Category: News Article

The U.S. Forest Service has deployed land mobile radios on the fireline since the Vietnam War, and the equipment hasn’t changed much over the years. But Colin Watts, assistant director for land mobile radio at the Missoula Technology and Development Center, said the future is about to change. “The future is digital and the future is data,” Watts said. “Real-time telemetry and data management is going to be a growing concern. The ability to extend that data envelope into the forest where we operate is key to us in the future.” Watts and other experts in firefighting technology led Sen.

MISSOULA – FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr visited Missoula Tuesday as part of his week-long trip through Montana and Wyoming where he’s hearing from rural areas about internet and cell service connectivity issues. Carr was joined by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) at the Montana Children’s Specialist, where they discussed the benefits and roadblocks of telehealth where patients can visit a doctor remotely. Doctors and patients video chat, and can have a full appointment from miles away. “This can save lives literally, by closing that gap,” Sen. Daines said. There are only six major hospitals in Montana; Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the Billings

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited the Montanore offices in Libby Friday to discuss the progress of the mine project with members of local government and the community. Along with Daines, State Sen. Mike Cuffe, District 1, and State Rep. Steve Gunderson, District 1, were also in attendance, alongside county government and school officials, as well as members of the community associated with various organizations and boards. Doug Stiles, manager of Montana Operations for Hecla Mining, gave a short update on progress with the Montanore and Rock Creek mine projects. Hecla is working with the U.S. Forest Service to update their

KALISPELL, Mont. — Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember Americans who died in active duty in the military, but one group in the Flathead does that year-round. Residents of the Lighthouse Christian Home participate in the Shining Honor Project, which gives jobs to developmentally challenged adults. Their job is to keep veterans’ gravesites clean and tidy at Glacier Memorial Gardens and Whitefish City Cemetery. “It’s a great way to get Memorial Day headstones ready for this important day,” U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) said. “It’s a day of remembrance, and to have these Montanans who have developmental challenge

BILLINGS- Agriculture and business are the reasons the U.S. Customs and Border Protection decided to not cut hours at ports entries on Montana’s northern border, U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte and Sen. Steve Daines announced jointly Friday. In February, the CBP announced it was decreasing hours that ports would be open. However, after meetings with U.S. citizens living along the border, the agency will hold pat with its original schedule, according to a news release from Daines and Gianforte, both Montana Republicans. The Port of Raymond will be open 24 hours. Ports in Morgan, Opheim and Scobey will be open from 9

Those who jump from planes, provide initial attack deep in the forest or staff an engine line all have a common set of issues related to their federal job classification, which mentions nothing about being a firefighter. Retaining qualified crew members and staying within the hours that wildland firefighters are permitted to work have also emerged as problems, according to Montana and Idaho firefighters who met with Sen. Steve Daines on Friday at Neptune Aviation in Missoula. “We need Congress to understand the issues and address them, because we’re having a serious issue of retention among our firefighters,” said Casey

Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester reacted favorably Friday on new terms that eliminate Japan’s restrictions on U.S. beef exports, saying it would be good for the Treasure State. It’s a deal the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates could increase U.S. beef and beef product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Friday the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms to eliminate Japan’s longstanding restrictions on U.S. beef exports. The new terms take effect immediately and allow U.S. products from all cattle, regardless of age, to enter Japan for

MISSOULA- Friday morning Senator Steve Daines joined wildfire preparedness officials and wildland rural firefighters for a round table discussion on this coming fire season, as well as new legislation to benefit wildland firefighters. Issues that were heard today ranged from having the proper job classification, to retirement benefits, as well as compensation during an injury. Wildland fighter fighters and Federal Wildland Fire Service association executives had the chance to sit down with Senator Daines to share concerns and desires for Daines to take back to Washington D.C., with him. Currently working on a bill with Washington Senator Maria Cantwell to

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) on May 9 proposed a bicameral Republican measure that would extend the tax credit for production of refined coal to protect critical energy jobs in Montana and around the country. “This bill will protect good-paying energy jobs, support refined coal production, and reduce emissions,” Sen. Daines said on May 10. “This is a win for Montana, this is a win for the environment, and this is a win for American energy dominance.” Sen. Daines introduced S. 1405 with lead cosponsors including U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Cory Gardner (R-CO). The companion bill, H.R.

Montana’s congressional Republicans are backing a tax break on refined coal, in hopes of sparking investment in Colstrip Power Plant. Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte are among several lawmakers calling for an extension of a tax credit for “refined coal,” meaning coal that’s been screened or pre-treated to lower pollutants when burned. The two Republicans mentioned Colstrip specifically Thursday in an email calling for a renewal of the tax credit. “Colstrip and energy jobs are a critical part of our Montana way of life,” Daines said. “This bill will protect good-paying energy jobs, support refined coal production, and