Montana News
Comprehensive coverage of Montana’s statewide news—politics, environment, communities, and culture—delivered with trusted reporting and a local lens.
Calls to end intraparty fight mount after bitter GOP primary season
Some Republicans believe results of the legislative primary mean it’s time for the Montana Republican Party to men…
Blackfeet Nation reopens after strict pandemic closures
BROWNING (AP) — On March 15, 2020, just two days after COVID-19 entered Montana, the Blackfeet Nation declared a state of emergency. Like many places in Monta…
Some GOP-led states target abortions done through medication
About 40% of all abortions in the U.S. are now done through medication — rather than surgery — and that option has become all the more pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
University system seeking input in implementing campus carry
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — In an era marred by gun violence, the Montana University System is looking to neighboring states and public input as it prepares to allow…
Legislation allows lottery winners to remain anonymous
HELENA (AP) — The Montana Lottery sent out its first news release Friday listing major lottery prizes won this week without including the names of the winners,…
Officials: Yellowstone-area grizzly bear deaths up from 2019
BOZEMAN (AP) — A Montana state report made public this week showed that grizzly bear deaths in parts of Yellowstone National Park increased last year and were …
U.S. judge retires from bench in Montana after 36 years
HELENA (AP) — A judge in Montana known for approving a search warrant for the Unabomber's cabin and presiding over his first few court appearances in 1996 has retired.
Man pleads no contest to killing woman in Great Falls motel
GREAT FALLS (AP) — A man who pleaded no contest to deliberate homicide for killing a woman at a Great Falls motel in 2017 faces at least 20 years in prison, the Great Falls Tribune reported Thursday.
Montana House rejects bill calling media 'slander machines'
HELENA (AP) — The Montana House narrowly rejected Wednesday a measure that sought to prevent media outlets from reporting on news that lawmakers deem defamatory.
6 justices to hear judicial nomination commission case
HELENA (AP) — Six members of the Montana Supreme Court will consider a legal challenge to a new Montana law that would eliminate the state's judicial nomination commission and allow the governor to appoint judges t…
Flathead's mountain snowpack lags behind average
A warm and dry end to winter has taken a toll on Western Montana’s mountain snowpack heading into spring runoff.
Montana House advances competing bills on pot regulations
HELENA (AP) — The Montana House on Tuesday advanced three competing Republican plans for regulating recreational marijuana sales after voters overwhelmingly ap…
$17M available for Montana rental assistance
HELENA (AP) — Montana has a new program to provide rental assistance for people who have lost income and are at risk of housing instability due to the pandemic, Gov. Greg Gianforte said Tuesday.
Montana Veterans Affairs to open $12M primary care clinic
HELENA (AP) — The Montana VA Health Care System has announced plans to open a $12 million primary care clinic at a medical center in Helena where veterans will remain in a single appointment room and each provider …
Study: Drought-breaking rains more rare, erratic in US West
BILLINGS (AP) — Rainstorms grew more erratic and droughts much longer across most of the U.S. West over the past half-century as climate change warmed the plan…
Gov. Gianforte tests positive for COVID-19
BOZEMAN (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has continued to show mild systems after testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.