for a deputy attorney and that Fyfe will be earning less than the retiring Reum. “As a department head, I should have some say in what my employee’s starting salary is rather than feedback from people who have no idea what the position entails.” Also during the meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 21, commissioners agreed to change the fire restrictions from stage one to a fire ban. If you want

Montana’s unemployment rate hit a 14-year low, dropping to 3.5 percent in August. The national unemployment rate for August is 5.2 percent. “With Montana open for business and more Montanans returning to good-paying jobs, our economic and jobs recovery continues at a strong pace,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said. “Montana is a leader in our nation’s economic comeback, with our state’s

A month ago, fearing the worst, Montana’s medical community sounded the alarm, urging residents to get vaccinated and mask up as the Delta variant of COVID-19 began to spread. Now it appears the worst is arriving. This week, hospitals from Billings to Missoula are instituting or preparing to institute a “crisis standard of care” under which medical services and supplies are rationed. While

The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program, with assistance from the Montana Department of Agriculture, is offering a pest management tour for pesticide applicators at 10 locations across eastern Montana from Oct. 4 through 8. Those in the state’s Private Applicator Training District 4 need to earn six private applicator credits before Dec. 31 to avoid losing their certification,

As a part of his continued effort to level the playing field for Montana’s beef producers, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has unveiled his bipartisan American Beef Labeling Act in Billings with community leaders and ranchers from Yellowstone County. Tester was joined by Operations Director of R-CALF USA Candace Bullard, Columbus Rancher and Member of the United States Cattlemen’s Association

Last month, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced it was taking applications for emergency haying and grazing leases on select wildlife management areas. The primary purpose of these leases is to enhance wildlife habitat and to benefit local producers. While some WMAs opened for emergency haying and grazing leases received applications, others did not. Therefore, FWP is providing an additional

After the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday, Sept. 20, it again would extend the closure of the border between the U.S. and Canada for another month, Gov. Greg Gianforte urged President Joe Biden to fully reopen the northern border for trade and travel after months of repeated delays. “While our nation’s southern border remains porous and insecure, with drug cartels

Lately, deliberate misrepresentations have been circulating regarding American Prairie’s proposal to graze bison on six federal allotments in Phillips County. While most Montanans who have commented thus far clearly welcome our proposal, some remain committed to a misinformation campaign based on rumors and misdirection. This only serves to perpetuate divisions and erode our civic fabric. As