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Grain piled on the ground is loaded onto transport trucks on a farm near Gildford, MT on Sept. 12, 2025. Farmer Justin Miller says he piled grain on his property for the first time in 30 years, due to a poor harvest and low wheat prices.

Hi-Line farmers under pressure from drought, low prices and tariffs

Many of Montana’s wheat producers have struggled with drought for five straight years. Now they’re facing economic headwinds because of President Trump’s tariffs.

Hundreds of people gather in downtown Chester, Montana on September 13, 2025 to celebrate this year’s Hi-Line Harvest Festival. Co-producer of the event Peyton Cole brought the festival back four years ago in an effort to revitalize her home town.

Revitalized Hi-Line Harvest Festival draws hundreds to Chester

A festival in the town of Chester last week brought Hi-Line residents together for music, food and fun. The festival is aimed at building community and celebrating the end of harvest season.

Wind turbines in Stillwater County. Unlike much of southeast Montana, Stillwater County has welcomed wind farms and the money they bring to the communities.

Stillwater County banks on wind power as a new 'golden goose'

Wind farms are facing strong opposition in much of southeastern Montana, but Stillwater County is welcoming wind power with open arms. New turbines went online there in August, and plans for up to 400 more are under consideration.

Via Flathead Electric Cooperative on Dec. 11, 2025: The Granite Creek Road Bridge in Libby has washed out, resulting in the road’s closure. Widespread flooding and fallen trees caused by heavily saturated ground have also led to multiple power outages and additional road closures throughout the area.

Heavy rains in Lincoln County close roads, flood homes and prompt boil water order

Heavy rains brought severe flooding to northwestern Montana, flooding homes and washing out several roads and bridges. Lincoln County declared a state of emergency Thursday. The City of Libby has issued a boil water order for all users on the city water system.

Briefs: Grizzly bear deaths; Meat processing funds; Deer ticks detected

Five grizzly bear deaths have been confirmed in Montana so far this year. Montana ranchers may qualify for meat processing settlement funds. Deer ticks, carriers of Lyme disease, detected in eastern Montana

State Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy (D- Box Elder) Sen. Russ Temple (R-Chester) and House Reps. Eric Albus (R-Chester), Mike Fox (D-Hays) and Paul Tuss (D-Havre) sit for the legislative recap during a May 14, 2025 town hall meeting in Havre, Mont. Moderator Margarette Campbell asked the legislators to discuss successes, failures and bipartisanship during the 2025 legislative session.

Hi-Line lawmakers recap legislative action at Havre town hall meeting

Five legislators from around the Hi-Line recently gathered for a town hall to discuss the 2025 legislative session. The bipartisan group of two state senators and three House representatives faced a room of around 50 constituents in Havre.

A screen capture from an August 4, 2025 Instagram post by the_reel_406 shows a black utility terrain vehicle driving through the Blackfoot River. The tires are churning the water. A weed control worker is on the riverbank in the background.

Powell County fined after contractor drove an off-road vehicle in the Blackfoot River

A weed-control contractor stirred up outrage after driving a utility terrain vehicle nearly nine miles through the Blackfoot River. Powell County has been fined $500. Conservation groups are now calling on officials to pursue criminal charges.

Vilicus Farm owners Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones-Crabtree speak at the Intersections of Farming, Climate, and Health summit. The two-day event focused on how farming practices can support human and environmental health.

Ag summit highlights challenges, benefits of organic farming

A recent agricultural summit is teaching Montana farmers about regenerative and organic practices. Farmers hope those changes will improve the health of the land and their communities.

Briefs: Job Corps pause; right-to-know ruling; Hospital Association president

The U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin pausing a portion of the largest career training program for youth. A narrow majority on the Montana Supreme Court ruled the state must cover the legal costs for plaintiffs in a right-to-know case. The Montana Hospital Association has selected its next president.

Attendees of an April 25, 2025 “Far Out & Waiting” training in Plains, MT take turns practicing how to use a tourniquet. The trainings are part of an effort to help rural residents know what to do in a medical emergency while waiting for EMS personnel to arrive.

Trainings help rural residents respond during long waits for emergency services

An effort sponsored by the Montana Farmers Union aims to help rural residents to prepare for 911 calls that can have wait times of more than an hour. A shrinking number of rural EMS providers are often run by small staff.

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