Are Montana Gas Prices Dropping?

If you're filling up today, you probably won't notice a difference because the change is pretty small. But the latest numbers from Triple A show Montana's average gas price has dropped slightly this week, the first time we've seen that happen since the war was launched in Iran.

Triple A reports the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Montana was $3.89 a gallon on Thursday. That compares with $3.90 mid-week, and an average of $3.91 a week ago.

A month ago, Triple A's average was $3.38, and we were paying $3.16 at this same point in April last year.

Premium gas has also flattened out somewhat, with an average of $4.54 a gallon, down from $4.57 last week. Diesel's average is right at $5 a gallon, which is a nickel cheaper than a week ago.

Lincoln, Mineral, Sanders, and Beaverhead counties are the most expensive on the list. Park, Meagher, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, and Petroleum counties are also pricy, with it costing as much as $4.47 to fill up in Winnett.

     ⛽️ Drivers along the eastern Border, from Roosevelt to Custer counties, are paying anywhere from $3.53 a gallon to $3.70 average.

Childcare in Montana increasingly expensive

It's not just high housing and transportation costs that are squeezing Montana families.

Chris Cards found a new report which suggests the cost of raising children in Montana has climbed dramatically in the past few years.

Shakeup in 2nd District Congressional Race

Some unexpected developments in the 2nd District Congressional race, with the Montana Democratic Party announcing yesterday that State Senator Jonathon Windy Boy was pulling out of the race.

The Montana Free Press reported the announcement comes in the wake of serious allegations involving the sending of explicit messages to a teenager and further claims of sexual abuse. Political analysts say this sudden departure leaves a significant vacancy in the race, where Democrats have hoped to unseat freshman GOP Congressman Troy Downing in his first re-election bid.

It's also sending shockwaves through the state legislature as colleagues and constituents react to the unfolding scandal.

Brrr… it's not spring in Yellowstone!

Mother Nature threw a curveball at Yellowstone National Park’s spring opening. A powerful winter storm forced officials to delay the scheduled debut of several park roads.

Originally set to open at 8 a.m. Friday, the West Entrance to Old Faithful and Canyon, as well as the route from Mammoth to Norris, remained closed because the park received up to 12 inches of heavy, wet snow.

Not only were plow crews having to deal with snow and poor visibility, it was also brutally cold. Many of the weather stations in the park were showing temperatures well down into the single digits.

Additionally, Northwestern Energy was dealing with a power outage to Canyon Village and Old Faithful.

If you’re heading toward the park, have a flexible plan and check nps.gov/yell for the very latest updates."