Montana Highlights

Pusuit has acquired the Montana House in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park. The  Montana House has celebrated and showcased over 500 local and indigenous artisans for nearly 65 years. The company said it will continue to showcase local artists under Pursuit ownership. 

A recent study provides reassurance that Yellowstone Park’s famous supervolcano will unlikely erupt anytime soon. The journal Nature states that while a significant amount of magma is beneath the Yellowstone Caldera, it is stored in small, separate pockets rather than a flowing reservoir, reducing the likelihood of a major eruption.

Guns N Things in Glendive will close. A recent sale opportunity did not pan out so Ernie and Karel Huether decided to close.

River City Brews Rafting Tours, a Missoula company that offers guided raft trips along with local craft beverages, has been bought by Sara and Jared Forsythe.

Applications for a permit to float the Smith River began on Jan. 2, and will be accepted through Feb. 15. The permit drawing will be held on Feb. 19. Applicants can apply for a Smith River float permit online at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Automated Licensing System. Successful Smith River applicants will be notified via email shortly after the permit drawing is conducted.

Zero to Five Montana, in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Bright Futures Birth to Five program, is offering a one-time grant opportunity for Montana employers through the Family Forward Montana initiative to develop an employer-sponsored child care program. Grants will range from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the size and scope of the employers project plan.

The permit issued by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to Tintina Montana Incorporated (now Sandfire Resources) to manipulate approximately 250 million gallons of groundwater in pursuit of a 14 million-ton copper deposit in Meagher County has cleared its second and final legal challenge before the Montana Supreme Court.

Acropolis Gyros, a Greek food restaurant at 117 South Avenue W. in Missoula, has announced it is closing. The final day will be when supplies run out. The business has been listed for sale since July.

A new oven weighing 84,000 pound oven has arrived at Tech Woods USA in Ronan. This Moldrup thermal modification oven is used by Tech Woods USA to produce hardwood gunstock blanks, as well as flooring and other wood products. The oven was ...

Stockman Insurance has announced it is merging with Jacoby Insurance Group, a health and benefits agency based in Helena. Jacoby Insurance Group focuses on life and health insurance, offering Medicare insurance health plans, life & disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, small group employer insurance and property & casualty insurance.

Vice President and General Manager, KC K...

The Tax Foundation recently released its 2025 State Competitiveness Index. This study revealed which states are taxpayer-friendly for both individuals and businesses. States are ranked based on income, sales, excise, property, capital gains, corporate, payroll, estate, and VAT consumption taxes. The Tax Foundation found that Wyoming is the most taxpayer-friendly state, Montana is 5th, Idaho is...

By Roger Koopman

If you happen to be at the state capitol during the coming session, you are likely to encounter Mutant Elephants in the hallways, restrooms and chambers.  Although their footprint on the legislative process is immense, their presence goes mostly unnoticed by the voting public.  They appear mild-mannered, but are actually quite dangerous.

Mutant Elephants have the bodies ...

The Blue Angels are returning. Following their hugely successful show in Billings in 2023, the Blue Angels have announced that they will be returning on August 22 and 23 in 2026 for the Yellowstone International Air Show. And, this show will be bigger and even better, according to Mathew McDonnell, who will once again co-chair the event with Jake Penwell.

Their previous Billings show drew m...

Pusuit has acquired the Montana House in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park. The  Montana House has celebrated and showcased over 500 local and indigenous artisans for nearly 65 years. The company said it will continue to showcase local artists under Pursuit ownership. 

A recent study provides reassurance that Yellowstone Park’s famous supervolcano will unlikely erupt anytime soon. The ...

Ag Award for Excellence

The Billings Chamber of Commerce announces that Jess Peterson of Western Skies Strategies, has been selected as the Billings Chamber 2024 recipient of the Award for Agriculture Excellence, presented by Stockman Bank.  The award recognizes an individual, business or organization that has ...