Helena Public Schools has a shortage of bus drivers

HELENA – Helena Public Schools has a shortage of bus drivers. Their partner, First Student, is using incentives to try and bring in new candidates for the upcoming school year. Because of the shortage, a rolling bus route suspension will be implemented this fall. An event will be held on August 6th and August 20th … Read more

Elmo Fire is fast burning near Dayton

UPDATE – In a statment to the press Monday, Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said the Elmo Fire is fast burning near Dayton. The fire, which started Friday evening and has burned thousands of acres north of Highway 28 between Elmo and Hot Springs, forced dozens more to evacuate Monday, destroyed one structure, and shut … Read more

41 year old Billings man sentenced in sex trafficking sting will be almost 70 when he’s released

BILLINGS – A 41 year old Billings man convicted in connection to a nearly decade long multi-state sex trafficking ring will be almost 70 when he’s released from prison. William Maurice Newkirk, charged with multiple crimes stemming from an undercover sting involving young girls, violence, drugs and murder, was sentenced Wednesday to 26 years and … Read more

Iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road finally opens

WEST GLACIER – Patrons poured into Glacier National Park after the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road finally opened Wednesday marking one of the latest in park history. The late opening this season was due to last minute winter weather and ongoing avalanche danger, a Glacier National Park spokeswoman said. For the second year in a row, vehicle … Read more

Dems try again to help ‘working poor’ in face of Republican led legislature

Legislative Democrats said Wednesday they want to spend Montana’s sizable budget surplus on a billion-dollar effort to help residents who are struggling with the cost of housing, property taxes, childcare and mental health services. Democrats proposed a series of similar bills last year to help the working poor but those proposals were voted down by … Read more

Toxic algae blooms in local waterways prompts Montana DEQ to issue advisory

HELENA – Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued two caution advisories for harmful algae blooms in the state. One of the warnings is for the Duck Creek Campground along Canyon Ferry lake where harmful toxins have been confirmed. DEQ is asking the public to report any suspicious lining on water. Helena reservoirs like Lake … Read more

Billings baby formula company getting support from a Montana U.S. senator

BILLINGS – A Billings baby formula company is getting some support from a Montana U.S. senator. All American Pharmaceutical in the Billings Heights, remains in a holding pattern waiting for FDA approval, a process the owner says is time-consuming and expensive. Golini’s plight has caught the attention of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines who has reached … Read more

Charges dropped in 2021 aggravated animal cruelty case in Flathead County

KALISPELL – A 2021 aggravated animal cruelty charge against a California woman accused of starving horses in Flathead County has been dismissed. Court documents show Cynthia Hamilton reached an agreement with the State of Montana to transfer ownership of the siezed horses to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. Flathead County Animal Control found 17 horses … Read more