Government
POLSON — Jen Ruggless got her first taste of serving as a Polson city commissioner last Monday after winning a three-way contest against Jenn Bagley and Scott Biggs for a Ward 1 vacancy. Ruggless had sought the position in 2021 and lost to Jake Holley by 24 votes. She applied to fill a vacancy left by retiring commissioner Jan Howlett and received votes from commissioners Holley, Laura Dever and Brodie Moll. Originally from Texas, she and her husband, Donald, moved to Polson six years ago when she was hired to manage the Walgreens store. She’s been employed by Walgreens for 26 years, moving from assistant manager to store manager, and serving as district photo ...
News from the ACLU of Montana HELENA — The Montana Supreme Court ruled in L.B. vs United States that Federal law enforcement agencies may be held liable when officers commit sexual violence on the job. This ruling comes in a case involving a federal officer who sexually assaulted a Native American...
PABLO — The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will fly flags at half-staff in honor of Anita Matt, Dixon District Tribal Council Member, who passed away on Aug. 22. Council Member Matt served in her position as the Dixon District representative since 2016. Prior to being elected to offic...
News from the office of Governor Gianforte BUTTE – On Aug. 24, Governor Greg Gianforte convened a public safety roundtable with local officials, treatment providers and law enforcement officers in Butte as the crisis at the U.S. southern border drives up drug interdictions, drug use and crime in M...
News from USDA BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildl...
News from USDA BOZEMAN — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). To be considered for fundi...
News from Alex Sakariassen Montana Free Press BILLINGS — Seated in his wheelchair next to the witness stand in a Billings courtroom Monday, 26-year-old Mitch Bohn calmly responded to a series of rapid-fire questions about his voting habits over the past eight years. How does he typically ...
News from the Office of Senator Tester U.S. Senate — After sustained efforts from Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, President Joe Biden signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022—...
RONAN — As part of Child Support Awareness Month, the Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program held a Fun Day event to bring families together and provide support for kids and parents in need. An annual event for current participants to recognize and acknowledge both those paying and receiving child...
News from USDA BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in two outreach and education efforts for farmers and ranchers, including those who are new to farming or who have been historically underserved by USDA programs. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is investing $10...
