-
Montana Highlights April 1, 2025
35 Montana Tech students toured production facilities in the Bakken oilfield of eastern Montana and North Dakota to learn about energy production. The tour included stops at rigs, a shop, and a pumpjack. Continental Resources, Kraken Resources, and Liberty Energy gave tours of their operations. January’s Economy at a Glance shows a 16.8% increase in…
-
Legislature Looks at Reducing Business Tax
Governor Greg Gianforte, Senator Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, and local ag producers are urging support for reforms to the business equipment tax. Gov. Gianforte and Sen. Kassmier support a reform to permanently eliminate the tax’s burden for an additional 700 small businesses, family farms, and family ranches. “With hardworking Montanans in mind, we’re once again…
-
Energy Transitioning Hits “…brick wall of reality”
Energy prices are rising due to US tariffs on Chinese solar panels, a tripling of insurance premiums in MISO, ERCOT, and SPP due to weather events, supply/demand gaps due to permitting delays, higher interest rates, and increased corporate demand for green power. Keep in mind, that power purchase agreements almost always show the subsidized cost…
-
County Elections Department Plans Move to Metra Park
By Evelyn Pyburn Yellowstone County Commissioners are taking a hard look at moving the county’s Election Department, in its entirety, to Metra Park. With the Election’s Department Director, Ginger Aldrich, concerned about not having enough space for the Department to perform its functions, especially after what was experienced in the November general election, County Commissioner…
-
Consumer Sentiment Fell in February, Inflation Expected
Confidence among American consumers fell sharply in February, hitting a 29-month low, while long-run inflation expectations recorded their biggest monthly jump in 32 years, according to the latest University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey. U.S. households are bracing for some uncertainty—possibly turbulence—as tariffs and other policies take effect, and as government spending shifts to the…
-
Commissioners Reject Bike Trail Master Plan
By Evelyn Pyburn Yellowstone County Commissioners unanimously rejected the Billings Area Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, which was presented to them by the City –County Planning Department. Besides the commissioners, the plan goes before the Yellowstone County Planning Board, the Billings City Council, and the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) for approval. As the plan was…
-
Billings Building Permits April 1, 2025
Commercial Chase Moore, 50 Moore Ln, Com Footing/Foundation, $450,000 Winchell Real Estate Holdings|Scott Roby Remodel, 1807 Grand Ave, Com Remodel, $50,000 American Tower |Betacom Tower Modifications, 2111 4th Ave N, Com Remodel, $20,000 777 Properties LLC|B & W Builders Inc, 1310 15th St W, Com Remodel $18,000 Dibra Investment Holdings LLC|Wegner Homes, 4120 King Ave…
-
Aeronautics Board Allocated $3.2 million
The Montana Aeronautics Board has allocated more than $3.2 million in funding for fiscal year (FY) 2026. This funding is designated for a range of airport infrastructure enhancement initiatives. A portion of the annual grants and loans is intended to match 95/5 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for substantial airport construction projects. Requests totaling approximately…
-
26 Attorneys General File Brief Supporting Deportation of Gangs
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch, The Center Square A coalition of state attorneys general is filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, urging the court to lift a nationwide restraining order that is “preventing” the “immediate deportation” of “Tren de Aragua gang members.” Leading the effort are Virginia Attorney General…
-
‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,’ 250 Years Later
Marking the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous speech. By Lawrence W. Reed, Foundation for Economic Freedom In St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, delegates from around the colony gathered to discuss matters that would rile Britain’s distant King and set Virginia on a path to rebellion. It was March 23, 1775. One man,…