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Montana Dept. of Agriculture updated policies after $340K cybertheft

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Montana Dept. of Agriculture updated policies after $340K cybertheft


HELENA — Montana Division of Agriculture leaders say they’ve modified their insurance policies to handle phishing assaults, after a scammer stole greater than $344,000 from the division.

“That is extremely, extremely prevalent,” stated division director Christy Clark, throughout a gathering of the Legislative Audit Committee Wednesday. “Though I don’t get pleasure from being made an instance of, I’m very hopeful that individuals will probably be extra cognizant of how terribly good these fraudsters are and the way weak we actually are.”

The assault which occurred in October 2020, was initially revealed in an audit launched final month. Throughout Wednesday’s assembly, the division shared extra particulars about what occurred with lawmakers.

Cort Jensen, the Division of Agriculture’s chief authorized counsel, stated the cash was from the Montana Pulse Crop Committee – checkoff funds collected from farmers who develop crops like peas, lentils and chickpeas. It was meant as a cost – one in every of a number of sometimes made every year – to the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, a nonprofit in Idaho that represents the heartbeat crop trade.

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Jensen stated the rip-off was a classy “man-in-the-middle” assault, wherein the scammer intercepted messages between a division staffer and the council for an prolonged interval. When the time got here for the subsequent cost, the attacker despatched a message of their very own, saying they needed to change to a unique checking account. Authorities have been capable of cease one cost from going by means of, however not a second.

Clark, who was not director on the time of the assault, stated the division now requires affirmation over the cellphone earlier than accepting new financial institution data.

“The employees particular person has to contact that firm immediately, and it must be two folks that know one another,” she stated.

Jensen stated the state has cybersecurity insurance coverage on the account, so the stolen quantity was lined. He stated different state businesses are additionally adopting further verification when altering banking.

“Mainly, we found out the right way to repair one gap within the system,” he stated.

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The Montana Division of Justice’s Division of Prison Investigation continues to be investigating the theft.

“This incident was decided to be a enterprise electronic mail compromise rip-off, which frequently originate abroad,” stated Kyler Nerison, a DOJ spokesperson, in an announcement to MTN. “This case matches that truth sample.”

The DOJ shared data from the FBI on the right way to establish and shield in opposition to such a rip-off.

Clark instructed lawmakers phishing assaults seem like more and more widespread. In a single case, an worker acquired a textual content message posing as Clark herself, asking them to buy reward playing cards. Clark stated they’ve stepped up their training on how workers ought to react in the event that they imagine they’re being scammed.

“I feel when folks do fall for these scams, they’re ashamed and so they don’t need anyone to assume that they tousled and made a mistake, and they also’re reluctant to report these,” she stated. “So we’ve simply had way more open conversations and collaborative conversations.”

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Helena Capital's Merek Mihelish takes next football step with commitment to Montana

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Helena Capital's Merek Mihelish takes next football step with commitment to Montana


HELENA — Helena Capital senior-to-be Merek Mihelish has been called many things throughout his football career, including starting quarterback and state champion.

His newest title: Division I commit.

Supporters of Capital football have gotten a pretty good view of their quarterback from the bleachers at Vigilante Stadium. But no one has gotten a better view than Bruins head coach Kyle Mihelish.

In an interview with MTN Sports, the father-son duo discussed Merek’s recent commitment to play football for the University of Montana, where he’ll suit up at safety beginning in the fall of 2025.

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“It’s a pretty exciting feeling,” said Merek Mihelish. “But obviously, my coaches and teammates have gotten me to that point — whether it’s through working with them or taking coaching, always being around with them. They’ve really helped me get to that point.”

Reaching “that point” is a journey that the high school QB has gotten to share with his father Kyle, who is also Capital’s man in charge.

“Watching him grow into the young man that he is has been special,” the father said of his son. “Obviously, you want your kids to be successful in whatever they choose. I always tell him, more importantly in the classroom and as a human being in the community. … But no, it’s a pretty cool thing to see what he’s been able to accomplish.”

Kyle Mihelish said he knew Merek would be a football player “right out of the womb.”

However, the 29th-year coach said that doesn’t mean his standout quarterback gets special treatment.

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“To me, he’s just another guy,” said Kyle Mihelish. “But then when you go home and reflect, you do go — that’s my son. That’s pretty neat. You spend 28, 29 years with everybody else’s kids, and then you kind of get the icing on the cake, in a sense. You get to coach your own.”

Merek Mihelish said sharing his football journey with his dad has meant everything to him.

“It’s been pretty special just to share that moment with my dad cause not everybody gets to do that,” said Merek Mihelish. “So, it’s a pretty cool experience.”





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Gov. Gianforte seeks federal aid in wake of St. Mary siphon failure

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Gov. Gianforte seeks federal aid in wake of St. Mary siphon failure


HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte has requested federal aid to speed up the repair of the St. Mary siphon in Babb.

The siphon, which diverts water from the St. Mary River to the Milk River, suffered a catastrophic failure in June.

Water from the St. Mary River can’t reach the Milk River Project without the siphon which is critical in providing water to farms and communities across the Hi-lLne.
Gov. Gianforte sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation asking for “swift and immediate” action and assistance to address the disaster.

The governor also noted that the Montana legislature previously authorized $32 million in financial assistance to replace the siphons.

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Week Six Of Summer Giveaway Fun In Montana!

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Week Six Of Summer Giveaway Fun In Montana!


We are so excited to be teaming up with our friends over at Kenyon Noble and having our annual 100 Days Of Summer event.

The most asked question during this event is: “What are the prizes?!” Hold your horses, my friends, I am about to show you. Every week I will let you know what is up for grabs that week and how you can get qualified to win. Hint hint…you will have multiple opportunities to score these prizes.

Week Six Prize:

Weber Q 1200 Grill

Canva/Kenyon Noble
Canva/Kenyon Noble

Go hiking in nature with a grill as vibrant as the scenery. Travel on or off the beaten path, camp in the woods or near the water. Explore the world with big taste and your Q 1200 portable gas grill by your side.

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With Kenyon Noble’s garden center open, you will be able to find all of the most colorful flowers you desire. They even have starter plants for peppers, peas, tomatoes and more. You can grab all the supplies you need for your home or garden, or shop at Kenyon Noble.

Every week we will let you know what prize is up for winning and how you can quickly get in on the fun. All you have to do is, download the XL Country App so you are on top of our 100 Days of Summer Code Words, listen for the keyword, and then enter it in. That’s it! You can also enter your key word below! Good Luck!

cc: Kenyon Noble, Kenyon Noble Summer 2024

The Best “Old School” Diners In Montana

For those who love a walk down memory lane, Montana has more than a couple of “Old School” diners that have been serving locals and visitors across The Treasure State for decades. We take a look at the very best.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

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