Montana
Experts give advice after West Nile Virus detected in Montana this year
HELENA — Mosquitoes are the bane of many camping trips and outdoor BBQs. With the West Nile Virus now detected in mosquitoes here in Montana, there’s even more reason to protect yourself and your loved ones from these pesky creatures.
West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in 4 counties in Montana. The virus was found in 6 pools in Blaine, Dawson, Prairie, and Wibaux counties.
“Those pools have been tested as positive, not a human case or an equine case,” says Jill Allen, who works in Boulder District 1 in Jefferson County as a Mosquito Coordinator.
She’s noticed the mosquito population decreased this season in comparison to previous years. She attributes this to late freezes, low snowpack, and hot, dry temperatures in July.
“We haven’t had nearly the amount of volume of mosquitoes as we have had in past years,” says Allen.
Allen says that while she tackles mosquito mitigation on public and private lands, it’s essential to do your part to help decrease hatching pools through the summer and early fall. Mosquitoes can persist as late as October.
“Any type of a container or area in their yard that can allow water to pool, as well as any tall vegetation in the evening or in the daytime hours, that’s where the mosquitoes will hunker down for the daytime hours in the heat,” says Allen.
West Nile Virus can be fatal in some, so using repellent with DEET is essential when you’re headed outside. Allen also says that mosquitoes are attracted to dark-colored clothes.
Nina Heinzinger, Licensed Establishment Program Supervisor with Lewis and Clark Public Health, says it can be helpful to abide by the 4 D’s when dealing with mosquitoes. These include avoiding or taking precautions at dawn and dusk, using DEET, dressing appropriately by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and draining standing water.
“If you can avoid getting bit by a mosquito, you can avoid getting West Nile Virus along with other diseases that may be carried by mosquitoes,” says Heinzinger.
HELENA — When President Donald Trump announced a plan last week to import more beef from Argentina, it drew quick criticism from ranchers in Montana. Now, Montana’s members of Congress say they’re pushing the administration to change course.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines told MTN he quickly began hearing from Montanans in the cattle business after reports came out about Trump’s plan.
“The word I would describe is they feel betrayed,” he said.
(Watch the video to hear more reaction from Montana’s congressional delegation.)
Montana’s congressional delegation pushing back on plan to import beef from Argentina
Daines said Montana beef producers have already been under pressure from drought and market forces. He said this step was “an unforced error” by the administration.
All four members of Montana’s congressional delegation are Republicans. They all say the Republican president’s plan was the wrong direction and that they’ve made that case when speaking with administration leaders.
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, who represents Montana’s western congressional district, says he understands why Trump wanted to tackle high beef prices, but that this wasn’t the right way for him to do it.
“Having a healthy cattle industry, having a healthy poultry industry and having a healthy supply chain for food is really national security,” he told MTN. “So he understands that, and I think we’re going to see some action in making sure or calming a lot of the fears from the cattlemen out there.”
Earlier this year, Daines visited Argentina and met with its conservative president, Javier Milei, during a South American tour advocating for Trump’s trade policies. He said his opinions on the country and its government don’t play any role in his feelings on this proposed deal.
“I don’t care if this is Argentinian beef or beef coming from anywhere else in the world,” he said. “The answer for what’s going on right now in the markets is not to import more beef – bottom line. It doesn’t matter where it comes from; it happens to be Argentina.”
Daines said it would be better for Montana’s cattle industry for the U.S. to focus on opening export markets rather than import markets. In 2017, Daines celebrated an agreement that led to China buying millions of dollars in Montana beef – but he said Thursday that the country has shut the doors to American beef during the ongoing trade dispute with the Trump administration.
“We were shipping over $1 billion a year in beef last year, and now it’s gone to zero,” he said.
In a statement to MTN, Sen. Tim Sheehy said he’s been talking with Trump and his team, looking for a path forward.
“Empowering hardworking ranchers who feed America and lowering prices for American families at the grocery store are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “Both can be accomplished by lowering input costs and providing a reliable, pro-growth environment for producers so ranchers can grow their operation, capture more of the value they create, and feed the nation with affordable, healthy, high-quality beef.”
Zinke and Daines say they also see areas where the federal government can make moves that will benefit both Montana ranchers and Montana consumers. Daines wants Congress to do more to tackle the huge market share four large packing companies have in the beef industry – a situation he calls a “monopoly.”
“Our ranchers don’t set the price; that price is set for them,” he said.
Zinke wants to put additional emphasis on country-of-origin labeling for beef.
“In Montana, we have a brand and that brand has value,” he said. “When it’s made in Montana, you know it’s at the top, the quality is there. And our ranchers sell premium product – that’s important.”
Daines said he supports country-of-origin labeling also, though he wants to make sure any additional steps the U.S. takes doesn’t lead to unintended consequences or retribution from countries like Canada.
WESTERN MONTANA — Here’s a look at Western Montana’s top news stories for Wednesday.
The University of Montana removed Business Professor Anthony Richard Pawlisz from faculty after he was charged with criminal endangerment in Ravalli County court. Pawlisz allegedly pulled a gun on a man and fired a shot into the air after a fight outside of a bar in Florence on Aug. 17, according to court documents. His former class will continue under Professor Udo Fluck. (Read the full story)
Nathaniel Luke Smith pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on Monday after posing a threat to Mission High School on Oct. 8, which prompted increased police presence while classes continued. Smith is also serving a three-year deferred sentence for intimidation from an incident in November 2024. (Read the full story)
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said he will not be using state funds to temporarily cover SNAP benefits for nearly 78,000 enrolled Montanans if federal funding runs out on Nov. 1. Amidst a government shutdown, he said it’s a federal responsibility — despite calls from Democrats and food banks to use leftover state money. (Read the full story)
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