Need a Job? These Montana Counties a Struggle for Work

While some Montana counties continue to share in the state's record low unemployment rates, there are some communities where the jobless rates are more than twice the state average.

The latest report this week shows the statewide average at 3.3%, continuing the streak of 4-straight years with that number under 3.4%

However, 18-counties are above that mark, with Madison County leading the way with the highest unemployment rate of 8.2% in November, having lost over 200 jobs. Lincoln County is the second highest at 6%, Granite County at 5.8%, Sanders at 5.5%, with Big Horn County at 5.4%

Gallatin County still has the best jobs picture among the urban counties, at 3%, even after losing nearly 3200 positions over the past year. Missoula and Yellowstone counties show 3.1%, Cascade slightly higher at 3.3% after losing 432 jobs, and Flathead County added over 2100 jobs in a year, registering 3.6%, just over the state average.

Chopper antler grab wasn't the only one

Just days after a Montana National Guard pilot changed his plea to no contest for landing a helicopter on private property to take elk antlers, a new report suggests the scenario may have happened more than once.

36-year old pilot, Deni Lynn Draper, changed his plea ahead of a pending jury trial.

Now, the Livingston Enterprise is reporting the Guard knows of other cases where crews have retrieved antlers, according to an internal investigation. A National Guard spokesman didn't confirm the locations or how often it may have happened, saying the service has found some "isolated incidents. But no charges have been filed against any of the personnel, and the Guard has made its policy clear to troops.

A Montana Highway Patrolman from Great Falls, and a Helena business owner who were on that crew that landed on ranch land near the Crazy Mountains are still scheduled for trial next week.

Zinke already drawing foes

We're only a week into the new year, and already Congressman Ryan Zinke is drawing 4-Democratic challengers for his 2026 re-election bid.

Ryan Busse, who ran a spirited but losing gubernatorial campaign in 2024, is back, announcing yesterday that he'll challenge the Flathead incumbent on a variety of issues, including public lands, tariff,s and federal budget cuts.

Woodland firefighter Sam Forstag of Missoula kicked off the announcements earlier this week. Simms rancher Matt Rains and St. Regis businessman Russ Cleveland are also out of the gate.

Congressman weighs in on Venezuela/Greenland developments

Meanwhile, Zinke is defending the legality of President Trump's decision to invade Venezuela last weekend, noting President Maduro was indicted for drug trafficking, was a threat to the U.S., and hadn't been duly elected.

     But in an interview with the PBS Newshour, Zinke says Congress would need to authorize any action against Greenland.

Daines unable to vote on "War Powers" resolution

Speaking of the bipartisan resolution passed yesterday, with the Senate saying the President needs further Congressional authority for action in Venezuela, Senator Daines didn't vote on that package.

     His spokeswoman tells me the Senator was tending to a family matter.

Is $800k best price for this public building?

Great Falls leaders approve the sale of the former Great Falls Recreation Center to a childcare business. But one commissioner expressed concerns that the city got enough for the building with the $800,000 selling price.

Joe McKeeney suggested the city might have gotten more than a single bid if it had used a Realtor to help market the property, and suggested that should happen in the future.

     Cash from the sale will generate funds for other Parks & Recreation spending.

EduCare Childcare and Pre-school, which has been leasing the building, is still working to secure final funding for the deal.