Briefs
Kansas woman dies in Avalanche Creek
A 28-year-old woman from Kansas died Monday afternoon in Glacier National Park after falling off a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek and being swept into the gorge, the park said Tuesday in a news release. The woman was spotted in the creek passing under the bridge of Trail of the Cedars by bystanders who waded […]
Governor’s Office: Gianforte appoints Thomas Pardy to Thirteenth Judicial District Court
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Monday his appointment of Thomas Pardy to serve on the Thirteenth Judicial District for Yellowstone County. Pardy will fill the vacancy created by Thirteenth Judicial District Judge Michael G. Moses’ retirement, effective July 1, 2023, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office. “Thomas is an accomplished attorney who is […]
Deceased woman found in Yellowstone identified; man to appear in court on charges from same day
The woman found deceased this weekend in Yellowstone National Park has been identified as Cathryn Griffin, 38, according to the Teton County (Wyoming) Coroner’s Office. Griffin’s death remains under investigation, according to park and county authorities. Coroner Brent Blue said Wednesday officials believe Griffin is from Florida, but they also have addresses for her in […]
Gov. Gianforte declares statewide flooding disaster
Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order Tuesday declaring a statewide disaster in response to flooding in northeast, western, and south-central Montana. “Runoff from recent rainfall and snowmelt has compromised critical infrastructure and roads in Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said in a statement from his office. “This order will help impacted communities rebuild and get back […]
Montana DPHHS: Chickenpox cases up among youth
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services counted 18 cases of chickenpox reported in early 2023 compared to just six cases over the same period last year, the agency said in a news release about the increase in infections in school-aged children. The department characterized the increase as a 200% rise from the […]
Former Dawson County Sheriff goes to the U.S. Senate for confirmation as Montana’s next marshal
Former Dawson County Sheriff Craig Anderson was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday on a bipartisan vote to become the next U.S. Marshal for Montana. Anderson had been nominated by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. “Keeping Montanans safe is my top priority in the United States Senate, and we’ll all be safer when […]
Blackfeet Nation recognized as first ‘Tree City of the World’
Members of the Blackfeet Nation and partner agencies gathered earlier this month to celebrate and recognize the Blackfeet Nation as the first Tribal Nation to be designated as a Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced Friday. “We are excited to receive this recognition, […]
Abortion providers file lawsuit against state agency rule restricting Medicaid abortion
Abortion providers in Montana filed a lawsuit against the state in district court on a rule they argue would eliminate access for Medicaid-funded abortions in the state, according to a Friday press release. The lawsuit was filed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the ACLU of Montana on behalf […]
Gov. Gianforte signs into law Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway
Gov. Greg Gianforte approved the designation of the Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway by signing Senate Bill 120 into law on Tuesday. The governor signed the bill surrounded by Old Person’s family, members of the Blackfeet Nation and bill sponsor Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, according to a spokesperson Wednesday. “Chief Earl Old Person dedicated […]
FWP developing visitor amenities at Somers Beach State Park on Flathead Lake
Somers Beach State Park on the north shore of Flathead Lake will include trails, picnic areas, and three rental cabins, but no tent sites, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In a news release this week and corresponding notice of decision, FWP said it modified its decision to remove six proposed tent campsites at […]
Anti-diversity training bill tabled in House committee
A bill to ban requiring diversity and inclusion training for state employees was tabled in the House State Administration committee after a tie vote. Senate Bill 222, known as the “Montana Individual Freedom Act,” and based on the Florida “Stop WOKE Act,” was sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Trebas, R-Great Falls. The bill would have banned […]
Montana Legislature tweaks upcoming deadlines citing large number of bills
The Montana Legislature on Wednesday moved several upcoming deadlines in the final third of the 2023 session, citing a large number of bills still in process. “As you know, we are experiencing a voluminous number of bills this session, so we’re going to move a few transmittal deadlines to help us process the bills,” said […]