In The News
Missoulian: Daines introduces good-neighbor forestry bill
State foresters would have more ways to help manage federal and private forests under a bipartisan proposal authored by senators Steve Daines and Amy Klobuchar. Daines, R-Mont., and Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016 on Monday evening. In an interview on Tuesday, Daines said the legislation would make it easier for states to help the U.S. Forest Service get hazardous fuels reduction work done. "One frustration we have as Monta… Continue Reading
09.11.16
Sen. Daines: We must never forget horrors of 9/11
It has been 15 years since the horrific terror attack of Sept. 11, 2001, that rocked our nation and forever changed our world. With the barbaric acts of terrorists, 2,977 people's lives were taken when four jet planes were hijacked and crashed into some of our nation's most emblematic landmarks. In the wake of the collisions, 411 brave responders lost their own lives while attempting to rescue survivors and fight fires. I don't revisit these facts lightly, nor do I think that any American could… Continue Reading
09.09.16
Havre Daily News: Little Shell recognition moves forward in Congress
The Little Shell Band of Chippewa Cree Indians won a key victory Thursday in their longtime effort to become a federally recognized tribe. The Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa Cree Restoration Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont ., would grant the Montana tribe federal recognition. It passed through the House Committee on Natural Resources Thursday. The same legislation passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee last year. "I am fairly happy with today's outcome, and I am h… Continue Reading
09.09.16
Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls, Malmstrom remember 9/11
For Col. Ron Allen, the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, "started like any other." He was a captain at the time, working at the Pentagon. Now he's the commander of the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom. That morning, he woke up at 6 a.m. as usual and headed to work. Not long after arriving, office chatter turned to the attack on the World Trade Center happening in New York City. "We all knew then our nation was under attack," Allen said during a ceremony in the Malmstrom chapel Friday. But work cont… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Billings Gazette: Zinke bill to end coal leasing ban, add community input, advances
A bill to overturn a temporary ban on federal coal leases - while also giving state and local governments a bigger say in leasing - was approved Thursday by the House Natural Resources Committee. Western lawmakers have been demanding for months that federal officials end the coal-leasing ban, which Department of Interior officials imposed last spring while they tried to determine whether the public is getting a fair royalty payment on federal coal. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., author… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Great Falls Tribune: Mont. Indian tribe closer to recognition by federal govt
A House panel approved legislation Thursday that would grant Montana's Little Shell Tribe recognition by the federal government. The House Committee on Natural Resources voted 23-13 to approve legislation that includes the Little Shell federal recognition bill, bringing the tribe headquartered in Great Falls one step closer to receiving the designation it has spent more than 35 years trying to obtain. The Little Shell recognition was introduced by Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. If the legislation is… Continue Reading
09.07.16
KLYQ: Hamilton’s Community Health Clinic Receives More Funds
The Bitterroot Valley's Sapphire Community Health Clinic has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding was announced by U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana this week. The funding is part of over a million dollars awarded to 17 Montana community health centers. Other centers included facilities in Billings, Livingston, Chinook, Miles City, Shelby and Hardin. The Sapphire health center is at 303 North 3rd Street in Hamilton and has recently … Continue Reading
09.07.16
Great Falls Tribune: Shelby to get funds for Amtrak improvements
The Amtrak stop in Shelby will get $953,954 from the Federal Railroad Administration for safety improvements, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., announced Wednesday. This project will upgrade two pedestrian and motor vehicle crossings in Shelby, by extending the existing Amtrak platform and installing fencing, signage, two quadrant gates and a wayside horn advance warning systems. The project is located along Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway's east-west mainline with 45 to 50 BNSF freight tra… Continue Reading
09.06.16
Great Falls Tribune: 17 health centers receive federal funds
Seventeen community health centers in Montana will share $1,050,217 in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Tuesday. Those centers include: •Billings: Yellowstone City-County Health Department: $92,615. •Helena: Lewis & Clark County: $46,032. •Missoula: Missoula County: $120,395. •Great Falls: Cascade County: $53,788. •Billings: Montana Migrant & Seasonal Farm Workers Council Inc.: $95,456. •Li… Continue Reading
09.01.16
Missoulian: Apgar photo shoot spreads the word of Glacier Park's beauty in an instant
APGAR - A couple hundred people - including an Instagram star, a United States senator and three fake mountain goats - gathered on the shores of Lake McDonald on Thursday evening while a perfect day in Glacier National Park transformed into a different sort of beauty. As a ceiling of storm-threatening clouds moved over the valley and the lake kicked into big-wave action, Jacob W. Frank readied his camera on the balcony of the Village Inn at Apgar. Frank did not request that the crowd b… Continue Reading
08.31.16
KBZK: Regulation change could cost Montana gunsmiths
HELENA -U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are part of a bipartisan effort to overturn a recent rule change they say could cost Montana gunsmiths thousands of dollars. According to letters sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry by Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the concern is that anyone who modifies a firearm could be classified as a "manufacturer." They would then have to register with the government as part of the International… Continue Reading
08.30.16
KMMS: Daines Announces $853,333 to Strengthen Montana Manufacturing
Senator Steve Daines today announced $853,333 in funding for the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) for the next year and a half, which strengthens Montana small manufacturers through partnerships and guidance. "Manufacturing plays an integral role in supporting hardworking families across our state," Daines stated. "Manufacturing jobs pay an average of 17 percent higher wages than non-manufacturing jobs and I'm proud to support funding to create more of these high-paying jobs." In … Continue Reading
08.26.16
The Western News: Daines hosts economic roundtable
As local business owners, organization leaders and local officials look to jumpstart the local economy, a group of commerce leaders got a chance to ask one of their two Senators in Congress for help bringing their issues to Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Mont., hosted a roundtable discussion on Thursday at the Lincoln County commissioners meeting room that focused on the local economy and the hopeful future envisioned by the stakeholders in attendance. More than 20 people squeeze… Continue Reading
08.26.16
Great Falls Tribune: What does new ICBM milestone mean for Malmstrom?
The Air Force has approved the Milestone A for the ground-based strategic deterrent, meaning the new weapon system meant to replace the Minuteman III, including those at Malmstrom Air Force Base, remains on track. To reach this point, an analysis of alternatives must be conducted, including cost estimates, concepts of operations, overall risks and comparative effectiveness, according to the Congressional Research Service. Now that the Air Force has reached Milestone A, the program is in the Te… Continue Reading
08.25.16
NBC Montana: Glacier celebrates National Park Service centennial
KALISPELL, Mont. - The National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary Thursday with celebrations across the country. More than 1,000 people assembled on the national mall to hold brown, green, and white umbrellas to form the National Park Service's iconic logo. Special events to celebrate the NPS milestone kicked off with free admission to all 412 national parks through Sunday. Parks in Montana are celebrating as well. No matter who you ask, anyone who comes to Glacier uses one word t… Continue Reading
08.25.16
NBC Montana: Sen. Daines calls for investment in our national parks
(MTN News-MISSOULA) The National Park Service Centennial will celebrate the achievements of the past 100 years, but it is really about the future - it's about kicking off the second century of stewardship for America's national parks and communities across the nation. Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park continue to break visitor records, with people from all over the world coming to Montana to explore the vast beauty and wildlife. Senator Steve Daines says for the National Park… Continue Reading
08.22.16
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: More than 250 turn out for meeting on Yellowstone fire
WEST YELLOWSTONE - Smoke rose from thick stands of lodgepole pine just a few miles away as more than 250 people filed into the Union Pacific Dining Hall on Monday night to hear what will be done about the roaring fire in Yellowstone National Park. Several wildfires have been burning in Yellowstone National Park over the last couple of weeks, and the largest, the Maple Fire, has continued to grow. It has now charred more than 22,400 acres - about 35 square miles - in an area near the Gneiss … Continue Reading
08.22.16
NBC Montana: West Yellowstone residents voice concerns over Tatanka Complex
BOZEMAN, Mont. - The half dozen fires burning in Yellowstone National Park are now called the Tatanka Complex. Fire officials in West Yellowstone held a community meeting Monday night where residents voiced their concerns about the fire. As black smoke continues to rise from the fires, many residents are worried. "Oh, I'm saying my prayers like crazy," said Duck Creek resident Jim Criner. He was one of more than 200 residents at a community meeting to learn more about the fire. Officials pres… Continue Reading
08.19.16
Roll Call: How Do You Say Happy Birthday in Montana?
This weekend, both Montana senators - Republican Steve Daines and Democrat Jon Tester - are celebrating their birthdays. Daines on Saturday. Tester on Sunday. The neighboring dates gave the senators the opportunity to wish one another a happy birthday and exchange very Big Sky Country gifts. Tester's present for Daines was a bottle of safflower oil, processed from the herbaceous plant cultivated on his 1,800-acre family farm. Daines gave Tester Montana elk meat. The avid outdoorsman said th… Continue Reading
08.19.16
KULR8: Thousands celebrate the 98th Annual Crow Fair with jobs in mind
Friday was a day of celebration, remembrance and reflection at the 98th Annual Crow Fair, Powwow & Parade, a tradition that started in 1903. Montana Senator Steve Daines was among the honored guests. During the senator's visit to Israel, he presented a resolution from Crow Nation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and in return, Netanyahu gave Daines the Israeli flag to present to Crow Nation, a show of strength, solidarity and understanding. Crow Tribal Chairman Darrin Old Coyote tell… Continue Reading
