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Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, a program of Montana State University, has announced the plays the troupe will perform for its 50th season. The season officially kicked off in February with Montana Shakes! performing “Bottom’s Dream” for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The summer tour will feature productions of “King Lear” and “Twelfth Night” across Montana and neighboring states. This fall, Shakespeare in the Schools will perform “Macbeth” for students across the state. The schedule will be announced at a...
U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester recently introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park. Daines serves as the top Republican on the Senate’s National Parks Subcommittee. “150 years ago, Yellowstone became our very first national park, and ever since, it has been inspiring folks from across the world to come see the great outdoors and what Montana and the West have to offer,” Daines said. “Our parks set us apart from the rest of the world, and they are an e...
Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced the recipients of the 2021 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, a unique recognition of Montana veterans who served our country and continued their service in their communities. “Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms and our way of life. I’m honored to recognize 31 outstanding Montana veterans who served their country and continued the commitment to service in our communities,” Gov. Gianforte said. “On behalf of all Montanans, thank yo...
Kenneth Bogner, R-MILES CITY, has filed with Montana's Secretary of State for re-election to the State Senate for District 19. After a first term that included passing legislation removing burdensome regulations, protecting property rights, recognizing Montana veterans, and putting a data privacy constitutional amendment to the voters, Senator Bogner chose to run for a second term to build on the successes. Senator Bogner will use a second term to continue working on...
The Eastern Montana Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens. Our mission is to educate and bring awareness to the communities of Eastern Montana about human trafficking and to further develop a plan for a victimcentered approach using a multidisciplinary team. EMTHTTF strives to create active relationships and partnerships with Eastern Montana counties including: Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Fallon, McCone, and Carter....
Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 hemp growing season after receiving federal approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its state hemp production plan which took effect January 1, 2022. “Montana’s hemp industry continues to advance and present opportunities for growers, especially with regard to fiber and grain,” said Christy Clark, Acting Director for Montana Department of Agriculture. “Our department is proud to operate a hemp pr...
On Saturday, January 1, 2022, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) Brand Re-record period ended. Brand Re-record is a one year period in which Montana brand owners renew their brands with the state to ensure an accurate record of livestock brands that are still in use. Brand Re-record began in 1921 and occurs every ten years. As of January 1, 2021, there were 55,567 brands recorded with the Department of Livestock. By December 31, 2021, 47,663 brands were rerecorded....
Mid-Rivers Communications is offering $90,000 in scholarship funds for Eastern and Central Montana students, more than doubling the Cooperative’s total scholarship investment in recent prior years. The Mid-Rivers Fund for Education, funded by unclaimed capital credits and donations of capital credits from members, has awarded over $470,000 in scholarships to area students. In 2022, Mid-Rivers will award 36 competitive and 15 drawing scholarships. Scholarship categories reflect the mission and values of the Cooperative and i...
Several in-person hunter education classes have been scheduled around the state over the next several months. While online classes are also available, there are several advantages to in-person classes, including: hands-on experience, mentoring and the opportunity for students to ask questions and hear advice from experienced hunters. “We value our hands-on classroom courses and field days, all done with the dedication of our excellent volunteer instructors,” said Wayde Cooperider, outdoor skills and safety supervisor for FWP....
The Fort Keogh Military Reservation was established by the US Congress on July 22, 1876. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Research Service, following the deaths of Colonel George Armstrong Custer and Colonel Myles Keogh, General Nelson A. Miles was sent to the area with orders to establish a fort. Where the Yellowstone and Tongue River met was considered a strategic site to conduct a military campaign against the Indians. By the 1880's most...
While marijuana became legal for adults to purchase in Montana on New Year’s Day, a key federal agency has confirmed a fact underreported in coverage of the state’s new marijuana program: It remains illegal under federal law for individuals to simultaneously possess marijuana or marijuana products and firearms, and penalties for violating that law are severe. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed the policy to Montana Free Press last week, noting that the federal Gun Control Act pro...
At its annual winter meeting on Monday, MHSA approved a proposal to utilize shot clocks for high school basketball. Shot clocks will be installed following the current basketball season and will be in use by next season. According to the proposal, MHSA notes four benefits of utilizing shot clocks: • A shot clock would stop stalling in games and require teams to improve game management and strategy. • The faster pace of the game would encourage player development and imp...
The Montana Public Service Commission has opened an investigation into the adequacy of legacy telephone systems owned and operated by CenturyLink Communications, LLC, and its affiliated Montana carriers. Many rural Montanans rely on these legacy systems for phone service, including access to emergency services. The formal investigation was opened in December after the Commission received complaints from Wibaux County Commissioners and citizens who expressed concern about unreliable phone service and associated effects on...
Together with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced that the State of Montana reached its goal to more than double the number of forested acres put under management in 2021. Under the leadership of Director Amanda Kaster, the DNRC placed a collective 25,000 forested acres under management. In 2020, the state treated approximately 11,000 acres. "We set an ambitious forestry target for the year to match...
Governor Greg Gianforte recently provided guidance to Montana employers and employees impacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule mandating vaccines for employers with 100 or more employees nationwide. “Montana law is unequivocal: employers are prohibited from discriminating based on vaccination status,” Gov. Gianforte wrote in guidance to Montanans. “While employers may encourage employees to vaccinate, they may not tie or modify any terms of employment based on vaccination status.” On Novembe...
Through the partnership between the Montana Secretary of State’s Office and county election administrators, the decision was made to not implement the new election management system at this time. The decision comes following a scheduled meeting between the Secretary of State Office’s Elections Division, a representative of the county election administrators, and the software vendor. “The decision to implement a new system was a data-driven decision since the project began in 2019. If the established criteria had been met,...
Following the passage of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently announced he secured $28,610,817 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Fiscal Year 2022 funding for 69 Montana airports as part of the law. “Montana’s airports are essential to keeping our state connected and our economy strong,” said Tester. “This funding from my bipartisan infrastructure package will ensure that our airports can make urgently needed repairs, continue to grow and support Montana travel,...
HELENA, Mont. – After wrapping up his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced state employees donated over 3,000 pounds of food to the Montana Food Bank Network in his inaugural interagency food drive competition. “Thanks to the generosity of our state employees, we will help feed and nourish Montanans facing food insecurity during this holiday season,” Gov. Gianforte said. “While all agencies rose to the occasion for the competition, there can be only one champion. Congratulations to employe...
While the general rifle season is now closed, traditional muzzleloader enthusiasts will have a season of their own starting Saturday, December 11. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 242 into law this year, establishing a nine-day muzzleloader heritage hunting season. The season begins on December 11 and runs through December 19. This is for traditional muzzleloaders only; no other means of taking game, such as archery, is allowed. Note that some areas have elk shoulder...
The biennial application cycle for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) is now open. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2022. Grants are available for public and private entities to support the preservation of historic sites, historical societies, or history museums; this includes "brick-and-mortar" improvements to address various infrastructure, maintenance, building code, security, climate control, or fire protection issues. Funding decisions will be made...
The final weekend of the 2021 big game season was warm and windy, and check station traffic on November 28 was a bit slower than is typical. Hysham check station Hysham saw 116 hunters in 59 parties come through that Sunday. That's just shy of the 10-year average of 134 hunters and 66 parties. "Overall, hunter success was below average at 52 percent," said wildlife biologist Steve Atwood. The 10-year average is an 84 percent success rate, but Atwood attributes some of that to...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is looking at a handful of new strategies to better manage elk populations and improve quality hunting opportunities on public lands. FWP will propose these strategies to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission at its Dec. 14 meeting. In recent years, Montana has seen a dramatic increase in elk populations in many hunting districts around the state. Currently, 14 hunting districts are at least 200 percent above population objectives. Data also show an overcrowding of elk populations on private...
Christmas tree permits are available online now through Recreation.gov. Permits for the 2021 Holiday season are free again, (usually a $5.00/tree per permit, limit 3). A small transaction fee is associated with the online platform. Fourth graders, through Every Kid Outdoors, can also obtain a free permit through Recreation.gov. This fast and easy online option is strongly recommended, as it was created to provide convenience for the public, in addition to reducing the risk of...
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) wrapped up the 2021 Annual Convention & Trade Show on Wednesday, Nov 17 after a week filled with educational seminars, policy sessions, and networking events. Highlights from the week included industry leaders presenting during Stockgrowers Colleges, a beef supply chain panel, and multiple MSGA members winning prizes from generous partners from a handcrafted saddle to a lease for a Massey Ferguson tractor. Montana’s Lieutenant Governor, Kristen Juras, kicked off the week at the O...
Bureau of Land Management Miles City Field Office range managers are concerned about the ongoing drought conditions which worsened through the 2021 growing season resulting in varying degrees of impact. Public lands across the entire portion of Montana managed by Miles City Field Office are currently in severe to exceptional drought. According to data from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, some areas of the field office received only 40 to 60 percent of the normal average precipitation for 2021. “T...
