Alex Milan Tracy for Underscore
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The dozens of independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news organizations that make up the Rural News Network are developing the broadest news alliance reporting on rural America. These newsrooms are pursuing coverage that provides a more complete picture of what it means to live and work in these communities.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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With federal cuts looming, future of Blackfeet homeless shelter in limbo amid funding challenges
April 21, 2025
Funding challenges have crippled the Medicine Bear Lodge homeless shelter on the Blackfeet Reservation. Looming federal cuts could threaten its existence.
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The Border Patrol agents in Montana called them gang members. Defense attorneys saw no evidence of that as a judge dismissed their cases
April 16, 2025
Even with a criminal case behind them, allegations of gang membership for two men in the country illegally could determine whether they’re deported to their home countries or to a prison in El Salvador.
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Montana food banks hit by cuts to federal assistance
April 03, 2025
With food insecurity rising, food banks statewide expect to feel the effects of reductions to the federal emergency program.
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Gianforte signs bathroom, trans athlete restrictions into law
March 27, 2025
The bills, which sparked legal action Thursday, are part of national wave of legislation advancing strict ideas of gender identity.
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Labor board temporarily reinstates laid-off Forest Service workers’ employment
March 06, 2025
The order by the Merit Systems Protection Board gives USDA five days to comply with a stay on the workforce reduction.
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USFS: ‘Talented individuals’ laid off from agency will find ‘countless’ opportunities’ outside of government
February 14, 2025
Montana’s largest land manager launches widespread termination of recently hired federal employees.
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Our digital guide to help you track the Montana Capitol is back
February 03, 2025
The 2025 Montana Capitol Tracker includes live information on the bills, votes and lawmakers.
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Nonprofit pushes for tougher DUI laws amid spike in fatalities
January 17, 2025
Mom and sister of Columbia Falls man hit by drunk driver rewarding people who find a sober ride.
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Fire damages Choteau Acantha newspaper building
January 07, 2025
The weekly publication serves Choteau and the surrounding communities. Owners Melody and Jeff Martinsen purchased the paper in 1990. In their roughly 35-year tenure, they have not missed publishing an edition.
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Montana’s agricultural tax rules slash bills for thousands of million-dollar homes
January 06, 2025
Properties classified ‘agricultural’ get a tax break despite no bona fide operations. Lawmakers could tighten qualification requirements this year. This story is a collaboration with High Country News.
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Columbia Falls students building much-needed housing for Glacier National Park
December 30, 2024
Park officials say the cabins are helping alleviate the shortage of employee housing.
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Unpacking a ‘uniquely mysterious’ development proposal in Paradise Valley
December 10, 2024
Park County residents grapple with a high-density resort proposal in an agricultural area south of Livingston.
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University of Montana program tackles counseling shortage in rural schools throughout the state
December 03, 2024
A growing number of school districts are joining the initiative to connect students with counselors-in-training.
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Great Falls commissioners pass cuts to library to support public safety
November 20, 2024
Throughout 2024, the debate over funding positioned a library with a $3.1 million budget against a much larger public safety budget that has fallen far behind the city’s needs.
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Montana Democrats face an underfunded future
November 11, 2024
At $273 million and counting, Montana’s just-ended 2024 U.S. Senate race is the state’s most expensive political race ever, and likely its last big-dollar federal election for the foreseeable future.
RURAL NEWS SPOTLIGHT
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