The Daily Montanan
@dailymontanan.com
The Daily Montanan is a nonprofit news outlet focused on state government. We are a nonpartisan source for trusted news covering state policy and politics as an affiliate of States Newsroom.
While national park annual passes for U.S. residents will not change, nonresident visitors will pay a higher rate to increase funds that support maintenance of the park system, Department of the Interior announced. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/26/i... #montana #mtpol #mtnews
Interior announces increased new fees on international visitors to National Parks • Daily Montanan
'America-first pricing' will charge increased fees to nonresidents; annual passes available in digital format
dailymontanan.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
While national park annual passes for U.S. residents will not change, nonresident visitors will pay a higher rate to increase funds that support maintenance of the park system, Department of the Interior announced. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/26/i... #montana #mtpol #mtnews
"I said, 'Is it like milk cows? They go back to the same stall?' And they said, ‘No, they talk to each other, and whatever stall is open, they go to.'” Legislators look at autonomous vehicles. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/24/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana lawmakers take a closer look at Waymo
Transportation committee hears from Waymo fact-finding mission to Arizona as state looks into the vehicles as part of a Legislative study.
dailymontanan.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 AM
"I said, 'Is it like milk cows? They go back to the same stall?' And they said, ‘No, they talk to each other, and whatever stall is open, they go to.'” Legislators look at autonomous vehicles. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/24/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
American Prairie says it has no other option than to sue the Gianforte administration, DNRC because the agency refuses to complete an environmental review and issue a grazing lease for a portion of bison operations. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/a... #mtnews #montana
American Prairie sues Montana DNRC for bison grazing permits • Daily Montanan
American Prairie says that the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is illegally blocking grazing permits for its bison.
dailymontanan.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:31 PM
American Prairie says it has no other option than to sue the Gianforte administration, DNRC because the agency refuses to complete an environmental review and issue a grazing lease for a portion of bison operations. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/a... #mtnews #montana
Montana drivers can now sport a new specialty license plate that will help fund wildlife connectivity and vehicle-animal collision risk reduction programs throughout the state. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/m... #mtnews #montana #mtpol
Montana wildlife crossing license plate revealed • Daily Montanan
Montana wildlife crossing license plate revealed, Zinke seeks permanent federal funding for similar programs
dailymontanan.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Montana drivers can now sport a new specialty license plate that will help fund wildlife connectivity and vehicle-animal collision risk reduction programs throughout the state. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/m... #mtnews #montana #mtpol
"Significant deficiencies." NorthWestern Energy didn’t adequately evaluate more affordable options before it built the Yellowstone County Generating Station, say Public Service Commission regulatory staff. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/n... #mtnews #montana #mtpol
NorthWestern Energy built Laurel plant without evaluating more affordable options, PSC analysts say • Daily Montanan
NorthWestern Energy built Laurel plant without evaluating more affordable options, PSC analysts say in a report to commissioners.
dailymontanan.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"Significant deficiencies." NorthWestern Energy didn’t adequately evaluate more affordable options before it built the Yellowstone County Generating Station, say Public Service Commission regulatory staff. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/n... #mtnews #montana #mtpol
New documents show that MSU-Billings officials placed two tenured professors on leave because they say communicating with Montana State inmates voluntarily via email after classes ended was a “safety risk.” By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
From ‘governor of snuggles’ to fired? New documents detail MSUB’s case against 2 tenured professors • Daily Montanan
A disciplinary documents outlines that two Montana State University professors were targeted because of a romantic relationship and for talking with former inmates who happened to be held at the Monta...
dailymontanan.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:04 AM
New documents show that MSU-Billings officials placed two tenured professors on leave because they say communicating with Montana State inmates voluntarily via email after classes ended was a “safety risk.” By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
The Montana Public Service Commission needs to investigate NorthWestern Energy’s actions in relation to data centers to protect existing consumers, says a complaint by Earthjustice. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Complaint calls for investigation of NorthWestern Energy's conduct with data centers • Daily Montanan
NorthWestern's plan to supply electricity to data centers before Public Service Commission finds it won't hurt other customers is illegal.
dailymontanan.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The Montana Public Service Commission needs to investigate NorthWestern Energy’s actions in relation to data centers to protect existing consumers, says a complaint by Earthjustice. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
“It’s clear that this deer was not shot by a legal hunter trying to lawfully fill their freezer,” FWP warden Per Wolfisberg said. “Instead, this is an intentional act of killing and wasting a game animal, and the person who committed this crime needs to be caught and held accountable.” #montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking information on four separate poaching cases across the state where game animals were shot and left to waste in the past weeks, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
FWP seeks information on poached animals • Daily Montanan
Elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep killed and left to waste in four separate poaching cases across the state
buff.ly
November 18, 2025 at 5:22 PM
“It’s clear that this deer was not shot by a legal hunter trying to lawfully fill their freezer,” FWP warden Per Wolfisberg said. “Instead, this is an intentional act of killing and wasting a game animal, and the person who committed this crime needs to be caught and held accountable.” #montana
Lawyers for multiple conservation organizations argued during a hearing in Helena on Friday new Montana regulations around wolves could harm the species long term. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/15/d... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
District Court hears arguments over wolf hunting regulations
Attorneys for state say wolves risk “severe population depletion" as 62 wolves have been killed during the current hunting season.
dailymontanan.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Lawyers for multiple conservation organizations argued during a hearing in Helena on Friday new Montana regulations around wolves could harm the species long term. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/15/d... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
"We need to follow the law in the Republican Party. If we are going to be the party of law and order, then we must." - Tony Hudson. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/14/p... #montana #mtpol #mtnews
Political strife in Ravalli County quieting, but court order raises questions for state GOP • Daily Montanan
Political strife in Ravalli County mends, but court order in Hudson vs. Stoltz raises questions for state GOP.
dailymontanan.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"We need to follow the law in the Republican Party. If we are going to be the party of law and order, then we must." - Tony Hudson. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/14/p... #montana #mtpol #mtnews
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Barry Usher, R-Billings, filed a trio of complaints against one of the state’s seven Supreme Court justices, Laurie McKinnon. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/13/s... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
State Senator leads new effort with old charges to oust Supreme Court justice • Daily Montanan
Montana Senate Judiciary Chairman Barry Usher is leading the charge to oust Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon.
dailymontanan.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Barry Usher, R-Billings, filed a trio of complaints against one of the state’s seven Supreme Court justices, Laurie McKinnon. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/13/s... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
In a gruesome murder that shocked the state in 2024 and culminated in a frantic weeklong search in Gallatin County, a jury has convicted Darren Christopher Abbey of deliberate homicide. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/jury-... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Jury convicts man in violent Gallatin County homicide • Daily Montanan
A Gallatin County jury has convicted Darren Abbey of first-degree homicide in the brutal campsite attack of Dustin Kjersem in Big Sky.
dailymontanan.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
In a gruesome murder that shocked the state in 2024 and culminated in a frantic weeklong search in Gallatin County, a jury has convicted Darren Christopher Abbey of deliberate homicide. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/jury-... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
“Cutting meat is kind of a dying art.” But educators in Montana, including at a program in Lewistown, are working to reverse the trend. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/11/a... #montana #mtpol #mtnews #mtag
‘A dying art’: With butchers disappearing, schools look to step in
Meat processors used to be commonplace in many small, rural communities across the west. One Fergus High School program looks to change that.
dailymontanan.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
“Cutting meat is kind of a dying art.” But educators in Montana, including at a program in Lewistown, are working to reverse the trend. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/11/a... #montana #mtpol #mtnews #mtag
Technology may have been partly responsible for the data breach that may have exposed Montanans' financial and health information, and technology may be part of the answer to keeping compromised information safe. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/10/m... #mt #montana #mtpol
Montana Insurance commissioner adds AI tool to help customers navigate data breach • Daily Montanan
The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance has rolled out a new artificial intelligence assistant ready to help as many as 462,000 residents with questions related to a data breach.
dailymontanan.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Technology may have been partly responsible for the data breach that may have exposed Montanans' financial and health information, and technology may be part of the answer to keeping compromised information safe. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/10/m... #mt #montana #mtpol
Montanans received 65% of their SNAP benefit Sunday, but a couple of Helena legislators want a special session to fully fund SNAP, and they've collected 32 signatures to poll for a session. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/10/l... #montana #mtpol #mtnews
UPDATED: Lawmakers collect signatures to poll for SNAP special session • Daily Montanan
Thirty-one lawmakers have agreed to sign a petition that would direct the Secretary of State to poll for a special session on SNAP.
dailymontanan.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Montanans received 65% of their SNAP benefit Sunday, but a couple of Helena legislators want a special session to fully fund SNAP, and they've collected 32 signatures to poll for a session. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/10/l... #montana #mtpol #mtnews
Where should the new women's prison be located? Anaconda-Deer Lodge expressed strong desire, as did Big Horn County and Hardin, which said their southeastern location was the “most appropriate and advantageous.” By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/10/t... #montana #mtpol
Two Montana cities lobby to be new women's prison site • Daily Montanan
Anaconda, Hardin, Butte and Boulder submitted responses to DOC on suitability of their communities and amount of local support for new women's prison
dailymontanan.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Where should the new women's prison be located? Anaconda-Deer Lodge expressed strong desire, as did Big Horn County and Hardin, which said their southeastern location was the “most appropriate and advantageous.” By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/10/t... #montana #mtpol
“Butte has gone through tough times, and people step up. If the state and federal government aren’t going to step in, we’re going to do what we can.” Montanans still waiting for federal SNAP benefits, but Butte-Silver Bow takes action. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/05/b...
Butte-Silver Bow declares SNAP emergency • Daily Montanan
The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow declared a local emergency on Wednesday because of the loss of SNAP benefits.
dailymontanan.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“Butte has gone through tough times, and people step up. If the state and federal government aren’t going to step in, we’re going to do what we can.” Montanans still waiting for federal SNAP benefits, but Butte-Silver Bow takes action. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/05/b...
In a “tele-Town Hall” meeting, Congressman Troy Downing spoke about the federal shutdown, healthcare, and said he’s stood up to the Trump administration in the face of a plan to quadruple imports of Argentinian beef. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/05/d... #mtnews #mtpol
Downing discusses federal shutdown, healthcare and Argentine imports at tele-town hall • Daily Montanan
During a tele-town hall, Rep. Troy Downing of Montana talked about the federal government shutdown, healthcare and what imports were doing to the state's agricultural community.
dailymontanan.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:26 AM
In a “tele-Town Hall” meeting, Congressman Troy Downing spoke about the federal shutdown, healthcare, and said he’s stood up to the Trump administration in the face of a plan to quadruple imports of Argentinian beef. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/05/d... #mtnews #mtpol
The Montana Department of Corrections said samples taken in some areas of Montana State Prison “demonstrated the water is safe for consumption” after a pipe break and water crisis. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/doc-s... #montana #mtnews #mtpol
DOC says samples show water safe at Montana State Prison
Montana DOC said in a Tuesday release samples taken in some areas of Montana State Prison, “demonstrated the water is safe for consumption.”
dailymontanan.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:44 AM
The Montana Department of Corrections said samples taken in some areas of Montana State Prison “demonstrated the water is safe for consumption” after a pipe break and water crisis. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/doc-s... #montana #mtnews #mtpol
A new report shows that nonresident spending in eastern Montana more than doubled to $1.1 billion from 2018 to 2023. "When tourists think of Montana ... they don’t think of the cool things in eastern Montana." By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/05/t... #mtnews #montana #mtpol
Tourism trends in eastern Montana show ‘resilience and opportunity’ • Daily Montanan
Study shows number of visitors in Eastern Montana has crept up slightly, spending more than doubled
dailymontanan.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A new report shows that nonresident spending in eastern Montana more than doubled to $1.1 billion from 2018 to 2023. "When tourists think of Montana ... they don’t think of the cool things in eastern Montana." By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/05/t... #mtnews #montana #mtpol
“We have to keep an eye on these out-of-state power companies and how they charge our ratepayers and whether or not they’re providing adequate service." - David Sanders, former PSC director, now running to be commissioner. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/04/f... #mtnews #mtpol
Former director of agency announces PSC candidacy • Daily Montanan
David Sanders announced Tuesday he will run for an elected post with the Public Service Commission in 2026.
dailymontanan.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
“We have to keep an eye on these out-of-state power companies and how they charge our ratepayers and whether or not they’re providing adequate service." - David Sanders, former PSC director, now running to be commissioner. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/04/f... #mtnews #mtpol
The 2025 big game general hunting season began Oct. 25, and hunters reported increased harvest numbers compared to last year’s opening weekend, according to data collected by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/03/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
FWP sees strong start to general hunting season • Daily Montanan
Hunters across western and central Montana saw mixed weather but still reported increased harvest numbers compared to last year’s opening.
dailymontanan.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The 2025 big game general hunting season began Oct. 25, and hunters reported increased harvest numbers compared to last year’s opening weekend, according to data collected by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/03/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Reposted by The Daily Montanan
So proud of @jennifershutt.bsky.social for winning the 2025 Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress! Here's her coverage of the impacts of Medicaid cuts on rural hospitals, shifts in FEMA duties and funding tribal radio stations.
nationalpress.org/award-story/...
nationalpress.org/award-story/...
Jennifer Shutt of States Newsroom Wins 2025 Dirksen Award - National Press Foundation
Reporter Jennifer Shutt won the National Press Foundation 2025 Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress.
nationalpress.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
So proud of @jennifershutt.bsky.social for winning the 2025 Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress! Here's her coverage of the impacts of Medicaid cuts on rural hospitals, shifts in FEMA duties and funding tribal radio stations.
nationalpress.org/award-story/...
nationalpress.org/award-story/...
Montana’s state Senate President, Matt Regier, has requested the first bill draft of the 2027 Legislature to rein in what he described as “political agendas” at teacher educational conferences. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/10/31/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
First 2027 Legislature bill draft requested in response to ‘woke’ seminars at teachers' conference • Daily Montanan
Montana’s state Senate President, Matt Regier, has requested the first bill draft of the 2027 Legislature to rein in what he described as “political agendas” at teacher educational conferences. The m...
dailymontanan.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Montana’s state Senate President, Matt Regier, has requested the first bill draft of the 2027 Legislature to rein in what he described as “political agendas” at teacher educational conferences. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/10/31/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Public Service Commissioner Annie Bukacek, also a doctor in private practice, is using state equipment to copy medical records unrelated to agency work, a complaint filed with the state ethics watchdog alleges. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/10/31/c... #mtnews #mtpol
Complaint: Public Service Commissioner Bukacek using state resources for private business • Daily Montanan
Public Service Commissioner Annie Bukacek is using state equipment to copy medical records unrelated to agency work, a complaint alleges.
dailymontanan.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Public Service Commissioner Annie Bukacek, also a doctor in private practice, is using state equipment to copy medical records unrelated to agency work, a complaint filed with the state ethics watchdog alleges. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/10/31/c... #mtnews #mtpol