U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced an amendment to the foreign aid emergency funding bill that would fully fund the “Rip and Replace” program that would remove Chinese components from the United States’ wireless communications systems on Tuesday, April 23. Without full funding, wireless and broadband providers across the United States will be saddled with billions of dollars in costs that

President Joe Biden has signed into law U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s bipartisan legislation to crack down on the deadly flow of fentanyl that is wreaking havoc on Montana communities. Tester’s Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act will impose economic sanctions on those engaged in the international trafficking of illicit fentanyl, precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl,

Montanans are increasingly reporting that their quality of life is declining, according to a recent University of Montana poll. Sixty-two percent of Montanans contacted by pollsters say their quality of life has gotten worse over the past five years. That’s a seven- point increase compared to 2022 when the Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative last put that question to

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General warns Medicare enrollees of a rising scam targeting their sensitive information. Scammers are luring individuals with offers of free services, medical equipment or gift cards in exchange for Medicare numbers, enabling fraudulent activities. Renee Labrie-Shanks, Director of the Statewide Senior Medicare Patrol Program

Friday, April 19, Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in March as employment levels increased. “Montana’s economy is thriving thanks to our projobs, pro-business policies,” Gov. Gianforte said. “While we continue to battle inflation, many businesses are hiring and providing good paying jobs. Our administration will continue to develop

Numerous Lustre Christian High School students qualified to attend State Music Festival on May 3-4 at the District Music Festival, held at Culbertson on Saturday, April 20. Those qualifying included Mason Hilkemann, Hadden Olfert and Cam Reddig with Amazing Grace as a saxophone trio; Emeka Aniobi soloing Deep River on his bari sax; and piano solos by Hannah Brown with Intrada by Graupner

This year’s Montana paddlefish season kicks off on May 1 with the opening of the Upper Missouri River section from Fort Benton downstream to Fort Peck Dam. Anglers must have a White Harvest Tag to participate in catching and keeping a paddlefish from this section of the river. These tags are issued through a lottery system. FWP mails these tags to successful applicants. Unsuccessful paddlefish

Poplar native Hunter Azure won the United Fight League bantamweight title on Saturday, April 27, in impressive fashion. Azure utilized a devastating right hand to knock out Amun Cosme in the second round. The victory was a big rebound for Azure, 32, after he lost his quarter-final round fight on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. Azure’s record is 11-3 in MMA fights. Four of his victories

The Lustre Christian Lions scored 38 points to take fifth place in the team standings at the Glendive Shriners’ track meet on Friday, April 26. Johnslee Pierre finished first in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 42.24 seconds. The sophomore placed third in the long jump with a mark of 20-7. He placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles at 17.17 seconds. Prestyn Klatt ran to a fifthplace

Golfers from Wolf Point and Poplar were among the competitors at the Glasgow Invitational on Friday, April 26. Poplar took third in the boys’ division behind Conrad and Glasgow. Poplar’s Lukas Young shot an 89 to tie for ninth place. Landon Young shot a 93 to tie for 13th place. Kaniel Ricker and Quinn Sutherland each carded a 94 for 16th place. Navarjo Escarcega shot a 103 for 30th