News

When it comes to the cattle markets, and ranchers getting higher prices for their beef- could a piece of legislation known as the PRIME Act be one of the answers that Montana cattle ranchers are looking for? We spoke with the author of the legislation, Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) on our statewide radio talk show, “Montana Talks” with Aaron Flint. Here’s the audio: Congressman Massie was very pleased to note that Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is a co-sponsor of the legislation in the US Senate. For background, here’s info from our previous coverage on the PRIME Act: Why are the

American seniors are struggling today as a result of increased COVID-19 testing requirements. Recent survey results bear this out. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) published the results of a 2020 survey conducted between June 25 and June 29 of 1,385 long-term care facility staff members. The survey focused on national results. It is by no means definitive. However, it offers insights into what is happening throughout the United States within assisted-living facilities. The survey results are invaluable for Montana seniors, their families and staff who assist the elderly during the most challenging time

Before the coronavirus pandemic began limiting nonemergency hospital visits all over the country in March, Virtual Health Manager Nicki Perisho says Kalispell Regional Healthcare (KRH) was conducting an average of 20 telehealth visits a month. But once the stay-at-home order went into effect, telehealth appointments multiplied to almost 500 per day. While the high volume of virtual visits scaled back to about 150 per day by early July, Perisho says the pandemic has paved the way for telehealth’s future and patients and providers are now recognizing its convenience and effectiveness. While many patients are still anxious about coronavirus exposure in

MISSOULA — Montana has one of the highest populations of veterans in the country and Missoula will soon be home to a new veterans health care center. Community members and politicians all came together on Friday to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new VA clinic which aims to bring healthcare to more Montana veterans. The new clinic will sit on an eight-acre lot on West Broadway in Missoula and will be 60,000 square feet. The facility is named after WWII veteran David J. Thatcher who volunteered to participate in the Doolittle Raid following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Thatcher’s son-in-law

U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Montana, this week sponsored the “Ending Taxpayer Funding of Anarchy Act,” which would restrict federal funding to cities and states that allow “anarchist jurisdictions” when local or city governments give up their duty to protect its citizens from non-governmental actors and protesters and no longer provide police, fire or emergency medical services. “We cannot let mob rule dominate our cities and communities,” Daines said. “Our tax dollars should go towards restoring public safety, not enabling chaos and destruction.” This legislation follows the shooting and killing of a 16 year old minor in the Seattle anarchist jurisdiction,

Two thirds of Montana’s Congressional delegation, along with the Lieutenant Governor were all in Missoula on Friday for the groundbreaking ceremony of the David J. Thatcher VA Clinic on West Broadway near the Missoula International Airport. Dr. Judy Haman is the Executive Director of the VA Montana Healthcare System. Dr. Haman said this clinic will offer state of the art care for Western Montana’s veterans. “We’re very excited to announce our new, expanded David J. Thatcher VA Clinic,” said Dr. Haman. “It’s going to be state of the art, technologically savvy, with more space for our wonderful staff and it

U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Steve Daines (R-MT) on July 2 introduced a bill that would streamline regulations for federal government agencies. “While some regulation is necessary, there is too much red tape that is outdated, redundant and irrelevant to the task at hand,” Sen. Tillis said. “This bill will create a more conducive environment for small businesses, companies and organizations across the country to succeed by streamlining agencies and organizing a more effective process.” Sens. Tillis and Daines are original cosponsors of the Unnecessary Agency Regulations Reduction Act, S. 4196, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to

Critics have complained that Western Montana’s veterans have had to make do with an undersized clinic, but that’s about to change. Friday in Missoula was the groundbreaking for a vastly updated outpatient veteran’s clinic in Missoula. At over 52,000 energy efficient square feet, Missoula’s brand-new VA facility will be a much larger upgrade over the existing Community Based Outpatient Clinic, or CBOC. The new David J. Thatcher VA Clinic, named for the decorated Montanan who participated in the 1942 Doolittle Raid on Japan, will have 154 percent more space than the existing clinic. When it opens late next year, the