A bill proposed in the Montana Legislature would allow candidates in nonpartisan elections to appear on the ballot with their political party affiliation. Senate Bill 200, sponsored by Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, was heard in the Senate State Administration Committee last week. Opponents testifying against the bill included representatives of the Montana State Bar Association, Montana Trial

A few months before you turn 65, you should learn about Medicare coverage choices and consider important enrollment times and your coverage options. You should start at least three months before you turn 65. Visit Medicare.gov or call the State Health Insurance Program hotline: 1-800-551-3191 to be assigned a counselor near you. Your initial enrollment period (IEP) is three months before you

If you are interested in learning more about funding opportunities available through Humanities Montana, registration is open for a March 7 informational webinar. Presenters will briefly discuss opportunity grants and take a deeper dive into the tenets of successful regular grant applications and provide examples of effective narratives and budgets. The talk is set for 2 p.m. Register in advance

Montana’s smokeless tobacco use prevalence is 14 percent for adult males, which is more than twice as high as the national average. Feb. 19-25 is “Through with Chew Week,” an entire week dedicated to educating Montanans about the health risks of smokeless tobacco and the health benefits of quitting. “Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. Research shows that nicotine

Rep. Frank Smith, D-Poplar, is working to pass House Bill 330 that would provide state recognition for the Northern Tribes DUI Task Force. The bill originally carried an appropriation of $150,000 from the general fund, but amendments are taking place to reduce the price tag. “I’ve gotten it modified so much. We brought down the price quite a bit,” Smith said. Smith noted that both