As a part of his year’s long fight to increase local meat processing capacity in Montana and reduce consolidation in the meatpacking industry, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has secured $55.2 million in competitive grant funding that will provide critical resources for currently operating processing facilities that are working toward Federal inspection. “In order to break the stranglehold

Although Roosevelt County’s percentage of population that is fully vaccinated is below the state figure of 46 percent, Roosevelt County’s percentage of 34 percent is similar to other eastern Montana counties. As of early this week, 2,861 residents of Roosevelt County have been fully vaccinated, according to the state’s website regarding vaccine distribution. Percentages of other counties

The Wolf Point School District still doesn’t have a new activities director after a special meeting on Thursday, June 24. After a good amount of discussion and visitors’ comments, the recommendation to hire Frank Benson for the position failed by a 3-3 margin. Voting for the motion were trustees Linda L. Hansen, Lanette Clark and Lawrence Hamilton Jr. Discussion on the matter started when

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announces that all Fort Peck area campgrounds and the Interpretive Center are open for the 2021 season. The Downstream Campground will remain open through Sept. 30. Reservations for individual campsites can be made up to six months in advance of the date of arrival. The West End Tent and Trailer Campground will remain open until Sept. 6.

MSU News Service Montana State University Extension has updated its MontGuide “Montana Medical Care Savings Accounts for the 2021 Tax Year.” The revised guide is available at https://store.msuextension. org, and paper copies are available from county or reservation Extension offices. A medical care savings account is an account used to reduce the cost of saving for medical expenses and

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency began accepting nominations for county committee members on June 15. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas for these members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 2.

Montana’s unemployment rate declined again, falling to 3.6 percent in May, down from 4.0 percent in January and down from 9.1 percent one year ago. The unemployment rate for the U.S. was 5.8 percent for the month of May. “Montanans who were sidelined during the pandemic are returning to the workforce and getting back to work,” Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said. “Our continued recovery