Ballots are out for some local elections in Montana. Voters will decide on a variety of candidates and issues this fall.

Gov. Greg Gianforte toured a correctional facility in Boulder Tuesday that serves as overflow space for the Women's Prison. State Corrections director Brian Gootkin says the Riverside facility is helping to ease backlogs, but a new women's prison is still needed.

A federal program launched in 2021 offered billions of dollars for states to improve internet access. The funding was supposed to bring high-speed fiber optic service to rural areas. But companies using other technology, like satellites, won most of the locations.

Montana’s Medicaid office is struggling to process applications in a timely manner. The state is planning to fast track new work requirements and eligibility checks – which would mean even more paperwork for applicants and state officials.

A Helena-based campaign contractor this week pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. According to documents filed in federal court, Abbey Lee Cook embezzled over $250,000 from six unnamed victims between 2021 and 2024.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it’s halting a program that could have helped low-income Montanans reduce their power bills. The “Solar for All” program, which helped homeowners buy and install solar panels, was eliminated by the President's tax and spending bill.

A conservative group is suing the state over a 2024 ballot initiative enshrining abortion access in the Montana Constitution. And Montanans will soon be able to apply for a property tax rebate approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

A lawsuit filed Wednesday argues Gov. Greg Gianforte unconstitutionally appointed a sitting legislator to lead an executive agency. It’s the fourth time the governor has tapped a state lawmaker for a political appointment.

The U.S. Department of Education Friday released billions of dollars in funding previously approved by Congress and withheld by the Trump administration. Montana schools were considering staff and program cuts to make up for the state's $26 million slice of funds.

Congress narrowly approved President Donald Trump’s request to claw back $1 billion from public broadcasters. State public media leaders say the rescission will stretch station finances thin.