News Category: Government News & Events

How cities, states, and tribes can boost entrepreneurship via the American Rescue Plan

While a significant amount of attention has rightfully gone to the $350 billion in flexible funding provided to states, counties, cities, and tribes in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP), this historic bill also contains an important separate investment aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Gov. Gianforte pulls unemployment benefits to help overcome Montana workforce shortage

Starting June 27 Montana will end its participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs and return to its pre-pandemic status.

Montana Department of Commerce Awards More Than $5 Million of Historic Preservation Grants to 23 Montana Communities

“These grants will help communities share stories of the past, giving visitors and residents a true glimpse of Montana’s fascinating, deep-rooted history,” Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. “Projects like these can really help rejuvenate Montana communities with increased economic development, statewide tourism and job creation.”

Group hopes to bring back regular passenger train route through North Dakota

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is attempting to restore regular passenger rail along original routes which would go through Fargo, Bismarck, Mandan among other cities and include a potential depot in Mandan.

Knopp Resigns as Wyoming CIO After Major Health Data Leak

As Wyoming continues to assess the damages involved in a high-profile health data leak, CIO Gordon Knopp has quit his position.

Montana Board of Regents vote to file suit over law allowing guns on Montana campuses

“I do view our role as a partnership with the Legislature, but sometimes partnerships need clarity, and what we’re seeking here is clarity,” Commissioner of Higher Education Clay Christian said moments before the vote.

Opinion: Missoula County trying to keep public in dark

“A lot of information was about how do we hide things from the public, how do we keep the media from knowing what we’re doing, and that’s wrong — these are our public servants, they are supposed to be working for us not trying to hide what they are doing, and that was really concerning for me,” said Smith.

Missoula council hears discontent around affordable housing crisis

“We have been working on these issues for a very long time and they have been exacerbated painfully by a global pandemic,” Mayor Engen said. “But I do know that this body is responsible for much and controls little. But what is within our control, we will endeavor to change and modify and make better.”

L.A.’s Modest Solution to the ‘Missing Middle’ Housing Problem

The city’s Low-Rise design challenge asked architects to design affordable housing that NIMBYs and YIMBYs alike could live with.

Montana Board of Regents to consider lawsuit over law allowing firearms on campus

The law allows Montanans to carry concealed firearms in most places in the state without a permit, including the Montana University System campuses. HB 102 removes the Board of Regents’ ability to enforce restrictions for guns carried on campuses.