The Office of the Governor has released the 2021 Montana Water and Supply Drought Outlook Report. According to the report, 42 percent of the state is classified as abnormally dry, with another 18 percent of the state in severe to extreme drought conditions. May and June are historically the two wettest months of the year in Montana. “Following an unusually mild winter, the conditions we

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a public hearing on May 13, at 9 a.m., to consider the proposed adoption and amendments of three new rules pertaining to the use of deer or elk urine to mask human odor. The purpose of the new rules is to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which can be present in the urine and glandular scents of infected deer and elk. The hearing will be

As the Montana Legislature nears the close of its biennial business, Republican lawmakers are mounting a case against the judicial branch and the state Supreme Court with accusations of judicial bias and improper record keeping, while Democrats call the inquiry a “witch hunt.” Since the start of the 2021 Legislative Session, lawmakers have proposed numerous bills seeking changes to the judicial

Although oil isn’t booming in eastern Montana, activity is steadily increasing in the Treasure State. “We’re still seeing a lot of interest,” Alan Olson, executive director of the Montana Petroleum Association, said. Recently, legal notices appeared regarding intention by Prima Exploration to apply for a permit to drill an oil and gas well in Roosevelt County. On April 19, Kraken

The Montana Senate passed a gargantuan bill Friday, April 23, with a plan to regulate and tax recreational marijuana following days of work by a special committee that brought the bill closer to the original plan voters passed when they legalized the drug in the November 2020 election. House Bill 701 cleared the Senate on a 34-16 vote, meaning it now returns to the House of Representatives and

Montana gas prices have risen 3.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.79/g on Sundayt, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 615 stations in Montana. Gas prices in Montana are 9.0 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 97.4 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana is priced at $2.64/g while the most

At a direct patient care facility in Billings, Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill expanding access to affordable, high-quality health care. “We’re committed to making affordable, high-quality health care more accessible to Montanans by increasing choice, eliminating regulations and promoting competition,” Gianforte said. “This new, commonsense law will help bring down the cost of

One bill that would limit the rights of transgender youth is dead in the Montana Legislature and another is headed to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk amid growing warnings from health care providers, Democrats and athletic organizations of the economic and legal consequences of passing “discriminatory” bills. House Bill 112 and House Bill 427 are similar to a dozens of bills in states across

Montana State University Extension will offer three additional webinars in its Spring Beef Webinar series. The sessions will take place every Thursday from April 29 through May 13 at 6 p.m. via Webex. In the April 29 session, Casey Solomon, veterinarian at Milk River Genetics, will discuss beef cattle reproduction. The May 6 session will feature Juliana Ranches, assistant professor and

2017 by then-Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Matt Rosendale. Since then, eight DPC clinics have opened in Montana. “Authorizing direct patient care was a key part of my success providing more affordable health care options for Montanans as insurance commissioner,” U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said. “I’m glad to see the governor and legislature make this bill a law to