Senators blast latest extension of US-Canada border restrictions

The Biden administration said Monday it is extending travel restrictions at the land border between the U.S. and Canada at least through Oct. 21, prompting another round of bipartisan criticism from Montana Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines.

Coal company seeks to weaken Montana water quality standard

Canada's largest coal company is challenging a new Montana water quality standard that aims to limit concentrations of toxic runoff from the company's mines in British Columbia as it travels across the international border into the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa.

Montana senators blast continued closure of Canada border

Both of Montana's senators criticized the Biden administration's decision on Friday to continue blocking nonessential travel from Canada into the United States for an 18th straight month.

Whitefish to name day after Olympic rugby player

Whitefish's mayor is poised to declare Friday, July 23, 2021, "Nicole Heavirland Day" in honor of the local woman gearing up to play rugby in the Tokyo Olympics.

State drops 'bad actor' case against Hecla CEO

Montana's Department of Environmental Quality is dropping its lawsuit against a North Idaho-based company seeking to develop two large silver and copper mines in Northwest Montana.

State seeks to conserve 27,000 acres of Stimson Lumber land

Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking to purchase a conservation easement for more than 27,000 acres of forest and grassland in Lincoln County to preclude development, protect threatened wildlife habitat, improve public access and recreational opportunities, and allow the longtime owner of the land, the Stimson Lumber Co., to continue harvesting timber.

Whitefish’s Don ‘K’ re-elected as state GOP chair

Whitefish businessman Don “K” Kaltschmidt was re-elected over the weekend as chairman of the Montana Republican Party.

Statistics show domestic violence on the rise in Montana

Montana law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence call every 1.75 hours in 2020 — and experts say that's likely a significant underrepresentation of the problem.

Daily service returns on Empire Builder

Amtrak resumed daily service on its long-distance passenger routes Monday, including the Empire Builder that connects Montana's Hi-Line communities and brings tourists to Whitefish.

Rangers rescue two bikers after avalanche on Sun Road

Glacier National Park rangers rescued two bicyclists who were trapped by an avalanche Thursday night on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Neither was injured.

Gianforte to sign bill curtailing local governments, businesses

After sending it back to the Legislature with several proposed amendments, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is poised to sign a bill that would invalidate mask requirements, occupancy limits and other pandemic response measures adopted by local governments and health officials.

Kalispell lawmaker promotes false vaccine conspiracy theory

A longtime state lawmaker from Kalispell promoted a false conspiracy theory about COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday during a public debate in the Montana Senate.

Gianforte signs bill giving elected officials power over health boards

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill that subjects emergency decisions by local health boards and health officers to approval by elected officials.

Lawmakers OK bill giving elected officials power over health boards

A bill that would give elected officials the power to change or shoot down emergency rules adopted by local health boards was sent to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte's desk this week after passing both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature with mostly GOP support.

Bill to deregulate accessory dwellings dies in Montana Senate

Despite bipartisan support, a bill that would prohibit cities and counties from limiting construction of accessory dwelling units appears unlikely to advance after its first hearing before a Montana legislative committee.

State lawmakers target local COVID rules from all angles

Since the start of Montana's legislative session, Republican state lawmakers have considered a variety of novel ways to limit how local governments can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gianforte seeks to drop state lawsuit against Flathead businesses

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said Thursday he was directing staff at the Department of Public Health and Human Services to "seek dismissal" of lawsuits filed by the previous administration against five Flathead County businesses.

FCC fines local Nazi sympathizer

A 51-year-old Nazi sympathizer residing in Libby faces a $9.9 million fine from the Federal Communications Commission after he plagued various parts of the country with racist, anti-Semitic and threatening robocalls.

State GOP lawmakers blast Daines over water compact

A historic water-rights agreement between the federal government and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes became law on Sunday, as President Donald Trump reluctantly signed a $2.3 trillion spending bill that included the pact as well as a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package.

Medical dispensaries first to sell recreational marijuana

After voters approved two legalization measures in November, many of Montana's medical marijuana dispensaries are expected to seek licenses to sell their products for recreational use beginning next fall.

State earmarks $13M in COVID aid for schools

With just over a month left to finish spending federal coronavirus aid, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced Wednesday he is redistributing nearly $13 million to K-12 schools to cover costs related to COVID-19, including staffing, transportation, cleaning, personal protective equipment, and computers and other devices needed for students.

Daines takes part in vaccine trial

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said Wednesday he took part in a trial for a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and later tested positive for coronavirus antibodies without becoming sick, leading him to believe he received effective doses of the vaccine and not an inert placebo.

Bullock expands mask mandate, tightens restrictions

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Tuesday he is expanding a statewide mask mandate and tightening restrictions on businesses and public gatherings as cases of COVID-19 continue to surge during the holiday season.

Businesses sue state over COVID claims

Lawsuit claims state has ‘no authority’ to enforce directives

Five Flathead County businesses accused of flouting Gov. Steve Bullock’s masking and social-distancing mandates have filed counterclaims against the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, alleging the agency selectively targeted them and hurt them financially.

Judge favors businesses in COVID-19 lawsuits

After a long day of testimony, a Flathead County judge declined state requests for preliminary injunctions against five local businesses accused of violating Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s masking and social-distancing mandates.

Montana officials offer reactions to Biden-Harris win

Montana’s U.S. senators offered starkly different reactions to announcements Saturday that former Vice President Joe Biden had won the presidential election.