Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3 percent in 2021, the Social Security Administration announced Nov. 5. The 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries

Although he wasn’t pleased with the election results from most of the state, Frank Smith, D-Poplar, is looking forward to serving House District 31 at the Montana Legislature in 2021. “I always say, the voters have spoken,” Smith said regarding the results. “We have to live with it.” Results included Greg Gianforte being elected as Montana’s new governor and Republicans keeping

Republicans dominated Montana’s elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as the party earned victories in races for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. representative In the race for governor, Greg Gianforte led with 54 percent over Mike Cooney’s 42 percent with 76 percent of the state’s votes received. Gianforte is Montana’s current U.S. representative while Cooney is Montana’s lieutenant governor.

Census reporting in Montana officially ended Thursday, Oct. 15, to accommodate a lawsuit featuring advocacy groups against President Trump’s administration in a federal appeals court. At the end of the process, federal officials reported that 99.9 percent of Montana residents were considered counted. Of that amount, more than 60 percent responded by choice. The 99.9 rate means an attempt

Montana Commerce Department Director Tara Rice announced Oct. 15 the department will begin accepting applications for the Tourism Grant Program from Thursday, Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 for the 2021 grant cycle. The Tourism Grant Program funds projects that strengthen Montana’s economy through the development and enhancement of Montana’s tourism and recreation industry. A total of $750,000

U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Greg Ibach Oct. 14 at a ranch outside of Belgrade to announce new testing guidelines for brucellosis which will help expand research and improve efforts to eradicate the disease and reduce its impacts on Montana ranchers and Montana agriculture. Daines was joined by Montana agriculture leaders including

U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte celebrated President Trump signing their bipartisan bill into law that will name a ridge near Emigrant Peak the “B-47 Ridge” in honor of four servicemen who tragically died in a B-47 Bomber crash. President Trump signed the legislation Oct. 13. On July 23, 1962, a B-47 Bomber originating from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas