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Two Major Energy Projects Advance Across Eastern Montana

BILLINGS, Mont. — Two major energy infrastructure projects are advancing across eastern Montana, bringing the prospect of billions of dollars in construction investment, new jobs and payments to rural landowners while raising questions about property rights, environmental impacts and the future of regional energy development. The North Plains Connector, a proposed high-voltage electricity transmission line linking Montana and North Dakota, recently reached a significant federal funding milestone involving nearly $700 million in Department of Energy support. Meanwhile, Wyoming-based Bridger Pipeline […]

todayOctober 26, 2026 2

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Featured

Election Prediction Markets Surpass $1.4 Billion

WASHINGTON — More than $1.4 billion has been traded on prediction markets tied to the 2026 midterm elections, marking a major expansion of an industry that allows investors to wager on political outcomes and other real-world events. The trading surge, reported Friday by CNN, comes as voters prepare for the Nov. 3 elections that will determine control of Congress and dozens of governorships across the country. Kalshi, one of the largest U.S. prediction market operators, has recorded nearly $1.1 billion […]

todayOctober 26, 2026 3

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National

Coca-Cola Earnings Preview: Wall Street Expects Higher Profits as Investors Watch Consumer Spending

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings Tuesday, Oct. 27, with Wall Street expecting higher revenue and profits as investors assess whether the beverage giant can maintain sales growth amid inflation, changing consumer habits and pressure on household budgets. Analysts expect Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) to report adjusted earnings of approximately 88 cents per share on revenue of $12.92 billion, according to consensus estimates compiled by MarketBeat. That would represent an increase from the 82 cents per share and […]

todayOctober 26, 2026 1

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Montana

PSC Staff Recommends Approval of NorthWestern Energy, Black Hills Merger

HELENA, Mont. — Staff at the Montana Public Service Commission has recommended approval of the proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and South Dakota-based Black Hills Corporation, concluding the transaction would not harm Montana utility customers or directly increase their electricity and natural gas rates. The recommendation, detailed in an Oct. 22 memorandum and draft final order released Friday, moves the merger closer to approval following months of regulatory review and opposition from Montana Farmers Union and environmental organization 350Montana. The […]

todayOctober 26, 2026 3

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Featured

Microsoft, Alphabet Earnings Wednesday

NEW YORK — Microsoft and Alphabet are scheduled to report quarterly earnings Wednesday, Oct. 28, giving Wall Street a closely watched assessment of artificial intelligence spending, cloud computing demand and the financial returns from billions of dollars invested in data centers and advanced technology. The two technology giants are expected to report a combined $218 billion in quarterly revenue, with analysts anticipating continued double-digit sales growth as businesses increase spending on AI infrastructure and digital services. Investors will be particularly […]

todayOctober 26, 2026 1

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Featured

New Ad Featuring Smokejumper Targets Forstag

KALISPELL, Mont. — Republican congressional candidate Aaron Flint has released a new general election advertisement featuring Montana smokejumper and Army Reserve veteran Larry Ashcraft, who criticizes Democratic opponent Sam Forstag's lobbying history and contrasts it with Flint's military service. The advertisement, released Wednesday, Oct. 21, is part of Flint's campaign for Montana's 1st Congressional District, where the two candidates are competing ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. "Sam Forstag wants us to think he's tough, but he's a phony […]

todayOctober 25, 2026 3

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Wall Street Ends Week Lower as Oil Prices Surge and AI Stocks Retreat

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks finished a volatile week with mixed results as surging oil prices, concerns about the cost of artificial intelligence investments and rising borrowing costs pressured major technology stocks, while smaller companies and several traditional industries posted gains. For the week ending Friday, Oct. 23, the S&P 500 declined 0.5%, its second consecutive weekly loss, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.4%, and the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies […]

todayOctober 24, 2026 3

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Montana

Flathead Valley Community College Approves Contract for New President

KALISPELL, Mont.—The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees has unanimously approved an employment agreement with Dr. Deborah Kish Stephan, who will become the college's next president on Jan. 1, 2027. Stephan will succeed longtime President Jane Karas, who has led the college for more than two decades. The board's approval follows Stephan's appointment on Sept. 28 and concludes a national search that attracted 90 applicants. Stephan currently serves as president of the Brandon Campus of Hillsborough College in Florida, […]

todayOctober 23, 2026 2

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Featured

Mexican National Sentenced to Five Years for Smuggling Migrants Across Canadian Border

WASHINGTON—A Mexican national was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international human smuggling operation that brought hundreds of undocumented immigrants into the United States through the Canadian border, the Justice Department announced. Edgar Sanchez-Solis, 27, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and five counts of alien smuggling for financial gain. According to court documents, Sanchez-Solis was a leader of a smuggling organization that operated from December […]

todayOctober 23, 2026 3