Great Falls Tribune: Montana’s Blackfeet Tribe, Zinke put water deal into effect
BILLINGS — Leaders of the Blackfeet Nation and U.S. Interior Department on Tuesday put into effect a $471 million settlement of water rights claims that was decades in the making for the northwestern Montana American Indian tribe. Tribal Chairman Harry Barnes and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed documents in Washington, D.C., that set the stage for the government to begin paying for drinking water and irrigation projects envisioned in the agreement. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed the documents last week. The settlement gives the tribe control over 95 percent of the water on its 2,340-square mile reservation, Barnes told The
Daines Attends Historic Ceremony to Sign Documents Implementing the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement and Compact
U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Secretary Ryan Zinke and Blackfeet Nation Chairman Harry Barnes for the historic signing of documents implementing legislation Daines fought for since arriving in Congress: the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act. The Blackfeet water compact will resolve all claims to water rights on the Blackfeet Reservation and ensure access to reliable and clean water for the communities within the Reservation, as well as farms, ranches, and businesses in the surrounding area. Today’s signing brings the settlement closer to becoming final and enforceable. Photo Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior “The Blackfeet Tribe has been waiting
Missoula Current: Forest Service chief approves salvage project for Sunrise fire on Lolo
The U.S. Forest Service is reviewing 14 recent wildfires to conduct post-fire salvage operations in western Montana, including five on the Lolo National Forest, one of which was approved by the agency’s interim chief earlier this month. Acting chief Vicki Christiansen used the emergency situation determination to begin work on the Sunrise fire near Superior, which burned in 2017. The work was initially reported as salvage work resulting from the Lolo Peak fire, though that was incorrect. “Lolo Peak did not rank out, given the impact on the community,” Tim Stauffer with the post-fire emergency management team said Friday. “There wasn’t
Daines, Senators Call on Administration to Restore More Choice for Americans in Health Insurance Markets
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and 34 other senators today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta, and HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar urging the administration to restore 12-month terms for short-term, limited duration insurance plans, which were available for two decades before being prohibited by Obama administration rules in 2016. The senators also urged the administration to clarify that issuers can offer renewal guarantees for STLD plans as a consumer option. “Allowing STLD plans to offer terms of up to 12 months along with renewal guarantees, consistent with the October 12,
Montana Delegation Introduces Bill to Name Site of B-47 Crash in Memory of Fallen Heroes
U.S. SENATE — This week, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte introduced the B–47 Ridge Designation Act. This legislation honors Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton, and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh who all tragically lost their lives in an Air Force B-47 Bomber crash in Montana in 1962. The bill officially names the unnamed ridge off of Emigrant Peak in Park County where the crash occurred as the ‘B-47 Ridge’ and allows the placement of a memorial plaque at the site. The placement and the maintenance of the memorial will be paid for without taxpayer
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Gary Dent of Pondera County
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Gary Dent of Pondera County for his over 42 years of service in law enforcement. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The following
KRTV: Daines honors Gary Dent of Pondera County as “Montanan Of The Week”
After more than four decades of service, Conrad Police Chief Gary Dent recently retired. Dent spent 40 years in law enforcement, and 31 of those years were with the city of Conrad. Fellow officers and dispatchers joined in on his final goodbye to say thank you for all he has done. On Friday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines honored Dent in his weekly “Montanan Of The Week” email. The following is the statement submitted by Daines to the Congressional Record: Mr. President, this week I have the honor of recognizing Gary Dent of Pondera County for his over 42 years of service
KTVQ: Livingston company expanding, plans to add 100 jobs
LIVINGSTON – Livingston’s Printing For Less (PFL) held a ceremonial groundbreaking event Friday for its new 55,000 sq. ft digital printing and fulfillment center. The company plans to add 100 new employees once the new center is complete. Just this past year it added 80 new positions at its Livingston location. “We’re obviously optimistic about our own future because we’re investing millions in a new facility,” said PFL Founder and CEO Andrew Fields. PFL currently employs just under 300 people at its Livingston location who produce printed orders off their online site or work with customers on creating automated marketing
Great Falls Tribune: Veterans facilities renamed after 3 Montana heroes
Three veterans’ facilities in Montana will be named after a trio of Treasure State World War II vets, following the president’s approval of legislation introduced by Montana’s congressional delegation. President Donald Trump OK’d renaming the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula to honor David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be renamed in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow (Dakaak Baako) and the Community Based Specialty Clinic in Billings will be renamed in honor of Benjamin Charles Steele. This legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, Jon Tester and Rep. Greg Gianforte. The three lawmakers