Missoula Presses Ahead With New City-County Building

Missoula leaders say it won't be easy to convert the old federal building and post office into a new city-county building, but they believe it's an important step for the city and for Missoula County.

Yesterday, a city council committee endorsed a plan to spend more than $3-million to start work on the building the city took over 5 years ago, starting with abatement, construction of new entrances, and design for the first phase.

     Councilwoman Stacie Anderson believes it's worth the effort.

"It is a great opportunity, but not without major challenges and hurdles, not only does the building itself present, but the funding environment that we are in," Anderson said during the meeting. "And being mindful of the fact that in the long run, this will ultimately be efficiency and cost savings."

Downtown Missoula Partnership Executive Director Linda McCarthy said it will be good for downtown to see the investment, noting the building has been largely underused since the Forest Service moved hundreds of employees over a decade ago.

"And I think many of you were here when the federal government relocated the U.S. Forest Service out of the building at that time, there were about 700 employees working in that building, and it's really been basically, outside of the Postal Service, vacant and degrading," McCarthy told the council.

     ✏️ Designs won't be ready until 2027.

READ MORE: Missoula Dedicates Landmark Building to Late Mayor

Rate ruling could net you a refund

Northwestern Energy customers could be seeing some refunds, now that the Montana Public Service Commission has settled its long-running rate case with the utility.

Yesterday, the PSC commissioners approved an additional $246-million in "additional rate base" related to the utilities Yellowstone County Generating Station. But that's about $43-million less than Northwestern had originally asked for.

Commissioners say that represents a "substantial savings" for Montana ratepayers, and only happened after the panel pored over "every component" of the company's proposal. That showed not every expense could be backed up by hard numbers.

Commission President Jeffrey Welborn says the commission had a "responsibility to strike the right balance" between expenses for "safe and reliable service" while protecting customers from paying too much.

Because NorthWestern self-implemented significantly higher rates in May 2025 based on its original request, customers can expect a reduction in the rates they are currently paying once the PSC’s final, lower rates take effect. Customers will also receive refunds with interest for any overcharges collected during the self-implementation period.

Safety warnings after treasure hunter rescue

The 15-90 Search and Rescue Team is passing along safety reminders are recovering a man who got into trouble while treasure hunting in the high country south of Butte.

Teams were dispatched late Friday afternoon with the report an out-of-state man was possibly injured in the Burton Park area of the Highlands Range. Searchers found him in fairly good condition. He'd apparently become disoriented after a fall.

Searchers say people need to be completely supplied with food and water, and if they travel alone, they should make sure someone knows where they've gone.

American Prairie takes state to court in "bison battle"

The dispute between American Prairie and the State of Montana over bison grazing entered a new phase this week, with the conservation land owner going to court to force DNRC to analyze a request to allow bison on two state lease sections.

American Prairie first asked the state to change the livestock class on the two sections from cattle to cattle and/or bison on the two sections. BLM had already completed review and approval to allow the bison on federal lands at several locations near the American Prairie holdings in Central Montana.

But the group complains that Montana DNRC said 2 years ago it didn't plan to review the request.

     The new action seeks the court to direct the state to follow the process outlined in the Montana Environmental Policy Act.

Humane Society working out Helena "cat chaos"

A lot of Helena residents are getting to know some new furry friends, as the Lewis & Clark County Humane Society finds homes for 37 cats that were recently given to the shelter by a single owner.

The agency says the owner had been overwhelmed in her heartfelt efforts to care for the cats, and felt it best to seek help in finding them homes. The group was named the "Ice Cream Parlor" cats, with many in foster care. But others are waiting for a permanent adoption.