In The News

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders have agreed to provide about $900 billion in COVID-19 aid in a tentative deal that could end months of stalemate, a GOP senator confirmed Wednesday morning. The emerging pact, reached in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, would funnel about $300 billion in relief to small businesses, provide more money for vaccine distribution and health care workers, and offer a new round of tax rebate checks to households, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said on CNBC. “I’m cautiously optimistic we’re going to see this $900 billion package released today, and this will likely get passed before we

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced Friday that following his direct request, Plains, Montana will receive a $5.1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant will help complete a major infrastructure project for the community by relocating the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which is currently at risk of a catastrophic failure due to its vicinity to the Clark Fork River. “This grant is a critical investment for the Plains community as they work to improve their sanitation infrastructure by moving the wastewater treatment plant away from the Clark Fork River,” Daines said. “I’m glad that I could help

Senator Jon Tester (D) introduced a bill last month with Senator Deb Fischer, Neb., that seeks to improve safety at rural train crossings. As of right now, railroad crossing arms are only installed at locations where a road is wide enough for two vehicles. A second bill to address the dangers of parked trains on highway-railroad crossings was also introduced by the same two senators. Valley County has reported two cases of vehicle-train collisions this year at rural crossings. The first occurred on July 18 in Hinsdale at the crossing with crossing arms. There were no injuries. The second occurred

After months of political sniping, Congress has finally come within reach of a deal to send more help to Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The top four leaders on Capitol Hill have come close to a $900 billion pandemic aid agreement, CNBC and NBC News confirmed. The lawmakers will put aside liability protections for businesses and state and local government relief, the two biggest hurdles to reaching a deal in recent months. The developing rescue package would include a direct payment to Americans, which could come out to about $600 per person. It would also have about $300 billion for

MONTANA — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte celebrated the U.S. Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to rename the VA clinic in Bozeman after fallen Montana war hero Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins. “Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins’ bravery and service to our nation is a true inspiration for Montanans and Americans nationwide,” Daines said. “I’m happy to see my colleagues in the U.S. Senate support this important bill recognizing Atkins’ bravery by renaming the VA clinic in his hometown of Bozeman in his honor. His selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten.” “With the support of

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders have agreed to provide about $900 billion in COVID-19 aid in a tentative deal that could end months of stalemate, a GOP senator confirmed Wednesday morning. The emerging pact, reached in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, would funnel about $300 billion in relief to small businesses, provide more money for vaccine distribution and health care workers, and offer a new round of tax rebate checks to households, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said on CNBC. “I’m cautiously optimistic we’re going to see this $900 billion package released today, and this will likely get passed before we

Six Bozeman Health employees lined up in the emergency room on Monday afternoon to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. They were among the first Montanans to receive the vaccine, which arrived in the state Monday morning. Dr. Andrew Sullivan, a pulmonary and critical care physician, was the first in line. The vaccination took less than a minute and was met with applause from Bozeman Health staff. “I’m thrilled it’s here,” Sullivan said after the vaccination. “Honestly, I’m more excited for other people to get it.” Over the last 11 months, Sullivan said he has seen the coronavirus take lives and upend

Six Bozeman Health employees lined up in the emergency room on Monday afternoon to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. They were among the first Montanans to receive the vaccine, which arrived in the state Monday morning. Dr. Andrew Sullivan, a pulmonary and critical care physician, was the first in line. The vaccination took less than a minute and was met with applause from Bozeman Health staff. “I’m thrilled it’s here,” Sullivan said after the vaccination. “Honestly, I’m more excited for other people to get it.” Over the last 11 months, Sullivan said he has seen the coronavirus take lives and upend

Due to a system upgrade over the weekend with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, no new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Monday. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t any new cases and daily totals impacted by the system upgrade will be reported in the following days according to DPHHS. “The upgrade required the system to be shut down all day, so no cases could be reported to the state for today’s update,” wrote DPHHS on its website. “Cases will be added in the coming days as local public health departments catch up with a data