Montana Free Press

06/23/2026

From Indian Country Today: Over 10,000 people are expected this week at the Little Bighorn National Monument and surrounding area as Indigenous people celebrate not only their win against Custer but their resilience.

‘We weren't wiped out, and we continue to persevere.'

06/22/2026

Shane Charles, a co-owner with his wife, Tamara, of Carmel’s Sports Bar & Grill in Anaconda, was shot at the bar Saturday night and died after being transported to Community Hospital of Anaconda.

Charles was fatally shot at Carmel’s Sports Bar & Grill Saturday night.

06/22/2026

Farmers and ranchers in southeastern Montana say a legacy of coal mining and methane drilling has polluted one of the most valuable resources they have: clean, plentiful water.

06/19/2026

ICYMI: What’s next for some of Montana’s smallest graduating classes? Check out our visual project featuring students graduating in groups of 3, 2 and 1.

What questions do you have about these small-town graduates and this visual reporting project? Reach out with questions, comments and reactions to [email protected]. Lauren will be checking messages responding on MTFP’s social channels about what she learned.

Outside of major cities like Billings or Bozeman, rural school districts exist to serve some of the state's most remote communities, from Lima to Westby. What is it like to be among Montana's smallest graduating classes? Over five months and many miles ...

06/18/2026

Luke Wendt, Lima class of 3, Rosy Nick, Rapelje class of 2, and Kalen Martinell, Lima class of 3, share insight into their unique experiences as members of small graduating classes across Montana. Luke, who hated basketball until he had to play so Lima had enough kids for a team. Rosy, whose Future Farmers of America (FFA) teacher encouraged and uplifted her to become the leader she is today. And Kalen, who recommends you don’t date in a small school.

📸: Lauren Miller, Montana Free Press/CatchLight/RFA

06/18/2026

Montana added an estimated 7,137 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, according to new Census Bureau data. While statewide growth remained relatively steady, population gains slowed in many of the state’s largest cities, including Kalispell, Bozeman and Belgrade.

New Census estimates show cities are still growing, but slowly. Billings, the largest metropolitan center, lost residents.

06/18/2026

Daines-authored America the Beautiful Act clears committee, faces hurdles on foreign visitor surcharge, funding priorities.

Daines-authored America the Beautiful Act clears committee, faces hurdles on foreign visitor surcharge, funding priorities

06/17/2026

A proposal to explore for copper and other minerals on public land west of Helena has garnered pushback from environmental groups who say the timeline for the federal government’s review leaves limited opportunities for public engagement.

The nearly 11,000-acre Blue Copper proposal from Falcon Copper Corporation would explore for copper, gold, silver, tungsten and other materials.

06/17/2026

As part of MTFP’s project highlighting some of the state’s smallest graduating classes, Tori Schumacher, Willow Creek class of 1, Gus Huntsman, Lima class of 3, and Ben Broyles, Rapelje class of 2, speak about their education experiences. Ben went to the homecoming dance only because he was elected Homecoming King (he won it two years in a row). Tori says the thing she’ll miss the most will be being known by other students and teachers. Gus just wants others to move to his town.

🔗 View the full story here: https://bit.ly/4vNd9yH
📸: Lauren Miller, Montana Free Press/CatchLight/RFA

06/16/2026

The Montana Lottery miscalculated its finances by $18.5 million over the last several years, according to a recent report from the state’s Legislative Audit Division. That doesn’t mean $18.5 million is missing, but that the agency overstated and understated its accounts by that amount, the report found.

The Legislative Audit Division uncovered a slew of problems with the executive agency's finances.