Aaron Bolton

It’s time for Montanans on Medicare to choose their coverage. There is one notable change this year, fewer plans offered by private insurance companies.

Seven people in Montana have been hospitalized because of the flu, and the state has confirmed more than 40 positive cases; The Montana Department of Environmental Quality committed nearly $2 million to a Missoula affordable housing project; State officials are accepting comments on a draft environmental assessment for a proposed mining exploration near Avon.

State lawmakers say the City of Laurel’s decision to block water service to a proposed mental health facility may be violating protections for people with disabilities. Lawmakers may withhold state funding if the city doesn’t reverse course.

Open enrollment for the federal Health Insurance Marketplace starts Nov. 1. People with those plans faced higher premiums this year because of declining financial help from the federal government. Many Montanans chose lower levels of coverage or canceled their plans altogether.

It’s fall, which means it’s time to start thinking about getting your flu shot. There are no reported cases in Montana just yet, but the season is starting early in the Northwest.

State seeks public comment on proposed data center well in Yellowstone County; Herbicide treatment flights in progress near Dillon; Emergency drought assistance available to ag producers in 16 Montana counties. Federal grants give Montana ambulance services a $9 million boost

State workers will pay more for health care starting next year. State officials say that’s necessary because the cost of the state health plan was higher than expected. The state employees union struck a deal with the state to mitigate some of the price hikes for workers.

Elections have consistently broken spending records in the state in recent years, largely due to corporate money. A ballot measure known as the Montana Plan aims to eliminate that kind of spending in Montana, sidestepping a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling. That would make the state a national legal test case.

State employees will see big changes to their health care coverage next year. That includes increases to monthly premiums, deductibles and what workers pay per visit to the doctor’s office. The state needs to come up with roughly $70 million to cover state workers’ health care through next year.

Gov. Greg Gianforte Tuesday announced the director of the state health department is leaving for a job in the private sector. Charlie Brereton has led the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for about four years.