Recent and current cold temperatures across the state have resulted in higher- than-expected energy bills for many Montana residents. Increased utility company operating expenses for some utilities, including local property tax increases which went into effect Jan. 1, may have also contributed to a recent surge in the prices customers are seeing on their bills. To reduce energy costs, the

The Valley County Spelling Bee was delayed, due to severe cold and blowing snow until Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. at Lustre Christian High School. Five Lustre Grade school contestants, Coleman Hilkemann, Justin Schiller, Sidney Klatt, Cam Reddig and Aubrey Klatt, competed. Results were not available as of presstime. The 22 Lustre Christian High School dorm students and dorm parents were in dress

In his continued push to support Montana cattle producers and combat anti-competitive practices in the meat processing industry, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., reintroduced his Meat Packing Special Investigator Act to fight consolidation and enforce the nation’s anti-trust laws. The bill is co-led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). “Folks in Washington don’t understand

Frazer’s boys’ basketball team lost a tough 57-53 contest against North Country on Saturday, Feb. 11. North Country led 21-10 at the end of the first quarter and by a 27-26 half-time margin. The Mavericks held a 41-32 lead after the third quarter. The Bearcubs accounted for 21 points in the final period. In the girls’ game, North Country won by an 89-17 score. North Country jumped

Gov. Greg Gianforte criticized the Biden administration for issuing a rule which undermines the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Montana gunowners. The Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives recently revised criteria for firearms with stabilizing braces, subjecting nearly all firearms with attached stabilizing braces to taxation and registration

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Feb. 22 via Zoom. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be streamed live on the FWP website. The commission will take public comment on agenda items via Zoom. To make a comment via Zoom, you must register on the FWP website by noon on Feb. 21. The public will also be able to comment in person at any FWP regional office. The commission

Survey results have shown Montana State University researchers that farmers and ranchers throughout Montana and the West experience, on average, a medium level of stress, which could impact their sleep, physical health, mental health and/ or relationships, according to Michelle Grocke, health and wellness specialist with MSU Extension and assistant professor in the MSU Department of Health and Human

Landowners have until March 15 to submit applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for enrollment in the Unlocking Public Lands Program or the Public Access Land Agreement Program. These programs are designed to provide recreational public access to state (Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) or federal (Bureau of Land Management or United States Forest Service)