Blackfoot Valley Dispatch - The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980

Gov. Greg Gianforte's office announced Saturday that the Republican governor has signed into law Senate Bill 458, legislation that inserts binary, reproduction-based definitions... — Updated 5/30/2023

Gov. Greg Gianforte has vetoed a bill raising the wages paid Montana legislators, arguing the proposed increase - from about $16 to $24 an hour starting in 2025 on top of... — Updated 5/16/2023

Department of Public Health and Human Services officials are reporting a recent increase in the number of cases of chickenpox reported in school-aged children.  And, at least half... — Updated 5/16/2023

BOZEMAN - Montana middle school and high school students passionate about advanced math are invited to attend the Mathematics Circle Summer Camp hosted by the Science Math... — Updated 5/16/2023

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Republican leaders' banishment of a transgender lawmaker from floor debates in the recently ended Montana legislative session seized the nation's attention. It also overshadowed... — Updated 5/9/2023

Lincoln, Mont. - On May 2, SIM-MT, a leading medical simulation training organization, partnered with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide advanced... — Updated 5/9/2023

Katie Beall was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 1, 2022. Two days later, doctors told her the chemotherapy she needed would make her infertile. The next day, she started... — Updated 5/3/2023

As the 68th Legislative Session approaches the end of its 90-day ride, lawmakers are close to passing a $14.3 million budget for state spending over the next two years, funding... — Updated 5/3/2023

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State health officials are asking the public to be cautious and take steps to prevent exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this spring by avoiding contact with sick... — Updated 4/25/2023

On April 13, Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr was sitting in the basement of Montana's Capitol building reflecting on her time as one of the state's first two openly transgender... — Updated 4/25/2023

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Kellen Alger has been teaching in Montana for 13 years. He taught for seven years in Cut Bank, teaching middle schoolers, and the last five years, he's been teaching fifth graders a... — Updated 4/25/2023

Montana's population has increased 10 percent in the last decade, while housing has grown by less than 7 percent, according to a report released last fall from the governor's bipart... — Updated 4/18/2023

Lawmakers Hear Testimony on a Bill that Would Increase Firefighters' Hazard Pay Lawmakers are considering a bill to increase hazard pay for firefighters working on wildland fires... — Updated 4/18/2023

Montana voters could be faced with a nuanced decision next year: Is hunting in Montana a right or a privilege? House Bill 372, which would make hunting, as well as fishing and... — Updated 4/11/2023

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In between sets of tumbling warmups, Adrienne Prashar crossed the gym to where she had stashed her diabetes supplies and tested her blood sugar. Prashar, who was diagnosed with Type... — Updated 4/11/2023

HELENA – When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, it put abortion in the state on the line during the 2023 Montana Legislature. Now, lawmakers will soon have... — Updated 4/3/2023

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HELENA – Bears are emerging from dens with the onset of spring, and people are headed outdoors should "Be Bear Aware." Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years,... — Updated 3/30/2023

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Andrew Johnson lets his clients choose what music to play in the car. As an employee of Family Outreach in Helena, Montana - an organization that assists developmentally disabled... — Updated 3/28/2023