Private-sector payrolls expanded by an estimated 62,000 positions in April, down from a revised 147,000 in March, according to the ADP National Employment Report released on April 30.

Median pay for employees who stayed in their jobs rose by 4.5 percent from a year earlier, down slightly from 4.6 percent in March, while workers who switched employers saw a 6.9 percent increase, up from 6.7 percent, according to the report in Epoch Times.

“Unease is the word of the day,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. “Employers are trying to reconcile policy and consumer uncertainty with a run of mostly positive economic data. It can be difficult to make hiring decisions in such an environment.”

The report was released the same day that new Bureau of Economic Analysis data showed that the U.S. economy contracted by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025, down from a 2.4 percent expansion in the previous quarter and the first downturn since 2022.

ADP’s report found that goods-producing industries added 26,000 jobs. Construction led with 16,000, followed by natural resources and mining with 6,000. Manufacturing payrolls edged up 4,000.

Service-providing companies added 34,000 positions. Leisure and hospitality grew by 27,000, and trade, transportation, and utilities increased by 21,000. Education and health services trimmed 23,000 jobs, information declined by 8,000, and professional and business services slipped by 2,000.

Regionally, the Midwest posted the largest gain, with 42,000 jobs. The Northeast added 10,000, the West 9,000, and the South 3,000, where losses in the West South Central states offset hiring elsewhere.

Mid-sized companies with 50–499 employees hired 40,000 workers. Large employers added 12,000, and small businesses expanded payrolls by 11,000. Among very small companies with fewer than 20 employees, payrolls rose by 20,000, while companies with 20–49 workers cut 9,000.

Pay growth stayed broadly steady. Financial activities workers who remained in their roles received the strongest median increase at 5.1 percent. Annual gains were 4.7 percent in construction, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. Employees at the smallest businesses recorded the slowest growth, at 2.8 percent.

For comparison, annual wage growth for job stayers averaged about 3.2 percent in the five years leading up to 2020, indicating pay pressures remain higher than pre-pandemic norms even as they ease from peaks seen in 2022.

Economists view the ADP data as a directional indicator rather than a precise forecast of the government’s payroll tally, but April’s slowdown aligns with softer job-opening numbers and reduced hiring plans in recent manufacturing surveys. Private payroll growth, however, remains above the monthly average of roughly 50,000 recorded in the decade before the pandemic.

As of this report the Labor Department has yet to release the April employment data, which provides a broader look at both private- and public-sector hiring.

By Tim Clouser, The Center Square

As farmers grapple with the impact of mass deportations, federal lawmakers proposed a bill to reform the H-2A visa program for those seeking a legal agricultural workforce.

Congress established the visa program in 1952 to temporarily allow foreign farmworkers to work in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 42% of hired farmworkers had no authorization to work in the country from 2020 to 2022, down from 55% from 1999 to 2001. 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office asked federal agencies to improve oversight of the H-2A program last year. From 2018 to 2023, the number of approved jobs and visas increased by over 50%, as 84% of investigations into employers found violations affecting 66,819 workers.

“Reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a clear message to farmers that we are working hard to find solutions that ease the burdens brought on by the current state of the H-2A program,” U.S. Rep Dan Newhouse, R, Wash., wrote in a news release.

Newhouse proposed the bill alongside U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., after she attempted to push it through in 2019, 2021 and 2023. The House of Representatives passed it twice, but the Senate never did. If approved this time, it could create a legal pathway to residency for farmworkers.

The bill allows undocumented individuals who have worked at least 180 days over the last two years to apply for a certified agricultural worker status. If approved, they could stay for about five years before renewing their status, with spouses and children eligible for dependent status.

If a worker has 10 years of agricultural experience before Congress passes the bill, they would qualify for a green card after four more years under a certified worker status. Those with less than 10 years of experience must complete another eight years before receiving a permanent status.

The bill also responds to the GAO’s concerns around the H-2A program, particularly the lack of an electronic processing system for applications. Employers currently have to mail all those documents.

In almost all categories, earnings in Montana is near the bottom in almost all categories. The following stats, presented by the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, compare income distribution from 2005 to 2019 in Montana based on race.

Average white earnings in Montana is $31,000 as compared to the national average of all races $35,610. Montana’s average is below that of all neighboring states and in fact is the lowest in the nation.

Average Hispanic earnings in Montana is $24,110 or 78% of white earnings – also the lowest in the nation.

Average Black earnings in Montana is $24,800 or 80% of average white earnings.

Average Asian earnings is $20,780 in Montana, 96% of average white earnings. In 2019, nationally average Asian earnings was $49,520, which was 126% of average white earnings at $39,330 and higher than the overage average earnings in the US at $35,610.

Average American Indian or Alaska Native earnings in Montana is $20,790.

Average Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander earnings in Montana is $29,810.

By Evelyn Pyburn

It’s a new era for ice hockey in Billings, Montana – in fact for all ice sports.

With Signal Peak Energy’s $6 million donation, this past month, along with the addition of many other community donations, a groundbreaking ceremony was held last Wednesday to build a $12 million Signal Peak Energy Arena, which will feature two-sheets of ice for hockey, curling, figure skating, etc.

On a bright sunny and very warm day, hundreds of people and numerous dignitaries, including Governor Greg Gianforte, were on site to commemorate the launching of the new facility, which will eventually include a second phase of four basketball courts. The new sports complex is located on property the city purchased a few years ago, next to the Amend Park Soccer Complex, near the corner of South Billings Boulevard and King Avenue East.

The two-sheet ice project is a public – private collaboration of The Yellowstone Ice Foundation and the South Billings Urban Renewal Association, (SBURA), a tax increment finance district funded by property taxes from business growth in the vicinity of the intersection of Interstate 90 and South Billings Boulevard. SBURA donated $4.6 million.

The goal of the Yellowstone Ice Foundation, which will operate the new facility, is to build it without further reliance on public dollars. Over a year ago, City of Billings’ voters rejected a $143 million bond aimed at building and maintaining a full scale recreation facility, in the same location. That effort followed years of effort, by hockey and other ice sports participants to find a way to increase capacity for their growing sports, since they were out-growing the existing Centennial Arena, which has been the only ice arena in Billings since the mid- 70s.

The new state-of-the –art facility will not only serve the youth of today but will “drive long-term economic success and create opportunities for athletes of all ages,” heralded Parker Phipps, Signal Peak president & C.E.O.  Signal Peak operates Montana’s only underground coal mine north of Billings on the border of Yellowstone County and Musselshell County near Roundup. Phipps is also president of the Yellowstone Ice Foundation Board.

Alex Picicci, Signal Peak senior accountant and secretary-treasurer for the Yellowstone Ice Foundation, also spoke to the crowd about the potential for ice sports in Billings.

The crowd especially enjoyed a historical rendition about hockey in Billings, from a man referred to as the Godfather of Hockey in Billings, Joe Studiner.

There was no hockey in Billings when Studiner arrived in the city over 50 years ago, which made him inclined to think he wasn’t going to remain in the city very long. But when he heard that there was an effort to form a youth team, he arrived at the gathering ready to serve as a coach and became a leader for the sport in Billings and throughout the state. As strange as it might seem for a city located in the north, the sport’s biggest struggle – with only outdoor rinks – – was that it was often too warm to have ice.

Studiner is more than pleased with the prospect of having an indoor rink with two sheets of ice.

The 69,996-square-foot complex will have capacity for about 2,940 spectators, and is expected to contribute to future economic growth of sports tourism for Billings, which has been championed by Visit Billings as part of the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce President/ CEO, John Brewer, underscored the growing importance of sports tourism to the local economy.  Billings Mayor Bill Cole, further emphasized the potential for the Billings economy, stating, “Tourism is a powerful economic driver.” He noted that each year, the city hosts 2.6 million visitors, generating $621 million in spending.

The Billings Tourism Business Improvement District has announced the commitment of $1 million over the next three years to support Signal Peak Energy Arena.

That announcement followed an earlier one from Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Billings of a $500,000 contribution, which secured the naming rights for the building’s lobby.

“Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company is well-known for their commitment to the Billings community,” said Phipps. “Pepsi’s donation brings a legacy of public support to the state-of-the-art ice arena.”

Tom Dimich of Pepsi-Cola Bottling explained. “Our involvement goes beyond supplying refreshing soft drinks; we’re eager to invest in a project that will do so much for the families and athletes in the region.”

According to Yellowstone Ice Foundation they have has raised over $11 million of their $16 million goal.

Another $1 million was donated by the Larson Family. First Interstate Bank has contributed $45,000. Other contributions have come from KE Construction,  KOA, Billings Amateur Hockey Leagues, Tom and Joan Scott Foundation, Northwest Pipe Fittings, BNSF Railway, Western Security Bank, Altana, The Clark-O’Rourke Family, Weave, MCAHA, The Seedhouse Family, Billings Overhead Door Co., Edwards & Culver, The Wald Family, Mattress King, Intermountain Health, Collaborative Design Architects, A & E Design, and Allegra.

“This project is a win for Billings and for Montana kids,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Thanks to strong community partners and Signal Peak Energy, we’re investing in a stronger future for the community and for young athletes looking to grow, compete, and have fun.”

Dick Zier, who heads SBURA, also spoke to welcome the ice arena. He said that they expect the addition of a $20 million basketball court to be ready in a little more than a year.

The Signal Peak Energy Arena is expected to be completed in April 2026.

In the first quarter of 2022, when the company announced it would spend some $50 billion on electric vehicles, Ford’s stock sold for more than $20. Today, Ford’s shares are trading for less than $11, according to Robert Bryce in substack.com.

The bad news for Ford Motor Company’s shareholders is that the company continues to lose big money on every EV it sells. The soupçon of good news is that those losses appear to be shrinking a bit.

Ford announced its first-quarter results, which include EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of $1 billion. Those results would have been far better had it not lost $849 million on its Model E segment. Ford sold 22,550 EVs in the first quarter. That means it lost about $37,650 for each EV sold. (h/t to JL.) In a press release, the company addressed the EV business, saying it “remains focused on improving gross margins and exercising a disciplined approach to investments in battery facilities and next-generation products.”

Ford has been hemorrhaging money on EVs for three years.

Under great pressure from hospitals in Montana, that depend heavily from government reimbursements, the Montana State Legislature approved a bill to continue Montana’s Medicaid expansion program. House Bill 245 will subsidize health care for low-income adults between 18 and 65 year olds.  It was supported by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Hospital Association, the Montana Medical Association, and other industry associations, and tribal governments. Concerned about costs to the budget, most of the opposition came from Republicans, who worried about impacts on the state budget should the federal government reduce funding for the program. It is also considered by some representatives as a forerunner to socialized medicine. 

Other health care access was provided by other bills, such as House Bill 881, which allows families to buy into Medicaid to access benefits for children with disabilities. Senate Bill 72 grants broader eligibility for Medicaid. Senate Bill 319 funds reimbursements for emotional, physical, and educational support for new parents  through Medicaid, and House Bill 585 increases reimbursement rates for physical therapists and occupational therapists who see Medicaid patients. 

While across the state voters approved increased levy requests for four communities, voters were not so generous in Yellowstone County.

Voters approved levy increases for school districts in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena and Kalispell, while Belgrade voters rejected their request. In Yellowstone County School all four requested levies were defeated in Laurel —  for the elementary building reserve, 1,525 to 1,187; for the elementary general fund, 1,596 to 1,119; for the high school building reserve 1472 to 1,144 and for the high school general fund 1,534 to 1090. Mill levies were also defeated for Canyon Creek School District #4, 394 to 263; at Elder Grove School District #8, 914 to 468.

The levy requested by Elysian School District #23 passed 387 to 347.

The widely heralded STARS Act passed the state legislature which is expected to subsidize pay increases for teachers pay for districts throughout the state.

Costs of child care was a significant issue during this session of the Legislature. Legislators addressed it with the passage of House Bill 456, which would allows all child care workers with children of their own eligible for state welfare assistance through the Best Beginnings program. Child care with a focus on early childhood education was also included among a number of issues that will be supported with the creation of a $10 million fund, which also includes support for bridges, water projects and state pensions.

Kenneth Schrupp, The Center Square

Dozens of groups are urging Congress to overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s gas car ban, under which new gas-powered cars must be 100% zero-emission by 2035 and 35% for the model year 2026 vehicles already starting to arrive at dealers.

The rules apply not only to California, but Washington, D.C. and the 11 other states that have signed on to adopt California’s gas-car-banning emissions standards, making up 40% of the U.S. market.

The letter’s 26 signatories include the California Policy Center, a center-right think tank, and Citizens for Prosperity, a libertarian advocacy group.

ZEV market share in California declined from 22% in 2024 to 20.8% in the first quarter of 2025, leading Toyota to say the state’s ZEV targets are “impossible” to meet. To hit 35%, ZEV market share would need to increase 68% practically overnight.

Carmakers earn credits for selling qualifying battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. Those who don’t have enough credits to keep selling standard hybrid or internal combustion vehicles can purchase credits from those with excess credits, such as Tesla.

But if there aren’t enough credits to go around, carmakers could face fines of $20,000 per non-ZEV vehicle sold for each credit they are short, which has led dealers to warn they may be forced to only offer pricier plug-in-hybrid and all-electric models.

The House resolution is the last option short of a court decision or revision in the California legislature that could reverse the rule. The resolution now heads to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to be scheduled for a vote. 

Commercial

Riverstone Health |Cucancic Construction Inc, 123 S 27th St,. Com Addition $490,000

Griffin Automotive Enterprises|Dick Anderson Construction, 4432 S Frontage Rd, Com Remodel, $400,000

106 LLC|Lees Construction & Development LLC, 1678 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $125,000

Bar MW Properties LLC|Direct Pallet Racking Properties LLC, 719 Dunham Ave, Com Remodel, $50,000

Murphy Real Estate|Murphy Real Estate LLC, 4220 State Ave, Com Remodel, $44,500

First Interstate Bank|Summit Fire & Security LLC, 1800 6th Ave N, Com Fire Systems $39,869

Yesteryears, 208 N Broadway, Com Remodel, $25,000

3’s Away LLC|Langlas & Assoc. Inc., 2270 Grant Rd, Com Remodel, $25,000

Koinonia Management Co LLC|K2 Civil Inc, 2920 1st Ave S, Demolition Permit, $24,550

Shift Holding LLC|Wolf Development LLC, 2133 King Ave W, Com Remodel, $15,000

5th Am Freebird II LLC|Environmental Contractors LLC, 3815 1st Ave S,. Demolition Permit $14,500

5th Am Freebird Ii LLC|Environmental Contractors LLC, 3815 1st Ave S,. Demolition Permit $8,000

5th Am Freebird II LLC|Environmental Contractors LLC., 3815 1st Ave S, $ Demolition Permit Commercial $582,000

5th AM Freebird II LLC|Environmental Contractors LLC, 3815 1st Ave S,. Demolition Permit, $18,000

McCall Homes |McCall Development , 6206 Rosemary Rd, Com New Townhome Shell, $1,000,000

Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Walmart, 1649 Main St, Com Remodel, $300,000

Billings Clinic |Swanke Construction – Ophthalmology Remodel, 2800 10th Ave N, Com Remodel, $244,000

United Properties Inc|Hardy Construction Co., 490 N 31st St, Com Remodel, $198,460

Northern Plains Resource Council|Onsite Energy Inc, 220 S 27th St, Com Remodel, $77,680

Galaxy Nail Salon |Barger Platinum Plumbing And Construction, 2545 Central Ave, Com Remodel, $70,000

Yellowstone Health Partnership, 123 S 27th St, Com Footing/Foundation, $60,000

Beacon Air Group, 2494 Jetway Dr, Com Footing/Foundation, $60,000

City Of Billings, 2488 Jetway Dr, Com Footing/Foundation, $60,000

Residential

Okerlund Brian Kay|Jorden Construction, 4735 Audubon Way, New Res Single Family, $1,200,000

Douglas Jordan, 1316 Cheryl St, Res New Single Family, $341,074

AZ Construction |A & Z Construction LLC, 443 Montecito Ave, Res New Single Family, $303,888

Infinity Homes |Infinity Home LLC, 2241 Greenbriar Rd, Res New Single Family, $252,640

Koinonia Management Co LLC|Langlas & Assoc. Inc., 117 S 32nd St, Res New Single Family, $153,216

Mccall Homes |Mccall Development, 6239 Eva Marie Ln, Res New Single Family, $147,260

Harris Kevin C|Freyenhagen Construction Inc, 3095 Avenue E, Res Addition Single/Duplex/Garage, $113,280

Lay Bruce L & Pamela A|Mustang Design Garage, 711 N 26th St, Res New Accessory Structure, $80,000

Hanlin Properties LLC |Dynamic Construction Solutions LLC, 1002 N 25th St, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $75,000

Hunt Justin & Emily, 911 Ortega St, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $54,915

Scansen Caleb & Tia M|Pinnacle Remodeling, 1842 Island View Dr, Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $46,000

Leon & Michelle Clause Living|Green Jeans LLC, 1261 Cherry Island Dr, Res New Single Family, $295,000

7012 Copper Bend Blvd, WH Copper Ridge 54 LLC|WH Copper Ridge 54 LLC, Res New Single Family, $256,583

Kunkel Perry Kunkel, 2420 Wyoming Ave, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $244,634

Koinonia Management Co LLC|Langlas & Assoc. Inc, 117 S 32nd St, Res New Single Family,  $235,201

Lighthouse Homes LLC |Lighthouse Construction LLC, 1305 Tania Circle, Res New Single Family, $230,003

WH Copper Ridge 54 LLC|WH Copper Ridge 54 LLC,7006 Copper Bend Blvd, Res New Single Family $213,180

Davis Adam S & Stephanie A|Brett March Builders LLC, 1024 Eldora Ln,  Res Addition Single/Duplex/Garage, $150,000

McCall Homes |McCall Development, 6245 Eva Marie Ln, Res New Single Family,  $132,439

Jiff Mcanally |Tyrel Johnson Construction, 10 Stanford Ct, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $100,000