Missoula school district budgets increase teacher pay, avoid major cuts
New state funding and a growing early literacy program helped offset declining enrollment, school officials said.| Montana Free Press
All legal documents in the court case of the man accused of shooting and killing four Anaconda residents at a bar in early August have been sealed from public view, according to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge clerk of district court, a move that legal experts have cast as highly unusual. The post In unusual legal move, all Anaconda shooting case documents are sealed appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
The Montana Department of Corrections is planning to expand and renovate Boulder’s Riverside Correctional Facility, a low-security women’s prison. The project will double the capacity of the 50-person compound in the next several years. DOC spokesperson Carolynn Stocker said the agency has not yet determined the renovation’s cost. This is the first major project to come from House Bill 833, a $250 million spending package championed by John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, aimed at increasing t...| Montana Free Press
Hi-Country Snack Foods, a Lincoln-based company renowned for its beef jerky, laid off 16 people, the company confirmed. The post Hi-Country Snacks lays off 16 workers near Lincoln appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
Court filings indicate Rep. Tom Millett, R-Marion, failed to file income taxes in most years between 2004 and 2012. He has argued, unsuccessfully, for judges to accept an interpretation of the U.S. tax code that exempts his income from taxation. The post Flathead-area lawmaker loses appeal contesting more than $427,000 in unpaid federal income taxes appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
Tribal health leaders fear their communities will experience more health coverage disruptions when new federal Medicaid work and eligibility requirements are implemented by the start of 2027. The post Native Americans want to avoid past Medicaid enrollment snafus as work requirements loom appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
A program to monitor and support medical providers dealing with addiction and mental health issues has lost the trust of stakeholders, legislative auditors found, creating potential public safety and liability risks. The post Legislative audit flags ‘instability’ in medical monitoring program for nurses, doctors appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
Three years ago, I began a personal journey to learn the basics of food from southern India. As I became familiar with the fundamentals, I also made some fusion dishes with my own culinary stamp. I developed this dal recipe using flavoring agents and culinary co-stars that were available exclusively to the Indigenous populations of the Western Hemisphere more than 500 years ago. The post New World meets old in green chile dal appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
New state funding and a growing early literacy program helped offset declining enrollment, school officials said.| Montana Free Press
The Livingston-based writer talks about small-town reporting and social media.| Montana Free Press
One thing I love about Italian cooking is the Italian talent for making a masterpiece out of just a few ingredients. I think some of the best meals you can put on a table are simple creations, and Italy has perfected that art. That’s why I love panna cotta. And I especially love it during the summer. It’s a cool and unpretentious end to a meal, and proof that amazing taste doesn’t have to be complex.| Montana Free Press
County adds levy for roads, bridges to fall ballot.| Montana Free Press
The median residential property tax bill rose 21% between 2022 and 2023.| Montana Free Press
Even with 66% of the state in drought, Montana has seen far fewer acres burn than at this point last year. Experts weigh in on the factors contributing to this summer’s unusually mild fire season.| Montana Free Press
474 groups spent more than $9.3 million to influence lawmakers as they decided the fates of hundreds of pieces of legislation.| Montana Free Press
Montana is among the states that have recently required safeguarding brain data collected by devices outside of medical settings. That includes headphones, earbuds, and other wearable consumer products that aim to improve sleep, focus, and aging by measuring electrical activity and sending the data to an app on users’ phones.| Montana Free Press
Governor’s veto pen slashes hundreds of millions in spending that had been approved by legislators.| Montana Free Press
Courthouse gathering rallies against recent state and federal legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.| Montana Free Press
ACLU to represent Missoula in ‘bathroom bill’ lawsuit.| Montana Free Press
A new class on the Blackfeet Reservation helps students engage with art to cope with distress and make meaning from pain.| Montana Free Press
PLUS: Montana’s abortion rights amendment takes effect.| Montana Free Press
Nine Republican lawmakers are caught up in a months-long festering feud for breaking with the Freedom Caucus at the start of the 2025 Legislature.| Montana Free Press
NorthWestern Energy, Montana utility board dial back electricity rate hike| Montana Free Press
As wildfires worsen across the U.S., job uncertainty is combining with a growing mental health crisis and threatening the lives of wildland firefighters.| Montana Free Press
Some lake users say more can be done to keep the lake close to full pool, but dam operator says sacrifices are necessary.| Montana Free Press
After jury case, BNSF Railway is trying to collect a financial judgment against the Libby health provider found to have made fraudulent diagnoses.| Montana Free Press
“He was a hard-nosed politician but he had such a soft center,” said Sheena Rice, a friend who hired on to Williams’ staff in Washington, D.C.| Montana Free Press
Yellowstone Public Radio, Montana Public Radio, Montana PBS and KGLT face a combined $2.6 million in cuts.| Montana Free Press
2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate Montana’s growth has continued in Kalispell, Bozeman and East Helena.| Montana Free Press
House Bill 819 limits the display of flags on government property to a list of several exceptions, including official flags of any municipality.| Montana Free Press
Senate Bill 188 proponents say veto is a ‘missed opportunity’ to encourage economic development and lower Montanans’ power bills.| Montana Free Press
Calling the sudden request ‘extortion,’ Great Falls airport board members agreed to pay more than $75,000 to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection with additional annual costs. Smaller airports simply can’t afford the increases.| Montana Free Press
As city officials grapple with legislative changes, police chief cautions that services will suffer.| Montana Free Press
Native Americans in Montana are four times more likely to be reported missing than their counterparts. Several new laws aim to address the crisis. The new laws aim to bolster the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Advisory Council and call on the federal government to adequately fund law enforcement in Indian Country.| Montana Free Press
While a key component was removed from the bill, Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy said the most important aspect of the legislation — the renewal of MICWA — remained.| Montana Free Press
Higher education officials express need to balance affordability with the increased costs of services and employee support across the university system.| Montana Free Press
Patrons of an Exxon station in Kalispell can fill up on some of the tastiest handmade Mexican food in Big Sky Country at La Casita.| Montana Free Press
