Category: News Article

BILLNGS, Mont. –It’s a program for veterans to help heal their chronic pain without opioids. Those with the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic say they’re committed to the cause, offering alternative therapy to help veterans live a more productive life. George Blackard was injured during active duty in 1988 and dealt with chronic back pain for years, until he was introduced to the hard working and caring staff at the clinic. Blackard says the treatment offered at the clinic has changed his life for the better. He tells us it’s programs like this that all veterans need to know about. He says

BILLINGS – Service members, both active duty and veterans, have a lot to deal with upon returning home. Many come back with chronic pain, PTSD and lasting injuries. To cope, veterans are often prescribed a number of different medications, but in some cases, those medications end up causing more problems. On Friday, Senator Steve Daines visited the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic, where doctors have been working on a program to provide veterans with alternatives to medication. Instead, the clinic uses methods like chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage and exercises to help alleviate chronic pain and ongoing pain from injury. Currently, some chiropractic and acupuncture services are covered

China has agreed to begin buying U.S. beef, a major break for Montana ranchers. The announcement was made this week by China Premier Li Keqiang, who was speaking in New York. It wasn’t clear exactly when China would lift its 13-year-old U.S. beef ban, which stems from the 2003 discovery of mad cow disease in a Washington dairy animal. China is the second-largest beef consumer in the world.  U.S. Sen Steve Daines in May discussed ending China’s beef ban with with Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Daines was on a fact-finding trip to China at

The Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Executive Vice President, Errol Rice, has spent his whole life raising cattle, and the past 13 years trying to reopen beef trade between the United States and China.  On Thursday, Rice received word from U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ office that his longtime goal is becoming a reality, and China will be lifting their ban on U.S. beef. “The market potential is absolutely an incredible opportunity for the Montana ranching community to showcase some of our high quality beef to the Chinese consumer,” Rice said. A statement from U.S. Senator Steve Daines office Thursday following the announcement

China is moving to lift a long-standing ban on U.S. beef after a mad cow disease scare locked out imports more than a decade ago.  The Obama administration said Thursday that Chinese officials the first have taken the first step to ending the 13-year moratorium, a move that could boost U.S. exports to one of the world’s fastest growing markets for beef. “We look forward to prompt engagement by the relevant authorities for further technical discussions on the specific conditions that will allow trade to resume,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. Vilsack said the decision by China’s Ministry of

U.S. Senator Steve Daines recently announced that $953,954 in funding has been granted to make needed safety improvements at the Amtrak stop in Shelby. “Improving the safety and reliability of Montana’s rail network is critical to connecting people in our communities,” Daines stated. “Folks depend on public transportation and these funds will go a long way towards ensuring that Shelby is able to maintain their Amtrak stop.” This project will upgrade two pedestrian and motor vehicle crossings by extending the existing Amtrak platform and installing fencing, signage, two quadrant gates, and wayside horn advance warning systems to provide safe and

MISSOULA, Mont. – U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines introduced a new measure to let the Veterans Administration expand its Missoula outpatient clinic. The expansion plan would increase the clinic by 24 percent. Both Tester and Daines say the clinic is too crowded, offers little privacy and veterans cannot get the help they need when they need it. Turns out the clinic project has been waiting for one year for congressional approval. Missoula is not alone. The senators say another 24 VA medical facilities in 15 states are faced with a similar problem. It is not the only challenge

Sapphire Community Health Center has moved across the street on North 3rd in Hamilton. In fact, it’s a situation of trading places with Human Resource Council. The health center is moving across North 3rd Street into the Ravalli County Human Resource Council building at 316 North 3rd. At the same time, the Human Resource Council is moving into the former health center. The community health services agency accepts all patients and assigns fees on a sliding scale, based on household size and income. Recently, mental health services were added to infant care, cancer screening, women’s care and other medical issues.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is pressing House and Senate conferees to consider controversial drought legislation for inclusion in any compromise energy bill. In a lengthy letter to top conferees, Daines yesterday urged the adoption of a bill, S. 2902, that seeks to overhaul the Army Corps of Engineers’ forecasting methods to improve planning for water storage in times of drought. “This legislation would improve the efficiency of existing water supply infrastructure, ease the regulatory burden on new projects and protect water rights that are critical to the prosperity of the western United States,” Daines wrote, noting that it would authorize the Dry-Redwater Rural

BOZEMAN – When their son Patrick took his own life last year, Tracey and Mike Rassley were met with shock. “He was away at college and we didn’t realize that he was kind of having a hard time,” said Tracey Rassley. “We’re out here to raise more awareness of kids who seem like they are doing great but might really not be at all.” Joining other parents of victims, survivors and allies, the Rassley’s are walking to end suicide with the Out of The Darkness Bozeman community walk. “What most of you wouldn’t think when you come and meet me, I’m