Local officials have announced that the filing deadline for U.S. Small Business Administration assistance for people who suffered damage during the severe winter storm on Dec. 17-18, 2026, has been extended to Aug. 31. “It’s really good news,” SBA public affairs specialist Amira Huntsbeery said. Disaster loans include for business physical disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans

Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced the state of Montana will end the Orphan Tax, or the practice of diverting Social Security survivor benefits from foster youth, following a call from the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “No child in foster care should have the government raid the benefits they deserve,” Gianforte said. “Montana

State Auditor James Brown delivered a presentation on elder fraud and abuse as part of the Montana Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Summit, held in Kalispell on July 22. Older Montanans are frequently targeted by perpetrators of financial abuse and fraud schemes. That’s why Auditor Brown has made public outreach and education – specifically to seniors – a top priority of his administration.