Home Montana Free Press Montana039s independent nonprofit news source. Home Bill to overhaul exemptwell use stalls in Montana Senate Montana food banks hit by cuts to federal assistance FEATURED NEWSLETTER Feds drop community support required in Calumet loan Latest Headlines Great Falls fire chief pushes to rehab ailing training center Energy providers look to set precedent for wildfire liability law Senate committee votes down Gianfortes income tax cut property tax relief bills State budget draft passes initial House vote with bipartisan support Judge temporarily blocks Montanas bathroom bill FEATURED HEADLINES The future of coal country Landscape on the brink of change Not knowing where to go Montanas sparse landscape for alcohol detox The Year of the Wolves Montanas agricultural tax rules slash bills for thousands of milliondollar homes SPECIAL PROJECTS The local news you need to start your week. Sign up for the free Helena This Week newsletter and stay in the loop on Helena city government public school meetings business news and upcoming entertainment and events. news DOJ sends resources to Indian Country to address violent crime The Session The judiciary and wildfires SPONSORED JPMorganChases Margaret Madrigal shares insights to help achieve financial success Top role in Missing Indigenous Person Task Force vacant as lawmakers consider bills combating crisis Ellsworth receives lifetime ban from Montana Senate floor for ethics violation Montana lawmakers wont back Utah in landtransfer lawsuit Lawmakers weigh slew of policies touching on educational goals and instructional quality Policymakers in the 2025 session are advancing proposals targeting early numeracy careerbased education and other classroom priorities.