At 5 p.m. Monday, March 11, the window closed for candidates to file to run for elected office in Montana this year, officially setting the stage for a hugely consequential election season. Toward the top of the ballot — not counting the presidential contest between presumptive nominees Joe Biden and Donald Trump — voters will have a choice between incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and a slew

In January, Montana’s labor force increased to an all-time high, while the state’s total employment continued to grow, according to data compiled by Department of Labor and Industry and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Montana’s unemployment rate held steady in January at 3.3 percent. The unemployment rate for the U.S. was also unchanged at 3.7 percent. Montana’s labor force

Poplar’s wrestlers earned first-place honors for the girls’ large team division at the Montana State AAU tournament during the weekend. Capturing first-place honors were Cali Gorder at 90 pounds schoolgirl and Angelina Escarcega at 126 pounds elite. Placing second were Caydee Gorder at 80 pounds novice, Audrey Swallers at 80 pounds schoolgirl and Alara Parshall at 113 pounds cadet.