Montana energy rulemaking enters final public-comment window
Montana DEQ is accepting public comments on proposed energy-related administrative rules through August 7, 2026. The rules have not been adopted.
Montana
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Montana begins Medicaid work requirements as budget pressure cancels provider raise
Montana has begun rolling out community-engagement requirements for some Medicaid Expansion adults while canceling a planned 3% provider-rate increase because of a human-services budget shortfall.
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Montana petition organizers challenge conflicting deadline guidance in Yellowstone County data-center fight
Yellowstone County organizers say a conflict between Montana statutes led them to use the wrong signature-gathering deadline. They are seeking guidance from the secretary of state before the initiative’s ballot status is decided.
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Revised Canada Lynx Critical-Habitat Rule Covering 14,030 Square Miles Takes Effect Aug. 17
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a revised critical-habitat designation for threatened Canada lynx across Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Washington.
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Montana heat wave raises wildfire and public-health concerns as drought persists
Eastern Montana’s early-August heat event heightened heat-illness and fire-weather concerns as drought continues to stress Montana water supplies.
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USGS Finds More Than 355 Billion Tons of Coal Resources Beneath Federal Lands
A new USGS inventory identifies vast coal resources beneath federal lands, but the totals do not mean the fuel is permitted, economic or ready to mine.
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Western heat wave raises wildfire danger as Washington fires force evacuations
A heat dome from Arizona to Montana is worsening fire weather as Spokane-area fires force about 60,000 evacuations and destroy at least 600 structures.
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Hardin Police Radios Bought With Coal Board Grant; Full Interoperability Still Unclear
Hardin received $113,457.80 in Montana Coal Board support for 15 Motorola radios, but records reviewed through August 4, 2026, do not document whether every unit has been programmed, tested and placed into routine interoperable service.
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Montana’s federal oil and gas lease sale advances as cleanup-bond debate continues
A July 14 BLM decision advanced a 66-parcel lease sale spanning Montana and North Dakota. A separate proposed rule would lower minimum bonds and change public participation, with comments due Aug. 24.
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Butte-Silver Bow ARPA water projects marked completed, but Moulton plant restart remains unresolved
A July 21, 2026 state report marks seven Butte-Silver Bow ARPA water, wastewater, stormwater and dam agreements completed. But the Moulton Water Treatment Plant still awaits confirmed return to service and retroactive sampling.
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Missoula County’s One-Year Data-Center Pause Puts Montana Debate Under Microscope
Missoula County commissioners approved temporary zoning that pauses new data-center development and expansions while officials study electricity, water, land-use and public-safety concerns. The action is local, but its regulatory and utility questions extend across Montana.
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Missoula fire danger reaches very high as smoke, heat and wind persist
Missoula County’s fire danger is very high, outdoor burning remains closed and smoke conditions continue to shift across the valley.
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ICE Plans $776 Million Camp East Montana Contract Extension
ICE plans to extend Camp East Montana’s no-bid contract through September 30, 2027, after GAO found waste, missing safeguards and open oversight recommendations.
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Evacuation order remains in effect near Olney as Montana faces critical fire weather
Flathead County ordered residents in specified Olney-area addresses to leave immediately as the Skillet Fire burned nearby; Montana also faced statewide Red Flag conditions on August 1.
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Billings Diesel Tops $5 as Gas Holds Near $4.27
Billings metro regular gas held at $4.274 while diesel reached $5.013, creating different cost pressures for commuters, contractors and freight operators.
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ICE proposes Camp East Montana contract extension through 2027 at potential $776 million cost
ICE plans to extend Amentum’s no-bid contract at Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss near El Paso through Sept. 30, 2027, with up to $776 million in additional potential federal spending.
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Yellowstone County commissioners appoint interim sheriff after Mike Linder retirement
Yellowstone County commissioners voted June 9 to appoint an interim sheriff after Sheriff Mike Linder’s retirement, setting a temporary leadership transition for the county law-enforcement agency.
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Montana PSC scheduled Helena listening sessions on NorthWestern Energy’s 20-year plan
The Montana Public Service Commission scheduled two in-person Helena sessions on NorthWestern Energy’s long-range integrated resource plan, with written comments due July 28, 2026.
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Missoula’s FY2027 city budget process heads toward August adoption
Missoula departments began presenting FY2027 budget requests in June, beginning a city process that runs through planned adoption in August. Residents can review preliminary materials and submit questions or feedback online.
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Montana begins post-election audit process for 2026 primary
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen announced June 3 that the state has officially begun its post-election audit process for the 2026 primary election.
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Billings votes to create independent airport authority after nearly a century of city control
Billings has voted to create an independent authority for Billings Logan International Airport, changing a municipal governance model that dates to the airport’s opening in May 1928.
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Montana Supreme Court upholds voter ID law in statewide election-administration case
The Montana Supreme Court issued a July 10, 2026, decision on the state’s voter-identification law. Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said the result supports election integrity, while key details of the ruling were not included in the available announcement.