A Fort Peck Indian Reservation man suspected of aiding in attacking a man in the head with a bat in Wolf Point, on the reservation, admitted to an assault crime on Tuesday, Nov. 16, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said. Rick John Morales Jr., 32, who resides in both Wolf Point and Poplar, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aiding and abetting. Morales faces a maximum

Four Montana tribal communities will receive more than $3 million in Department of Justice grants to improve public safety and to serve crime victims, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson has announced. The four grants are among 137 grants to 85 American Indian and Alaska Native communities, totaling $73 million, announced this week during the virtual White House Tribal Nations Summit. These funds

During a special school board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 18, the Poplar School Board agreed to a plan for moving from remote status back to in-person education. The plan, according to a letter from superintendent Dan Schmidt, notes that all students and staff will return to on-campus learning on Monday, Nov. 29. Trustees approved that high school sports and activities could begin practices

American Express has announced its 12th annual Small Business Saturday, which will take place Nov. 27. The campaign, part of the company’s goal to drive $100 billion in reported consumer spending at small businesses from 2021 through 2025, features a series of initiatives to drive consumers to Shop Small during the holiday season, including: • New nationwide marketing campaign and new ways

Together with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced that $27 million in federal funding is available to help Montanans with heating bills this winter and to weatherize more homes. “With inflation at a high not seen in a generation and home heating prices continuing to increase, Montanans shouldn’t have to choose between heating their

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Montana acting state director Jake Ceartin has announced that USDA is investing almost $1.7 million to improve equitable access to jobs, business opportunities, education, housing and health care for people who live and work in Montana’s rural areas. “USDA Rural Development Montana is pleased to support our federally-recognized

Roosevelt County has 83 active cases including three new positive cases as of Monday, Nov. 22. There are currently eight hospitalizations. There have been 59 confirmed COVID related deaths in Roosevelt County. Vaccination clinics are scheduled from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24,in Culbertson, Dec. 2 in Wolf Point, Dec. 9 in Wolf Point, Dec. 16 in Wolf Point and Dec. 23 in Culbertson. Area

Tribal officials are disappointed with the new Congressional House maps for the state of Montana. The two districts were recently approved by the districting commission that consisted of two Republicans, two Democrats and a tie-breaker chair appointed by the Montana Supreme Court. The new map puts Missoula, Butte, Kalispell and Bozeman, along with the Flathead and Blackfeet Indian Reservations,

Last week, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan infrastructure bill which Sen. Jon Tester and nine other senators from both parties successfully negotiated. The bipartisan bill signed last week brings a minimum of $100 million to Montana for broadband investment, with the likelihood of hundreds of millions more. Over $395 million already has been allocated this year for broadband investment.

The Biden administration reversed course, suspending its implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers after previously telling businesses they should proceed despite a court-ordered pause. A federal court order instructed OSHA to “take no steps to implement or enforce” its Emergency Temporary Standard until the court said