Today’s Election Key for Montana Cities

Turnout is expected to be somewhat light in today's "off-year" General Election. But that doesn't make the outcomes any less important.

Voters in most of the major cities across the state are deciding mayoral and city council races, in contests that will determine a lot about how the cities are run in the next few years, especially when it comes to issues like growth and taxes, especially in Missoula and Billings.

Ballots of this all "vote by mail" election need to be turned in by 8 pm tonight and need to be dropped off. It's too late to mail them. You can go to voteinmt.org for country-specific information. And if you want to check on the status of your ballot, you can do that at voterportal.mt.gov

       🗳️ Watch for statewide election coverage on our Montana State News Network website.

Bridge bailout on the Missoula ballot

In Missoula County, the vote is about more than just elected officials. The county's residents are also being asked to approve a $1.8 million annual maintenance levy to fund bridge and road repairs.

The pitch comes as the county struggles with an annual deficit of millions of dollars to replace, or even repair the county's bridges, which number well over 100. The county's road budget is roughly $6-million, but there's less than $300,000 available every year for bridge work.

The county has faced major problems with bridges in the past couple of years, making emergency repairs to the Maclay and Rock Creek Road bridges, but having to close other spans like the Boy Scout Bridge at Seeley Lake because it can no longer handle traffic.

     💵 The cost of the levy would run about $26 per year for a $600,000 house.

Welcome to November, and winter

There was no mistaking November in parts of the state this morning. The Flathead and the Kootenai-Cabinet, and the Northern Front. woke up to some wet snow, and Lookout and Maries passes looked pretty wintery. However, ground temperatures are still up, so there were no reports of major driving problems as it all turned to slush quickly.

But the National Weather Service forecasts snow levels will continue to fluctuate from 3,000 feet in Western Montana this morning, up to 7,000 feet this evening, then down to 5,000 feet with the next round of moisture pushing across the Northern Rockies tomorrow, into Thursday morning.

SNAP restored in Montana, but how much?

We'll be watching closely today, along with thousands of Montanans depending on SNAP food assistance, to see if there's more clarification on when, or what portion is benefits might be forthcoming from the federal government.

Yesterday, the Trump Administration said it will comply with the orders from two federal judges saying the government MUST use emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits.

However, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services hasn't said WHEN the benefits might be released, or if, in fact, there will only be half payments this month, which is what has been reported by national news outlets. We will keep you posted.

RELATED: Local Businesses Rally as SNAP Cuts Hit Families

Great Falls Police break up a deadly fight

Great Falls Police say they've taken the "primary persons" in custody for questioning involving a fight that included a large group at a "juvenile disturbance", which resulted in a stabbing and a reported gunshot wound.

The incident happened in the early afternoon near an apartment complex on 10th Avenue South and 18th Street South, but was brought under control quickly.

Are your workers using AI to cheat you?

Chris Cards says a new report suggests that if you're running a business in Montana, you'd better start watching to see if employees are using "AI" to cook the books.