The U.S. Supreme Court overturned many of the Trump administration’s tariffs on foreign imports. The ruling is welcome news for Montana agriculture producers, who have been facing rising costs and shrinking markets.

The EPA Friday repealed standards for limiting toxic mercury, arsenic and lead that come out of power plants. The Colstrip power plant in Montana is one of the highest emitters of these cancer-causing chemicals.

Montana is falling far short of best practices when it comes to paying for school maintenance. That’s according to a new nationwide report on school facilities. The message from Montana’s school maintenance directors to lawmakers is straightforward: “We need help.”

There are signs the presence of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, may be declining in Montana. The drug was largely responsible for the increase of opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic. Now other dangerous drugs are emerging in the state.

The Missoula County Commission recently gave the green light to a plan that will guide the future development of western Montana's Swan Valley. Core values identified in the new plan include preserving the rural character of the region, protecting natural resources and ensuring access to public lands.

Briefs: Glacier National Park is ending its ticketed entry system this summer; A merger between two major freight-rail companies has drawn concerns from rail-dependent states, including Montana; A historic resort near Glacier National Park is slated to close operations in March.

Montana is one of a shrinking number of states that doesn’t have a law regulating student cell phone use in school. Research increasingly suggests the devices play a role in rising rates of anxiety, depression and distractedness in kids. Some schools are taking matters into their own hands — and taking input from students along the way. Montana PBS reporter Hannah Kearse joined MTPR’s Austin Amestoy to discuss the trend.

Although some 2026 candidates have been campaigning for months, the official registration period opened this week. Political hopefuls have two weeks to turn in their paperwork.

New analysis from Montana legislative staff shows the state’s share of school budgets has gone up in dollar amount over the last two decades. But due to inflation, the value of that money has stayed almost exactly the same as it was in 2008.

Cattle industry representatives say they need more workers. They hope expanding a foreign labor program will help. Finding adequate farm labor is one of the biggest challenges producers face.