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Transgender Politicians Achieve Historic Leadership Roles in Montana Democratic Party

Transgender Politicians Achieve Historic Leadership Roles in Montana Democratic Party

Two transgender politicians have made history by securing senior leadership positions within Montana's Democratic Party. State Representative SJ Howell, who is transgender and nonbinary, has been elected minority leader of the Montana House of Representatives, becoming the first openly transgender or nonbinary person to lead a party caucus in a U.S. state legislative chamber. Additionally, Representative Zooey Zephyr, a transgender woman, has been elected as one of the Democrats’ three minority whips. These appointments, announced on November 11, mark a significant milestone for LGBTQIA+ political representation in the United States, particularly in a state where LGBTQIA+ rights have been a contested issue.
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Montana Deliveryman Encounters Bear on Sidewalk, Highlighting Wildlife Proximity to Developed Areas

Montana Deliveryman Encounters Bear on Sidewalk, Highlighting Wildlife Proximity to Developed Areas

A deliveryman in Montana recently encountered a brown-coated bear on a sidewalk near a busy street, an event captured on video and shared by Melodee Hanes. The footage shows the bear moving past a brick building while the deliveryman stands nearby with equipment, with cars passing on the street. This incident serves as a reminder that wildlife, particularly bears, can appear in unexpected urban or suburban settings. Montana is home to both black bears and grizzly bears, and while the specific species in the video could not be definitively identified, black bears can also have brown or cinnamon-colored coats. Bears are especially active in the fall as they seek food to build fat reserves for winter, which often brings them closer to human-populated areas, including neighborhoods and businesses.
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Missoula County Sheriff's Office Seeks Evidence Technician I, Offering Public Service Opportunity

Missoula County Sheriff's Office Seeks Evidence Technician I, Offering Public Service Opportunity

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is actively recruiting for an Evidence Technician I position. This full-time, regular role, with a pay rate of $25.100 per hour, is part of the MFPE - Federation of Missoula County Employees bargaining unit. The primary responsibilities include identifying, preserving, collecting, documenting, receiving, storing, and disposing of physical criminal evidence and found property. The successful candidate will oversee the daily operations of the secure evidence warehouse, ensuring proper storage and organization. This involves cataloging and documenting evidence, assisting at major crime scenes and death investigations, and maintaining the chain of custody. The role also requires preparing reports and legal documents, managing the disposition of items no longer needed as evidence, and transporting evidence to the Montana State Crime Lab for analysis. The closing date for applications is Friday, December 4, 2026.
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Montana Ski Season Faces Warm Winter Challenges

Montana Ski Season Faces Warm Winter Challenges

Montana's ski season is facing uncertainty as the long-range weather forecast predicts warmer-than-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation through January 2027. According to Michael Downey, Drought Program Coordinator for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, conditions in northwest Montana are looking bleak, with limited snowfall expected. The National Weather Service attributes this trend to a potentially record-setting El Niño, which is influencing weather patterns across the United States. While some ski resorts, such as Big Sky Resort, remain optimistic due to their historical snowfall averages, others may struggle to open without significant snowmaking efforts. Southeastern Montana continues to grapple with drought conditions, raising concerns about surface water levels and agricultural impacts.
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Taylor Sheridan Affirms Commitment to High-Budget, 'Premium Product' Television Production Amidst Industry Scrutiny

Taylor Sheridan Affirms Commitment to High-Budget, 'Premium Product' Television Production Amidst Industry Scrutiny

Taylor Sheridan Affirms Commitment to High-Budget, 'Premium Product' Television Production Amidst Industry Scrutiny
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Bozeman Ranch Sustains 150-Year Agricultural Heritage Amidst Rapid Urban Development

Bozeman Ranch Sustains 150-Year Agricultural Heritage Amidst Rapid Urban Development

The Burkenpas family is actively preserving the 150-year agricultural heritage of the Huffine Ranch in Bozeman, Montana, despite rapid urban development encroaching on its borders. The ranch, which has been in agricultural production since the late 1800s and was placed in a conservation easement by previous owners in 1997, now sits directly on the edge of Bozeman city limits. The Burkenpases are employing modern techniques like intensive cell grazing for their 45 weaned calves, which has already shown positive impacts on pasture health. They also maintain beef cattle, horses, and dairy cows, and are restoring historical structures on the property, including a 21-sided silo from the 1910s and a cow barn. This effort contrasts sharply with the surrounding area, where Gallatin County has seen a significant decrease in agricultural land and a boom in housing and commercial development, with the population of Bozeman growing substantially.
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Montana Joins Federal FAST-41 Program to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Permitting

Montana Joins Federal FAST-41 Program to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Permitting

In October, Governor Greg Gianforte signed Montana on as the 11th state to participate in the federal FAST-41 program, aimed at streamlining the permitting process for critical infrastructure projects. FAST-41, which stands for Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, seeks to align state and federal permitting processes for projects in sectors such as mining, energy, and transportation. Emily Domenich, executive director of the Federal Permitting Council, stated that the program does not exempt projects from environmental reviews but rather coordinates agencies to work in parallel, thereby speeding up the process without skipping necessary steps. The program also enhances transparency by requiring public access to project data. However, critics, including Derf Johnson, deputy director of the Montana Environmental Information Center, express concerns that this acceleration might come at the expense of environmental protection and public input. While FAST-41 increases transparency, it also reduces the s...
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Ted Turner's Western Art Collection to be Auctioned by Christie's Following His Passing

Ted Turner's Western Art Collection to be Auctioned by Christie's Following His Passing

Ted Turner's Western Art Collection to be Auctioned by Christie's Following His Passing
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Montana Files Appeal to Overturn Bison Grazing Injunction on Federal Lands

Montana Files Appeal to Overturn Bison Grazing Injunction on Federal Lands

On November 2, Governor Greg Gianforte (R-MT) announced that the state of Montana has filed an opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The state is seeking to reverse a district court's preliminary injunction that currently allows the American Prairie Foundation (APF) to continue grazing its bison on three federal grazing allotments in Phillips County. This action is part of an ongoing dispute regarding the use of federal lands for 'rewilded' conservation bison versus traditional livestock grazing. The American Prairie Foundation aims to establish a herd of 5,000 bison on 3.2 million acres of public and private land, believing this size is necessary for a healthy prairie ecosystem. The dispute escalated after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initially granted APF seven grazing allotments in July 2022. Governor Gianforte's administration argued that the BLM exceeded its authority and failed to assess economic impacts on local communities and concerns over bison containment. In...
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How to College Football: Week 11

How to College Football: Week 11

What to watch as we approach the end of the season
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Cozy Little Fall Market to Host 28 Montana Vendors and Santa in Great Falls

Cozy Little Fall Market to Host 28 Montana Vendors and Santa in Great Falls

Cozy Little Fall Market to Host 28 Montana Vendors and Santa in Great Falls
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Country Walkers Offers Challenging Hiking Tours in Dolomites and Glacier National Park

Country Walkers Offers Challenging Hiking Tours in Dolomites and Glacier National Park

Country Walkers Offers Challenging Hiking Tours in Dolomites and Glacier National Park