Montana
Missoula And Helena: Battling Unhealthy Air Quality Amid Wildfires
Missoula, and now also Helena, are ranked on the list of worst places in the country for 24-hour particulate air pollution, both making the Top this year because of impacts from wildfire smoke.
The findings come from the American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report released this week.
With only two major fires in close proximity last summer, Missoula’s ranking actually dropped to #17 on the national list, with 7 days when air was listed as “unhealthy” for everyone. But that’s still an “F” grade for 24-hour smoke, and a “fail” in the annual report.
Has Missoula’s air quality rating always been bad from smoke?
The ranking is actually better than in some years, such as the “Big Fire” year, when Missoula was surrounded by major fires in 2017.
MISSOULA: Ranked 15th worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 225 metropolitan areas and ranked 17th worst for annual particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas -American Lung Association
Helena’s fire smoke was bad in ’24
Helena makes this list this year because of the smoke impacts from the Horse Gulch, and other fires, combined with regional fire smoke, placing it at 20th on the national list for 24-hour particulate pollution.
HELENA: Ranked 20th worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 225 metropolitan areas and ranked 89th worst for annual particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas -American Lung Association
However, both locations continue to rank low for the problem of ozone pollution.
Other Montana areas on the list include Fergus County, which received a “C” grade for particulate pollution, with the Lewistown area also being downwind from the big fires in Helena.
URGENT: Nick Chrestenson Reports- Missoula Police Looking for Missing Woman
Charles Etoroma; Unsplash
MT Lawmakers: Close, but no cigar
Indoor smoke won’t be a problem, as the Montana House reverses itself and votes down the bill that would have created so-called “cigar lounges.”
SB 150 was passing on a 51-49 vote on second reading Tuesday, but it failed on a 45-to-54 vote on third reading yesterday.
Anti-smoking interests had expressed alarm over changing the Clean Air Act.
Are foam food containers illegal in Montana?
Almost. Environmental and business interests are locking horns over the proposal to ban polystyrene, or “styrofoam” containers, in Montana. HB 477 is on the governor’s desk, but the measure is sparking a last-minute lobbying effort to phase out or keep single-use food containers.
Shopping at Sam’s Club could be tough without a phone
Sam’s Club in Great Falls and Billings are joining the list of 600 stores dumping in-person checkouts.
Instead, you’ll be asked to use the store’s mobile app for the “Scan & Go” and “Just Walk” systems. An AI scanner will merely check your purchases on the way out.
April 24, 2015- Gov Bullock, CSKT Chair Vernon Findley sing the Flathead Water Compact, Dennis Bragg photo
Montana Throwback Thursday
April 24, 2015, Governor Steve Bullock joins tribal and Legislative leaders for a ceremony signing the landmark Flathead Water Compact, ending decades of dispute over treaty rights and future water management by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
These 9 Small Montana Towns Have Seen The Biggest Growth
Gallery Credit: Nick Northern
BIG ARM — One person died in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday on U.S. Highway 93 North in the Big Arm Area.
The Montana Highway Patrol was dispatched to the area of mile marker 75 shortly after 2:30 a.m.
The Polson Rural Fire District reports the head-on crash involved two vehicles, including a semi truck hauling jet fuel.
Both vehicles were on fire when crews arrived on the scene.
The driver of one of the vehicles died in the crash, while the other driver was not hurt.
A social media post states both lanes of Highway 93 were closed for several hours due to the fire and the resulting cleanup.
The Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and Polson Ambulance also responded to the scene.
No further information has been released at this time.
We will have additional information when it becomes available.
MISSOULA — Almost a year after the closure of Roseburg Forest Products’ Missoula plant, a new venture will now occupy the space.
Utilizing 47 acres, Story House Montana will be a film and television production campus.
“The opportunity is to make anything and everything,” Story House president and CCO James Brown III said.
Studio at Story House, a major movie-making campus, opened Friday.
“We wouldn’t have to tear down these amazing buildings. We could renovate them and convert them into film sound stages,” Brown III shared. “You could shoot anything from a Marvel film to a small independent film, right? We have enough space, we have the crew, we have the talent.”
While 150 workers lost their jobs in Roseburg’s closure, Story House wants to retain and retrain them.
“Film production crew is blue-collar work. It’s electricians, it’s carpenters, it’s builders, it’s painters. I think it just gives an opportunity to learn new skills while also just elevating and fostering skills that they already have,” Brown III said.
The company, which has made another storytelling hub in Sheridan, WY, hopes to create new opportunities in the Garden City.
“When it’s all said and done and we’re up and fully operational, we can make up to 430 jobs,” Brown III said.
Story House says they want to be intentional and work with the community; that includes looking at Missoulian’s needs.
“We are also a real estate-backed company, so we are looking at the housing opportunities and the housing needs. Creating more jobs also creates the need for more housing and we’re well aware of that and really excited to take that on,” Brown III said.
The grand opening offered a first look into a space that will become anything and everything and we’ll keep you updated on the progress.
BILLINGS — A new tortilla shop is bringing the warmth of Mexico to Billings and holds cultural significance for the owners.
Watch the video below:
New tortilleria rolls out in Billings, brings a fresh taste of Mexico to Montana
Colima Tortilleria, located at 2212 Grant Road, sells fresh corn and flour tortillas by the pound each morning. They are made with a large tortilla-making machine shipped directly from Mexico, which pushes out 2,800 tortillas an hour.
“People say they feel excited when they come here and see the machine and say, like, ‘Wow, that’s a really fresh tortilla,’” said owner Rubi Murillo.
Isabel Spartz/MTN News
The process begins each day at 9 a.m. before the doors open at 11 a.m. to prepare the masa, or dough, and run the oven-like machine. Though they currently rotate between corn and flour tortillas daily, the plan is to eventually offer both all day. Customers can also enjoy tacos and snacks made with the tortillas on-site. Corn tortillas are made in a six-inch and four-inch size for tacos, while flour tortillas come in 6, 10, and 12-inch sizes. Most days, they sell out before closing.
The venture is new for Murillo, who said she did not learn to make tortillas until the equipment arrived.
“We start making the masa and we start making a process (…) to make the quality tortillas,” said Murillo. “It’s hard work because you have to use the machine, you have to check the temperature (to) make the tortillas, because it’s not the same when you make corn or flour.”
Isabel Spartz/MTN News
The tortilleria, which opened its doors at the end of April, is the latest venture for Murillo and her husband, Miguel, who are known for their other businesses: Fiesta Mexicana, Camachos Tacos, and Colima de Mis Amores, a Mexican store and bakery just next door to the tortilleria. The store sells various snacks, meals, clothing, and other goods not commonly found in the U.S.
“At the beginning, when I started to open the store, is because I (missed) home,” said Murillo.
Isabel Spartz/MTN News
Murillo wanted to open the tortilleria to bring an authentic and fresh taste to Billings, and the plan came to fruition sooner than expected.
“I haven’t seen these tortillerias here in Billings, so I was thinking, ‘Why not bring the machine?’” said Murillo. “It’s not the same when you go to the store and buy frozen tortillas.”
The business has also helped fill a gap in their hearts, serving as a reminder of home. Murillo, who moved from Colima, Mexico, to the U.S. 10 years ago, remembers her own childhood trips to the local tortilleria.
Isabel Spartz/MTN News
“In Mexico, every day you go to buy tortillas from the tortilleria, come back to home and start eating like the dishes that you have with the fresh tortillas,” said Murillo. “That brings me memories when I was at home and my mom sent me, ‘Go for the tortillas! Bring the tortillas back!’”
Her mother, Natalia Ramirez, moved to the U.S. just last year and now works alongside her daughter in the kitchen.
“In Mexico, there’s a lot of tortillerias, but here is the only one. It’s a novelty here because people can take them warm, freshly made,” Ramirez said in Spanish.
Isabel Spartz/MTN News
The tortilleria represents a dream fulfilled that ties two cultures together for Ramirez and her daughter. Helping launch the venture has been deeply emotional for her.
“I’m very proud of her,” said Ramirez. “Because she is a very hard-working person, very smart, has a lot of vision for business. She has always been a fighter.”
For the mother-daughter duo, these tortillas are a connection to home and a way to share the richness of Mexican culture with their Montana community.
Isabel Spartz/MTN News
“Right now, it’s up and down in a lot of businesses, so I’m really appreciative because it’s been good,” said Murillo.
Colima Tortilleria is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Microwalking Helped Her Lose 105 Lbs—And It’s Just 1,000 Steps a Day!
Austria wins 69th Eurovision Song Contest
Amazon claims it’s ‘constantly inviting’ new customers to Alexa Plus
Pope Leo says family based on ‘union between a man and a woman,’ defends dignity of unborn
Texas AG Ken Paxton sued over new rule to rein in 'rogue' DAs by allowing him access to their case records
-
Austin, TX1 week agoBest Austin Salads – 15 Food Places For Good Greens!
-
Technology1 week agoNetflix is removing Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
-
World1 week agoThe Take: Can India and Pakistan avoid a fourth war over Kashmir?
-
News1 week agoReincarnated by A.I., Arizona Man Forgives His Killer at Sentencing
-
News1 week agoWho is the new Pope Leo XIV and what are his views?
-
Politics1 week agoDepartment of Justice opens criminal investigation into NY AG Letitia James
-
World1 week agoNew German chancellor aims for stronger EU ties with France and Poland
-
News1 week agoJudge Orders Release of Rumeysa Ozturk, Tufts Student Detained by ICE