Billings veteran’s cremains are found and ‘coming back home’ after getting lost in the U.S. mail
BILLINGS — A Billings veteran, who died of COVID-19 in March and whose cremains got lost in the mail has been found and will be coming back home to Montana. On Thursday, MTN news spoke with Christine Tyler who lost her husband, Don to the virus while traveling abroad this March in Spain. She opted to have Don cremated and flown home with military tradition because he served in Vietnam. But on the way back to the United States, his body became lost at a United States Post office facility in Chicago. Since, her story has spread across the country.
Daines listens to anxious West Glacier business community
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited West Glacier on Friday morning to meet with local business leaders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Glacier National Park. About a dozen members of the West Glacier business community joined Montana’s Republican senator at Glacier Outdoor Center for the roundtable. All expressed concerns and frustrations over the way COVID-19 has impacted the local economy and their businesses. Jeff Baldelli, co-owner of Glacier Raft Company and the Glacier Outdoor Center, said the local economy has gone into a “downward spiral” since lockdowns began in March. He said he has had numerous cancellations
Daines Successfully Secures Recommendation from Treasury: States Should Send Coronavirus Relief to Local, Rural Communities
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced today the U.S. Department of Treasury stated that states should distribute 45% of coronavirus relief funds it received to local governments including counties, cities, and towns. This announcement follows Daines introducing a bill requiring this of the state. “Our local communities impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak need the resources and support necessary from the state to protect the health and safety of Montanans,” Daines said. “I’m glad the administration acted swiftly on my request to ensure the needs of Montana’s local and rural communities are met during this crisis.” The recommendation from Treasury
Daines Now Accepting Applications for Service Academy Nominations
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines is now accepting applications from young Montanans for a nomination to be appointed to one of the United States Service Academies. “It’s an honor to nominate Montana’s best and brightest high school seniors to be appointed to one of our nation’s service academies,” Daines said. “The application process is critical to selecting well-qualified nominees, and I look forward to reviewing the applications of Montana’s youth.” Applications are being accepted through November 1st, 2020. Those who wish to apply should submit a comprehensive application that displays their academic, civic and athletic abilities, as well as
Daines, Tester say U.S. Postal Service must be preserved
HELENA — Montana’s two U.S. senators say Congress must act to salvage the Postal Service, which is bleeding cash and says it needs a $75 billion infusion. “Montanans rely on the U.S. Postal Service for everything from prescription-drug delivery to absentee voting,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said Friday. “To say it is a crucial lifeline, especially for folks living in rural communities, would be an understatement.” Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines also called the USPS “vital for a rural state like Montana,” as it delivers drugs and other necessities to areas not served by for-profit delivery companies. “This is
It’s kind of a scary time’: Glacier-area businesses await reopening
WEST GLACIER – Normally, Montana House is the only business in Glacier National Park’s Apgar Village that is open year-round. But these are not normal times. “This would be, for the early season, a very busy weekend,” said Monica Jungster, owner of the craft shop. Friday brought temperatures in the 70s, plenty of sunshine and just a wisp of breeze to Glacier National Park’s western gateway. But with Glacier still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the only ones there to enjoy it were a handful of maintenance staff and Jungster, whose parents founded Montana House in 1960. “This is
West Glacier businesses meet with Daines to discuss GNP opening date
A handful of West Glacier businesses met with Montana Sen. Steve Daines on Friday to express frustration and concern over an opening date for Glacier National Park. MTN spoke with Gary Hamilton who is the CEO of Hamilton Group Limited, a souvenir manufacturing company that relies on Glacier Park tourism. “With respect to the park we’re in a very difficult situation,” he said. “The park is not open and they’re hopeful for some time of reopening in June. A lot of the customers we deal with in and around Glacier are either putting their business with us on hold or
Senators: Trump reverses on Guard COVID active duty
Montana’s U.S. senators have said the Trump administration has reversed course on plans to limit the length of service for National Guard members during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving them access to additional federal benefits. To assist local and state governments in their response to the national health emergency, troops from the Army and Air National Guards across 54 states and territories, including Montana, have been put on state active duty or mobilized under Title 32 orders. Title 32 orders give federal authorization for in-country full-time National Guard service. The administration had planned to put a “hard stop” on deployment of Army
Daines Successfully Protects Benefits for the National Guard During the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he successfully secured extended orders for National Guard members to protect their benefits while serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement follows Daines’ request to President Trump to extend the orders. “Our brave guardsmen and women working on the frontlines of this pandemic every day to protect the health and safety of our communities need the assurance their benefits will be protected as they serve,” Daines said. “I’m glad the President acted swiftly on my request to ensure our National Guard service members are put on orders long enough to