After nine intense weeks in Helena, legislators finally got a brief break last week during what is known as “transmittal.” This is the deadline at the halfway point where bills must pass out of their “chamber of origin,” either the House or the Senate. Bills that didn’t pass on either the House or Senate Floor by March 7 are considered dead (with the exception of bills that affect the state’s

Virtual meetings on Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir system operations are in the process of being scheduled. Meeting dates and times will be announced as the details are finalized. In-person public meetings on Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir system operations, which were scheduled for March 19, 31 and April 2 will be presented in a virtual format. Meetings have previously been held

Individuals may be seeing different refund amounts on their 2024 Montana tax returns than they experienced in the past. The Montana Department of Revenue encourages Montana taxpayers to review their income tax withholding annually. Wage earners, self-employed individuals, and retirees with wage income can access the Montana Employee’s Withholding and Exemption Certificate (Form MW-4)

Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced a $700,000 investment to expand peer support services in Montana, specifically for families and caregivers of youth with serious emotional disturbance. “This investment addresses specific needs for Montana families who are raising a child with behavioral health challenges,” Gianforte said. “Families have expressed the importance of family peer support,

What are sweetheart (or romance) scams? Sweetheart scammers use fake profiles on dating sites to engage other users, stir up romantic feelings, and ask for money. Sweetheart scams go by other names, too: online dating scams, confidence scams, romance scams, or catfishing. Scammers commonly target older adults, who often have retirement savings and likely live alone. And, adults 60 and older

Hansen, Elsie Wilson and Berwick placed fourth. Berwick earned fifth place in parli-pro concepts. Rowan Wilson took sixth in interview skills. Taking eighth were Aydson Telck in integrated office and Iverson in parli-pro concepts. Bainville also had three members receive their Statesman Torch award, one of the highest honors for leadership and service in their communities. Those recipients

Every year Reach Higher Montana holds a competition to allow students to use their creative side to win scholarship dollars. The competition asks students to design a sticker that helps pass along the message to fellow students to find their path after high school. The top two designers will each receive a $1,500 scholarship. The third and fourth place designers will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Area representatives, including county commissioners, testified in opposition of Senate Bill 254 during a state administration committee meeting in Helena on Monday, March 3. Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, is the primary sponsor of the bill that seeks to prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying; prohibiting political subdivisions, judicial officers and school districts from expending public