Brutal drought conditions covered 83% of Montana just three months ago, but now a full 56% of the state is currently normal to abnormally dry. Winter wheat farmers doing better.

Tom Lutey
Agriculture and Politics Reporter
- Bio
Politics and agriculture reporter for The Billings Gazette.
With a vote expected Thursday, Montana’s senators are divided on a bipartisan bill to address mass shootings by tightening gun laws while expanding mental health programs and school security.
FEMA Administrator and U.S. Senator Jon Tester toured the Billings water treatment plant Friday following impacts from massive flooding from the Yellowstone River this week. Tester said possible increased capacity and resilience of the system could come from FEMA funding.
Veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange stepped closure to health coverage Thursday.
Independent U.S. House candidate Gary Buchanan has qualified for the general election in Montana's Eastern district.
Montana natural gas customers of NorthWestern Energy should see lower rates starting in July as result of a $5.1 million “true up."
It was welcome news for Montana solar installers earlier in the week when President Joe Biden announced the U.S. would stop expanding tariffs on solar imports, which meant more affordable, foreign produced materials would remain in play, as installers struggle to meet demand.
By just 74 votes, Ann Bukacek appears to be the winner in a four-way Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission, representing th…
In Montana’s Public Service Commission races, Anne Bukacek won narrowly over Derek Skees by 57 votes. Incumbent Randy Pinocci easily won his r…
There were few contested primaries for the Montana Legislature in southcentral and Eastern Montana, but many of those races finalized selectio…
Tom Lutey commented on Gianforte: Rally around Colstrip
Spelling out numbers at the beginning of a sentence is AP style, Farmerjo. Beginning a sentence with numbers is best avoided, but the sentence to which you refer is a quote. Seventy-one hundred is exactly how Mr. Gianforte put it.