Daily Montanan
![Montana’s future inmate population at heart of legislative talks](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/05/prison.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Montana’s future inmate population at heart of legislative talks
The state remains over its prison capacity, with a population of 2,841 across all facilities in Montana as of Wednesday that only have a full total operational capacity of 2,739.
![Montana announces $3M in federal funds to help childcare workers](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/06/attachment-capitol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana announces $3M in federal funds to help childcare workers
The Governor’s Office and Department of Public Health and Human Services announced Monday that the Child Care Worker Child Care Scholarship Program grant money would be available for workers at licensed, registered childcare facilities who meet certain requirements.
![Men indicted for illegal killing, trafficking eagles from Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/12/attachment-eagle.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Men indicted for illegal killing, trafficking eagles from Montana
Two men were indicted by a federal grand jury in Montana on Friday on allegations they illegally killed 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation, then illegally sold the eagles on the black market.
![Glacier Park announces camping, wilderness permit reservation changes](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/09/Glacier-camping.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Glacier Park announces camping, wilderness permit reservation changes
Glacier National Park is increasing some frontcountry camping fees and adding early access lotteries for wilderness permits.
![Montana attorneys argue over block on new voter requirements](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/09/attachment-Voter-elections.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana attorneys argue over block on new voter requirements
Attorneys for MontPIRG and MFPE argued the new law passed under the bill sponsored by Rep. Lyn Hellegaard, R-Missoula, is so vague and broad that it violates the First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution and chills Montanans’ right to vote.
![PSC to take second look at NorthWestern rate case decision](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/12/PSC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
PSC to take second look at NorthWestern rate case decision
On a 5-0 vote, the all-Republican commission approved a settlement this fall that translates into a 24% electricity rate hike for residential customers and 25% jump for small businesses compared to rates in August 2022.
![Flathead County requests court void recent municipal election](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/Election-Day_11.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Flathead County requests court void recent municipal election
More than 170 voters submitted ballots with incorrect candidate information in the last election, with a total of 1,413 eligible voters, or 8% of the total eligible voters in Kalispell, impacted.
![Oregon senators to revive veteran income tax break proposal](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/01/attachment-Oregon.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Oregon senators to revive veteran income tax break proposal
A bipartisan pair of Oregon state senators will try again to give retired veterans an income tax break after running out of time in the most recent legislative session.
![Montana library directors oppose removal of master’s degree requirement](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Library.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana library directors oppose removal of master’s degree requirement
Library directors signed a letter read during a public hearing Friday in opposition to removing the requirement for a master’s degree for the position in larger cities in the state.
![Daines criticizes judge’s limits on wolf trapping, presses for grizzly evaluation](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/12/attachment-daines.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Daines criticizes judge’s limits on wolf trapping, presses for grizzly evaluation
Sen. Steve Daines wrote a letter this week to the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calling a federal judge’s decision to limit the state’s wolf trapping season in grizzly bear territory one that “weaponizes” the Endangered Species Act.