Montana Free Press
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Montana's independent, nonprofit source for in-depth news coverage of politics, government, and other issues that matter to the people of this great state. montanafreepress.org
How a judge’s decision opens the door to a potential agreement between the tribe and the BIA.
A judge’s decision opens the door to a long-sought tribe-fed agreement.
3 Things to Know: federal lawsuits and local law enforcement on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation
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State environmental regulators have canceled a waiver previously granted for a ‘Keystone light’ pipeline through eastern Montana. It’s bigger than Keystone XL.
Eastern Montana tar sands pipeline hits stumbling block
State environmental regulators are requiring more information in the permit application for the Bridger Pipeline that would run through eastern Montana.
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While Montana Democrats weigh legal options, Bankhead and Bodnar meet privately.
Montana Democrats roiled by Bankhead-or-Bodnar question
State party leaders get legal advice. Bankhead and Bodnar meet privately.
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Twenty degrees. That’s about how much temperatures differed in the same town, on the same day, at the same time last summer.
Some Missoula neighborhoods can be as much as 20 degrees hotter than others.
A new heat map of Missoula County reveals temperature variations of as much as 20 degrees between areas with and without tree cover.
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As Indigenous people go missing and are murdered at disproportionately high rates, families learn forensic skills to find their own loved ones.
On the Blackfeet Reservation, families learn to search for their own missing relatives
As Indigenous people go missing and are murdered at disproportionately high rates, families learn forensic skills to find their own loved ones.
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As temperatures rise and streamflows fall, government officials partially or fully close regional blue-ribbon trout streams to fishing.
Angling restricted on two dozen rivers in Montana, Yellowstone National Park
As temperatures rise and streamflows fall, government officials partially or fully close regional blue-ribbon trout streams to fishing.
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The deadline for dropping out of Montana’s U.S. Senate race is Aug. 9, and persuasion campaigns to drive out either Democrat Alani Bankhead or independent Seth Bodnar are heating up.
Dropout pressure builds in Montana U.S. Senate race
Montana's Aug. 9 U.S. Senate withdrawal deadline is approaching as Alani Bankhead and Seth Bodnar each face calls to exit the race.
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There was slightly more than one licensed video gambling machine for every 69 Montana residents during fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30, according to a Montana Free Press analysis.
Which Montana counties have the most — and least — video gambling machines per person?
Montana had about 16,500 state-licensed video gambling machines, or one for every 69 residents, in fiscal year 2026.
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The Trump administration is returning grizzly management to states even while the species retains Endangered Species Act protections. Supporters call it a pragmatic step toward recovery. Critics say too much remains undefined — and will lead it more dead bears.
New grizzly rule promises state control. What does it actually do?
The Trump administration is returning grizzly management to states even while the species retains Endangered Species Act protections. Supporters call it a pragmatic step toward recovery. Critics say t...
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The Helena City Commission has tentatively decided to ask voters next spring to approve a public safety levy that will fund additional firefighters and police officers in the city. The $5.3 million levy would be enough to hire 21 additional firefighters and nine new police officers.
Helena to seek voter approval for additional firefighters and police officers Helena to seek voter approval for additional firefighters and police officers
If voters approve the levy, property owners with homes valued at $300,000 would see their tax bill increase by $134 per year. Property owners with homes valued at $600,000 would have a tax increase of...
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UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research estimates about 10% of a data center’s total cost would go toward Montana jobs and goods.
What a data center costs, and where the money lands
UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research estimates about 10% of a data center’s total cost would go toward Montana jobs and goods.
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About 200 properties will be excavated this summer as part of the ongoing cleanup of the former smelter site.
EPA continues efforts to remove lead-contaminated soil in East Helena
About 200 properties will be excavated this summer as part of the ongoing cleanup of the former smelter site.
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Disease-resistant trees and climate-refugia mapping are driving ambitious plans to bring back iconic, threatened alpine tree.
Federal project aims to restore Greater Yellowstone’s whitebark pine forests
Disease-resistant trees and climate-refugia mapping are driving ambitious plans to bring back iconic, threatened alpine tree.
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American meat producers hope for a premium on domestic beef and pork, but economists say the policy would violate trade agreements and raise costs.
How American is your hamburger?
Why some Montana ranchers still want mandatory country-of-origin labels.
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The federal government says the sale of the historic building is needed, in part, to save money on deferred maintenance.
Bozeman officials oppose proposed sale of downtown federal building, seek transfer to city government
The federal government says the sale of the historic building is needed, in part, to save money on deferred maintenance.
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What a pair of proposals in pursuit of critical minerals can tell us about environmental reviews under Trump 2.0.
What Montana’s Sheep Creek and Blue Copper mine proposals show about shifting federal reviews
Environmental reviews for the critical minerals projects are advancing under a changing federal landscape.
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Investigators found that a man killed in Glacier Park this spring likely came upon a grizzly while hiking after dark.
Behind Glacier’s first fatal bear attack in almost 30 years
Investigators found that a man killed in Glacier Park this spring likely surprised a grizzly while hiking after dark.
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If approved by regulators, the voluntary program would let NorthWestern Energy customers subscribe to renewable electricity generated in Montana.
Missoula moves closer to statewide green power program
If approved by regulators, the voluntary program would let NorthWestern Energy customers subscribe to renewable electricity generated in Montana.
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Madison and Gallatin counties accounted for more than 4 in 10 positions certified for Montana employers in fiscal year 2025.
Where is Montana’s highest demand for temporary foreign workers?
Madison and Gallatin counties accounted for 41% of temporary foreign-worker positions and 71% of those outside the agricultural sector in fiscal year 2025.
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An updated population model suggests the state has far fewer wolves than previously believed. Now, wildlife officials are proposing a smaller harvest.
New wolf estimate could reshape Montana’s hunting season
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposes limiting wolf hunt after new population estimate shows radically lower wolf numbers.
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The guilty verdict in the official misconduct case against former Senate President Jason Ellsworth has been thrown out following revelations that jurors were exposed to sealed exhibits concerning communications with a potential key witness. https://bit.ly/4wXKBDl
Ellsworth guilty verdict thrown out
Jurors were inadvertently given unintroduced exhibits by court staff regarding the scheduling of potential key witness Bryce Eggleston.
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The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana has gained the city's approval to build a large affordable housing development on land that was once home to the Indigenous poor in Great Falls.
Little Shell housing project gets approval from Great Falls officials
Once known as the "landless Indians," the tribe aims to build 115 homes, adding to a growing portfolio of completed and prospective real estate projects around Great Falls.
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A Helena jury found former state Senate President Jason Ellsworth guilty Tuesday night of misdemeanor criminal official misconduct for awarding $170,000 in no-bid contracts to a company represented by a long-time business associate.
Jury finds Ellsworth guilty of official misconduct
Jury deliberations took nearly four hours and left the Hamilton Republican potentially facing a six-month jail sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10.
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It’s been nearly a decade since the Land Board has purchased new trust land under the state’s 23-year-old ‘land banking’ program. Public-land advocates worry the state is leaving access opportunities on the table.
Montana is selling more state trust land than it’s buying
It’s been nearly a decade since the Land Board has purchased new trust land under the state’s 23-year-old ‘land banking’ program.
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New federal rules would shift more management authority to states, raising questions about the future of one of America's most recognizable conservation successes.
New grizzly bear rules renew debate over Endangered Species Act protections
New federal rules would shift more management authority to states, raising questions about the future of one of America's most recognizable conservation successes.
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The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center remains a big tourism draw, but its three remaining full-time employees are set to leave with no apparent plan to replace them.
Federal support in question at Great Falls' popular interpretive center
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center remains a big tourism draw, but its three remaining full-time employees are set to leave with no current plan to replace them.
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Researchers are studying whether the health of aquatic insects is an early warning sign of broader changes across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Yellowstone salmonfly hatch offers clues to fisheries' future
Scientists are studying changes to Yellowstone's iconic aquatic insect hatches and what they could mean for trout, river ecosystems and the region's fishing economy
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The young plaintiffs who challenged President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive orders to expand fossil-fuel production are asking an appellate court to revisit their appeal.
Young plaintiffs ask 9th Circuit Court to rehear climate lawsuit
Eva Lighthiser and her co-plaintiffs argue President Trump’s executive orders merit judicial review.
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Places like Glendive, Billings and Miles City hit 115 degrees on Sunday, July 12. That’s only 2 degrees cooler than Death Valley, often the hottest place on Earth, reached that same day.
Last weekend, eastern Montana shattered heat records
Heat events are becoming more common as part of a changing climate. On July 12, some Montana cities hit 115 degrees F, hotter than Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth. It hit some recent chick ha...
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Democratic candidates for federal office in Montana remain woefully underfunded in all but one 2026 race, according to campaign finance reports that were due Wednesday.
Campaign finance filings show Democrats — except Sam Forstag — far behind
Independent candidates are better funded than Democrats in two federal races in 2026.
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