News
Judge blocks Legislature’s attempt to get out of subpoena lawsuit
A Lewis and Clark County District judge followed the Supreme Court’s lead in denying the Legislature’s request to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges the extent of the Legislature’s power to subpoena members of the judiciary despite the withdrawal of subpoenas at the center of the two cases. Because the Legislature failed to file a brief […]
Biden administration to issue executive order on country of origin labeling
WASHINGTON—The White House will unveil an executive order in the coming days that directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify that meat can only receive a “Product of USA” label if that livestock is raised in the U.S. rather than abroad, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “The EO directs USDA to […]
The long journey of water from Yellowstone geysers to the ocean
Yellowstone’s hot spring waters ultimately flow for thousands of miles before entering the ocean. But waters enter two different oceans—the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous hot springs and a lot water flowing in Yellowstone, but what is the fate of the hot water erupted from Old Faithful Geyser, for example? Where does that water […]
Even with hospital pricing transparency, the price is often anyone’s guess
A colonoscopy might cost you or your insurer a few hundred dollars — or several thousand, depending on which hospital or insurer you use. Long hidden, such price variations are supposed to be available in stark black and white under a Trump administration price transparency rule that took effect at the start of this year. […]
The pandemic’s twin — grief — will outlast COVID-19
Cassandra Rollins’ daughter was still conscious when the ambulance took her away. Shalondra Rollins, 38, was struggling to breathe as COVID overwhelmed her lungs. But before the doors closed, she asked for her cellphone, so she could call her family from the hospital. It was April 7, 2020 — the last time Rollins would see […]
Students in limbo with mental health support in schools
Some parents of Montana students received a letter in the mail this month saying the mental health services their children receive in public schools were being suspended. Funding and services for students are on the line, and school officials are worried. To keep counseling going, they worry they’ll be left with holes in their budgets […]
Biden administration signals it’s in no rush for Canadian drug imports
The Biden administration said it has no timeline on whether it will allow states to import drugs from Canada, an effort that was approved under President Donald Trump as a key strategy to control costs. Six states have passed laws to start such programs, and Florida, Colorado and New Mexico are the furthest along in plans to get federal approval. The Biden […]
GOP furor about Critical Race Theory hits college campuses
Professors say the Republican crusade to root out “critical race theory” is taking a toll on college campuses around the nation—places where academic freedom is supposed to encourage thought, discussion and analysis. Much of the “critical race theory” uproar to date has centered on teaching in K-12 schools. But several high-profile incidents, combined with new […]
No cancel culture: How telehealth is helping to keep those therapy sessions
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced behavioral health providers to stop seeing patients in person and instead hold therapy sessions remotely, the switch produced an unintended, positive consequence: Fewer patients skipped appointments. That had long been a problem in mental health care. Some outpatient programs previously had no-show rates as high as 60%, according to several […]
Montana is the most patriotic state, study finds
Call it the “Cheers” effect. That may be one of the best reasons to explain that the average Montanan is more patriotic than most. It is a place where, it seems, everyone knows your name — just like the theme song to popular 1980s sitcom said. Last week, WalletHub published a study that ranked all […]
Is your living room the future of hospital care?
Major hospital systems are betting big money that the future of hospital care looks a lot like the inside of patients’ homes. Hospital-level care at home — some of it provided over the internet — is poised to grow after more than a decade as a niche offering, boosted both by hospitals eager to ease […]
NorthWestern power bills will tick up
The next power bill residential customers will get from NorthWestern Energy will be up $2.28 on average with an interim adjustment the Montana Public Service Commission approved this week. The 2.54 percent bump took effect July 1 and represents an increase in energy market prices, the “base” power that NorthWestern pays, said spokesperson Jo Dee […]