Montana Free Press

Montana Free Press is a trustworthy source dedicated to providing thorough news, information, and analysis about Montana. Established by seasoned journalist John S. Adams, who has received multiple awards for his investigative and political reporting, MTFP is committed to revealing the truth and highlighting significant news stories. This is achieved through examining complex bureaucratic processes, exploring overlooked areas of major institutions, thoroughly analyzing data and documents, and ensuring that leaders are held accountable to the public. Our reporting covers all of Montana, focusing on topics such as government, politics, natural resources, energy, social justice, healthcare, and the environment. We operate both independently and in partnership with other news organizations across Montana to deliver impactful news stories that resonate with and affect local communities.

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A different kind of filling station

4 days ago | montanafreepress.org | Jon Bennion

Wide Open Table is a bi-monthly Montana Free Press column on all things food and cooking. Sign up for this newsletter here. Rolling up to a gas station with food in mind is usually a recipe for highly processed, quick-calorie, overpriced junk food. I think about the road-food meals of my teenage self: a bag of some new flavor Doritos, a Big Slam of Mountain Dew and a shrink-wrapped meat stick. Shameful, I know.
Montana political operative convicted on stalking charges

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Mara Silvers

KALISPELL — A Flathead County jury on Friday found a former Republican political strategist guilty on two counts of stalking based on texts, emails and letters he sent to and about his victim, as well as incendiary flyers he distributed in late 2023 and early 2024. Billings resident Daniel Duffey, 40, appeared in Flathead County District Court on Tuesday for what became a four-day jury trial.
Montana’s American Indian Caucus touts historic success in 2025 legislative session

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Nora Mabie |Kaiden Forman-Webster

Members of Montana’s American Indian Caucus say the 2025 legislative session may have been the group’s most successful yet. The state’s American Indian Caucus is an organized group of about a dozen Native American lawmakers who work together to advance legislation they say is good for Indian Country, guided by the principle that what’s good for tribal communities is good for Montana as a whole.
City, Roseburg rethinking annexation plan because of federal funding uncertainty

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Katie Fairbanks

Sign up for the free Missoula This Week newsletter and stay in the loop on Missoula city government, public school meetings, business news and upcoming entertainment and events. “Missoula This Week” is reported and written By Katie Fairbanks. Send your Missoula news and tips to [email protected].
Only the bold

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Tom Lutey

Get an insider’s look into what’s happening in and around the halls of power with expert reporting, analysis and insight from the editors and reporters of Montana Free Press. Sign up to get the free Capitolized newsletter delivered to your inbox every Thursday. May 29, 2025Because she doesn’t check in much on Facebook, Rep. Sherry Essmann, R-Billings, was unaware a Missouri-based group had targeted her opposition to amending Montana’s Constitution in the legislative session that ended in April.
Plaintiffs from landmark Montana case file constitutional climate case against Trump, federal agencies

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Amanda Eggert

Twenty-two young Americans, 10 of whom prevailed in the Held v. Montana constitutional climate case, are suing the Trump administration over its climate and energy policies. The plaintiffs argue in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that by dismantling climate protections and working to “unleash” American energy, the executive branch is violating the separation of powers clause in the U.S. Constitution.
Billings police expect to be hindered by revamped budgets

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Diane Casanova

Billings officials say changes to the state’s property tax laws will likely squeeze the city’s public safety budgets during the next fiscal year, and the city’s chief of police cautioned that residents should expect a decrease in services. “We’ll make things work, because we got what we got,” Billings Chief of Police Rich St. John told Montana Free Press.
New laws address Montana’s missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Nora Mabie |Kaiden Forman-Webster

From allowing a fledgling task force to raise its own money and requiring the creation of a curriculum on how to prevent human trafficking, new laws aim to address the disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Montana. Native Americans in Montana are four times more likely to be reported missing than their counterparts, according to a state Department of Justice report.
Forest Service approves permit to operate Holland Lake Lodge

1 week ago | montanafreepress.org | Justin Franz

The Flathead National Forest has granted an operating permit to the new owners of the Holland Lake Lodge south of Condon. Earlier this spring, the Forest Service sought public comment before issuing a 20-year permit for operating the historic lodge to Eric Jacobsen and Thomas Knowles. The two men are affiliated with Utah-based investment firm Gratitude Railroad. Jacobsen grew up in Great Falls and spent time at Holland Lake as a child.
Without utility board approval, NorthWestern Energy implements 17% electricity rate increase

2 weeks ago | montanafreepress.org | Amanda Eggert |Tom Lutey

Without giving consumers a heads up, NorthWestern Energy on Friday said it will increase electricity rates for consumers by $204 a year, without review from Montana’s utility regulator. Documents filed with Montana’s Public Service Commission indicate that rates increased $17.07 a month for NorthWestern’s typical residential customers without prior approval from regulators or notifying its customers.