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Western States Expand Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes

Western States Expand Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes

A growing number of western U.S. states are now allowing Medicaid to reimburse for doula care, a significant shift from a decade ago when only two states offered such coverage. Currently, 28 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, provide Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, according to the National Health Law Program. Montana is expected to join this group later this year, with Wyoming lawmakers and advocates also considering the measure. Doulas are trained professionals who offer emotional support and information to individuals before, during, and after childbirth. Colorado began reimbursing up to $1,500 for doula care in 2024. This expansion aims to make doula services accessible to a wider population, moving beyond being a service primarily affordable only to wealthier individuals.
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Oregon Lawmakers Propose 2028 Ballot Measure to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions

Oregon Lawmakers Propose 2028 Ballot Measure to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions

Supporters of campaign finance reform in Oregon are pushing for a 2028 constitutional amendment to prohibit corporations, unions, and other organizations from spending money to influence elections. This proposed measure, spearheaded by attorney Jason Kafoury, is similar to a Hawaii law passed earlier this year and a Montana ballot measure set for November. The initiative aims to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision, which allowed corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited amounts on elections, citing free speech rights. The Oregon proposal operates on the premise that state governments have the authority to regulate corporate political spending within their borders. While it would not prevent businesses or unions from forming Political Action Committees (PACs) or their members from donating to candidates, it seeks to eliminate 'dark money' independent expenditures from powerful groups. This effort follows Oregon's 2024 campaign finance law, which introduced limits ...
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First Snowfall Map Highlights Seasonal Trends Across the U.S.

First Snowfall Map Highlights Seasonal Trends Across the U.S.

The Farmers' Almanac has released its first snowfall map for the Lower 48 states, detailing when and where snow is expected to fall this season. The map divides the country into five timeframes, starting with September for the highest elevations in northern Idaho and western Montana. October will see snow in the northern Rockies, northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and interior northern New England. By November, snow is expected in the Great Lakes, central Rockies, interior Northeast, and higher Appalachians. Late November to December will bring snow to the Central Plains, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic interior, and lower-elevation Northwest. The Gulf Coast, lower Southeast, and desert Southwest may see rare snowfall in December or January. This year's El Niño event, with a 90% chance of being very strong, could delay snow in northern regions due to warmer-than-average temperatures (source: Yahoo News, 10 Sep 2026).
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House Subcommittee Advances Nine Land Bills, Including Renewing African American Civil Rights Network Act

House Subcommittee Advances Nine Land Bills, Including Renewing African American Civil Rights Network Act

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands has advanced nine bills, covering a range of topics from river designations to experimental forest transfers. Among the bills that moved forward is H.R. 9269, the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act, for which U.S. House of Representatives member James Clyburn testified. Other measures include the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act, which would release approximately 104,000 acres in three wilderness study areas in Montana, and the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, aiming to designate the 2,400-mile Route 66 corridor as a national historic trail. The Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act, which would federally designate 34 miles of Florida's Myakka River, also advanced. Additionally, the Crossett Experimental Forest Act proposes transferring the Crossett Experimental Forest in Southern Arkansas from the Forest Service to the state of Arkansas. Fifteen witnesses testified at the hearing chaired by Rep. Thomas P. Tiffany.
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Farmers' Almanac Predicts First Snowfall Dates Across the U.S.

Farmers' Almanac Predicts First Snowfall Dates Across the U.S.

The Farmers' Almanac has released its first-snowfall guide for the United States, predicting when different regions can expect their first measurable snow of the season. According to the guide, areas in the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains, such as Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota, are likely to see snow as early as October. Meanwhile, states in the Deep South and parts of the Southwest may not experience their first snow until December or January, if at all. The guide is based on historical climatological data and highlights how snowfall typically progresses from northern and higher-elevation regions to southern areas as the season advances. Meteorologists are also monitoring the potential impact of El Niño, which could alter storm tracks and snowfall patterns across the country. El Niño conditions are expected to bring warmer temperatures overall, though cold-air outbreaks and snow events remain possible.
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Supreme Court Orders Response from State Attorneys General on Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Lawsuit

Supreme Court Orders Response from State Attorneys General on Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Lawsuit

Supreme Court Orders Response from State Attorneys General on Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Lawsuit
USA TodayUSA Today
Hottest summer ever? US breaks longstanding record

Hottest summer ever? US breaks longstanding record

The contiguous United States set a historic record. The average temperature for June-August was 74.4°F, which was 3.0°F above average.
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Representative Zinke Introduces 'A River Runs Through It Act' for Montana Public Lands

Representative Zinke Introduces 'A River Runs Through It Act' for Montana Public Lands

Representative Ryan Zinke has introduced the 'A River Runs Through It Act,' a comprehensive public lands package for Montana's Blackfoot and Clearwater Valleys. This legislation, developed over two decades through collaborative efforts by local communities, conservation organizations, sportsmen's groups, and businesses, aims to manage approximately 430,000 acres. The act seeks to protect iconic landscapes, expand recreational access, and strengthen forest restoration efforts. It also addresses long-standing wilderness study area designations and supports rural economies. Key provisions include designating six Forest Restoration Areas totaling about 180,000 acres for timber harvest and forest health projects, increasing forest management around Lincoln to reduce wildfire risks, and creating six designated recreation areas covering roughly 60,000 acres. These recreation areas will secure permanent winter access for snowmobiles, add new mountain biking routes, and establish a 70-mile Off-Highway Vehicle trail...
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Farmers' Almanac Releases First Snowfall Map for 2026-2027 Season

Farmers' Almanac Releases First Snowfall Map for 2026-2027 Season

The Farmers' Almanac has unveiled its forecast map for the first measurable snowfall across the United States for the 2026-2027 winter season. According to the almanac, snowfall timing varies significantly by region, with higher elevations in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming potentially seeing snow as early as September. The northern Rockies, northern Plains, and Upper Midwest are expected to experience their first measurable snow in October or early November. Meanwhile, areas such as the Great Lakes, central Rockies, and interior Northeast are forecasted to see snow in November. Southern regions, including parts of the Gulf Coast and Florida, may not see snow until December or January, if at all. NOAA data largely aligns with the almanac's predictions, providing additional credibility to the forecast. The almanac also anticipates a wetter-than-normal winter for much of the country, with active storm tracks bringing snow, sleet, and rain to various regions.
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Hottest Summer on Record for the U.S., NOAA Confirms

Hottest Summer on Record for the U.S., NOAA Confirms

The United States has experienced its hottest summer on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average temperature for the meteorological summer (June–August) of 2026 was the warmest in the 132-year record, surpassing previous records set in 1936 and 2021 by 0.4°F. July 2026 was particularly notable, with an average temperature of 76.9°F (24.9°C), which was 3.3°F above the 20th-century average. This made it not only the warmest July but also the warmest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States. Extreme heat waves were reported across the country, with temperatures reaching as high as 116°F (46.7°C) in Montana and over 1,000 daily heat records broken in the Southwest and Rockies. Events such as parades and fireworks were canceled in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and the Mid-Atlantic due to the dangerous heat levels.
TheStreetTheStreet
Get your $500 Obamacare refund: who’s eligible

Get your $500 Obamacare refund: who’s eligible

The White House says the Biden administration overcharged Affordable Care Act Exchange plan enrollees.
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CHS Inc. Offers Retention Bonus for Part-Time Store Clerk Position in Billings, MT

CHS Inc. Offers Retention Bonus for Part-Time Store Clerk Position in Billings, MT

CHS Inc. Offers Retention Bonus for Part-Time Store Clerk Position in Billings, MT