From tax relief to programs that foster “prosperity” and “self-sufficiency,” Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte laid out his plan to grow Montana’s economy and address what he called “the affordability crisis” during his State of the State address Monday, one week into the 69th legislative session. One of the plans he touted is the 1 percent decrease in the income tax rate he

The House Judiciary Committee on Monday, Jan. 13, held a hearing on proposed legislation to create a fund for the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, which bill proponents say will allow the force to better fulfill its mission of addressing the crisis. “The Montana missing Indigenous person epidemic has devastating effects for Native people across Montana who live in fear and

Chet Phillips has three children, and he’s a graduate student in social work at the University of Montana. He and his little ones — 11, 11 and 9 — are insured through Medicaid expansion. If it weren’t for the program, set to sunset in June 2025, he believes he might be in deep debt paying for health care for his family. Phillips also said he might not be able to pursue his social work

The Montana Public Service Commission surprised the public and voted in favor of a requested interim natural gas rate increase from Montana-Dakota Utilities last week. A final decision on an overall proposed increase is still being considered. The vote came in at 4-1 in favor of granting the interim increase, with Commissioner Randy Pinocci, representative of PSC District 1, being the lone vote

Froid’s speech and drama team ended the regular season on a high note in Plentywood on Saturday. Jan. 18. Reegan Roseleip took first place in program oral interpretation. Vala Gregor placed second in memorized public address. Trinity Gregor took third in mime. Froid will host the divisional speech and drama tournament this weekend.

The following Bainville Junior High students placed at the Business Professional of America regional competition held in Lambert. Logan Telck: First, financial literacy, first, visual design team, second, spreadsheet applications and fifth, graphic design promotion. Annalyce Sorenson: First, website design team, first, human resource exploration, third, word processing, third, graphic design

Whether or not you use tobacco, you are paying for it. According to data from the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids Toll of Tobacco in Montana report, every year each household in Montana spends $906 in taxes due to smoking. What’s more, Montanans spend a total of $511 million annually in health care costs directly caused by smoking. Did you know that raising taxes on tobacco products is one of