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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 4h

The order allows the Department of Environmental Quality to return to “narrative” standards for nitrogen and phosphorus.

EPA clears Montana’s environmental regulator to loosen water quality standards

The order allows the Department of Environmental Quality to return to “narrative” standards for nitrogen and phosphorus.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 6h

The Cascade County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that ensures payment to the county for detaining immigrants.

Cascade County inks new contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, though deal maintains status quo

The contract solidifies a rate for holding detainees while the sheriff's office seeks additional revenue for holding immigrants.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 6h

Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff, both current commissioners, are facing off in the race for the city’s top elected role.

In the race for Helena mayor, it's a policy wonk versus a man about town

Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff, both current commissioners, are facing off in the race for the city’s top elected role.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 8h

Federal officials have rejected a company’s bid to acquire 167 million tons of coal on public lands in Montana for less than a penny per ton. It would have been the biggest U.S. government coal sale in more than a decade.

Feds say no to company’s massive coal bid in Montana

Federal officials have rejected a company’s bid to acquire 167 million tons of coal on public lands in Montana for less than a penny per ton. It would have been the biggest U.S. government coal sale i...

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 12h

As Helena voters prepare to select the city’s next mayor, Montana Free Press will host a forum tomorrow with candidates Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff. The event will be held at at Brothers Tapworks, 40 S. Last Chance Gulch, and livestreamed on our YouTube page. Learn more: https://bit.ly/46KrsdR

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 1d

A second proposed ballot initiative mandating nonpartisan judicial elections has received the OK of Montana’s attorney general, but with the same language that triggered a lawsuit against the AG last week.

Montana AG's edit of ballot issue angers petitioners

Proponents of nonpartisan elections argue that Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s edits to ballot initiatives imply that judicial candidates have a political affiliation that’s being hidden.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 1d

The order comes as Montana’s utility board grapples with infighting, workplace misconduct allegations.

Court order makes it easier for Gianforte to suspend PSC President Brad Molnar

An investigation into Brad Molnar’s conduct is still underway amid PSC infighting.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 1d

Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff, both incumbent city commissioners, easily topped the rest of the field in the September primary election, but voters will now select just one to replace Wilmot Collins, who has held the post for the last eight years.

Montana Free Press to host forum for Helena’s mayoral candidates

Featuring candidates Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff, the forum is set for Wednesday evening.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 1d

Voters in cities and towns across Montana will elect municipal leaders and decide local ballot measures Nov. 4. These are the races and issues MTFP’s staff is keeping an eye on.

Nine things we’re watching — and one we’re not — on this year’s local election ballots

The local races and issues MTFP’s staff is watching in the lead-up to Nov. 4.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 1d

After years of legislative debate, Oct. 13 marks the first time the state has officially observed the day as a legal holiday.

For the first time, Montana officially celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

After years of legislative debate, Oct. 13 marks the first time the state has officially observed the day as a legal holiday.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 2d

Your support keeps independent Montana reporting free and accessible for every reader. Donate: https://bit.ly/46M96sX

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 3d

Your support keeps independent Montana reporting free and accessible for every reader. Give your gift here: https://bit.ly/46M96sX

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 4d

Every Montanan deserves an accurate understanding of how our state works. MTFP helps you follow the decisions that shape all corners of Montana with fact-based reporting tools. Will you help keep them free for everyone with a gift today during our fall campaign? Donate here: https://bit.ly/46M96sX

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 5d

Wildlife managers are reducing the number of white-tailed deer hunters can kill in north-central Montana in response to significant numbers of dead deer concentrated near water reported by hunters and landowners in recent weeks.

‘Blue tongue’ disease suspected in Montana deer deaths

What we know about the virus, its spread and how wildlife managers are responding.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 5d

Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project was one of 10 fast-tracked for ‘expedited permitting’ earlier this year; conservation groups cry foul.

Trump administration approves mine exploration project near Libby

Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project was one of 10 fast-tracked for ‘expedited permitting’ earlier this year; conservation groups cry foul.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 5d

Visit us at Brothers Tapworks in Downtown Helena 10/15 at 6:30 p.m. MST and join a candidate forum between 2025 Helena Mayoral Candidates Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff, moderated by MTFP State Editor Holly Michels and Helena Local News Reporter JoVonne Wagner. Learn more: https://bit.ly/46KrsdR

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 6d

Our fall campaign is wrapping up this weekend. If every reader contributed $3 today, we could close the gap and reach our goal. Your gift helps keep clear, fact-based reporting free for everyone in Montana. Will you help us build what comes next by donating here? https://bit.ly/473m4kY

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 6d

Long overloaded with too many inmates and not enough space to hold them, the state has turned to prisons as far off as Mississippi. Officials cite limited options; inmates’ lawyers and families say the repercussions, both practical and legal, are substantial.

While Montana builds its way out of an overcrowded prison system, inmate advocates say the state’s reliance on private prisons comes at a cost

Long overloaded with too many inmates and not enough space to hold them, the state has turned to prisons as far off as Mississippi. Officials cite limited options; inmates’ lawyers and families say th...

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 6d

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy headlined a Turning Point USA event at Montana State University Tuesday evening, filling in for Turning Point's founder, Charlie Kirk, just weeks after his assassination.

Vivek Ramaswamy, Gov. Greg Gianforte headline Turning Point USA rally Kirk had scheduled before assassination

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA carried out a Montana State University stop scheduled before his assassination, Vivek Ramaswamy and Gov. Greg Gianforte headlined in Kirk’s stead.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 7d

The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.

State approves Big Sky Resort plan to turn wastewater into snow

The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 7d

The federal shutdown that started October 1 left large swaths of public land accessible but unstaffed as Congress members fought over the 2026 budget. That temporary situation could become the new normal, according to plans published by the Trump administration.

Shutdown smokescreen? Public lands furloughs could become layoffs.

Trump administration leaders planned more job cuts before budget impasse closed federal government.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 7d

Legislators and health care leaders have formed a working group aimed at addressing concerns that spurred local opposition this summer to a state facility that would treat mental health patients who have been charged with crimes.

Billings advocates want their city in the running for new state psychiatric facility

Legislators and health care leaders have formed a working group aimed at addressing concerns that spurred local opposition this summer to a state facility that would treat mental health patients who h...

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 8d

Environmental groups argue in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 8 2025, that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is failing a constitutional obligation to manage rivers for the benefit of the citizens of Montana.

‘Dead, dry rivers’: Lawsuit says state isn’t managing rivers for the benefit of all

Montana’s instream flow protocol draws scrutiny amid ‘wicked low’ streamflows.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 11d

The Yellowstone County gas plant was forecast to emit more than 23 million tons of atmosphere-warming greenhouse gases over a 30-year operational life.

Environmental groups say the state didn’t properly consider climate impacts of Laurel plant

The Yellowstone County gas plant was forecast to emit more than 23 million tons of atmosphere-warming greenhouse gases over a 30-year operational life.

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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 11d

Blackfeet Community College President Brad Hall’s path to homeownership wasn’t easy, but his experience offers insight into what’s possible when adequate housing is available to reservation residents.

House and home: When housing works, tribal communities win

Part 3 of The Shelter Gap, a three-part series examining barriers to buying, renting and building homes on reservation land and highlighting the community benefits of secure housing.

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