This story is adapted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. It was originally published under the title “The Viz.” According to information supplied this week by the Montana Association of Counties, 49 of Montana’s 56 counties have chosen to buck a directive from the administration of Gov. Greg Gianforte by scaling

Together with Department of Public Health and Human Services director Charlie Brereton and the Montana Healthcare Foundation, Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced the investment of $7.5 million to increase access to behavioral health and substance use disorder screening and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women across the state. “There’s no more important role in life than being a parent,”

To highlight the importance of wetland conservation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is launching a new Migratory Bird Stamp. “We know the value of wetland habitat to the landscape in Montana and conservation efforts to protect or enhance these habitats has gone on for decades,” said FWP director Dustin Temple. “But we can do more. FWP, along with the help of landowners and other conservation

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a draft revision to the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Strategic Plan. The strategic plan was written in 2011 using recommendations and guidance from the UGBEP Council. The revised plan builds on the original version by incorporating several updates that were added following the advisory council’s recommendations.

City of Glasgow and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries staff have begun pumping water out of Home Run Pond near Glasgow as part of a project to clean up the pond and improve the fishery. Pumping equipment will be positioned at Home Run Pond through late next week, according to a Nov. 3 press release. Members of the public are asked to avoid disturbing hoses, pumps and other instruments

November is National Scholarship Month and nonprofit Reach Higher Montana is celebrating all month long with its annual Stick with Scholarships Campaign. The campaign encourages all Montana high school students to place a student-designed Reach Higher Montana sticker on an appropriate surface, such as a water bottle or book cover, snap a photo and upload it to woorise. com/reachhighermontana/