Montana News

Montana Governor’s Chief of Staff among Plaintiffs Suing Volkswagen

Gov. Steve Bullock’s chief of staff is among the plaintiffs in a Montana lawsuit against Volkswagen over the automaker’s emissions-rigging scandal. Tracy Stone-Manning, her husband Richard Manning and Missoula resident Kristine Akland are the three Volkswagen car owners named as …

Montana’s Wildfire Season Second-biggest So Far This decade

Montana’s fire season began quietly but has quickly grown to the second-largest so far this decade after lightning storms last month ignited a rash of blazes that spread rapidly amid bone-dry conditions. This season is not over yet, with at …

19 Montana Counties Get Drought Disaster Declaration

Four more Montana counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas due to crop losses caused by drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture added Jefferson, Madison, Teton and Toole counties, bringing to 19 the total number of Montana counties …

Montana Medical Marijuana Industry Grows Despite Restrictions

Montana’s medical marijuana industry is growing despite an ongoing legal battle over a regulatory law. The Missoulian reported Senate Bill 432 was passed in 2011 in response to so-called cannabis caravans that traveled the state with a doctor who met …

Uber Ready to be First App-Based Firm to Apply for Montana License

Hailing a ride through a smartphone app is closer to becoming a reality in Montana. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously this week to approve rules regarding a new class of license for firms that use apps to connect passengers …

Montana Man Who Killed Student Settles Suit, Includes Insurance Money

A man who is serving a 70-year prison sentence for killing a German exchange student in his garage has settled a lawsuit filed by the victim’s family, in part by surrendering all his guns to the boy’s parents. Markus Kaarma …

Knievel Sobriety Jump in Montana Grounded Over Insurance Concerns

Lack of insurance has grounded Robbie Knievel’s jump over 26 cars in Montana to celebrate his newfound sobriety following a fourth DUI arrest. The Montana Standard reports the jump was planned over a Butte bar, but was moved over insurance …

15 Montana Counties Offered Federal Disaster Aid

Ranchers in 15 Montana counties can start getting federal aid to recover losses from this year’s drought. Bruce Nelson of the Montana Farm Service Agency says the ranches affected by the drought are now eligible for the 2015 Livestock Forage …

Quadriplegic Missionary Gets $26M Settlement in Montana Crash

Insurers for the Southern Baptist Convention have agreed to pay $26 million to a man who was paralyzed and suffered brain damage in a rollover crash during a 2009 missionary trip in Montana, Attorney Anders Blewett said Tuesday. The insurance …

Montana Thunderstorm Results in Crop Damage, Power Outages

A strong thunderstorm that blew across northern Montana over the weekend brought strong winds and large hail that caused property and crop damage and power outages along a 300-mile stretch of the state from Cut Bank to Fort Peck, officials …