Massive data centers could more than double Montana’s electricity needs.
Here’s what we know about how three are expected to impact local water supplies.
Three Proposed Montana Data Center Projects
Sabey Data Centers plans to build a campus west of Butte using government-owned land and water.
The company has until late July to decide if it will move forward with the $1.2 million land purchase. Credit: Chris Boyer, Lighthawk
From Boulder selling bulk water to a posh ranch-resort in the Crazy Mountains to an East Helena subdivision that needs to find a new water source, and from the state refusing to grant East Helena the water rights to the former ASARCO smelter lands to Clancy struggling to secure a reliable water source from more than a decade, there’s a great deal of ground to cover.
Interview with Stan Bradshaw by Eliza Dubose, The Monitor, Boulder Montana
Montana Water Rights Interview
MT43 News Headline Articles
Sandfire Resources America Inc. & The Meagher County Stewardship Council Achieves Framework for a Community Benefits Agreement
Since 2019, Sandfire America and the MCSC have worked collaboratively to develop a CBA to ensure that the Meagher County community realizes longlasting benefits from the operation of the proposed underground copper mine.Read the full Article
Spring turkey hunting season opens April 15
Montana’s spring male turkey season opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, a License Ambassador location or online.Read the full Article
MDOT Issues Scam Alert
Residents in Montana are being targeted by a text scam pretending to be from the Department of Transportation, claiming you owe toll fines. The scam has resulted in over 200 calls to the DOT and includes a link that could compromise personal info.Read the full Article
Reach Higher Scholarship - Design A Sticker
Every year Reach Higher Montana holds a competition to allow students to use their creative side to win scholarship dollars.Read the full Article
New Requirement for Voters
Broadwater County Elections Office reminds voters to include their birth year on the return envelope when submitting absentee ballots, as required by MT House Bill 719.Read the full Article
Broadwater Conservation District Scholarship
Scholarship(s) of $500 to $1000 are available to Broadwater County resident High School students pursuing education in Natural Resources, Conservation or Agriculture.Read the full Article
Majority of Montanans favor legalized corner-crossing
A series of Wyoming court rulings have put a national spotlight on the public access created by checkerboard land ownership.Read the full Article
Most Montanans support GOP-backed work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries
An MTFP-Eagleton Poll found that 59% of survey respondents supported mandatory work and community engagement hours for Medicaid recipients.Read the full Article
Montanans want more solar, natural gas development, are less interested in new coal plants
The survey results come as elected officials and Montana’s largest utility company contemplate the future of Colstrip, the coal plant that is Montana’s largest power generator.Read the full Article
Most Montana Voters Don’t Want a Statewide Sales Tax
Only 33% of registered voters in the state support a sales tax for property tax relief, according to an MTFP-Eagleton poll.Read the full Article
Gianforte Extends Deadline for Landlords to Avoid Second-Home Tax
State officials cited ‘intermittent technical issues’ with an online portal ahead of March 1 deadline for landlords, homeowners.Read the full Article
CWD is spreading in Montana. Will deer and elk populations decline as a result?
In some Montana hunting districts, up to one-third of animals have contracted chronic wasting disease, the fatal, neurodegenerative disorder that’s driving down deer and elk populations in other western states.Read the full Article
Many Montana landlords haven’t filed to avoid second-home tax
Tenants could see rent increases if landlords fail to apply by next week’s deadline.Read the full Article
Trualta - Personalized Caregiver Support
Rocky's Agency on Aging has introduced a new individualized online support service for family caregivers who provide daily care to loved ones. This service is designed to meet caregivers where they are, offering personalized support, practical resources and guidance to help ease the challenges of caregivers.Read the full Article
Fishing Report For Helena Area Reservoirs
Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable. Ice thickness can range from thick enough to support a vehicle to open water. Extreme caution should be used when accessing the ice.Read the full Article
New License Year Starts March 1
New license year starts March 1, here’s what you need to knowRead the full Article
Helena area reservoirs Fishing Report for the week of 02/17/2026
Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable. Ice thickness can range from thick enough to support a vehicle to open water. Extreme caution should be used when accessing the ice.Read the full Article
Montana Aerospace Scholars at the Montana Learning Center
The Montana Learning Center (MLC) is partnering with NASA to host the Montana Aerospace Scholars (MAS) program, one of only 5 NASA High School Aerospace Scholars programs in the country.Read the full Article
Helena-Lewis and Clark Announces Seasonal Hiring for Upcoming Recreation Season
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and is encouraging local residents to apply.Read the full Article
AI Investors Eye Montana For New Data Centers
Massive data centers could more than double Montana’s electricity needs. Here’s what we know about how three are expected to impact local water supplies.Read the full Article
Weather Forecast for 2026-03-18
Seven Day Weather Forecast
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Announcements
Broadwater Education Foundation Trivia Night
Broadwater Conservation District Scholarship
Long-time Broadwater Conservation District board member and rancher Ted Flynn has a keen interest in all facets of nature and ecology.
To honor Ted’s memory, the Broadwater Conservation District offers this scholarship(s) to a student pursuing a career in Natural Resources, Conservation or Agriculture.
Scholarship(s) of $500 to $1000 are available to Broadwater County resident High School students pursuing education in Natural Resources, Conservation or Agriculture.
Application can be picked up from Guidance Counselor at BHS or TFHS, from Broadwater Conservation District office (415 S Front St – E St entrance) or found online at broadwatercd.org.
Application Deadline April 13, 2026
Townsend School District 1
Notice of Intent to Increase the Non Voted Levies
RMDC Sponsors Caregiver Workshop
