Jess Sheldahl

Montana health officials announced 80 new cases of the COVID-19 illness July 7, including over 50 cases in Yellowstone County, the majority of which are connected to an assisted living facility in Billings. The new cases break the state’s record for single day total cases reported.

  As COVID-19 cases continue to rise health officials urge people to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. One of the simplest ways to keep yourself and others safe is washing your hands with soap and water.

Some university faculty in Montana want the option of requiring students to wear face coverings when the fall semester starts.

More than a dozen new cases of the COVID-19 illness in Montana can be traced to two separate cluster outbreaks in Yellowstone and Big Horn counties, officials say.

Montana’s June 2nd primary election will be conducted mostly by mail-in ballot due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As the election approaches we’re expanding on who’s behind the names on your ballot.

Six candidates are running to be Montana’s State Auditor, as incumbent Matt Rosendale campaigns for the U.S. House. YPR News’ Jess Sheldahl spoke with Nicky Ouellet about each of the candidates.

Big sky country and big adventures drew in over 12 million tourists to Montana last year. As the state moves to reopen amid low COVID-19 case numbers, some Montana communities have to weigh the economic importance of tourism with local safety.

The Montana Department of Revenue says hard alcohol sales in March spiked to levels usually just seen during the holidays. 

Gene Walborn, Director of the Montana Revenue Department, briefed state lawmakers in a recent legislative oversight interim committee about the impacts of COVID-19 on the agency.

Hospitals in Montana have started performing elective procedures that had been postponed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals are reopening in phases with additional screenings in place.

Public health officials say personal protective equipment like face coverings and masks are going to play an important role in slowing the spread of the coronavirus as Montana makes its first steps toward reopening.

Homemade masks made by volunteers and businesses across the state have lessened the strain on supply chains for the N95 respirator masks health care workers need.