Montana Morning Headlines: Friday, October 31, 2025

WESTERN MONTANA — Here's a look at Western Montana's top news stories for Friday. The former site of the Missoulian building along the Clark Fork River is moving forward with the Higgins Waterfront project, featuring a hotel and 80 residential...

Montana farmers struggle to access federal aid after USDA offices reopen

BILLINGS— Montana farmers have had trouble accessing federal aid after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reopened 2,100 offices to provide farmer aid last Thursday. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices provide Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and...

Political commish finds Carlino's retaliatory complaint unfounded

Martin Kidston (Missoula Current) The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices on Thursday dismissed a retaliatory campaign finance complaint filed by a Missoula City Council member just days after the same council member was found to have...

SNAP Benefits Government Shutdown: Full list of what states are doing to help families

WASHINGTON - As the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program faces a weekend cutoff due to the U.S. government shutdown, states are stepping in to support low-income families who depend on the aid for food. Here's what each...

Living on the edge: Montana climber once wintered in unheated van in Hyalite Canyon

MISSOULA — Before University of Montana student Justin Willis ever stepped foot on campus, he was a professional mountain climber. A Billings native, he grew up finding rocks to conquer in the nearby Beartooth Mountains. His father, also a...

Economic Shifts Within Bozeman Highlighted By Growth Among Manufacturers

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Manufacturing in Bozeman is experiencing significant growth, according to a recent report from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center. The report highlights that nearly $2 billion in wages were generated through this sector in...

Employee-sponsored childcare grants bridge gaps for Montana childcare challenges

HELENA — The state’s chief economist says that in 2024, the state had enough child care spots for only about half of the kids who needed them overall, and for just one-third of infants who needed care. A partnership between Zero to Five Montana...

Montana's congressional delegation pushing back on plan to import Argentina beef

HELENA — When President Donald Trump announced a plan last week to import more beef from Argentina, it drew quick criticism from ranchers in Montana. Now, Montana’s members of Congress say they’re pushing the administration to change course. U.S....

Montana State announces events related to Cat-Griz football rivalry

MSU NEWS SERVICE BOZEMAN — Montana State University will celebrate its longstanding and beloved Cat-Griz football rivalry with events throughout the week of Nov. 17. The annual football game between MSU and the University of Montana – popularly...

Social media's negative impacts on Glacier highlighted by outdoor summit speakers

As Two Bear Air Rescue’s helicopter hovered close to a steep cliff in Glacier National Park to recover the body of a man who had fallen to his death in July, numerous people with cellphones hiked the nearby Highline Trail. “If there was nobody...

Montana Costco Members See New Perks and Early Access

Costco, like a lot of businesses, continues to adapt and evolve. There have been a lot of changes that have taken place over the past year. They have added card scanners at their entrances, raised the price of memberships, and expanded their hours...

Trump has online tantrum to demand Republicans use ‘nuclear option’ to end filibuster and government shutdown

President Donald Trump has demanded that Congressional Republicans use the “nuclear option” to unilaterally eliminate the filibuster and end the ongoing government shutdown. “It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go...

Montana AG to Newsmax: Blue State SNAP Lawsuit ‘Idiocy’

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen blasted the lawsuit filed by 25 Democrat-led states against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over an expected lapse in food stamp benefits, calling it “idiocy” and accusing Democrats of creating the very...

"All these little things add up": Montana Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day

Monday, October 13, 2025, marked the first time Montana legally commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day as a state holiday. In a statement about the new holiday in this newspaper, Senator Shane Morigeau stated, “As young people, when you know your...

Inside The Montana Town Where Entrepreneurs Are Rebuilding the American Dream

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. This article is part of the America's Favorite Mom & Pop Shops series. Read more stories We’ve all heard about the impact COVID-19 had on coastal cities. Everyone has seen the haunting...

Montana cattle market holds steady amid talk of Argentine beef imports

GREAT FALLS - At Western Livestock Auction near Great Falls, the fall season means long days, full pens, and steady sales, all part of what General Manager Ryan Perry calls the “normal rhythm” of Montana’s cattle business. Despite national...

Government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits: How will Montana be impacted?

Over 77,000 Montanans may face food insecurity as SNAP benefits are set to be suspended in November. Felicia Burg, Executive Director of Family Promise in Billings, emphasizes the growing challenges for low-income families during this time. With...

Original governor's mansion in Helena to close on November 1 for construction

HELENA, Mont. - The original governor's mansion is set to close temporarily for construction on November 1. The mansion is usually open to visitors for tours, which are expected to resume after construction is completed later this year. The...

Montana’s cattle market holds steady amid talk of Argentine beef imports

CASCADE CO — At Western Livestock Auction between Great Falls and Vaughn, the fall season means long days, full pens, and steady sales, all part of what General Manager Ryan Perry calls the “normal rhythm” of Montana’s cattle business. Despite...

Montana Millionaire tickets on sale Saturday

HELENA - The Montana Lottery will add 120,000 more tickets and a fifth million-dollar prize for the 2025 Montana Millionaire. Tickets cost $20 each, and go on sale on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 5:30 a.m. This year, the lottery will sell 620,000 tickets,...