Montana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped again, with the rate ticking down to 2.3%, from 2.4% in February, which is the fourth lowest in the nation, according to statistics released by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. The state’s labor force hit a record of more than 559,000 Montanans, with a growth of 33,000 workers from its pandemic-era low.

At the turn of spring, a wall of snow still lined the roads around West Yellowstone. Hundreds of bison from the park’s central herd were about to migrate toward their calving grounds at the Horse Butte. Usually they follow river corridors, but advocates fear that an unusually robust snowpack could funnel the bison onto  highway 191. Plows poked holes in snow berms, outside of guardrails. Then the volunteers arrived with pickaxes and shovels. They cut deep channels in the snow — pathways that they hoped would draw the massive animals toward grass along waterways.

A plan to build about 11 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing along Interstate 90 might hurt more than help, according to a group of government grizzly biologists. Fencing that stretch of road could sever the ability for grizzly bears to move between the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and other recovery areas. The potential for grizzlies to travel and interbreed between ecosystems is a frequently stated requirement before the bears can be delisted.

The Helena City Commission intends to increase a number of fees for city services. A public hearing for all fee increases will be held during the commission’s May 8 meeting at 6 p.m.

The Chocolate Moose, located at 25 S. Willson Ave. has supplied Bozeman with house-made chocolates, taffies, sodas and other sweets for over a decade. The owners of the Chocolate Moose listed the store for sale earlier this year.

Dave’s Sushi in downtown Bozeman closed last month after several customers who dined at the restaurant fell ill. The restaurant published a statement on social media saying it had closed voluntarily while the health department conducts an investigation.

The eroding banks of Penninger Park along the Yellowstone River remain a point of concern for the City of Glendive 10 years after requesting federal assistance. A research group from Montana State University plans to study the rate of erosion this month.  At this time, the MSU team intends to begin its data collection via drone flight during  May and have a complete map and report by the end of July.

Ace Hardware prepares for its grand opening sometime in mid-May as anticipation runs deep in Sidney and Richland County, Ace Hardware stores are typically 13,000 to 14,000 square feet. Sidney Ace Hardware is 27,000 square feet, making it owner Skip King’s second largest store next to his largest Billings at 34,000 square feet. King has eight Ace Hardware stores in Montana.

The N.D. Industrial Commission’s Oil and Gas Division released its February 2023 production report recently. Production jumped back well-above 1.1 million barrels a day. This is an increase of 9% over January. The state also emerged victorious after the first round of legal proceedings to enforce the sales of federally owned lands believed to hold valuable deposits for potential oil

Alexa Carter and Colleen Wolak  decided to embark on a new business venture in the Flathead Valley. Using Carter’s fervor for food and Wolak’s marketing experience, the women started Boards and Pours Montana. The catering company elevates dinner parties, events, and weddings with customized charcuterie boards, grazing tables, dessert boards, mimosa bars and cocktail tastings.

The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) is considering the request of NorthWestern Energy (NWE) to raise rates for electric and gas service. There was a recent settlement between NWE and opponents which has been submitted to the PSC. If the settlement terms are accepted as requested, or PSC accepts terms originally requested by NWE, residents and small businesses shall get the biggest increase. People are free to contact their commissioner about the issue at pschelp@commissioners.com.

Maverik gas stations and convenience stores have announced the acquisition of Kum & Go from the Krause Group. There are two Kum & Go gas stations/convenience stores in Williston. In addition there is one Kum & Go in Tioga and one in Watford City. Kum & Go, a family-owned chain established in 1959 in Hampton, Iowa. Maverik, based in Salt Lake City under parent company FJ Management, reportedly operates in nearly 400 locations in 12 states. Kum & Go, based in Des Moines, is a fourth-generation chain of convenience stores and gas stations. Operated by Krause Group, Kum & Go reportedly operates in more than 400 locations.

A Washington-based hospitality company, LOGE Camps, purchased the Izaak Walton Inn near Glacier National Park in December for $13.5 million. It also has purchased the Mountain Valley Inn in Missoula, which it plans to renovate and reopen this fall. The 58 room, Mountain Valley Inn has been closed for a number of years and was listed for sale at $3.6 million. Besides renovating the rooms the company plans to open a cafe, conference center and outdoor gathering area. LOGE has locations in Bend, Oregon; Alta Crystal, Westport and Leavenworth, Washington; Mt. Shasta, California, South Fork, Colorado, and Taos, New Mexico

Modernization of the gantry crane on top of Hungry Horse Dam is almost complete and reclamation will begin final testing. The 70-year-old crane reached the intended service life and BCI Construction conducted the demolition in November 2022. Installation began in late March 2023 using Bonneville Power Administration capital funding. The gantry crane is used to conduct maintenance on the dam. The installation of the new crane allows Reclamation to continue to provide electrical power generation for future years.

The board of directors of ONEOK, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of 95.5 cents per share, unchanged from the previous quarter, resulting in an annualized dividend of $3.82 per share.

Demand remained strong in Gallatin County’s residential real estate market during March, with sellers receiving nearly their full list price and homes spending just over two weeks on the market. Median sales prices in the single-family market fell 3.1% in March, compared to last year, from $795,000 to $770,000. Closed sales dropped 21.3%, from 94 to 74. The median number of days homes spent on the market increased from 3 to 16. The average percent of list price received by sellers decreased 3.3%, from 101.8% to 98.5%. The median price per square foot sold decreased 10.8%, from $371 to $331. Pending sales increased from 84 to 97. The number of new listings decreased from 128 to 118. End-of-month inventory rose from 125 to 213..