Mask Mandate Lifted by Governor Gianforte
Wednesday afternoon, Governor Greg Gianforte held his first bill signing ceremony. He signed into law SB-65 which shields businesses, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, and places of worship from COVID-19 lawsuits. In signing the law, Gianforte moved forward as he had promised to do to lift the statewide mask mandate. He announced that as of […]
Envision: Cultural Center for MetraPark
With Metra Park officials seeking public input as to what the community would like to see emerge in the recently opened-up spaces at the facility, one of the dozens of citizens interviewed by the master planners has put forth a new idea which seems to have caught the imagination of many.
City Posed to Restrict Massage Businesses in Hopes of Ending Human Trafficking
Will adding to regulations for businesses who offer massage services help curb illegal human trafficking and prostitution? The Billings City Council is moving forward with a proposal to impose more regulations on businesses that provide massage therapy, including an additional business license.
Governor Lifts Statewide Restrictions on Businesses
Montana businesses no longer have to operate within constrained hours and reduced capacity because of COVID-19, by order of Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday. The order eliminates the restraints imposed mid-November by former Governor Steve Bullock. Gianforte said the order becomes effective within 48 hours of Tuesday afternoon, and it follows the rescinding, last week, […]
City and County Consider Co-Locating in Stillwater Building
Yellowstone County and the City of Billings are exploring in earnest the possibility of consolidating local government offices in the Stillwater Building.
Liability Protection Currently Top Legislative Priority
At the forefront of legislation being considered in the first week of the Montana State Legislature is a bill that will offer liability protections to businesses, health care providers, places of worship, and nonprofit organizations regarding meeting COVID-19 mandates. Senator Steve Fitzgerald has introduced SB 65 which attempts to provide some liability protections.
Local COVID Mandates Rescinded
Local COVID health mandates have been rescinded by Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton. Felton announced the change in a press conference on Thursday, saying the change is effective immediately. The rescinding of local orders does not affect those of the state, imposed in mid-November, which means the restrictions that former Governor Steve Bullock put […]
Number of COVID Cases Continues Average Daily Decline
Despite the lack of press conferences announcing as much, the number of positive COVID cases has been declining in Montana since early November. The number of cases daily is back down to the level at which they hovered at the end of summer.
City Council Adopts Project Recode, Makes Changes, but not for Casinos
After making a number of changes to Project Recode, the Billings City Council passed the new zoning regulations in First Reading by a wide margin on Monday evening. Next Monday, the City Council will take up Project Recode in Second Reading at which time more changes are possible.
Montana Joins Texas Suit Challenging Elections
On Wednesday, Montana joined 16 other states in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case State of Texas v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State of Georgia, State of Michigan and State of Wisconsin. Supporting Texas, Montana is urging the court to accept the case against the four states.