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Canada is Montana’s largest trading partner. But, the ongoing U.S. trade war is putting pressure on that relationship. That's led to higher costs, shrinking markets and uncertainty for Montana farmers as they begin their planting season.

This year, 12 Native American legislators from across the state made up the Montana American Indian Caucus. The group was largely successful in passing policy with major impacts for tribal communities. "This session particularly felt that we were a force as the Montana American Indian Caucus," Rep. Tyson Running Wolf said.

MTPR's Ellis Juhlin reached out to listeners to find out what environmental reporting they wanted to hear more about. She sat down with MTPR's Austin Amestoy to share what she learned.

A Montana couple is donating their multimillion dollar cattle ranch to preserve its conservation legacy and keep the land in the hands of locals. It's the largest ranchland donation in the history of Montana. The land sits among some of the state's best remaining habitat for threatened grassland birds.

Montana’s Flathead Valley cherry industry relies heavily on migrant labor. This year, President Donald Trump’s immigration policies threw the industry into a new level of uncertainty. This year, workers hesitated to cross state lines.

Lincoln County was hit hard by flooding from winter storms in 2025. Records of major floods in the area date nearly 100 years. A closer look at that history shows decades of mitigation measures, plans and preparations that officials say prevented further catastrophe in December.

Sen. Jason Ellsworth of Hamilton attempted to give an associate a $170,000 contract without going through a formal bidding process. That’s prompted the new Senate President to open an investigation into Ellsworth’s conduct.

In 2023, the DEQ listed sections of the Gallatin River as impaired due to recurring algal blooms. The blooms choke out fish and degrade water quality. State scientists are amid a six-year study trying to understand what's causing the harmful blooms. The state says it will use the results to inform local development regulations and a plan to protect the river.

Montana’s attorney general faces an unprecedented sanction, but he still expects to be re-elected. A former park ranger insists Senate candidate Tim Sheehy accidentally shot himself in Glacier Park, despite the candidate’s denials. An outside group tries to insert the debate over trans athletes into a Montana Supreme Court race.

Montana ranks among the lowest in the country when it comes to internet access and speed. Rural areas are among the most underserved. Since 2019, around $900 million in federal funding for rural broadband expansion has flowed into the state. It's starting to make an impact, but much work remains.