Montana
Montana is a U.S. state in the northern Rocky Mountain region, frequently referenced in stories about state government, environment, and local affairs.
All Mentions
New Feature Explores How Mining Shaped Montana's Identity — and Helena's Origins
A new feature from the Independent Record traces the arc of Montana's mining history.
House Democrats Push for Trans Student Protections as Trump Administration Rolls Back Policies
House Democrats held a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday calling for stronger federal protections for transgender and gender-diverse students, pushing back against actions by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration.
American Prairie, Conservation Groups Appeal Federal Decision Terminating Bison Grazing Leases
terminate bison grazing leases on Bureau of Land Management parcels in Montana, setting up a legal fight over the future of bison.
Gianfortes Move Up Timeline to Hand Hauser Mansion to State
Gov. Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte are accelerating their plan to donate the Samuel T. Hauser Mansion to the state of Montana.
Jim Darcy Elementary Marks More Than Two Decades of Hands-On Agriculture Education
but as a hands-on experience meant to connect students with the work that defines Montana's
Ninth Circuit Throws Out Montana Youth Climate Lawsuit Targeting Trump Executive Orders
dealing a significant setback to Montana plaintiffs who had traveled to Missoula's fed
Helena's Bankhead Stuns Democratic Field, Wins U.S. Senate Primary by Nearly 12,000 Votes
Alani Bankhead walked out of the Rialto Bar on Tuesday night as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, having defeated Reilly Neill by nearly 12,000 votes.
Federal Appeals Court Lets Stand Dismissal of Youth Climate Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
The ruling is the lat
Montana Primary Results: Republican Hand-Off Strategy Works, and Other Takeaways
Montana's June 2 primary election has come and gone, and the results sketch a political landscape that rewards incumbency, party loyalty
Trump Administration Commits $700 Million to Coal Power as Renewables Face Federal Headwinds
President Donald Trump announced this week that the federal government will spend $700 million to build or refurbish coal power infrastructure across the country
Federal Recreation Fees Diverted to D.C. Projects, Raising Alarms for Montana's Public Lands
The Trump administration is redirecting fees collected at national parks and federal recreational lands — money paid by hikers, campers, and visitors — toward construction projects in Washington, D.C., a move that critics say strips funding from the
Montana's Congressional Primaries Usher In Post-Boomer Era on Capitol Hill
When the results came in from Montana's June 2 congressional primaries, a generational shift was impossible to ignore: for the first time, the state's congressional delegation will be shaped entirely by candidates from outside the Baby Boomer generat
General Election Takes Shape After Montana Primary: Flint and Forstag Head to November in Western House Race
With Tuesday's primary results certified, Montana's three congressional races are set for the fall, and at least one political scientist says the real messaging battle is only just beginning.
Janicki Industries Picks Great Falls Over Idaho for $800 Million Manufacturing Campus
A Washington-based aerospace and industrial manufacturer has chosen Great Falls over Twin Falls, Idaho, for a 2-million-square-foot campus that the company says will bring $800 million in investment and up to 1,000 jobs within its first five years.
Alme and Bankhead Win Montana U.S. Senate Primaries; Helena Attorney Miller Advances in Eastern District
setting up a November contest in Montana's eastern U.S. House district.
Billings Family Pushes for More Suicide Prevention Resources After Teen's Death
The family and friends of a 13-year-old Billings girl who died by suicide last October are pressing for expanded mental health and counseling resources in Montana schools.
Primary Ballots Already Topping 188,000 Statewide; Here's What Helena-Area Voters Need to Know
Montana voters have already returned more than 188,595 ballots in this year's primary election as of Monday morning.
Montana Joins Federal Foster Care Initiative as 25th State; Gianforte Signs Proclamation
Montana became the 25th state to join the Trump administration's 'A Home for Every Child' initiative Monday.
Zinke's Exit Blows Open Western Montana's U.S. House Race
What was supposed to be a straightforward re-election campaign for a popular Flathead Valley congressman has become one of the more wide-open congressional primaries Montana has seen in years.
Montana's June 2 Primary Is Here: What Helena Voters Need to Know
Montana's 2026 primary election is Tuesday, June 2, and Helena voters will head to the polls.
Pro-Sheehy PAC Drops $700K to Shape Democratic Senate Primary in Montana
has turned its attention to the Democratic side of Montana's U.S. Senate primary, spending nearly $700,000 in the final week before voters weigh i
PacificSource Pulling Out of Montana, Leaving Helena-Area Residents to Find New Coverage
PacificSource Health Plans, one of only three primary health insurers operating in Montana, has announced it will shut down its Montana operations and exit the insurance marketplace entirely by the end of the year
Cancer Support Community Montana Votes to Plant Roots in Helena With First Physical Location
Cancer Support Community Montana is coming to Helena for real this time — not as a satellite operation, but as a full chapter with a permanent address.
Man Accused of Targeting Helena Planned Parenthood Plans Mental Health Defense
accused of firing into the front of Helena's Planned Parenthood of Montana clinic in 2023
Montana's Medicaid Work Requirements Take Effect in Weeks. Advocates Say Patients Will Pay the Price.
Montana is roughly six weeks out from implementing new Medicaid work requirements, and health care advocates are raising pointed warnings
Gianforte Declares May 17 Day of Prayer for Rain as Dry Conditions Persist
The declaration came as much of Montana has been contending with below-normal precipitation.
Mystery Mailers Shake Up Montana's Democratic Senate Primary — and Helena Candidate Alani Bankhead Is at the Center
Helena resident Alani Bankhead entered the final stretch of Montana's Democratic U.S. Senate primary.
Three Republicans Vie for PSC District 5 Seat as Bukacek Seeks Second Term
Republican Commissioner Annie Bukacek is facing two challengers in the June 2026 primary for Public Service Commission District 5 — the only PSC race this cycle with an incumbent on the ballot.
PSC Opens Four-Day Hearing on NorthWestern–Black Hills Merger, With Millions in Executive Pay in the Balance
a deal that would reshape how most Montanans get their electricity
State PSC Votes 3-2 to Adopt Report Recommending Action Against Former Commission President Molnar
The Montana Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to adopt a 28-page investigative report recommending action against Commissioner Brad Molnar, its former president.
State Investigators Find PSC Commissioner Molnar Committed 'Serious Misconduct,' Retaliated Against Complainants
Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar committed serious misconduct — including unwelcome sex-based comments in the workplace and retaliation against employees who reported his behavior — according to findings released by an internal response team
State Agencies Warn Montanans to Limit Fish Consumption from Fort Peck Reservoir Due to PFAS Contamination
Three Montana state agencies issued a joint advisory on April 23 directing residents to limit how much fish they eat from Fort Peck Reservoir and other contaminated waters across the state.
Two Libertarians Competing for U.S. Senate Spot on Montana's June Primary Ballot
Montana's Libertarian Party — the only third party in the state with a guaranteed general election ballot line alongside Republicans and Democrats — has a contested U.S. Senate primary this June.
Trump's Montana Federal Judge Pick Clears Senate Committee on Party-Line Vote
Kathleen "Katie" Lane, President Donald Trump's nominee for a federal judgeship in Montana, advanced out of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee this week on a party-line vote.
Five Democrats Line Up for Open U.S. Senate Seat After Daines Steps Aside
Montana's 2026 U.S. Senate race got considerably more complicated when Republican incumbent Steve Daines announced he would not seek reelection