Open enrollment for Marketplace health plans is underway, Many Montanans could face steep premium hikes if Congress doesn't renew existing tax credits. That debate is at the heart of the federal government shutdown. MTPR’s Aaron Bolton reports on what that would mean for one Montanan.

State health officials say they are working to quickly send partial payments to families on federal food assistance. A court ordered the Trump administration to partially fund the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown.

A new legislative committee met Monday to start digging into questions about free speech on college campuses.

The final day to cast votes for local government elections is Nov. 4. It’s too late to return your ballots by mail, but you can drop them off or vote in person on Election Day. Registration and voting are open until 8 p.m Tuesday.

Montanans who rely on federal food assistance could get partial payments in November. That's after benefits were set to freeze because of the federal government shutdown. Multiple courts Friday ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay for SNAP costs.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has stalled or altered multiple proposed ballot initiatives. Backers of a campaign finance initiative are challenging his actions in court.

The state’s utility oversight board has elected a new president. The Public Service Commission’s previous leader was ousted last week amid allegations of misconduct.

The federal government says food assistance payments won’t be sent in November, due to the government shutdown. Some states are stepping in to cover the tab. Montana is not likely to do so.

A Montana tribal lender is facing uncertainty and financial strain as the government shutdown continues. Native-certified community development financial institutions work in underserved areas and Indian Country.

Some of Montana’s largest counties are rejecting more ballots than usual this election. A new requirement is tripping up voters. State law now requires mail-in voters to write their birth year in addition to their signature.