Public News Service

Bozeman's current Affordable Housing Ordinance was adopted in 2022 to provide incentives encouraging developers to build affordable housing in exchange for permissions to build outside the zoning code, a type of density bonus, according to Forward Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Confronting Bozeman's affordable housing shortage

An advocacy group in Bozeman is calling on young people and low-income renters to take on the city's notorious housing crunch. More than half of the …

A new documentary short captures how these organizations are innovating to open doors for Missoula residents to become property owners (Neighborkworks Montana)

Montana group uses co-op model to take on housing crisis

A coalition of advocates is using a novel approach to address the housing shortage in Missoula, helping renters become owners. Prices and …

Supporters of the Inflation Reduction Act say clean energy installations bring jobs to local economies. Montana is eyeing the potential in wind energy infrastructure. (Adobe Stock)

IRA funds clean energy jobs in Montana, critics skeptical of cost

Environmental advocates are heralding added jobs and ecosystem protections funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, which just marked its two-year …

The Hechinger Report's Tuition Tracker allows students to compare a school's graduation rates, which shows the likelihood of successfully completing their degree on time. That can affect affordability. (Adobe Stock)

Tuition calculator helpful for college-bound rural Montanans

For Montanans preparing to start college this fall, an interactive online Tuition Tracker can help them figure out some of the costs ahead of time…

Montana was chosen to host the $41 million Headwaters Hub partly because its rural geography makes it ideal for studying and creating jobs in photonics. (Adobe Stock)

Headwaters tech hub brings $41 million to MT

Montana has been granted $41 million to create a training and education program for new jobs in the high-tech sector. The Headwaters Hub is part of …

Corporate grocery chains raised prices well above what was necessary during the pandemic, and continue to do so today, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission. (Adobe Stock)

FTC says corporate grocers gouge Montana shoppers

The latest report from the Federal Trade Commission says despite an easing of pandemic related supply chains and economic stressors, major grocers …

In Montana, 6.9% of children do not have health insurance, ranking the state 44th out of 51, according to Georgetown University's study. (Adobe Stock)

MT sees nation's highest percentage of kids losing Medicaid

More than 4 million children nationwide were removed from Medicaid and CHIP health coverage by the end of 2023 as the government reset the programs af…

Montana classrooms have seen a more than 12% increase in the number of special education students, according to the latest data. (Adobe Stock)

MT disability advocates sue to stop school vouchers

Advocates for the rights of people with disabilities have joined the Montana Quality Education Association in a suit to stop a school voucher bill in …

Shoppers are feeling the pinch of higher grocery prices in Montana, where food costs rose ninth-most in the nation in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

FTC: Grocers gouging consumers with food prices

Food prices remain high, in Montana and across the country. A new report by the Federal Trade Commission says the country's largest grocery …

Expanding the Child Tax Credit could lift as many as 16 million kids in the U.S out of poverty, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. But the measure awaiting action in the U.S. Senate does not have broad public support. (Adobe Stock)

Child Tax Credit would benefit 46,000 MT kids

Advocates of the Child Tax Credit are calling on Washington lawmakers to expand it as they return to the Capitol this week. It's estimated an …

The union that represents Montana's public school teachers has filed suit to stop a pair of school choice bills in the state. One would create Educational Savings Accounts, the other a charter school system, both of which would be funded with state education money. (Adobe Stock)

MT teachers union files pair of 'school choice' lawsuits

Montana's largest teachers union has filed two lawsuits against "school choice" measures in the state. Montana lawmakers passed House Bill 393 last …

Consumer Direct Montana is the latest agency in Montana to unionize, and just last month, completed bargaining for its first union contract with in-home caregivers, who are currently voting to ratify the tentative agreement. (Adobe Stock)

MT health care workers vote on large pay increase

A group of health-care workers in Montana will learn tomorrow whether their new union contract has been ratified. The tentative deal, between SEIU 7…

Public schools and colleges are working together to build a pipeline of homegrown talent to help address the teacher shortage in Montana's K-12 classrooms. (Working Nation)

Creating a local pipeline for Montana teaching jobs

By Victoria Lim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Big Sky Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Collabora…

The State of Montana works to reduce the threat of climate-induced avalanches on over 4,000 miles of trail across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Climate change to cost MT jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars

A new scientific report from a wildlife conservation group details the potential impacts of climate change on Montana jobs and the environment…

Around 49% of Montana voters lean Republican while 30% are Democrats. The remainder identify as independent, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Poll highlights MT 'battleground' voters

A new poll shows Montana's rural voters are concerned with rising transportation and energy costs, higher health-care expenses, and a lack of good-…

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey program, about 29% of Montana households pay more than 30% of their income for rent. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MT housing advocates take aim at cost disparity

New U.S. census data show nearly a third of Montanans spend at least 30% of their income on housing. Advocates for affordable housing said it mostly …

The unpaid care provided by the 115,000 caregivers in Montana is valued at $1.76 billion, according to new state data available in AARP's latest report in the Valuing the Invaluable series. (Adobe Stock)

AARP MT Calls for In-Home Care Reform

More than 48 million Americans count themselves as in-home caregivers, helping loved ones live independently as long as possible. A recent AARP …

A bipartisan group of attorneys general in 31 states, including Montana, and the District of Columbia are partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets. Montana does not currently have a price-gouging law. (Adobe stock)

MT Joins Food Price Gouging Investigation

Montana is part of a bipartisan effort around the U.S. to strengthen enforcement and prevent antitrust activity within the nation's food system…

Rural adults remain less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and are less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet computer or traditional computer. (Adobe Stock)

Senators Call on Congress to Invest $50 Billion in Rural America

Senators in Washington, D.C. want to see a $50 billion infusion into America's rural areas - with the Rebuild Rural America Act. The legislation is …

The rate of children under age 19 without health insurance dropped to 5% in 2021, an estimated 4,165,000 million kids nationwide, down from 6% in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Healthy Kids Study Shows Dramatic Lack of Montana Child Care

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book ranks Montana 18th nationally in overall child well-being. The just-released numbers showed …

Montana Legal Services Association provides advice in civil cases across the state's 56 counties. (Bacho Foto/Adobe Stock)

Retired MT Attorneys Provide Pro Bono Legal Advice

For their next act in life, retired attorneys in Montana are providing free legal advice on civil matters over the phone. The Second Act Justice …

Gov. Greg Gianforte gave his second State of the State address Wednesday. (Montana Public Affairs Network)

Gov. Gianforte Proposes Tax Cuts in State of State Address

Gov. Greg Gianforte delivered his State of the State address to the Montana Legislature Wednesday night, discussing his plans for the state's hefty …

More than 78,000 Montanans who received Pell grants were eligible for up to $20,000 in student debt relief under President Biden's loan forgiveness program. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

MT Student Borrowers Await Fate of Loan Forgiveness Program

About 120,000 Montanans qualified for the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness program, but the program's future is still in limbo…

Republicans won a supermajority in the Montana Legislature, but one Democrat was able to flip a state House seat. (Jon/Adobe Stock)

Dems Urged to 'Keep It Local' to Succeed in Rural US

Democrats have struggled to turn 'red' rural areas 'blue' across the country for years. But some left-leaning candidates won in 2022, raising the …

A survey from this summer found 12% of Montana families

As MT Families Struggle, Child Tax Credit Payments Touted as Solution

A program that sent money to families with children helped pull millions out of poverty early in the pandemic, including about 211,000 kids in …

Nonprofit organizations employed nearly 30,000 Montanans in 2019. (Artur/Adobe Stock)

Workers at MT Nonprofits Feel Burden of Ramped-Up Demand

The work of some nonprofit organizations has only increased with the pandemic and the needs that have come from it. An author and expert in the field …

Before a waiver closed its loopholes, only about 7,000 people qualified for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program started in 2007. (Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)

Total Student Debt Cancellation Possible for MT Nonprofit Workers

The Biden administration made a big announcement canceling student debt last week, but another program could be just as impactful for workers at …

Apps can help people understand how certain purchases will affect their overall budget. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Money Tips for Young Montanans Who've Become Financially Independent

Many recent Montana high school graduates are setting off on their own, meaning it's likely their first time being financially independent. A few …

With the pandemic inspiring people to move to Montana, the state can't build fast enough to keep up. (Jim/Adobe Stock)

MT Housing Crisis Grows, But Some Protections Available

Montanans across the state are facing a housing crisis. Prices both to rent and buy a place to live have skyrocketed, leaving vacancy rates extremely …

A new policy initiative to help Montana students graduate will provide support through 2024. (Jos/Adobe Stock)

Initiative to Help MT's Underserved Students Complete College

Montana's effort to increase college graduation numbers is getting a boost from a new grant. The nonprofit Complete College America has chosen the …

The federal government announced its overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program last year. (Stephanie Zieber/Adobe Stock)

Gratitude, Relief for Public Workers Who Saw Student Debt Erased

Changes to a federal loan-forgiveness program are erasing debt for public employees, but people have a limited window to consolidate their debt under …

There were about 4.6 million job openings nationwide at the end of 2021. (wachiwit/Adobe Stock)

Worker Shortage Hits MT Nonprofit World Hard

The country has a worker shortage - and it's leading to hard times for nonprofits. Liz Moore is the executive director of the Montana Nonprofit …

Nearly 5 million people ages 19 to 24 can benefit from the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit. (Scanrail/Adobe Stock)

Expanded Tax Credit Could Provide Boost for Low-Income MT Families

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Big Sky Connection reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News Service Colla…

About 7,000 people live on the Crow Nation reservation in southern Montana. (Montanabw/Adobe Stock)

Project to Train People to Represent Montanans in Tribal Courts

A program is looking for Montanans to represent people in courts on tribal reservations, who often lack access to legal assistance when they need it…

Violet Hopkins had been paying off her student debt for more than a decade when she got news it had been forgiven. (Courtesy of Violet Hopkins)

Public Service Loan-Forgiveness Overhaul Brings Relief for Montanans

Changes to a student-loan program for public-service employees is transforming the lives of Montanans who had their debts forgiven. In October…

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program typically helps people with incomes of $58,000 or less. (adragan/Adobe Stock)

Assistance Available for Montanans as Tax Season Begins

It's tax season, which can be a scary prospect for some. But free aid will be available for many Montanans across the state. Chastity Roofner …

The child tax credit provides families $300 a month for children younger than age six and $250 for children ages 6 to 17. (vetre/Adobe Stock)

Build Back Better to Provide Boost to MT Families, Supporters Say

HELENA, Mont. -- Supporters of the Build Back Better Act are touting the benefits it will bring to families in Montana and across the country…

Solar jobs could be an avenue for Montana workers in coal-dependent sectors. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

Upcoming Summit Explores Clean Future for MT Energy

HELENA, Mont. - An event coming up soon looks at the prospects for clean energy in Montana. The Energy Future Summit will be held virtually Oct. 1…

Families with children under age 6 could get up to $3,600 through the federal Child Tax Credit this year. (tomertu/Adobe Stock)

Child Tax Credit Lifts MT Families Out of Poverty, Backers Say

MISSOULA, Mont. - More than 200,000 Montana families are seeing extra money in their bank accounts because of the extended federal Child Tax Credit…

The Blackfeet Reservation is one of seven tribal reservations in Montana. (Kushnirov Avraham/Adobe Stock)

DIY Estate Planning Essential for MT Tribal Members

HELENA, Mont. - COVID-19 is underscoring the importance of ensuring that people's estates are in order, but estate planning can be be tricky for …

About 52,000 children were living in households with high housing cost burdens in 2019. (melissadoar/Adobe Stock)

Discouraging Trends for MT Children Leading into Pandemic, Data Shows

HELENA, Mont. -- Troubling trends in Montana may have made the pandemic harder for children, a new report shows. The latest Annie E. Casey's KIDS …

Cutting off federally enhanced unemployment benefits will affect more than 30,000 Montana workers, according to the Century Foundation. (skrotov/Adobe Stock)

MT Sets Off Wave of States Ending Fed Unemployment Benefits

HELENA, Mont. - Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte's announcement in early May that the state would stop paying the higher, pandemic-related federal …

Virtual aids like Zoom have become more common tools for attorneys, allowing them to meet remotely with clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. (NicoElNino/Adobe Stock)

Project Gets Affordable Legal Aid to Rural Montanans

HELENA, Mont. - A Montana program is reaching rural residents who struggle to afford legal representation when they need it. The Rural Incubator …

Montana Public Employees' Retirement System members receive an average pension of $1,544 per month. (guy2men/Adobe Stock)

MT Public Employees: Pensions Help State's Economy

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana's public employees are touting the roles they play in communities, even after they retire. According to AARP, retirement …

Montana lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit public employees from joining a union for a year if they drop out. (Erik Madsen/Flickr)

MT Public Employees Highlight Critical Role of Unions

HELENA, Mont. -- Public employees are letting Montana lawmakers know the importance of their jobs and unions. Legislators have targeted unions with …

Last year, about four in five Montanans who applied for plans through Healthcare.gov qualified for financial assistance. (megaflopp/Adobe Stock)

Marketplace for Affordable Health Plans Reopens Soon

HELENA, Mont. -- Montanans will have another chance to find low-cost health insurance starting Monday. Through executive order, President Joe Biden …

A bill in the Montana Legislature would prohibit union dues from being deducted from workers' paychecks. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

Unions Brace for Attacks from MT Legislature

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana lawmakers are mounting attacks on unions in this session. Montana is among the 23 states that has not adopted so-called …

One in 10 Montana families doesn't have health insurance. (Maygutyak/Adobe Stock)

MT Families Face 'Impossible Decisions' During Pandemic

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana families are struggling during the pandemic, putting the well-being of children in the state at risk. A new report from the …

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MT: Livable Wages/Working Families