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Montana Supreme Court Allows Butte Data Center Initiative on November Ballot

Montana Supreme Court Allows Butte Data Center Initiative on November Ballot

The Montana Supreme Court has ruled that a citizens' initiative in Butte-Silver Bow, requiring voter approval for data center construction, will appear on the November ballot. This decision overturns a previous ruling by a District Court Judge and a retroactive change in the signature submission deadline by the county elections administrator. The initiative, spearheaded by the grassroots group 406 People First, aims to give local voters a say in the construction or expansion of any data center within the city-county. The group successfully collected over 3,652 signatures, exceeding the required threshold. The controversy arose when the county elections administrator initially informed the organization that the deadline for signature submission was August 14, but later changed it to July 13, citing a new state law (Senate Bill 11) passed in the 2025 Legislature. This law increased the time required between signature submission and ballot certification. The Supreme Court determined that denying voters the ri...

Analysis-Billions in collateral damage: The hidden cost of Australia's housing slowdown

Analysis-Billions in collateral damage: The hidden cost of Australia's housing slowdown

By Byron Kaye and Stella Qiu SYDNEY, Sept 25 (Reuters) - This time last year, Sydney property stylist Joanne Cauchi was turning away work, buying new furniture and overseeing home installations almost every day.

Arizona Republic

NAU football faces No. 1 Montana State in ESPN national game

NAU football faces No. 1 Montana State in ESPN national game

No. 18 NAU heads to Bozeman to face No. 1 Montana St. The Lumberjacks look to snap the Bobcats' 18-game win streak in front of a national audience.

Appeal to Halt WinCo Store in Great Falls Withdrawn, Paving Way for Development

Appeal to Halt WinCo Store in Great Falls Withdrawn, Paving Way for Development

Appeal to Halt WinCo Store in Great Falls Withdrawn, Paving Way for Development

Montana Stream Access Rally Draws Candidates and Advocates to Bozeman

Montana Stream Access Rally Draws Candidates and Advocates to Bozeman

Over 250 citizens, political candidates, and advocates gathered at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture in Bozeman for a Montana Stream Access Rally. The event focused on the importance of the 1985 Montana Stream Access Law, which guarantees public recreational access to rivers and streams up to the high-water mark. Attendees engaged with state and county political candidates, as well as local businesses and nonprofits that depend on Montana's waterways. Candidates, including Alani Bankhead (Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate), Seth Bodnar (independent candidate for U.S. Senate), Amy Eddy (nonpartisan candidate for Montana Supreme Court), and several others running for state legislative seats, delivered speeches emphasizing their commitment to protecting waterway access. Many speakers shared personal connections to Montana's waters and highlighted the ongoing threats from private and corporate interests.

Under Armour Opens First Montana Store in Bozeman, Featuring Unique Brand House and Factory House Combination

Under Armour Opens First Montana Store in Bozeman, Featuring Unique Brand House and Factory House Combination

Study Identifies Resilient Western U.S. Rivers

Study Identifies Resilient Western U.S. Rivers

A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE has mapped waterways across the contiguous United States to identify areas that could help sustain freshwater biodiversity amid changing climate conditions. Researchers highlighted mountain rivers in Idaho and Montana, as well as the headwaters of the Colorado River system, as particularly resilient. These waterways benefit from features like longer-lasting snowpack, less nearby development, and connectivity that allows aquatic species to move into cooler or more suitable habitats. Conversely, desert rivers in New Mexico, Arizona, and southern Nevada were found to be more vulnerable due to water scarcity and additional pressures from a warming climate. The study aims to guide conservation efforts by identifying areas where protection and restoration could have the greatest impact.

Montana Supreme Court Allows Butte-Silver Bow Data Center Initiative to Proceed Amid Appeal

Montana Supreme Court Allows Butte-Silver Bow Data Center Initiative to Proceed Amid Appeal

The Montana Supreme Court has issued an injunction allowing a Butte-Silver Bow data center initiative to move forward during an ongoing appeal. The injunction was requested by 406 People First and Denise Kelly, and it prevents Butte-Silver Bow and Election Administrator Cynthia Sherman from rejecting the initiative due to the late submission of signatures. This initiative proposes that any construction or expansion of a data center in the city-county would require approval from two-thirds of registered voters in a special election. The Supreme Court's decision means that the initiative's certification cannot be denied on the grounds of signature submission timing while the appeal process is underway. The injunction will remain in effect until the Supreme Court reaches a final resolution on the appeal.

Yellowstone County Motor Vehicle Office Adjusts Hours and Operations in Billings

Yellowstone County Motor Vehicle Office Adjusts Hours and Operations in Billings

The Yellowstone County Motor Vehicle Office in Billings has relocated to Room 125 of the John V. Ostlund County Administration Building at 2825 3rd Avenue North. Effective Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Downtown Motor Vehicle Office will close daily at 5:00 PM. This new closing time specifically applies to the Downtown office, while the hours for the Laurel and METRA satellite offices remain unchanged. The METRA MV office will also be closed on specific dates in October for events. The Motor Vehicle Department is currently accepting scheduled appointments in the Billings office and offers limited walk-in transactions for title work, with a limit of five title transactions per customer per day. An Express Renewal window has also been opened, allowing no more than five renewals per customer, and online renewals are processed the following business day.

Federal Judge Orders Release of 24 Individuals Unlawfully Detained by Immigration Officials in Montana

Federal Judge Orders Release of 24 Individuals Unlawfully Detained by Immigration Officials in Montana

A federal judge has ordered the release of 24 individuals who were unlawfully detained by immigration officials in Cascade County, Montana, some for over six weeks. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris issued the release order, stating that proper arrests require either a warrant or a belief that a noncitizen is in the country illegally and poses a flight risk. The judge found no evidence that either of these conditions existed in the cases of the detained individuals. This ruling is part of a class-action lawsuit, and Upper Seven Law, representing the detainees, confirmed that these individuals will now be able to return to their families. The case began with the unlawful arrest of Jesus Verde Hernandez near Lewistown by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in late July, followed by similar arrests of a father and child without warrants or suspicion of flight risk.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

New York ranks No. 2 among best states for teachers in 2026

New York ranks No. 2 among best states for teachers in 2026

A new analysis ranks New York as the second-best state for teachers, citing the nation's highest cost-of-living-adjusted teacher salary, strong tenure protections and top-rated academic environment.

Governor Gianforte Announces Leadership Change at Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Governor Gianforte Announces Leadership Change at Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced that Dr. Doug Harrington will succeed Charlie Brereton as the new director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Brereton is set to depart on October 30 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Dr. Harrington, a Montana native with over 40 years of medical experience, has served as the agency’s state medical officer since 2023. Brereton led DPHHS since 2022, during which time the department managed a $300 million behavioral health initiative, increased healthcare capacity, and secured $233 million through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. Montana is projected to receive up to $1.2 billion over five years from this program. Dr. Harrington expressed his commitment to continuing the department's efforts to enhance the health and well-being of Montanans.