Seniors are one of the fastest growing homeless populations, but most homeless shelters aren’t equipped to help with specialized needs. MTPR's Aaron Bolton visited a shelter for seniors in Utah to see if their model could work in Montana.

This week on The Big Why, we’re exploring Montana’s 56 counties. A listener from Billings wants to know how they got their shapes. Finding the answer led MTPR's Austin Amestoy down a rabbit hole where he found a saga of boom and bust, backroom dealing and an unlikely folk hero.

Corrections Department officials say they’ve made progress on restoring water access to the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge; Montana’s top corrections official has been nominated to a federal law enforcement position.

Weather officials have issued their seasonal weather forecast for the Northern Rockies this winter. Montana’s weather outlook for December through February is trending colder than average. Some places could see more snow than normal.

Federal food benefits for low-income Americans won’t be available next month. Federal officials say funding has run dry because of the government shutdown.

The president of the Montana Public Service Commission has been stripped of his leadership title amid allegations of misconduct.

Drought experts say unpredictable precipitation patterns are making drought forecasts more difficult.

Ballots are on their way to voters’ mailboxes. Local elections around the state will take place November 4.

State officials Monday purchased a conservation easement on tens of thousands of acres of private timberland in northwest Montana. The Montana Office of Public Instruction last week released the state’s first official guide to help schools integrate artificial intelligence in the classroom. Montana Democratic leaders have appointed a new vice chair for the state party. Montana law enforcement arrested 34 people for drug possession and distribution in Butte.

Protestors in cities and small towns across Montana turned out for "No Kings" rallies, including in Billings, Bozeman, Dillon, Fort Benton, Helena, Hamilton, Kalispell, Lewistown and Missoula.