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
The proposed details come as the department works to implement the second-home tax in the second phase of major property tax legislation passed by lawmakers and Gov. Greg Gianforte earlier this year.
Have a backyard Airbnb? Proposed rules say Montana’s upcoming second-home tax will hit it
The public can weigh in as the state revenue department clarifies details lawmakers left ambiguous in this year’s major tax legislation.
montanafreepress.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The proposed details come as the department works to implement the second-home tax in the second phase of major property tax legislation passed by lawmakers and Gov. Greg Gianforte earlier this year.
The plaintiffs argue that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has favored developers over senior water-right holders and aquatic ecosystems.
State sued over law often used to bring water to rural residential subdivisions
The plaintiffs argue that the state has favored residential development over senior water-right holders and aquatic ecosystems.
montanafreepress.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The plaintiffs argue that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has favored developers over senior water-right holders and aquatic ecosystems.
Park travelers can expect quieter roads, endless ski, hike or snowshoe options and unique wildlife-viewing opportunities.
What’s there to do in Yellowstone during the winter? A lot, it turns out.
Park travelers can expect quieter roads, endless ski, hike or snowshoe options and unique wildlife-viewing opportunities.
montanafreepress.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Park travelers can expect quieter roads, endless ski, hike or snowshoe options and unique wildlife-viewing opportunities.
University of Providence administrators are asking their board to approve a declaration of financial exigency, which acknowledges a budget crisis and allows officials to take drastic measures to restructure programs, reduce staff and launch new enrollment and revenue campaigns.
Facing a multimillion-dollar shortfall, University of Providence in Great Falls confronts a 'hard reset'
As small colleges across the country see market challenges, the university will also lose a major funding source. Now, leaders are strategizing a top-to-bottom restructuring in hopes of saving the sch...
montanafreepress.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
University of Providence administrators are asking their board to approve a declaration of financial exigency, which acknowledges a budget crisis and allows officials to take drastic measures to restructure programs, reduce staff and launch new enrollment and revenue campaigns.
As Montanans pause this Veterans Day to honor those who served, it’s worth noting just how many of our neighbors have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Montana ranks among the top states in the nation for veterans per capita.
One theory on why Montana has a disproportionate number of veterans
Montana ranks third in the nation for the number of U.S. military veterans per capita — but lower on measures of recruiting and active-duty personnel.
montanafreepress.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
As Montanans pause this Veterans Day to honor those who served, it’s worth noting just how many of our neighbors have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Montana ranks among the top states in the nation for veterans per capita.
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November 11, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Keep MTFP everywhere by giving here: https://bit.ly/3WKmVlS. You can also support MTFP by liking this post and sharing with like-minded friends.
A faction of Montana Democratic lawmakers is holding off on pushing for a special legislative session to address delayed food assistance as Congress inches closer to a deal to end the historically long federal government shutdown.
Montana Democrats’ pitch for a special session on hold as Congress moves toward reopening government
A faction of 32 Democrats had endorsed polling the Legislature on a special session before gridlock in Washington began to loosen.
montanafreepress.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
A faction of Montana Democratic lawmakers is holding off on pushing for a special legislative session to address delayed food assistance as Congress inches closer to a deal to end the historically long federal government shutdown.
The national private company operating a highly scrutinized addiction monitoring program for nurses, doctors and other medical providers will exit its contract with Montana’s labor department at the end of January 2026, launching a sprint to find a new vendor.
Addiction monitoring company for medical professionals plans to exit state contract in January
Maximus will stop operating the Montana Recovery Program in the new year, labor department says.
montanafreepress.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The national private company operating a highly scrutinized addiction monitoring program for nurses, doctors and other medical providers will exit its contract with Montana’s labor department at the end of January 2026, launching a sprint to find a new vendor.
Keep MTFP everywhere by giving here: https://bit.ly/3WKmVlS. You can also support MTFP by liking this post and sharing with a like-minded friend.
November 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Keep MTFP everywhere by giving here: https://bit.ly/3WKmVlS. You can also support MTFP by liking this post and sharing with a like-minded friend.
Flight reductions at regional hubs are disrupting some Montana airports.
Did the FAA mandate cancel your flight out of Montana? We checked.
Montana airport administrators give tips on traveling during a turbulent time.
montanafreepress.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Flight reductions at regional hubs are disrupting some Montana airports.
Election staff say they were able to work with voters to remedy many of the rejections, caused both by existing signature requirements and a new year-of-birth requirement for mailed ballots added this year by the Montana Legislature.
Thousands of local election ballots rejected over Montana’s new year-of-birth requirement
Election staff say they were able to work with voters to remedy many of the rejections.
montanafreepress.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Election staff say they were able to work with voters to remedy many of the rejections, caused both by existing signature requirements and a new year-of-birth requirement for mailed ballots added this year by the Montana Legislature.
In Billings, the state’s largest city in the state’s largest county, about 200 votes decided the 30,000-vote race for mayor this week.
Narrow margins decide significant municipal Montana races in Montana
Mayoral races in Montana’s capital and largest city were both decided by about 200 votes.
montanafreepress.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 AM
In Billings, the state’s largest city in the state’s largest county, about 200 votes decided the 30,000-vote race for mayor this week.
Anaconda, Hardin, Butte and Boulder say they want to host a new women’s prison, a $250 million project that will be paid for by the Legislature’s roughly $436 million allocation toward expanded prison facilities across Montana.
Anaconda, Hardin, Butte and Boulder say they’re interested in hosting a new women’s prison
The roughly $250 million project is likely to bring hundreds of permanent positions and temporary construction jobs.
montanafreepress.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Anaconda, Hardin, Butte and Boulder say they want to host a new women’s prison, a $250 million project that will be paid for by the Legislature’s roughly $436 million allocation toward expanded prison facilities across Montana.
In the span of 48 hours, Major and Michelle Robinson’s downtown Helena business went from preparing for its busiest holiday season to trying to survive a national political firestorm.
After employee’s voicemail, a Helena business tries to weather a political firestorm
Sage & Oats Trading Post owners said they had fired Haley McKnight, but that the future of the business remains uncertain.
montanafreepress.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:02 AM
In the span of 48 hours, Major and Michelle Robinson’s downtown Helena business went from preparing for its busiest holiday season to trying to survive a national political firestorm.
Mayor Cory Reeves also won a decisive re-election in Tuesday's municipal election.
Great Falls voters approve new fireworks restrictions
Mayor Cory Reeves also won a decisive re-election in Tuesday's municipal election.
montanafreepress.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Mayor Cory Reeves also won a decisive re-election in Tuesday's municipal election.
Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis won her first full four-year term. Three of the four council candidates endorsed by the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America chapter lost their races. The countywide infrastructure mill levy also failed.
Missoula mayor wins reelection; council incumbents see mixed results
Three of the four council candidates endorsed by the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America chapter lost their races. The countywide infrastructure mill levy also failed.
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis won her first full four-year term. Three of the four council candidates endorsed by the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America chapter lost their races. The countywide infrastructure mill levy also failed.
Emily Dean, a current city commissioner, defeated Andy Shirtliff by just 203 votes. In the race for two seats on the Helena city commission, incumbent Melinda Reed and candidate Ben Rigby soundly defeated candidates Haley McKnight and Shawn White Wolf.
Dean wins tight race, will be Helena’s next mayor
Dean, a current city commissioner, defeated Andy Shirtliff by just 203 votes.
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Emily Dean, a current city commissioner, defeated Andy Shirtliff by just 203 votes. In the race for two seats on the Helena city commission, incumbent Melinda Reed and candidate Ben Rigby soundly defeated candidates Haley McKnight and Shawn White Wolf.
Montana SNAP users may see some financial aid for groceries on their electronic benefits cards this month — but not the full amount they typically expect, and probably not right away.
Montanans could see some SNAP benefits ‘in the coming weeks’
The partial emergency funding for the federal food aid program affects 77,000 low-income Montanans.
montanafreepress.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Montana SNAP users may see some financial aid for groceries on their electronic benefits cards this month — but not the full amount they typically expect, and probably not right away.
MTFP local reporters are on the ground in Great Falls, Missoula and Helena. We’re also monitoring results in Billings, Bozeman and Kalispell. Polls close at 8 p.m.
What we’ll be covering as tonight’s 2025 local election results come in
Coverage of races in Great Falls, Missoula, Helena, Billings, Bozeman and Kalispell.
montanafreepress.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:03 PM
MTFP local reporters are on the ground in Great Falls, Missoula and Helena. We’re also monitoring results in Billings, Bozeman and Kalispell. Polls close at 8 p.m.
Take extra care driving on twisty roads around lakes and over mountain passes.
We mapped five years of Montana highway crashes. Here's what jumped out at us.
MTFP crunched Montana Department of Transportation data to identify crash rates for Montana highways from Eureka to Ekalaka.
montanafreepress.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Take extra care driving on twisty roads around lakes and over mountain passes.
A conservative college activist captured audio of a librarian defending a book featuring a same sex teen romance and a teacher lamenting art censorship. The clips went viral, inspiring legislation and debate.
Undercover recordings distorted teacher training, union official said
MTFP talked to the activist, conference attendees and the state Office of Public Instruction, and reviewed several audio recordings to compile an account of what transpired and the potential implicati...
montanafreepress.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:24 AM
A conservative college activist captured audio of a librarian defending a book featuring a same sex teen romance and a teacher lamenting art censorship. The clips went viral, inspiring legislation and debate.
The federal shutdown and ongoing lawsuits have scrambled plans for food aid in November.
How would losing SNAP benefits affect your food budget? Our reporters want to hear from you. Click here to let us know: https://bit.ly/3WD9MuH
How would losing SNAP benefits affect your food budget? Our reporters want to hear from you. Click here to let us know: https://bit.ly/3WD9MuH
November 4, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The federal shutdown and ongoing lawsuits have scrambled plans for food aid in November.
How would losing SNAP benefits affect your food budget? Our reporters want to hear from you. Click here to let us know: https://bit.ly/3WD9MuH
How would losing SNAP benefits affect your food budget? Our reporters want to hear from you. Click here to let us know: https://bit.ly/3WD9MuH
A Helena city commission candidate left a phone message for Montana Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, wishing that he contract pancreatic cancer and “die in the street like a dog,” according to a national news outlet's coverage.
Helena commission candidate wished cancer and death to Sen. Tim Sheehy in a July voice message, report says
Haley McKnight acknowledged leaving the message that she described as ‘justifiable rage.’
montanafreepress.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
A Helena city commission candidate left a phone message for Montana Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, wishing that he contract pancreatic cancer and “die in the street like a dog,” according to a national news outlet's coverage.
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November 3, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Start your monthly gift by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4hEimmy
There’s still time to register and vote if you haven’t yet filled out a ballot in the Nov. 4 local elections being held in many parts of Montana.
There’s still time to register and vote in Tuesday’s local elections
Voting is open to U.S. citizens aged 18 and over who have been Montana residents for at least 30 days as of Nov. 4.
montanafreepress.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
There’s still time to register and vote if you haven’t yet filled out a ballot in the Nov. 4 local elections being held in many parts of Montana.