Aaron Bolton

The monumental challenge of distributing COVID-19 vaccines has been complicated by uncertain and limited supply, but the biggest challenge for one rural county on the Rocky Mountain Front is starting over with an entirely new health department.

Montana’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester will take over as chair of the Senate’s Veterans' Affairs Committee Wednesday, according to a Tuesday announcement from his office.

The U.S. Interior Department Friday signed an order that will start the transfer of the National Bison Range to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The build-out of wireless broadband networks in Indian Country may get a boost from a new $1 billion tribal broadband fund. The federal fund was set up by the latest COVID relief bill late last year.

Montana’s frontline health care workers are receiving their second doses of COVID-19 vaccines, guaranteeing fewer will become infected with the virus. But hospitals are not changing quarantine policies for vaccinated workers exposed to COVID-19, meaning staffing capacity will likely continue to be an issue in hospitals across the state.

Following last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump extremists, there have been unsubstantiated claims that those who stormed the building were anti-fascist groups.

Montana’s junior U.S. Senator said Tuesday there’s no evidence those groups took part in the mob. 

On Wednesday, pro-Trump extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., breaking down doors and forcing their way into both the Senate and House chambers. MTPR’s Aaron Bolton spoke with Montana’s Democratic Sen. Jon Tester about what he calls an attempted coup.

Jess Sheldahl: For YPR News, I'm Jess Sheldahl. Details about who will next receive the covid-19 vaccine in Montana and when are emerging, nearly 17,000 health care personnel in the state have received the first dose of the vaccine so far. Here to share what we know and still don't know about the rollout are Montana Public Radio's Aaron Bolton and Yellowstone Public Radio News’ is Nicky Ouellet Nicky Ouellet.