Montana is in many ways a land of two halves: a western Montana of snow-capped mountains and national forests joined in political unity with an eastern Montana of wide-open plains and flatland agriculture. It’s a time-honored divide: peaks versus plains, Missoula versus Miles City, Flathead versus Fort Peck lakes. But where exactly is the dividing line? As it turns out, there’s no clear

Montana voters’ generations- long aversion to a state sales tax is alive and well, according to a poll conducted by Montana Free Press and the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Despite support in recent years from business groups that argue the state’s tax structure should adapt to an increasingly tourism-focused economy, a majority of voters polled in late December and

The Montana Department of Agriculture, in partnership the Montana Food & Agriculture Development Network, is announcing the launch of the new Concept to Consumer Course. Concept to Consumer was created to outline and give direction to Montana business surrounding food industry requirements and regulations, and to create an awareness of business considerations and processing resources and

When residents or their families in Montana’s nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other long-term care settings need a voice, they may turn to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Ombudsmen are trained advocates dedicated to protecting residents’ rights, resolving problems, and improving quality of care across the state. In Montana, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a federally

Saying it was the “best policy around,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said a flat income tax rate was a goal of his heading into the 2027 Legislative session. Gianforte has cut state income taxes significantly since taking office in 2020 – the highest bracket taxpayers paid 6.9 percent in 2021. In 2027, after legislation passed during the 2025 session, that number will be 5.4 percent for the highest

Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C., Feb. 10–12, to participate in the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings. These selected members are appointed to specific committees to discuss pressing agricultural concerns and surface ideas for policy development in emerging issues areas. Led by MFBF senior director of Governmental Affairs Nicole Rolf, the trio

A Senior Companion is a volunteer who provides limited help to other at-risk seniors to help keep them independent. There is no charge to the client for receiving these services from a Senior Companion. Example of services provided: • Read/write letters, fill out forms or help with money management • Go to social events or sporting events • Provide respite care for family caregivers

Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Revenue director Brendan Beatty have announced an extension for property owners to apply for the Homestead and Long-Term Rental Reduced Property Tax Rates. The new deadline is March 20. This extension is a direct response to intermittent technical issues with the department’s online application portal caused by a high volume of last-minute

The Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council will meet beginning on Monday, March 9, at the Delta Hotel in Helena. The council will review applications for the 2026 Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants through a series of hearings March 10-12. Funding deliberations will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12. Meetings will be conducted in-person with the option to join online through Zoom. An