In The News
Congress passes historic CSKT water compact with massive spending bill
Tucked in the mammoth spending bill that Congress passed Monday night is a historic pact that will resolve thousands of water-rights claims by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, provide nearly $2 billion for a major irrigation project and return the 19,000-acre National Bison Range to tribal ownership, more than a century after the federal government illegally carved it from the middle of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The passage of the compact, which moved through Congress as the … Continue Reading
12.22.20
CSKT Chairwoman pays tribute to "the many" who helped craft water settlement
PABLO - The chairwoman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) is acknowledging the many people who helped craft the settlement over water rights in the Flathead Basin. She's expressing enthusiasm about what the agreement means for water users, wildlife and fish habitat and the thousands of jobs that will be created in the years to come. On Tuesday, Congress approved the Montana Water Rights Protection Act, a bipartisan effort to resolve the decades-long dispute over the water ri… Continue Reading
12.20.20
Daines: COVID-19 vaccine 'early Christmas present' for Americans
The first boxes of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine will arrive in states on Monday, boosting the initial supply of pandemic-fighting shots by 6 million in the coming week after health care workers, Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress received the first wave of Pfizer doses. No one's happier about it than Sen. Steve Daines. Back in March, as the coronavirus hit and Congress scrambled to cut checks to struggling Americans, the Montana Republican was looking months down the road. What… Continue Reading
12.19.20
Daines statement on first COVID-19 vaccine delivery to Montana
U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement following the first delivery of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to Montana: "The first COVID-19 vaccine was delivered to Montana and administered in the U.S. This day would not have been possible without American innovation, Operation Warp Speed, and the dedication from top scientists and the Trump administration," Daines said. "I'm proud to have secured the initial $10 billion that helped make this modern medical miracle possible, and I will… Continue Reading
12.18.20
'Early Christmas present': FDA clears Moderna vaccine, 6M doses on way
The Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna's coronavirus vaccine for emergency use on Friday, clearing the way for an immediate shipment of 6 million doses on top of the Pfizer vaccine that's already in use. No one's happier about it than Sen. Steve Daines. Back in March, as the coronavirus hit and Congress scrambled to cut checks to struggling Americans, the Montana Republican was looking months down the road. What if the virus didn't go away as it got warmer, and the only way out was … Continue Reading
12.18.20
US clears Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, 2nd shot in arsenal
The U.S. added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday, boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that the nation is regularly recording more than 3,000 deaths a day. Much-needed doses are set to arrive Monday after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health. The move marks the world's first authorization for Moderna's shots. The vaccine is very similar to one from Pfizer Inc. a… Continue Reading
12.18.20
Sen. Daines Encourages Montanans To Get COVID Vaccine
Republican Sen. Steve Daines is encouraging Montanans to get a COVID-19 vaccine when doses become available. This follows federal emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged 16 years and older. Ten Montana hospitals received their first shipments of the vaccine this week. Corin Cates-Carney Senator, why did you enroll in Pfizer's covid-19 vaccine trial? Steve Daines Well, I found out about it from my mom. My parents are in Bozeman. My mom's 78, my dad's 81. And … Continue Reading
12.17.20
Sen. Daines, who helped secure $10B in vaccine funding, calls Moderna approval 'early Christmas present'
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel's endorsement of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine on Thursday had special significance for Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Daines, a chemical engineer with experience launching FDA-regulated products, championed an effort in March for $10 billion in federal funding to accelerate the development and manufacturing of the coronavirus vaccines. The funding jumpstarted Operation Warp Speed, the unprecedented effort to develop and distribute vaccines at a record pace… Continue Reading
12.17.20
Upstart Moderna takes on outsized role in U.S. vaccine effort
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 g… Continue Reading
12.17.20
Initial shipments of the Pfizer vaccine began Monday, bodes well for combatting COVID-19
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 Dru… Continue Reading
12.17.20
Upstart Moderna takes on outsized role in U.S. vaccine effort
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 g… Continue Reading
12.16.20
Coronavirus relief deal at $900B is at hand, Daines says
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 optim… Continue Reading
12.16.20
Coronavirus relief deal at $900B is at hand, Daines says
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 optim… Continue Reading
12.16.20
Daines, Tester, Gianforte celebrate senate passage of Travis Atkins Bill
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 ren… Continue Reading
12.16.20
Covid: Fauci says U.S. could return to normal by mid-fall if most people are vaccinated
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… Continue Reading
12.16.20
Both MT Senators Continue Work on Bills For Rural Montana
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 occurre… Continue Reading
12.16.20
Plains gets grant for new wastewater plant
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 san… Continue Reading
12.14.20
Bozeman receives its first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Six Bozeman Health employees lined up in the emergency room on Monday afternoon to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. They were among the first Montanans to receive the vaccine, which arrived in the state Monday morning. Dr. Andrew Sullivan, a pulmonary and critical care physician, was the first in line. The vaccination took less than a minute and was met with applause from Bozeman Health staff. "I'm thrilled it's here," Sullivan said after the vaccination. "Honestly, I'm more excited for other peop… Continue Reading
12.14.20
Bozeman receives its first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Six Bozeman Health employees lined up in the emergency room on Monday afternoon to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. They were among the first Montanans to receive the vaccine, which arrived in the state Monday morning. Dr. Andrew Sullivan, a pulmonary and critical care physician, was the first in line. The vaccination took less than a minute and was met with applause from Bozeman Health staff. "I'm thrilled it's here," Sullivan said after the vaccination. "Honestly, I'm more excited for other peop… Continue Reading
12.14.20
First COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Montana, several Great Falls providers awaiting shipments
Due to a system upgrade over the weekend with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, no new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Monday. But that doesn't mean there weren't any new cases and daily totals impacted by the system upgrade will be reported in the following days according to DPHHS. "The upgrade required the system to be shut down all day, so no cases could be reported to the state for today's update," wrote DPHHS on its website. "Cases will be added in the coming … Continue Reading
