Dennis Bragg
![Montana Water Rights act touted as ‘permanent solution’ to Flathead dispute](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/04/water-wetlands.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana Water Rights act touted as ‘permanent solution’ to Flathead dispute
A nearly $2 billion plan to settle tribal water rights in the Flathead Basin took a major step forward this week. Trump administration officials told the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee the proposal could avoid decades of litigation and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
![Ag Secretary Perdue introduces “blueprint for modernization” in Missoula stop](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/06/perdue.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Ag Secretary Perdue introduces “blueprint for modernization” in Missoula stop
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Friday used a Missoula stop to sign a new "blueprint" for modernizing operations and policies for the Forest Service, saying it's a way to keep the agency more responsive to local communities.
![Popular Libby park gets clean bill of health from EPA](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/03/Libby-asbestos.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Popular Libby park gets clean bill of health from EPA
The cleanup of Libby Riverfront Park marks the second time in two years the EPA has deleted a portion of the Libby Asbestos Superfund site from the National Priorities List, following more than 20-years of testing and decontamination.
![Bodnar: UM’s early fall return recognizes possible ‘second wave’ of COVID infections](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/05/Bodnar.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Bodnar: UM’s early fall return recognizes possible ‘second wave’ of COVID infections
University of Montana administrators say a decision to start the fall semester sooner this year is being driven by the idea of removing some of the "complexity" of travel, keeping students and the community safe with the pandemic.
![Stock Farm thanks Ravalli County for help after 8 employees test positive for COVID](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/03/Coronavirus-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Stock Farm thanks Ravalli County for help after 8 employees test positive for COVID
Club General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Steve Buck said the cases came to light when one employee of the exclusive housing and golf development northeast of Hamilton wasn't feeling well last week.
![Missoula County elected officials forgo pay raise during pandemic](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/07/county.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula County elected officials forgo pay raise during pandemic
Missoula County's elected leaders will forego an all but symbolic pay raise this coming year, saying they would rather be conservative during the COVID-19 pandemic. A "penny increase" will save limited funds to make sure first responders get what they're due.
![MCPS trustees urged to side with safety on decision to open schools](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/03/Rob-Watson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
MCPS trustees urged to side with safety on decision to open schools
Parents and teachers are urging Missoula County Public Schools trustees to put safety first they consider whether to re-open physical classes, or continue with distance learning.
![Montana tourism industry on the ropes, faces bleak 2020 outlook](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/12/Glacier-shuttle-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana tourism industry on the ropes, faces bleak 2020 outlook
This is usually an optimistic time for Montana's tourism industry, as lodges, hotels and outfitters begin booking for the months ahead. But the COVID-19 pandemic is creating panic in an industry which brought $3.7 billion to the state's economy last year.
![Tester, Daines differ on success, but not the importance of stimulus funding](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/tester-daines.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tester, Daines differ on success, but not the importance of stimulus funding
With checks and business loans starting to arrive from the multi-trillion dollar CARES Act, Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester are anxious to get that money into checking accounts. However, they view the success of that roll out differently.
![Glacier Country Tourism: “Dear world, we miss you. Love, Montana”](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/10/xQ06miwkQqmLYNNhQKdvw-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Glacier Country Tourism: “Dear world, we miss you. Love, Montana”
While it's not the kind of message you'd expect to see, the marketers at Glacier Country Tourism, along with organization president and CEO Racene Friede, said it's the most appropriate message given these challenging times.