Environment

Missoula County residents are trying to prevent a gravel pit from opening along the Blackfoot River. State lawmakers made it easier for local officials to approve projects like these.

A nonprofit nature reserve in Montana is suing the state. American Prairie argues the state needs to decide whether to grant their six-year-old request for permits to graze bison on state lands.

Montana's largest utility this year struck deals to power three data centers — and counting. NorthWestern Energy has promised them at least twice the amount of electricity used to power all homes and businesses in the state. As data centers look to break ground in Montana, some worry ratepayers will have to subsidize their colossal power needs.

With winter approaching, a creek restoration project is wrapping up in the Bitterroot Mountains. Crossing the finish line was hard won. The project faced mounting challenges from federal funding cuts and layoffs. Uncertainty over federal support adds more hurdles for future improvements.

In a reversal, federal wildlife managers won't issue a national wolf recovery plan; Hunters unscathed after grizzly bear charge.

BLM continues oil and gas approvals despite federal shutdown; Environmental groups are petitioning the state to stop issuing pollution discharge permits until new standards can be set; The Montana State Prison has the green light to resume water use in all areas of the facility after a water line broke in October.

For decades, Libby residents have lived with the deadly aftermath of asbestos exposure from a closed vermiculite mine. It contaminated the local baseball fields where kids played, it was in gardens, and it insulated homes. Hundreds have died from asbestos-related diseases. Two families were awarded damages from BNSF Railway in 2024. Now the railway is appealing that decision, saying it's not liable for those deaths.

Weather officials have issued their seasonal weather forecast for the Northern Rockies this winter. Montana’s weather outlook for December through February is trending colder than average. Some places could see more snow than normal.

Drought experts say unpredictable precipitation patterns are making drought forecasts more difficult.

The Montana Department of Livestock has identified, and is tracking, a population of feral pigs in Phillips County.