Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Montana rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 563 in the week ending April 20, up from 509 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 207,000 last week, down 5,000 claims from 212,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 231.4%. Virgin Islands, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 60.9%.

The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report. 

HELENA, Mont. (KUMV) – More than $95 billion in foreign aid was approved by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.

The final hurdle was cleared on Tuesday after the Senate passed the package in a 79 to 18 vote. The bill consists of more than $60 billion to Ukraine and $26 billion to Israel.

Both Sens. Steve Daines, R-MT, and Jon Tester, D-MT, voted in support of the package.

“As Presidents Reagan and Trump showed, peace is best achieved through strength; weakness in the face of ruthless enemies is a surefire way to start new wars that involve American troops. This bill provides critical, lethal aid to Israel as they defend themselves from terrorists. With antisemitism raging on our college campuses, it sends a very strong message to those who threaten Jews and chant ‘Death to America,’ that America stands with Israel,” said Daines.

While Daines supported the bill, he said he was frustrated there was nothing in there for the U.S. Southern border.

“Terrorists are crossing into our country every single day, but unfortunately, the Biden Administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to support policies that would meaningfully address this threat,” said Daines.

Meanwhile, Tester said he voted for the bill to counter foreign adversaries, including China, Russia and Iran.

“America’s foreign adversaries like China, Russia and Iran want nothing more than to take our place as the world’s leading military and economic superpower, and I voted with Republicans and Democrats to make sure that won’t happen,” said Tester in a statement.

Tester said he also secured an amendment in the bill that aims to impose economic sanctions on those engaged in the international trafficking of illicit fentanyl— chemicals used to make fentanyl— and would declare international trafficking of fentanyl as a national emergency. He introduced the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act back in 2023.

“This targeted, bipartisan package will keep Montanans safe at home by cracking down on the fentanyl epidemic that is devastating our communities, and it will strengthen our security abroad by countering our adversaries and standing firm with our allies,” said Tester in a statement.

The package could also result in a ban on TikTok if the Chinese-owned company doesn’t sell within nine months.

Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.

Folks from all over the world visit Montana, and while most people enjoy their time here in Big Sky Country, it’s sometimes humorous when you come across a description of the state or the people who live here.

While it’s been said that many Americans aren’t familiar with the way the world works outside the United States, a recent post on social media shows that those living outside of America might not be aware of what happens here either.

A recent post is making the rounds on social media where someone living in England was asked to describe each of the 50 states and what happens there, and let’s just say, when it comes to Montana, they were a bit off.

While Montana is known for its cowboys, rodeos, National Parks, and outdoor activities, we’re also home to high-tech businesses, fine dining, and 5-star resorts for the rich and famous. The website Shareably posted remarks regarding all 50 states, including the one about The Treasure State.

So what did our English friend say about Montana?

Our buddy across the pond believes that Montana might not be as sophisticated as it is, when the person tweeted the following.

To the best of my knowledge Montana is famous for being a mountain that people live on. 

It didn’t stop there, as mentioned all 50 states were talked about, so what about some of our neighbors? What did our foreign friend have to say about them? Regarding North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah the following was said.

To the best of my knowledge North Dakota is famous for nothing. I’ve literally never heard of it.

 

To the best of my knowledge Wyoming is nothing more than a big field with a Buffalo in the middle of it.

To the best of my knowledge Idaho is famous for making and eating potatoes

To the best of my knowledge Utah is a place where all you morons, preppers and general nutjobs gather to be alone.

While I’m guessing that some of this was meant to be funny, it seems that our friend across the pond probably isn’t a big fan of the 4th of July or anything else America-related.