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Czech fire services find safety violation at entertainment venues
Czech fire service officials have found more than 2,300 fire safety violations during inspections of entertainment venues prompted by the inferno at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, Interior Ministe...
Vaping still a growing concern for Montana schools and health leaders
Montana schools are prioritizing vaping education and prevention as health officials warn 1 in 5 students have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
Top employees for data center company eyeing Yellowstone County made matching political donations before announcing plans
The Quantica employees gave the same amount to the same candidates and on the same days in 2024.
In 2010, US scientists released dye into Montana’s Missouri River and tracked it across 41.2 miles; one reservoir held the plume for 8.2 hours, helping predict chemical-spill timing
A river can carry a contaminant far beyond the point where it enters the water, but predicting exactly how quickly that material will travel is not always straightforward. In 2010, scientists with the U.S.
Leadership program for first-year business students at Montana State sees continued success
This year, 48 first-year students in the business college are participating in CABLE. More than 250 students have completed the program since it started.
Healthcare Costs Are Squeezing Montana’s State Workforce
Some employees will see their insurance contributions double and individual deductibles triple as the state confronts dwindling reserves in its employee health plan.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
2026 Flathead Valley Fall Sports Preview
After a 2025 fall season filled with individual and team state championships, several Flathead Valley athletes will be on the title defense, while others will make a push to reach the mountain top of Montana high school sports after falling one win short a season ago. The Glacier Wolfpack and Columbia Falls Wildkats saw their […]
In this red state, cattle ranchers are fuming. They blame Trump.
Some cattle ranchers in Montana are sounding off on President Trump's decision to import 300K metric tons of foreign beef.
First-of-its-kind PA program at UM hopes to boost rural health access
The University of Montana is making history with the launch of a new health care training program.The university is beginning its first week of classes for its
How much has the U.S.’s wildlife changed since Lewis and Clark?
Ever wish you could have been part of the Lewis and Clark expedition? Us too. The Corps of Discovery came across scores of plants and animals that were new to Western science: Grizzly bears, ponderosa pines, a “barking squirrel” that William Clark would later call the prairie dog. A modern effort is underway to see how much the country’s wildlife has changed in the 220-some years since their journey. Host Nate Rott tags along with some scientists re-surveying a part of the expedition’s route in western Montana. And he wishes he was in better shape.Interested in more science in the news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Montana wildlife commission overhauls recommended wolf quota, questioning state-backed science
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission set a quota of 300 wolves for the 2026-2027 hunting and trapping season, eschewing the recommendation of state biologists while also significantly lowering the number of tags available from last year.
Akon Rates His Biggest Fails and Finesses for Complex
The R&B singer called the African prince story an undeniable finesse and admitted he and French Montana both got burned by a fake Rolex.
Democrats abandon deep-red state Senate races, boosting independents
Democratic Senate nominees in Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota dropped out, clearing the way for independents. But Alani Bankhead in Montana declined to join them.
Debbie Maue
Having worked remotely sporadically for 11 years, Debbie Maue says that splitting time between the action in Chicago and launching a development in Montana (“Landmark Whitefish” in Whitefish, Mont.) was a natural transition. She says that she’d already been doing FaceTime and recorded video tours for almost two years prior to the shutdowns, and as a result, sees virtually “walking through” a property as natural as an in-person tour. She is president of Real Estate to the Rescue and chair of Chicago Association of Realtors International Committee.
Disney Dreamlight Valley Reveals Expansion, Including Oogie Boogie, Hannah Montana and More
Disney Dreamlight Valley reveals details on its next expansion, including Oogie Boogie, Lilo, Hannah Montana and more.
West Nile Virus confirmed in Montana, health department says
State and local health officials confirmed the first detections of West Nile virus in Montana for summer 2026, the Department of Public Health and Human Services said Wednesday in a
Smoke plumes have unique fingerprints. They’re all bad for your health.
Wildfires are pushing smoke around Greater Yellowstone and across the country. But one fire’s smoke may be harsher than another’s.
Intermountain Health Names Veteran Leader as New Peaks Region President
Intermountain Health has selected Scott Peek as the new region president to oversee business and clinical operations across the enterprise’s markets in Colorado, Montana, Eastern Wyoming, and New Mexico, known as the Peaks Region. Most recently Peek has served as the operational lead for the region and as the market president for the Colorado ...
Montana State students to help NASA science soar during 2026 total solar eclipse
BOZEMAN — Each total solar eclipse — when daytime skies darken and the sun briefly reveals its outer atmosphere, or corona — presents new opportunities to better understand our star,
Smelling success: Kalispell local sees fragrance business take-off
Born and raised in Kalispell, Bungay said Montana Fragrance Co. draws from the many iconic places around his home in Northwest Montana — an idea embraced by local merchants and their customers who have quickly bought up bottles from store shelves.
Montana State students to help NASA science soar during 2026 total solar eclipse
MSU’s Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Program draws international interest as Aug. 12 event nears.
Launch Family Entertainment signs lease for Missoula location
MISSOULA, Mont. — Launch Family Entertainment (Launch), a leading family entertainment franchise, has announced a signed lease for its first location in the state of Montana. The park will be situa…
The Democrats’ Riskiest Midterm Play
They have been backing independent Senate candidates in red states. But Montana is not working as planned.
Gallatin College students get hands-on training, help reduce health care shortage
The state of Montana continues to face a shortage of health care workers, especially in rural communities.Now, students at Gallatin College Montana State Univer
Medicaid Recipients Fear Federal Cuts to Health Care in Rural Montana
A few years ago, Owen Fulford’s parents began noticing their son was struggling with certain activities at home and at school. They switched him to a bigger school so that he would have access to more resources, and they got him into see a primary care physician who after some work referred him to a […]
Guest opinion: Let science earn the public’s trust
Montana’s proposed 2026-27 wolf season presents an opportunity to chart a new course — one rooted in caution, transparency and science.
Health alerts issued for poor air quality across Montana
The smell of smoke and hazy skies has become a familiar sight in Bozeman summers, raising concerns about air quality.Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles know
Meet the Western states making the case that money isn't political speech
Who should have more power — the people or corporations? For legislators in Hawaii and Montana, the answer is most definitely the former.
How Nashville's country music talent helps shape Big Sky's music scene
Carrie Underwood, Riley Green and more lead Wildlands as a Montana luxury resort town turns Nashville connections into a music tourism opportunity.
Montana couple grows farm into a community-driven farmstand business
What started as a small family garden in the Helena Valley has grown into a thriving local farm operation.
Japanese business culture focus of new study abroad offering at MSU
BOZEMAN — This summer, the inaugural faculty-led trip to Japan was jam-packed with new experiences for Montana State University students, helping instill valuable business and cultural knowledge about a unique
Our Decade of Political Progress
I had covered the 2016 election as a blogger — and written about the candidates for Congress, including Montana’s Denise Juneau. But that election was Donald Trump’s first wave and not the historic moment we all expected. But the thing is, one thing always leads to another, and every loss builds a framework for the […]
Japanese business culture focus of new study abroad offering at MSU
The JapanX course was taught by Thomas Lechner and Maritza Espina, professors in MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
‘Victorious’ star Daniella Monet recalls auditioning against Miley Cyrus and Taylor Momsen for ‘Hannah Montana’
‘Victorious’ star Daniella Monet relives the ‘wild, wild day’ when she auditioned against Miley Cyrus and Taylor Momsen for the role of Hannah Montana.
Heat Dome Broils the Western U.S.
A ridge of high pressure fueled record-breaking temperatures in Montana, Utah, and Wyoming on July 12, 2026.
Major Montana healthcare organizations exploring partnership
St. Peter's Health and Billings Clinic-Logan Health announced Tuesday that they are exploring ways to partner that they believe will strengthen and expand local healthcare services.
Northwest Montana’s growing entertainment economy
The Flathead has built a strong network of places where people gather around music, food and community.
Cayuse Prairie School Business Manager Named Montana’s School Business Official of the Year
Nobody goes to college hoping to become a school business official, Heather Mumby said.
Supporters rally after Logan Health declines to renew Kalispell doctor's contract
Supporters, physicians, and union leaders gathered outside Logan Health Tuesday evening after the health system announced it would not renew family physician Dr
Antimony mill open for business in Radersburg
Gov. Greg Gianforte joined state and business officials in Radersburg on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of a new critical mineral mill.
Supporters to rally after Logan Health declines to renew doctor’s contract
A contract decision involving a longtime family physician at Logan Health is fueling a growing controversy in the Flathead Valley, with union leaders warning it
“He Didn’t Need to Die.” How an Immigration Detention Center Repeatedly Failed to Address a Mental Health Crisis.
Geraldo Lunas Campos repeatedly raised concerns about his mental health before he died at Camp East Montana. Records paint a portrait of how the Texas facility’s staff failed to adequately respond.
New health care system director appointed at Montana VA
The Department of Veteran Affairs appointed a new healthcare system director.Kimberly Adkins is responsible for 21 sites of care statewide including a medical c
New business brings hat bar experience to Mineral County
Haley Nelson started her business in November 2023 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Since moving to Montana, she has remained busy fulfilling online custom orders and shipping hats to customers across the country.
Montana Board of Investments closes deal on Laurel land for proposed forensic mental health facility
The state has closed on its purchase of 114 acres in west Laurel proposed for a forensic mental health facility and is now asking Yellowstone County to rezone the property.
Top salaries at HCSC 2025
Health Care Service Corp. is a Chicago-based, customer-owned company that runs Blue Cross & Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Yellowstone wolves may not have reshaped the national park after all
One of the most celebrated claims about Yellowstone’s wolves is facing a major challenge. Scientists say the study behind the famous trophic cascade story relied on flawed methods that overstated the ecological impact of wolf recovery. Their reanalysis found no evidence for a dramatic, park-wide surge in willow growth. Instead, the effects appear smaller and vary from place to place.
Treasure State Top Five: Montana combat sports legends
It’s time for the first ever Treasure State Top Five where SWX Montana’s Josh Dugan will be breaking down his top five rankings for a number of different categories in
Montana Named Top State to Start a Business
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced that Montana was ranked as the 12th best state to start a business in 2026.
Montana lands among top states to start business in 2026
Montana is earning national recognition as a place where entrepreneurs can thrive.A new WalletHub report ranks Montana as the 12th-best state in the country to
Small Business Index Slips Below its Historic Average
NFIB Montana comment on May 2026 SBET
Family of teen injured at Butte carnival shares health update
Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester shared a statement Tuesday morning on behalf of the family of the teen injured at the carnival in Butte on Sunday.The family
Pearl Jam bassist Ament highlights skateboarding's impact in Indigenous communities in Tribeca film
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has been passionate about skateboarding since his teenage years in Montana | WWL
Pearl Jam bassist Ament highlights skateboarding's impact in Indigenous communities in Tribeca film
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has been passionate about skateboarding since his teenage years in Montana.
What the June 2 primary results tell us about politics in Montana
New faces advance, outside money exerts outsized influence, the continuing power of a Trump endorsement, and other key takeaways from Tuesday’s primary election
Montana governor to Washington companies: We want your business
(The Center Square) - The Governor of Montana tells The Center Square he hopes to lure more out of state business expansion into his state, following this week’s announcement that
Former Smoke Jumper Wins Democratic House Primary in Montana
Sam Forstag’s candidacy will test a liberal theory that left-leaning politicians running in Republican strongholds can do better in general elections than moderates have done historically.
Midterm primaries 2026 live: results and reaction after six states including California and Iowa cast ballots
All the latest results and updates as New Jersey, South Dakota, New Mexico and Montana also vote in primaries
Live Results: Montana midterm primaries
Montana has not been at the top of the list of seats Democrats hope to flip to regain control of either body, but the retirements do creak open the door for a candidate to possibly take advantage of the state’s independent streak.
What to watch in primaries as Dems try to defend California
Voters in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota are casting ballots Tuesday
What to watch in primaries as Dems try to defend California
Voters in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota are casting ballots Tuesday
Californians head to the polls as governor primary goes down to the wire
Other races also taking place in state as well as primaries in New Jersey, South Dakota, New Mexico, Iowa and Montana
Tuesday’s wild races for California governor and Los Angeles mayor, and other elections to watch
Six states will hold primaries on Tuesday: California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. Will a Democrat advance in California’s governor’s race? Can Spencer Pratt advance in the contest for Los Angeles mayor? And who will Iowa Democrats nominate in their push to flip a Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst?
Tuesday is a big primary day. Here are key races to watch
Six states — California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota and New Mexico — hold elections on Tuesday. Here are key races to follow.
American Black Bear Cub Arrives at Museum of Life and Science
The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, N.C., announced the arrival of a one-year-old male American black bear cub to its Explore the Wild: Black Bears habitat on 5 May.
Governor Gianforte Announces Montana Secures Federal Funding to Establish Behavioral Health Clinics
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton today announced the Trump administration selected Montana as one of ten states to receive federal funding to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment across the state.
Opinion: State policies matter for taxpayers and the business climate
I start each workday by reviewing the latest economic and government reports for Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. It doesn’t take long to see a trend. Those states that prioritize
Fireweed pitch: Unwinnable Democrats should back GOP, independents
If Democrats cannot win the 1st U.S. Congressional District race in Montana, the party is better positioned backing select moderate Republicans or independent candidates who can advance at least some of the agenda. That’s what Fireweed Campaigns, a self-described politically independent Helena-based firm with only Republican clients pitched to a room of approximately a dozen ‘Democrat-adjacent’ strategists mixed with representatives during a quiet strategy meeting in Anaconda in the summer of 2025.
Many Latino voters have turned away from Trump, but Democrats aren't necessarily winning them over, new poll finds
Hispanic voters are heading into the midterms feeling economically squeezed and increasingly skeptical of the direction of the country — but Democrats are not necessarily running away with their support, a new poll by UnidosUS finds.
Bozeman Health recognized for hospital safety
Bozeman Health is getting national recognition after earning a hospital safety grade from a leading watchdog group.The Leapfrog Group recognized Bozeman Health
Op-Ed: State policies matter for taxpayers and the business climate
I start each workday by reviewing the latest economic and government reports for Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. It doesn’t take long to see a trend. Those states that prioritize
Montana Tech captures 2025-26 George R. Bandy Memorial All-Sports Award
It was the fourth straight year that the Orediggers claimed the all-sports trophy. The Frontier Conference this year restored the award's original and complete title.
Intermountain Health St. James receives major stroke certification
Intermountain Health St. James Hospital received an important certification. The facility earned Primary Stroke Certification from The Joint Commission, which
Buttigieg rallies for Montana election initiative, stays mum on political plans
During an hour-long speech in a packed Mother Lode Theatre, Pete Buttigieg made a rousing plea to ban corporate money from Montana politics while repeatedly sidestepping talk of a 2028 presidential run. The 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. transportation secretary drew cheers from the audience of 1,200 in Butte as he suggested that special interests and corporate spending in campaigns had drowned out the concerns of average voters.
Montana tribes combine traditional knowledge and Western science in climate plan
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are moving forward with their climate plan despite the loss of state support and federal funding.
Montana tribes combine traditional knowledge and Western science in climate plan
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are moving forward with their climate plan despite the loss of state support and federal funding.
Montana tribes combine traditional knowledge and Western science in climate plan
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are moving forward with their climate plan despite the loss of state support and federal funding.
Pete Buttigieg visits Butte to discuss removing corporate money from Montana politics
BUTTE, Mont. — Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came to Butte on Sunday for a town hall focused on Initiative 194, also known as the Montana Plan.
Pete Buttigieg visits Butte to discuss removing corporate money from Montana politics
BUTTE, Mont. — Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came to Butte on Sunday for a town hall focused on Initiative 194, also known as the Montana Plan.
The Wildfire-Fighting Union Leader Who Could Change Montana Politics
Sam Forstag made a career of parachuting into forest fires. As Democrats fight to win races in solidly red districts, could a man who has dedicated his life to the most dangerous kind of public service signal a new way forward?
Primary 2026: Two candidates running for Republican nomination for PSC District 1
Republican Randy Pinocci has held a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission since 2019. Now, he’s termed-out, and two candidates are competing for the Republican nomination to succeed him.
Montana voters will be able to register to vote on Election Day, judge rules
A Montana judge has blocked the state from limiting voter registration on Election Day
Bozeman Health Deaconess Medical Center gets national recognition
Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center got national recognition for being one of the nation's safest hospitals.The DRMC earned an 'A' Hospital Safety
Flathead Valley nonprofit joins international 2026 Horses for Mental Health campaign
A Flathead Valley nonprofit has been selected to take part in an international campaign focused on raising awareness about mental health through equine-assisted
Bozeman Small Businesses Help Shape Downtown, Local Economy During National Small Business Week
Bozeman, Mont. — As National Small Business Week wraps up on Saturday, May 9th, it's a reflection of how Bozeman’s downtown scene shapes its local economy.
Montana commerce dept. announces funding for Native American owned tourism businesses
The Montana Department of Commerce has announced that 21 Montana businesses will share $210,000 dollars of funding to assist small start-up or expanding Native
Ray Curtis wants to take voters, and politicians, back to school
Ray Curtis, a retired government teacher and a longshot candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress, wants to see a return to the principles enshrined in the Constitution
Hops Downtown Grill to close Saturday after 18 years in business
Hops Downtown Grill in Kalispell announced it will permanently close after 18 years in business.In a social media post, the restaurant said its final day of se
If you want to reduce jail overcrowding, start on mental health before the crime happens
Montana keeps investing in mental health facilities for people who have broken the law, in part because of mental illness. Columnist and county attorney Matt Jennings says there's a cheaper, better way to focus on treatment and prevention.
Montana Free Press publishes ‘Big Sky Politics: Campaigns and Elections in Modern Montana 1945 to 2025.’
The book, now in its revised, expanded and updated second edition, is author Jon Bennion’s definitive history of electoral politics in Montana.
David Allan Coe's daughter says all 8 of his kids lost touch with controversial singer before his death
David Allan Coe's daughter Tanya Montana Coe tells EW that all eight of his kids lost touch with the controversial country singer before his death.
State Health Department Begins to Prepare Medicaid Patients for New Work Requirements
As Montana nears its July 1 deadline to begin implementing new community engagement requirements for Medicaid expansion enrollees, the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is hosting informational webinars to inform patients of the changes. During the first webinar Tuesday afternoon, Jessie Counts, human services executive director for the department, went […]
Allie Kuntz pursues blend of business and firefighting during time at Montana State
Allie Kuntz will graduate from Montana State with a degree in business management on May 8.
Montana leaders seek public comment on future of shooting sports
Montana leaders are asking for public input as they shape the future of shooting sports facilities across the state.A new task force created under House Bill 89
DOJ charges suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
The Justice Department has charged 31-year-old Cole Allen with trying to assassinate President Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday. We discuss what we know about Allen and how Trump responded to Saturday’s shooting.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Editorial: Corporations spend big in Florida politics
Florida lawmakers cannot legally accept contributions during the 60-day session, but they were flooded with money the day before session began. A proposal out of Montana could change that.