Author: Reilly Lowery

The nation’s second coronavirus vaccine, produced by Moderna, could be on its way to thousands of sites nationwide by this weekend — a major accomplishment for a company that has never before brought a product to market. An independent Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Thursday endorsed the shot for adults 18 and over, and the agency said later that day that it planned to authorize the shot. But while the maker of the first authorized shot, Pfizer, is a global pharmaceutical giant that has pumped out dozens of blockbusters including Viagra and even ChapStick, Moderna had never had

The COVID-19 vaccine road show began in earnest Monday with the mass shipments of the Pfizer vaccine to all points on the compass in the United States and its territories. However, the initial shipments are aimed at the frontline healthcare personnel. It will be a long wait in line before the general public at large is vaccinated – current estimates are in late June or early July. The CSKT Tribal Health Department expects to receive the Pfizer or the presently being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration Moderna vaccine doses by late December or early January, said Chelsea Kleinmeyer,

After months of political sniping, Congress has finally come within reach of a deal to send more help to Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The top four leaders on Capitol Hill have come close to a $900 billion pandemic aid agreement, CNBC and NBC News confirmed. The lawmakers will put aside liability protections for businesses and state and local government relief, the two biggest hurdles to reaching a deal in recent months. The developing rescue package would include a direct payment to Americans, which could come out to about $600 per person. It would also have about $300 billion for

Senator Jon Tester (D) introduced a bill last month with Senator Deb Fischer, Neb., that seeks to improve safety at rural train crossings. As of right now, railroad crossing arms are only installed at locations where a road is wide enough for two vehicles. A second bill to address the dangers of parked trains on highway-railroad crossings was also introduced by the same two senators. Valley County has reported two cases of vehicle-train collisions this year at rural crossings. The first occurred on July 18 in Hinsdale at the crossing with crossing arms. There were no injuries. The second occurred

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced Friday that following his direct request, Plains, Montana will receive a $5.1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant will help complete a major infrastructure project for the community by relocating the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which is currently at risk of a catastrophic failure due to its vicinity to the Clark Fork River. “This grant is a critical investment for the Plains community as they work to improve their sanitation infrastructure by moving the wastewater treatment plant away from the Clark Fork River,” Daines said. “I’m glad that I could help

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders have agreed to provide about $900 billion in COVID-19 aid in a tentative deal that could end months of stalemate, a GOP senator confirmed Wednesday morning. The emerging pact, reached in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, would funnel about $300 billion in relief to small businesses, provide more money for vaccine distribution and health care workers, and offer a new round of tax rebate checks to households, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said on CNBC. “I’m cautiously optimistic we’re going to see this $900 billion package released today, and this will likely get passed before we

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders have agreed to provide about $900 billion in COVID-19 aid in a tentative deal that could end months of stalemate, a GOP senator confirmed Wednesday morning. The emerging pact, reached in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, would funnel about $300 billion in relief to small businesses, provide more money for vaccine distribution and health care workers, and offer a new round of tax rebate checks to households, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said on CNBC. “I’m cautiously optimistic we’re going to see this $900 billion package released today, and this will likely get passed before we

MONTANA — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte celebrated the U.S. Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to rename the VA clinic in Bozeman after fallen Montana war hero Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins. “Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins’ bravery and service to our nation is a true inspiration for Montanans and Americans nationwide,” Daines said. “I’m happy to see my colleagues in the U.S. Senate support this important bill recognizing Atkins’ bravery by renaming the VA clinic in his hometown of Bozeman in his honor. His selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten.” “With the support of