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Across the United States, state prison systems are grappling with chronic understaffing and overcrowding — dual crises that are keeping incarcerated people confined to their cells for far longer periods than in recent decades. Lockdowns are common in jails and prisons nationwide, but most usually last only a few hours or days. During lockdowns, access […]
The Montana Department of Commerce announced this month more than $37 million in federal housing tax credits will be allocated to six developments to build new affordable homes in five Montana communities. “The Montana Board of Housing has selected a variety of projects that will help local families and seniors looking for affordable homes in […]
We’re not certain if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but the staff at the Daily Montanan had a lot of discussion about what stories belong on the Top 10 story list, and which ones didn’t make the cut. Translation: It was a very newsy year, and Montana was part of many larger […]
A widely published column by Rep. Llew Jones, who will chair the House Appropriations Committee in the coming legislative session, deserves serious attention by Montanans and our legislators. Why? Because Jones, R-Conrad, is breaking with 50 years worth of Republican opposition to establishing trust funds for state government. He says they make good sense for […]
A recently elected judge for district court in Lake and Sanders counties will not take the oath of office in order to focus on defending himself from criminal drug charges. Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter, 48, faces three counts of felony charges, one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts […]
For the last several years, Montana’s population has swelled as new residents flocked to the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic and and remote work migration, making the Treasure State one of the fastest growing in the country. But according to new data released Dec. 19 by the U.S. Census Bureau, that trend has reversed as […]
Montana is an opinionated place. And we’re here for it. In 2024, the Daily Montanan published more than 250 commentaries, and they remain a favorite, whether that’s to gripe about, or agree with. Our topics this year, much like our most-read stories from readers, focused on politics and the great outdoors. And many times in […]
We just finished Christmas, but I still have enough pennies left in my bank account that I can scrounge together money to buy the NorthWestern Energy CEO a box of tissues for the tears he shed during his plea to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. Last week, the two commiserated during a governor’s energy roundtable about […]
The Yellowstone region today is wonderland. It is full of spectacular geysers and colorful hot springs, home to lakes and meadows and mountains and valleys, and covered by forests and grasslands. What we see today is a result of volcanic activity that has shaped the landscape over the past 2 million years. But what did […]
A Kalispell woman accused in a scheme to activate and use stolen credit or debit cards with personal information obtained from patient records at Kalispell Regional Medical Center admitted to fraud charges on Dec. 20, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Alecia Mae Leonetti, 50, of Kalispell, pleaded guilty on Friday to wire fraud and […]