Montana’s utility regulation commission voted Tuesday, Oct. 21, to demote one of its members, Brad Molnar of Laurel, stripping him of his title as the commission’s president in a 3-2 vote. The vote came after weeks of strife and an hour and a half of debate about the procedures for dealing with disagreements among the Montana Public Service Commission’s elected commissioners and their

Montana’s agriculture leaders came out in opposition last week after President Trump indicated plans to import beef from Argentina as a method to decrease beef prices for the nation’s consumers. The Montana Stockgrowers Association noted, “As cattle producers, we not only know how to raise the most nutritious, high-quality meat in the world, we also know what it’s like to feed our families

A Poplar man who sexually abused a minor was sentenced last week to 54 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Jonathan Robert Walking Eagle, 23, pleaded guilty in May 2025 to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The government alleged in court documents that on January 24

A Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks hunter education field day for online students, will be held in Glasgow Friday, Oct. 10. This is likely the last opportunity for hunter education certification for the year. Consistent with FWP’s licensing laws, students who will turn age 12 by Jan. 16, 2026, or older, may take the online course and the requisite field day. Adults 18 and older may take the

Leading up to the COVID pandemic, Montana public schools were falling farther behind when it came to starting teacher pay. After the pandemic, inflation and cost of housing made starting to teach in Montana very difficult. But a new program, passed by the 2025 Legislature, has already boosted starting teacher pay and kept districts from struggling with open positions, according to school

Lodging in Missouri River Country was slightly down to begin 2025, according to figures from the Montana Department of Commerce. The region of Missouri River Country includes the counties of Daniels, Garfield, Mc-Cone, Roosevelt, Richland, Phillips, Sheridan and Valley. Gross lodging revenue for the first quarter was $96,217, which was slightly below the 2024 first quarter figure of $100,285 and $165,916

Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced he is seeking nominations for the 2025 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation. “Montana’s veterans represent the very best of our state,” Gianforte said. “Their courage, service, and lasting impact on our communities deserve our recognition and our gratitude. I encourage Montanans to nominate a veteran who continues to make a difference in their community.”

Average gasoline prices in Montana are unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.23/g on Sunday, Sept. 14, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 615 stations in Montana. Prices in Montana are 1.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 9.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 2.6 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.658 per gallon.