MTPR's reporter and Morning Edition host, Megan Myscofski.
Megan is a reporter and Morning Edition host who came to us in 2019 from the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Her academic career focused on audio, business and economics reporting.
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry issued over 20,300 unemployment insurance payments last week, totaling about $8.5 million. That’s down a couple hundred payments from the previous week
The state’s unemployment rate went down 0.5% last month to 4.9%, which is two points below the national rate.
State Wants Hundreds Of Unemployment Insurance Payments Returned
Hundreds of recipients of unemployment insurance through the federal CARES Act are now being asked to give that money back.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is designed for gig workers, the self-employed and other groups not normally eligible for unemployment benefits. The Bozeman Chronicle reported Thursday that recipients are now receiving bills, some for more than $10,000.
Tough Housing Markets Could Worsen As Montana’s Jobs Recovery Slows
Amid job losses that haven’t fully recovered this year because of the pandemic recession, competition in many of Montana’s housing markets is also on the rise. That means many Montanans are struggling to find and keep housing.
Voter Voices: In Missoula, Voters Talk Unity And Lesser Of Evils
Voters in Missoula today dropped off their remaining ballots and stood in long lines to register and vote. MTPR’s Megan Myscofski talked to a few of them at the Missoula County Elections Office and the University of Montana’s ballot drop-off site.
The coronavirus pandemic means poll workers’ jobs look a little different this year, as 45 of Montana’s 56 counties switch to all-mail elections, and polling sites adapt to social distancing.
Most Montana Counties Haven't Requested COVID-19 Enforcement Funds
The vast majority of Montana counties aren’t taking Gov. Steve Bullock up on his offer to help pay for the enforcement of public health guidelines aimed at slowing a surge in COVID-19 cases. It's been two weeks since the governor offered extra support in federal CARES Act funds to pay for counties' enforcement work.*
State Unemployment Office Estimates $3 Million In Fraudulent Payments During COVID Surge
Montana has sent over $1 billion in unemployment benefits to residents since the start of the pandemic. The state passed that milestone in October. As unemployment payments climbed during the pandemic, so did fraud.
Seasonal Work Will Look Different Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s almost that time of year when businesses staff up for the holidays and winter season. But with the pandemic and recession, seasonal hiring will look different in Montana.
