law that grants parents of students with special needs direct access to state education funding. The Republican-sponsored law, passed on largely party...
Should feds reintroduce grizzly bears to the Bitterroot? USFWS seeks input
This story is excerpted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Jan. 17 announced that it’s initiating a public input process that could help clear the way for reintroducing grizzly bears into the Bitterroot.
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