Montana Free Press This story is adapted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. Montana’s K-12 school system plays an essential role in this state — as essential as any of the many public institutions covered by Montana Free Press. It’s also an expensive endeavor, with districts across the state spending, according

Sunshine Week is March 10-16, and this year, there’s an even greater need for you to get involved. Sunshine Week annually celebrates freedom of information laws in every state. It also salutes efforts by good government advocates and journalists to use and ensure the effectiveness of those laws to get the information we need as self-governing citizens. The name is a play on the commonsense

Each year at this time, newspapers across the nation recognize Sunshine Week as a reminder of the importance of transparency in government. The duty of newspapers include making sure government agencies follow open meeting laws including public notices. In Montana, we’re fortunate that the Freedom of Information hotline, 406-4428670, is dedicated to keeping the operations of government in

Republican Congressman Matt Rosendale said on Friday he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives — another twist in a two-month saga in which the eastern Montana representative has announced his run, and departure, in two federal races. Rosendale announced his decision to drop out of the 2nd Congressional District race on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that a rumor

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks recently approved $100,000 in funding for four projects to enhance angling opportunities at local ponds. These projects are intended to improve the angler experience as well as fish habitat and survival. The funding will come from FWP’s Community Pond Program and is matched with $200,000 from outside sources. The funded projects are located across eastern

In a move that spells savings for businesses across the state, Montana’s Largest Workers’ Comp Insurer has announced a significant 10 percent reduction in rates, following a successful 5 percent reduction in 2023. This marks a remarkable milestone, with rates having decreased by more than 60 percent since 2007. Friday’s announcement by Montana State Fund’s Board of Directors signals

New polling results released Wednesday, March 6, show Democratic Sen. Jon Tester with a narrow, but statistically insignificant, lead over Republican Tim Sheehy in a theoretical matchup eight months before Election Day, and also that Gov. Greg Gianforte has a neutral approval rating as he starts his re-election bid. The Emerson College Polling/ The Hill poll also shows former President Donald

The Agriculture Council of America announced March 19, 2024, will be National Agriculture Day with the theme of “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” Activities planned for March 19 feature a virtual Ag Day program, and in-person events in Washington, D.C. ACA will invite students to interact virtually with legislators and agency representatives, delivering the Ag Day message.

The 2024 National Ag Day video winners have been selected. The winners were chosen based on the theme: “Agriculture in the Future: If I had two minutes to talk to a farmer.” Formerly a written and video contest, the program switched to all video entries this year. The first-place winner, Sophia Kawamura from Bothell, Wash., receives a $1,500 prize. The second- place winner, Imani Laird

U.S. senators and farmers Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recently sent a letter pressing their colleagues to stand up to big ag consolidation by opposing recent efforts to weaken the Packers and Stockyards Act in the upcoming FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill, and protect family farmers and ranchers as well as consumers at the meat counter. The Packers and Stockyards