MONTANA NEWS ROUNDUP: Two Cities Dinged for Fire Smoke
Missoula, and now also Helena, are ranked on the list of worst places in the country for 24-hour particulate air pollution, both making the Top this year because of impacts from wildfire smoke.
The findings come from the American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" report released this week.
With only two major fires in close proximity last summer, Missoula's ranking actually dropped to #17 on the national list, with 7 days when air was listed as "unhealthy" for everyone. But that's still an "F" grade for 24-hour smoke, and a "fail" in the annual report.
Has Missoula's air quality rating always been bad from smoke?
The ranking is actually better than in some years, such as the "Big Fire" year, when Missoula was surrounded by major fires in 2017.
MISSOULA: Ranked 15th worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 225 metropolitan areas and ranked 17th worst for annual particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas -American Lung Association
Helena's fire smoke was bad in '24
Helena makes this list this year because of the smoke impacts from the Horse Gulch, and other fires, combined with regional fire smoke, placing it at 20th on the national list for 24-hour particulate pollution.
HELENA: Ranked 20th worst for 24-hour particle pollution out of 225 metropolitan areas and ranked 89th worst for annual particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas -American Lung Association
However, both locations continue to rank low for the problem of ozone pollution.
Other Montana areas on the list include Fergus County, which received a "C" grade for particulate pollution, with the Lewistown area also being downwind from the big fires in Helena.
URGENT: Nick Chrestenson Reports- Missoula Police Looking for Missing Woman
MT Lawmakers: Close, but no cigar
Indoor smoke won't be a problem, as the Montana House reverses itself and votes down the bill that would have created so-called "cigar lounges."
SB 150 was passing on a 51-49 vote on second reading Tuesday, but it failed on a 45-to-54 vote on third reading yesterday.
Anti-smoking interests had expressed alarm over changing the Clean Air Act.
Are foam food containers illegal in Montana?
Almost. Environmental and business interests are locking horns over the proposal to ban polystyrene, or "styrofoam" containers, in Montana. HB 477 is on the governor's desk, but the measure is sparking a last-minute lobbying effort to phase out or keep single-use food containers.
Shopping at Sam's Club could be tough without a phone
Sam's Club in Great Falls and Billings are joining the list of 600 stores dumping in-person checkouts.
Instead, you'll be asked to use the store's mobile app for the "Scan & Go" and "Just Walk" systems. An AI scanner will merely check your purchases on the way out.
Montana Throwback Thursday
April 24, 2015, Governor Steve Bullock joins tribal and Legislative leaders for a ceremony signing the landmark Flathead Water Compact, ending decades of dispute over treaty rights and future water management by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
These 9 Small Montana Towns Have Seen The Biggest Growth
Gallery Credit: Nick Northern