Shaylee Ragar

4 days ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler |Shaylee Ragar |Aaron Bolton

Labor Department will pause youth career training; Montana offices to remain openThe U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin pausing a portion of the largest career training program for youth.The federal Job Corps program offers technical and educational training to young people between 16 and 24 years old. It provides students access to room and board for up to three years while they learn industry-specific skills.

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Montana’s Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing helped advance Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by one vote after it was debated through the night. If it passes in its current form, the bill would extend Trump’s 2017 income tax cuts, add work requirements for Medicaid recipients, put $46 billion toward the southern border wall and raise the debt ceiling, among other provisions.

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Ellis Juhlin |Shaylee Ragar

Court denies request to halt Forest Service from using fire retardantEllis Juhlin | Montana Public RadioThe U.S. Forest Service will be allowed to use fire retardant this summer despite ongoing litigation. U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen denied a request from the Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics to halt the use of the chemical. The groups say it harms human health, wildlife and waterways.

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Republicans in the Montana Legislature passed several new laws this session they say will protect election integrity. The Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG) filed suit in Missoula over a law that says people who move to Montana temporarily are not eligible to vote. The law requires prospective voters to self report whether they’re a temporary resident for work or an educational program.

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Roughly 250,000 homeowners and small businesses are projected to see a break on rising property taxes under two bills Gov. Greg Gianforte signed. The final property tax package the state Legislature passed was the result of a complicated session-long debate. Several concepts were molded together into two companion bills. The plan includes Gianforte’s favored proposal to shift a higher tax burden onto second homes, short-term rentals and large businesses.