About one-third of Montana counties fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for fully vaccinated people to wear masks in public indoor places because of substantial or high transmission of COVID-19.

Montana Public Radio News

One Third Of Montana Counties Fall Under The New CDC Mask Recommendations

Montana school officials are grappling with new mask guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as COVID-19 cases rise ahead of the first day of classes. The state’s superintendent of public instruction is advocating for personal choice while public health experts push for mandates.

Montana Schools Superintendent Says Masks Should Be Personal Choice

The Department of Veterans Affairs Monday became the nation’s first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines. Montana VA officials are now carefully reviewing the new mandate that applies to about 500 workers in the state.

Veterans Affairs Mandates COVID Vaccines For Its Health Care Workers

The 53,000 acre Poverty Flats Fire is threatening more than 1,240 homes around Big Horn County. It’s also threatening infrastructure, utilities and roads in the area.

Montana Wildfire Update For July 28, 2021

Polson officials say residents are pitching in to conserve water. City Manager Ed Meece says water service was restored Monday night to all 60 homes that lost service Monday morning due to low supplies and high demand.

Polson’s Water Service Restored After City Restricts ‘Unnecessary’ Usage

A Flathead County District Court judge ruled July 21 that a Montana Department of Environmental Quality review failed to consider the full effects of a water-bottling plant near Creston.

Flathead Judge Rules Montana DEQ's Review Of Bottling Plant Inadequate

New evacuation orders and pre-evacuation warnings went into effect Monday in western and central Montana, and air quality took a dive across much of the state.

Montana Wildfire Update For July 26, 2021

The City of Polson has declared a water emergency, and is the latest Montana community to implement temporary water restrictions. Water to 60 homes in the city was shut off Monday as the region faces extraordinary demand and low supply.

City Of Polson Declares Water Emergency As Montana's Drought Continues

Montana officials are recommending that $22 million in federal stimulus money go toward disability services, COVID-19 screening at schools and programs to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Montana Officials Direct Federal Funds To State Health Programs

Yellowstone National Park will see its first park-wide fishing closure on all rivers and streams since 2007. The closure will prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to sunrise the following day.

Yellowstone Issues Park-Wide Fishing Restrictions

Evacuation orders are in effect for Belt Park in Cascade County, and evacuation warnings are in effect for areas near Troy and Thompson Falls. In central Montana, five firefighters were injured Thursday afternoon while battling a lightning-caused fire.

Montana Wildfire Update For July 23, 2021

Delta is now the predominant variant of COVID-19 detected in Montana, according to the state health department’s latest variant report.

COVID-19 Delta Variant Now The Dominant Strain In Montana

Public health officials in Helena are urging parents to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for their teens before school starts. State education officials say parents know what’s best for their kids.

Health Officials Urge Students To Get Vaccinated Before School Begins

New restrictions on campfires or smoking on public lands start Monday in parts of NW Montana. The Stage II restrictions come as the state faces a severe drought, more hot weather ahead and firefighting resources stretched thin.

Montana Wildfire Update For July 22, 2021

Some health officials worry COVID-19 cases could increase among the unvaccinated as people head indoors to escape hot, smokey weather.

COVID Concerns Rise As Smoke Drives People Indoors

Montana news, with updates on politics and elections, wildfires and air quality, heath care, wildlife, public lands and more, from Montana Public Radio.

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