Three weeks after Amtrak’s Empire Builder derailed along a remote stretch of track on Montana’s Hi-Line, killing three and injuring scores more, a dozen lawsuits have been filed by passengers injured in the deadliest railroad accident in the United States since 2017. But those lawsuits might run into trouble because of a never-before-tested clause recently added to Amtrak’s tickets that states passengers can’t sue the railroad in the event of an accident.
Posted inWildfire
Fire season 2021: Early to start, late to finish, and smoky in the middle
The state’s first major winter storm dropped snow on parts of southern Montana early this week, signaling the final act of an active fire season that had prompted Gov. Greg Gianforte to issue a wildfire emergency declaration in July and mobilize hundreds of National Guard troops to assist in suppression efforts.
Posted inCoronavirus
Montana coronavirus report
The latest news and information on the coronavirus pandemic in Montana, including updated case count maps and original in-depth reporting.
Posted inAgriculture
Building on soil in Big Sandy
In Big Sandy, farmers are adding value to their operations by investing in soil health, reinvigorating both their farms and the rural communities that depend on them.
Posted inNews
Montana’s border reopening to vaxxed Canadians
Officials along Montana’s northern border are celebrating the news that vaccinated Canadian citizens will be able to enter the United States for the first time in more than 18 months starting in November.
Posted inEnvironment
Betting on biochar in Bonner
Can biochar sequester carbon, reduce wildfire risk, and help farmers adapt to drought? A project in Missoula County is aiming to find out.
Posted inCourts
Democrats challenge law restricting campus political activity
The Montana Democratic Party and Montanans for Tester filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging Senate Bill 319, which prohibits political committees from registering voters or collecting signatures in university dorms and dining halls. Plaintiffs argue the new law violates students’ constitutional right to engage in political speech.
Posted inCoronavirus
Montana COVID FAQ — facts, resources and recommendations
New COVID cases are dropping nationwide, but in Montana they’re holding steady. We rounded up expert answers to the latest COVID questions.