Community News
Monday, May 4, 2026 · Great Falls
Montana Hi-Line Braces for Summer Without Irrigation Water in 100+ Years
For the first time in over a century, farmers and ranchers along Montana's Hi-Line face a summer devoid of irrigation water amid the state's sixth straight year of drought. Low snowpack and early runoff threaten crops and livestock from Havre to Glasgow. As reservoirs teeter, producers warn of devastating losses unless rains intervene.
Bozeman Tenants Ignite Montana's First Rent Strike in 50+ Years
Dozened of Bozeman renters are withholding rent in a bold standoff against skyrocketing housing costs, marking Montana's first rent strike in over five decades. Fueled by a surging tenants union, the action demands repairs, rent caps and landlord accountability amid median rents topping $2,000. As tensions rise in the booming Gallatin Valley, the strike could reshape tenant rights statewide.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Daines' Last-Minute Exit Scrambles Montana GOP Senate Race
In a stunning reversal just minutes before the filing deadline, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from Montana's 2026 Senate race and immediately endorsed Kurt Alme, leaving two other Republicans to challenge the former U.S. attorney for the GOP nomination. The drama has exposed fractures within the state Republican Party, which refused to endorse any federal candidates in response to Daines' controversial move.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Bozeman Trailer Park Tenants Strike, Withholding $53K in Rent
Tenants at two Bozeman mobile home parks launched Montana's first rent strike in over 50 years on May 1, withholding nearly $53,000 amid 11% rent hikes. Facing threats of eviction from their landlord, the residents demand repairs, eviction protections and sale rights. The action highlights surging housing costs pushing working-class Montanans from their homes.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Propane Blast Engulfs Van in Yellowstone Inferno Near Montana Border
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van's engine fire triggered a massive propane tank explosion Saturday afternoon in Yellowstone National Park, turning the vehicle into a towering inferno. No injuries were reported, but the incident underscores the risks of recreational vehicles in Montana's premier national park. Park rangers quickly contained the blaze, protecting nearby visitors and wildlife.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Seeley Lake Storm Topples Trees, Power Outages Linger in Montana
A fierce storm battered Seeley Lake on Friday, uprooting trees and snapping power lines, leaving hundreds in the dark. As crews from Missoula Electric Co-op race to replace poles and clear debris, some residents face days without electricity in this remote Montana community. The outages highlight the vulnerabilities of rural power grids amid Montana's unpredictable weather.
Monday, May 4, 2026