A third of Montana's mail ballots have already been returned
Clayton Murphy
About 77 percent of registered, active voters in Montana have requested a mail-in ballot, according to data from the Secretary of State’s office released October 25.
And as of the 25th, the office reported that counties had received 34% of the total mailed ballots – about 180,000.
This year, Montana is reporting 5,000 more registered voters than last year with eight more days until election day. That number is expected to climb, as voters can register up until 8 p.m. that night.
MTPR will continue covering state elections and offer special coverage on election night, November 3, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
A major timber harvest plan near Helena is moving forward
Sheri Quinn
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest on October 23rd announced it has approved the Judith Springs Vegetation Project. According to the release, it’s an effort to reduce the risk of severe wildfires and keep the forest healthy in central Montana. The project covers about 80,000 acres and a small portion of that area will include some logging and prescribed fire.
Excess vegetation will be removed in project areas that are close to homes, roads and powerlines. The Forest Service stated that in these places, removing excess vegetation can help reduce the intensity of wildfires, and make it easier for residents to evacuate safely if a fire does occur.
District Ranger Jason Oltrogge said the “Judith Springs Project is the most significant forest improvement effort in the Little Belt Mountains in more than 20 years.”
The agency also said thinning out vegetation will encourage more growth of berries, plants and grasses that grizzly bears depend on for food, in addition to improving habitat for other wildlife.
Montana to fund nearly 140 affordable housing projects
Edward F. O'Brien
The Montana Department of Commerce on October 21 announced it has allotted more than $40 million in federal housing tax credits to five developers.
Commerce’s Housing Board arm doled the credits out for affordable housing in Billings, Butte, Columbia Falls, Havre and Missoula.
Three of the projects will emphasize housing for seniors in Butte, Columbia Falls and Havre. Affordable family housing is the focus of the Missoula project. Majestic Landing is a 24-unit housing community planned for veterans on Billings’ West End.
Commerce says construction of all the projects will create more than 300 jobs and more than $22 million in local wages.
