Northern Plains Resource Council

HELENA — The Montana House of Representatives sent a bill to Governor Greg Gianforte’s desk Wednesday that would allow state-inspected Montana meat to be sold across state lines.

Farm and ranching groups want people to buy more Montana beef, but they’re split on whether proposed state level legislation would do that.

The Montana Senate on Tuesday offered its support to a bill that would expand concealed carry of firearms rights in the state, including at universities and government buildings. After already moving swiftly through the House, YPR News’ Kevin Trevellyan reports the proposal is one step closer to landing on the governor’s desk.

A Montana Senate Committee on Tuesday heard a bill that would change how Montana chooses regulators who set rates for electric and other utilities.

Environmental groups are calling for the state of Montana to reconsider a water quality certification that allows the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline to cross more than 200 protected water bodies in the eastern part of the state.

The state of Montana this week announced the operator of the Colstrip coal fired power plant will fully remove coal ash ponds that have been leaking millions of gallons of wastewater a year from the plant’s two now retired units.

The company that operates the Colstrip coal fired power plant is proposing to partially excavate waste ponds that have been contaminating groundwater for decades.

Environmental groups on Aug. 27 sued the Trump Administration for allegedly breaking federal law when it finalized management plans for coal rich land in eastern Montana and northern Wyoming.

The commission that regulates electric utilities in Montana is calling into question the accuracy and adequacy of NorthWestern Energy’s 20-year energy plan.

Editor's note 05/07/2020: This story has been updated to reflect new reopening guidance from the Governor's office.Movie theaters in Montana are still…