While the shutdown has led to some canceled vacations, locals say they are worried about the long-term health of the National Park Service.| Montana Free Press
The proposed constitutional initiative would alter the law that applies to businesses, nonprofits and other incorporated entities that operate in Montana, barring them from contributing to campaigns and political committees that work to influence election outcomes. The post Attorney general rules ‘anti-dark money’ ballot initiative has too many parts appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
Running water returned to all parts of Montana State Prison, according to a press release from Montana Department of Corrections spokesperson Carolynn Stocker. The return comes a little more than two weeks after the department abruptly shut off supply to most of the facility in response to leaks in the system. The post Water back on at Montana State Prison appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
In late September, Wildlife Services alerted the Montana Department of Livestock to a potential feral swine issue involving about 100 animals in Phillips County, and the state began trapping the animals and delivered them to a nonprofit meat-processing facility shortly thereafter. The animals are now expected to provide a bounty of pork for food banks around the state. Matt Pierson, president and founder of Producer Partnership, said the arrangement will allow for a “better resolution” fo...| Montana Free Press
PLUS: A new ballot requirement.| Montana Free Press
Montana voters are having their first encounter with a new requirement to provide their birth year on the back of mail-in ballot envelopes alongside the previously required signature line. The change is a result of a legislative mandate aimed at enhancing mail election security. Election officials in Montana’s two largest counties, Yellowstone and Missoula, said the change had already forced them to reject hundreds of ballots in early returns. The post New law requires election officials to...| Montana Free Press
Cascade County child care centers meet just 71% of the area demand, and a 2021 study described a "severe shortage" of child care capacity in Great Falls with an estimated 580 children in need of child care that wasn't available. In that landscape, Toby's House offers free, drop-in care that specializes in crisis intervention. The post Life Support appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
Sletten aims to force sale of Alluvion building. The post It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Super TIF! appeared first on Montana Free Press.| Montana Free Press
Work underway on voter-approved school projects.| Montana Free Press
A months-long dispute gripping the Northern Cheyenne Tribe centers around who is in charge and a controversial election that excludes women candidates scheduled for Oct. 30 is only causing more confusion.| Montana Free Press
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating a helicopter crash near Ekalaka.| Montana Free Press
Fact-based news and data reporting from Montana's leading digital-first newsroom. Independent, reader-supported journalism in the public interest.| Montana Free Press
Montana Free Press is an independent, 501(c)(3) source for Montana news, information and analysis. Our mission is to produce in-depth public-service journalism that creates positive change and helps move society toward justice.| Montana Free Press
The mayor of West Yellowstone resigned after posting social media comments criticizing President Trump, which he later said he regretted.| Montana Free Press
A months-long dispute gripping the Northern Cheyenne Tribe centers around who is in charge and a controversial election that excludes women candidates scheduled for Oct. 30 is only causing more confusion.| Montana Free Press
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to cancel a public land management rule that sought to put conservation on equal footing with industry. The announcement comes as President Donald Trump seeks to open more taxpayer-owned tracts to drilling, logging, mining and grazing.| Montana Free Press
Montana has among the highest small aircraft crash rates by population in the nation — ranked third behind Alaska and Wyoming, according to an MTFP analysis of aviation data kept by National Transportation Safety Board. However, the number of small aircraft accidents in Montana so far this year is actually down compared to the same portion of last year.| Montana Free Press
Montana Free Press is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom dedicated to producing in-depth public-service journalism that holds power accountable,| Montana Free Press
Montana’s rate of fatal general aviation crashes is ranks third behind Alaska and Wyoming.| Montana Free Press
Both the president and council members spoke with MTFP in recent interviews to clarify their perspectives.| Montana Free Press
Mayor Jeff McBirnie resigned this week amid public backlash over his public Facebook message that read, ‘I’m ANTIFA’ and insulted President Trump.| Montana Free Press
The executive order comes after former federal officials warned that such a consolidation could be costly and increase the risk of catastrophic blazes.| Montana Free Press
NorthWestern Energy announced on July 30, 2025, that it has signed a letter of intent to provide up to 1,000 megawatts of energy to a data center under development by Quantica Infrastructure, a recently launched commercial enterprise that seeks to build “resilient network solutions for AI.”| Montana Free Press
Neighborhood councils dropped from fall ballot.| Montana Free Press
State health officials are grappling with the stack of new regulations passed by Congressional Republicans earlier this year.| Montana Free Press
The Remington Fire continues to trouble southeastern Montana landowners a year after it charred more than 190,000 acres.| 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
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
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