Gov. Greg Gianforte put his signature on a $309 million list of broadband grants intended to expand rural connectivity across Montana Wednesday, Dec. 14, clearing the way for private internet companies to begin publicly subsidized construction on what the governor called a “historic” investment in closing the state’s digital divide. Gianforte’s action endorses the list of grant awards

A program offered by Montana State University Extension and the Montana Stockgrowers Association that provides an opportunity for students throughout the state to raise cattle and learn about various elements of beef quality recently announced its annual winners. The 2022 Steer of Merit program winners were recognized Dec. 8 at the Montana Stockgrowers Association annual convention and trade

BOZEMAN – Montana State University Extension moved its website to a new address in early December. Online Extension resources, including those available locally to residents in all counties and reservations across Montana, will now be housed at montana.edu/extension. Previously, the site was at msuextension.org, and users visiting the previous site location will be redirected automatically

About 23,500 Montana workers will experience a pay increase at the start of the new year. Montana will increase its minimum wage to $9.95 an hour, an increase of 75 cents, starting on Jan. 1, 2023. Montana statute requires the minimum wage be adjusted annually based on changes in inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index all Urban Consumers from August of the year in which the calculation

Roosevelt County reported 47 active COVID cases as of Friday, Dec. 16. There have been 3,827 total cases in the county. Roosevelt County Health Department hosts COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Wolf Point the first and third Thursdays of the month, and in Culbertson on the fourth Thursday. Clinics for children 5-11 years of age are held every three weeks on Fridays. Call 406-653-6223 for a COVID vaccine

Southeast Montana’s first late-season hunt, previously known as a shoulder season, will run from Nov. 28-Feb. 15. In FWP Region 7, the late season allows antlerless elk hunting with either an unused over-the-counter general elk license or a limited- draw elk B license on private lands in Hunting Districts 702, 704, 705. A late-season hunt is a firearms season that occurs outside the general

As the area is hit with its first major snowstorm of the season, the Montana Department of Transportation reminds drivers to give snow plows adequate room for when they are clearing highways and roads. The department provides the following reminders regarding snow plow safety. * Don’t crowd the plow. Plow drivers have limited visibility so don’t assume your vehicle is in view. * Maintain

The Gianforte Administration has proposed to bump up the per diem for the stressed facilities, but only for a fraction of the recommended increased rates. Nursing homes are on the ropes financially, and so far, 11 facilities have closed or announced closures in the state, according to data from the Montana Health Care Association. They also have been operating at well below capacity, recently