Montana Free Press

The CEO of the state’s only public psychiatric hospital is stepping down after roughly a year on the job, according to a Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services press release Friday afternoon. #mtnews buff.ly/yio06m1

A bulk transfer of some Montanans’ private information from the state judiciary to the legislative branch’s audit division has alarmed Montana district court clerks, who say they are worried about individual privacy rights. #mtnews buff.ly/HZJSug4

A 2021 contract allows immigration detainees to be sent to the county jail. Concerned community members recently gathered to oppose the facility’s role in immigration enforcement. buff.ly/LBPNbFq

Despite a similar number of fire starts in 2025 as compared to this time in 2024, this year’s fires have burned far fewer acres. #mtnews buff.ly/JxjrZuS

As grizzly bear populations increase and their range expands, Montana wildlife officials have launched a new online dashboard to help track bear-related incidents. #mtnews buff.ly/zFQxUnj

Nearly 475 groups spent more than $9.3 million to influence lawmakers as they decided the fates of hundreds of pieces of legislation during the first four months of 2025. #mtnews buff.ly/MdsIj8X

To avoid a budget shortfall, Great Falls Public Schools will likely request this year’s tax proceeds from its largest taxpayer at the risk of paying some of the money back later. #mtnews buff.ly/dTEEJvf

Colorado, California, and Montana are among the states that have recently required safeguarding brain data collected by devices outside of medical settings. #mtnews buff.ly/x6bcaXV

Montana has taken a major step toward protecting both wildlife and drivers with the passage of two groundbreaking pieces of legislation this spring: House Bill 855 and House Bill 932. #mtnews buff.ly/1U7KvEC

On July 18, 2025, a district court judge issued a temporary restraining order barring Crazy Mountain Ranch from using water from Rock Creek or Rock Lake to irrigate its golf course. #mtnews buff.ly/2XUcpX2

Crypto assets have turned up on financial disclosure forms for some Montana’s federal delegation for about four years. #mtnews buff.ly/h9aE8OI

President Donald Trump’s social media posts about the NFL’s Washington Commanders and Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians going back to their old names has revived the conversation about Native American imagery in sports. #mtnews buff.ly/0yHLGjE

Inspired by the 2022 James Welch Native Lit Festival, Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray organized IndigiPalooza, a two-day event that celebrates Indigenous art and storytelling. #mtnews buff.ly/6Fz5CIL

Officials say the $105 million bond is needed to replace the crowded and out-of-date detention facility. #mtnews buff.ly/VrqrQpx

Yellowstone Public Radio, Montana Public Radio and Montana PBS indicated that roughly 16% of their funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. #mtnews buff.ly/vwiJ6rO

Montana's famous cow-to-person ratio has narrowed a bit. #mtnews buff.ly/6VUk7Nz

Explore the requirements of a critical job that employs thousands of Montanans. #mtnews buff.ly/F8Kk4OU

Reps. Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing are co-sponsoring the Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025, which Wyoming’s congresswoman has championed. #mtnews buff.ly/jzxHg9H

A Cascade County jury has awarded $11.2 million to a girl who was physically assaulted at 6 months old and left with life-long, debilitating injuries. #mtnews buff.ly/C90cXBF

Local parents are requesting that the Helena Public School District provide more information about its decision to close Hawthorne Elementary in an appeal filed with the county superintendent of schools. #mtnews buff.ly/TF5JE7M