Sign in Subscribe

united states department of agriculture

DPHHS Announces Statewide EBT System Upgrades

DPHHS Announces Statewide EBT System Upgrades

HELENA, MT —The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is updating its statewide electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system this weekend, May 8-10. To make these updates possible, card services and account updates will be temporarily offline while these changes are made. During this period, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

‘Farm Bill’ may ease cost burden for farmers; Ag groups urge US Senate action

(The Center Square) – Many farm-focused organizations say they support a GOP-led legislative package on agriculture that narrowly passed through the U.S. House. The Illinois Farm Bureau has urged the U.S. Senate to get to work on passing the Food, Farm and National Security Act of 2026,

House Farm Bill includes new seafood office, shrimp trade study

(The Center Square) – The 2026 Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House includes new seafood provisions aimed at giving commercial fishermen and shrimpers greater access to federal agriculture programs. The bill, which now moves to the U.S. Senate, includes an amendment by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-

Analysts say rail merger could cut shipping costs, ease delays for farmers

(The Center Square) – Agriculture economists and transportation analysts say a proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could lower shipping costs and ease long-standing bottlenecks for American farmers. The Surface Transportation Board, which oversees railroad mergers, rejected the companies’ initial application as incomplete. The railroads plan

Fighting fire with ...: President, Congress wrangle over wildfire money

Fighting fire with ...: President, Congress wrangle over wildfire money

This story originally appeared in Mountain Journal. Fire requires three things to burn: Fuel, oxygen and heat, known as the “fire triangle.” Firefighting depends on a different triangle: Weather, workforce and money. Those have undergone rapid evolution in the past few weeks as the 2026 fire season accelerates. The weather

USDA axes millions in tribal agriculture funding, derailing projects across Montana

Kim Paul, executive director of the Piikani Lodge Health Institute, a nonprofit on the Blackfeet Reservation that promotes health and well-being, saw the email notification flash across her computer screen as she was working late last week. It was the U.S. Department of Agriculture saying a nearly $9

USDA axes millions in tribal agriculture funding, derailing projects across Montana

Kim Paul, executive director of the Piikani Lodge Health Institute, a nonprofit on the Blackfeet Reservation that promotes health and well-being, saw the email notification flash across her computer screen as she was working late last week. It was the U.S. Department of Agriculture saying a nearly $9