HAILEY SMALLEY
Recent Stories
Montana Legislature debates the future of arts and culture funding
Legislators are doubling down on efforts to reform a set of state grants dedicated to local arts and cultural projects.
Libby residents fight trio of bills that could make suing corporations more difficult
A suite of bills that critics say could make it harder to sue corporations faced strong opposition from Libby residents at a Montana Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Montana Department of Labor and Industry responds to federal layoffs
Twenty current and former federal workers gathered at state Department of Labor and Industry officers across Montana at 9 a.m. on March 12 for a “Rapid Response Event” aimed at “assist[ing] those impacted by federal layoffs.” Another 23 people attended virtually.
Montana House passes another bill taking aim at asbestos claimants
On the final day before the mid-session break, the Montana House passed two measures affecting hundreds of wrongful death and personal injury claims lodged against BNSF Railway.
Thinning project expected in Ray Kuhns Wildlife Managment Area this summer
According to an environmental assessment released by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, a combination of commercial and non-commercial thinning, prescribed burning, grass seeding and noxious weed control will be implemented throughout much of the management area’s eastern parcel beginning July 15.
Residents endorse state plans to add acreage to conservation easement
The state completed the first phase of the plan in February by purchasing rights to 32,821 acres of land roughly north of the Thompson chain of lakes from Green Diamond Resource Company, creating the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement. Now, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking approval to add another 52,930 acres to the perpetual easement.
Gravel beach plan aims to mitigate shoreline erosion on Flathead Lake
Pebbled beaches are the norm for much of Flathead Lake’s natural shoreline, but a combination of high summer water levels and frequent storms have cut much of the lakeshore into a jigsaw of steep banks and exposed roots.
Closures expected as Glacier National Park repairs infrastructure systems
The project is expected to span three years, starting in fall 2025 with repairs in the Two Medicine and St. Mary areas. According to a story map published by the park, leaks in the outdated water systems in these areas cost thousands of dollars every year.
Montana Legislators offer utilities looser liability laws in exchange for increased wildfire mitigation strategies
The Montana House has unanimously passed legislation to enforce stricter wildfire mitigation standards and reduce liability for utility companies and cooperatives.
Miscommunication results in loss of funding for Flathead Valley arts programs
State legislators have stripped funds from five local arts nonprofits, accusing the organizations of showing disrespect for the legislative process by not attending committee hearings.