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 Interior Department announced on Nov. 25, that international visitors to 11 of the National Park System’s most-visited parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier, will face an additional $100 charge effective Jan. 1, 2026.
International visitors to Yellowstone and Glacier will face a $100 surcharge in 2026
The Interior Department said the shift will address the National Park Service’s maintenance backlog
montanafreepress.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The Interior Department announced on Nov. 25, that international visitors to 11 of the National Park System’s most-visited parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier, will face an additional $100 charge effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Montana could potentially receive 70% less federal funding for housing programs aimed at helping low-income residents under a new federal policy.
Montana could lose millions for low-income housing under new federal policy
The policy changes announced by HUD would cap funding for permanent housing, prioritize short-term housing projects and limit guaranteed funding.
montanafreepress.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Montana could potentially receive 70% less federal funding for housing programs aimed at helping low-income residents under a new federal policy.
Fort Peck Community College on Tuesday announced it received an $11 million donation from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation — the largest gift in the tribal college’s history.
Fort Peck Community College receives ‘transformative’ $11M gift from MacKenzie Scott
It’s the largest gift in the tribal college’s history.
montanafreepress.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Fort Peck Community College on Tuesday announced it received an $11 million donation from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation — the largest gift in the tribal college’s history.
Revenue department data indicates many homeowners are seeing lower taxes this year. More shifts will come with next year’s second-home tax.
6 charts showing how Montana’s big legislation shifted 2025 property tax bills
Revenue department data indicates many homeowners are seeing lower taxes this year. More shifts will come with next year’s second-home tax.
montanafreepress.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Revenue department data indicates many homeowners are seeing lower taxes this year. More shifts will come with next year’s second-home tax.
The city of Billings could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines after state officials found malfunctioning equipment during a September meth burn violated clean air laws.
Malfunctioning equipment in Billings meth burn violated state clean air laws, investigation finds
The city of Billings could face tens of thousands of dollars in state fines.
montanafreepress.org
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The city of Billings could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines after state officials found malfunctioning equipment during a September meth burn violated clean air laws.
The state’s June primary puts it last in line, but past attempts to move up the date have failed.
Montana again ponders moving up its presidential primary
Tired of being one of the very last states to vote in primary presidential elections, Montana is again debating whether it should go to the polls in early spring or even late winter.
montanafreepress.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The state’s June primary puts it last in line, but past attempts to move up the date have failed.
While the parking system's issues have been mounting for years, the Great Falls City Commission may take action soon, which could include raising hourly parking rates, increasing fines and shedding operations that heavily rely on personnel costs.
Increased rates and fines possible as Great Falls looks to stabilize ailing parking budget
'Unpopular choices' ahead with city’s parking fund losing money each month.
montanafreepress.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While the parking system's issues have been mounting for years, the Great Falls City Commission may take action soon, which could include raising hourly parking rates, increasing fines and shedding operations that heavily rely on personnel costs.
The Helena college elevated longtime educator Jennifer Glowienka from the role of interim president, a position she has held since July.
Carroll College names first woman president in the school’s 116-year history
The Helena college elevated longtime educator Jennifer Glowienka from the role of interim president, a position she has held since July.
montanafreepress.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:28 AM
The Helena college elevated longtime educator Jennifer Glowienka from the role of interim president, a position she has held since July.
With nearly 24,000 farms and ranches operating in Montana, the state’s residents are pitching in to produce a wide variety of food — from beef to chickpeas — for consumers around the world. With Thanksgiving around the corner, here are five Montana-made foods that you can add to your festivities.
Montana-grown ingredients for your Thanksgiving spread
Lentils, turkey, squash, potatoes and more — use the holiday to explore Montana’s ag bounty.
montanafreepress.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
With nearly 24,000 farms and ranches operating in Montana, the state’s residents are pitching in to produce a wide variety of food — from beef to chickpeas — for consumers around the world. With Thanksgiving around the corner, here are five Montana-made foods that you can add to your festivities.
We visited the Billing Livestock Commission to try to understand what a $4/pound cow looks like as beef prices in the U.S. reached record highs.
A morning at one of the state’s busiest cattle auctions
We visited the Billing Livestock Commission to try to understand what a $4/pound cow looks like as beef prices in the U.S. reached record highs.
montanafreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
We visited the Billing Livestock Commission to try to understand what a $4/pound cow looks like as beef prices in the U.S. reached record highs.
From deep dives on water issues to explainers on Montana’s energy landscape, your support fuels public interest journalism that readers say they can’t find anywhere else. Keep MTFP's momentum going by giving here: https://bit.ly/3X7zkR1
November 21, 2025 at 7:21 PM
From deep dives on water issues to explainers on Montana’s energy landscape, your support fuels public interest journalism that readers say they can’t find anywhere else. Keep MTFP's momentum going by giving here: https://bit.ly/3X7zkR1
A look at the top 10 originating states for Montana newcomers reveals that four have Democratic trifectas, meaning Democrats control the governor's office and both branches of the state Legislature.
Are people leaving blue states for Montana? Sort of.
Four blue states were the former homes of 16,312 new Montana residents between 2018 and 2022. Five red states produced a combined 9,108 new Montana residents.
montanafreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
A look at the top 10 originating states for Montana newcomers reveals that four have Democratic trifectas, meaning Democrats control the governor's office and both branches of the state Legislature.
Montana’s utility board is poised to incorporate approximately $246 million for NorthWestern Energy’s recently constructed gas plant into its customers’ rates.
Montana utility board reaches tentative decision on NorthWestern's pitch to incorporate $288 million gas plant into customers' rates
The decision was part of a larger rate case the PSC has been considering for over a year.
montanafreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Montana’s utility board is poised to incorporate approximately $246 million for NorthWestern Energy’s recently constructed gas plant into its customers’ rates.
The collaboration between the university and the health care system seeks to improve care by combining the institutions’ researchers and data.
UM, Providence announce partnership with goal of improving rural health care
The collaboration between the university and the health care system seeks to improve care by combining the institutions’ researchers and data.
montanafreepress.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The collaboration between the university and the health care system seeks to improve care by combining the institutions’ researchers and data.
Web poll open through Dec. 31 lets respondents vote for one of three options.
State contest will pick new highway welcome signs
Web poll open through Dec. 31 lets respondents vote for one of three options.
montanafreepress.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Web poll open through Dec. 31 lets respondents vote for one of three options.
With two judges dissenting, the justices sided with Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts, ruling that changes Knudsen made to Constitutional Initiative 132 would “mislead voters and prevent them from casting an intelligent and informed ballot.”
Attorney general’s edits to ballot initiative went too far, Montana Supreme Court rules
Montana’s attorney general, known for claiming liberal bias in unfavorable rulings, asserted that nonpartisan judicial races hide candidate party affiliation.
montanafreepress.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
With two judges dissenting, the justices sided with Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts, ruling that changes Knudsen made to Constitutional Initiative 132 would “mislead voters and prevent them from casting an intelligent and informed ballot.”
Analysis of donations flowing into the nonpartisan races for mayor shows Democratic donors lining up behind Billings hotelier Mike Nelson and Kalispell’s Ryan Hunter, a city council member with an urban planning background.
Candidates backed by donors that typically support Democrats will govern Montana’s reddest cities
Candidates supported by those who usually donate to Democrats win mayor races in Kalispell, Billings.
montanafreepress.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Analysis of donations flowing into the nonpartisan races for mayor shows Democratic donors lining up behind Billings hotelier Mike Nelson and Kalispell’s Ryan Hunter, a city council member with an urban planning background.
What we know about an effort to protect NorthWestern Energy’s customers from higher bills amid surging electricity demand spurred by proposed data centers.
Groups push back on Montana’s ‘data center boom’
What we know about data center development and a petition to protect NorthWestern Energy’s existing customers.
montanafreepress.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
What we know about an effort to protect NorthWestern Energy’s customers from higher bills amid surging electricity demand spurred by proposed data centers.
MTFP asked Montanans to share how they were navigating the temporary lapse in food aid. We heard back from nearly 20 people during the first two weeks of November, before they knew when benefits would restart. Here’s some of what they told us.
Montanans describe how the freeze on federal food aid impacted them
Choosing groceries over rent, selling old toys, avoiding car repairs. Here’s how some Montanans navigated the lapse in SNAP benefits.
montanafreepress.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
MTFP asked Montanans to share how they were navigating the temporary lapse in food aid. We heard back from nearly 20 people during the first two weeks of November, before they knew when benefits would restart. Here’s some of what they told us.
Five daycares operating out of a former elementary school in Missoula have moved to or are considering new locations after structural problems with the school’s roof forced them to close.
Roof issues at former elementary school force Missoula daycares to relocate
While at least two of the five affected child care providers moved into temporary locations, others are considering options after being told to close their classrooms in Cold Springs School.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Five daycares operating out of a former elementary school in Missoula have moved to or are considering new locations after structural problems with the school’s roof forced them to close.
A Montana State University-Northern professor who was placed on leave for her social media comments about Charlie Kirk will be allowed to teach on campus again in the spring, according to the professor's attorney.
MSU-Northern will allow professor back on campus after placing her on leave for disparaging Kirk
The case was part of a wave of public scrutiny, firings and disciplinary actions based on comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 11:09 PM
A Montana State University-Northern professor who was placed on leave for her social media comments about Charlie Kirk will be allowed to teach on campus again in the spring, according to the professor's attorney.
From @mountainjournal.bsky.social, in collaboration with @wyofile.com: Yellowstone wolves are uniquely vulnerable to hunters and trappers in surrounding states where killing wolves is legal.
What happens when wolves leave Yellowstone?
Crossing Yellowstone National Park's protective boundary, an apex predator becomes prey. These wolves don't last long in the modern Mountain West.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
From @mountainjournal.bsky.social, in collaboration with @wyofile.com: Yellowstone wolves are uniquely vulnerable to hunters and trappers in surrounding states where killing wolves is legal.
The Gianforte administration’s monthslong effort to find an eastern Montana location for a new mental health facility drew official interest from just two towns: Hardin and Miles City.
Only two towns submit proposals for an eastern Montana mental health facility
The Gianforte administration’s monthslong effort to find an eastern Montana location for a new mental health facility drew official interest from just two towns: Hardin and Miles City.
montanafreepress.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The Gianforte administration’s monthslong effort to find an eastern Montana location for a new mental health facility drew official interest from just two towns: Hardin and Miles City.
Join fellow Montanas by giving to MTFP here: https://bit.ly/4oIrYQ4
November 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Join fellow Montanas by giving to MTFP here: https://bit.ly/4oIrYQ4
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.