Press

Why I started Local News Day

An idea that took shape over a cup of coffee a few blocks from Montana Free Press’ Helena office has now become a national movement that will culminate in the first-ever Local News Day on Thursday, April 9. So far, more than 1,200 newsrooms, nearly 200 partners and 14 sponsors have signed on to participate…

Montana Free Press bringing on photographer

The new hire is possible through support from Report for America and CatchLight, a San Francisco-based visual media organization that specializes in accessible image-based reporting.

Montana Free Press chosen for 2025 CatchLight cohort of newsroom partners

This spring, Montana Free Press will join local news outlets across the United States in the first cohort of a national visual journalism initiative led by CatchLight, a San Francisco-based visual media organization that seeks to provide inclusive, accurate, and locally contextualized information to the public through accessible and high-quality visual journalism.

MTFP hits ambitious 2024 fundraising goals

Readers from across Montana helped Montana Free Press, the state’s largest digital-first nonprofit news organization, hit record-high fundraising goals in 2024. During MTFP’s fifth end-of-year NewsMatch fundraising drive, individual donors gave more than $203,000. In all, MTFP raised more than $2 million in 2024 from individuals, major donors, and philanthropic institutions to support and expand…

MTFP to present inaugural Free Press Fest

Montana Free Press has announced the inaugural Free Press Fest, a two-day event taking place September 5-7, 2024, at the University of Montana. The festival aims to promote civic engagement, celebrate the state’s rich culture, and advance conversations around issues that matter to Montanans.

Associated Press announces new content-sharing agreement with Montana Free Press

The Associated Press has announced five new content-sharing agreements with U.S. nonprofit news outlets, including Montana Free Press. The collaborations are part of an effort to expand the reach of local news ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. AP will distribute stories from each outlet to the news agency’s members and customers, supplementing AP’s…

MTFP partners with ICT to report on American Indian Caucus

Starting Jan. 26, Montana Free Press, based in Helena, will share a reporter with ICT, formerly Indian Country Today, in a partnership designed to increase the coverage of the state Legislature’s Native American Caucus.

Montana State University to host celebration of 1972 Constitutional Convention

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, former Montana Gov. Mark Racicot, former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention delegate Mae Nan Ellingson and longtime political journalist Charles S. Johnson will gather at Montana State University on March 22 for a panel discussion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Montana’s…

MTFP expands into community news coverage in 2022

News doesn’t just happen at the national or state level — it happens in your town and in your community. Montana Free Press recognizes that it’s just as important to have in-depth, independent reporting on the news from down the street as it is to cover news from the statehouse, which is why MTFP is…

Share your stories of our Shared State

Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio are now soliciting stories for the second season of our ‘Shared State’ podcast collaboration.

The first five years

As Montana Free Press enters its sixth year as Montana’s first nonprofit, digital-first statehouse news organization, founder John Adams reflects on MTFP’s evolution.

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