University of Montana Launches Workshop and Coworking Space in Downtown Missoula to Boost Startups

The VBX Entrepreneurship Workshop Series offers mentorship and practical training to local entrepreneurs. A new downtown coworking space provides a hub for startups to collaborate and grow.

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Is the Age of Reading over and, if so, what has it done to our country?

Over the past 18 months, scholars have debated—and likely will continue to long into the future—why voters returned Donald Trump to the presidency. One intriguing theory: It’s because Americans don’t read books anymore.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Downtown Tourism Infrastructure — Planning & Engineering Services – City of Dillon, Montana

Headwaters RC&D, serving as the Lead Organization for the Dillon D-Tour initiative under the Montana
Tourism Development Grant (MTDG) Program of the Montana Department of Commerce, is seeking
proposals from qualified firms to provide planning and engineering services in support of downtown
tourism infrastructure improvements in the City of Dillon, Montana.

Study Finds No Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Cancer Risk

A comprehensive analysis of 63 studies found no increased brain cancer risk from cell phone use, even after ten years. This challenges ongoing public concerns and offers reassurance for Montana’s telecommunications users.

Headwaters RC&D July 2026 Newsletter

Serving Southwest Montana: Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Granite, Jefferson, Madison & Powell Counties

Over Half of Retirees Leave Workforce Earlier Than Expected and Wish They’d Saved More

A recent TIAA Institute report reveals that 52% of retirees retire at age 57 on average, five years earlier than planned. This highlights the need for more aggressive saving and planning for multiple retirement scenarios.

Forever chemicals are hidden in farm soil. Scientists found a new way to remove them

Existing methods of PFAS cleanup are expensive. A new approach is an order of magnitude cheaper—and could also help fight climate change.

Logan Utah’s Fare-Free Buses Serve Over One Million Riders Annually

Logan’s Connect Public Transit system proves that dependable, easy-to-use service drives success in smaller cities.

Trump Administration is the sole vote in the UN against cutting road deaths in half by 2030 .

The U.S. was the single country to cast a vote against. Even Argentina, which has followed the U.S. lead in attempting to pull out of the UN’s World Health Organization, voted for the declaration

Montana’s Future Is All About Water

Montana’s population growth and widespread exempt wells are straining water resources and senior water rights. For the past 30 years, agriculture and other groups have worked to find a way to curb overuse and protect senior water rights while still allowing the exemption. Not a single bill that would have limited the exemption has passed.

The Children of Baby Boomers Are Going to Inherit $93 Trillion. What Will They Do With What’s Left After Taxes?

It will be the greatest transfer of wealth in history. 

What jobs do people really want? – “how to become a [occupation].” It’s not AI

Technology roles are not included in the top queries. People are looking for a faster door out of their current job. 

Montana-Based NIH Virus Researcher Arrested Amid $82 Million Funding Freeze

Montana Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy sent a letter to HHS calling for an investigation, saying the alleged improper behavior by the scientists could threaten national security. A Montana-based NIH scientist was then arrested for conspiracy related to virus specimen smuggling, prompting an $82 million halt in emerging virus research funding. This controversy may impact Montana’s Rocky Mountain Labs and its federally funded projects.

An ‘Egregious Loophole’ Is Helping Startup Investors Build $100 Million Fortunes, Tax-Free

Democrats in Congress want to put a cap on the tax maneuver, which is growing increasingly popular. Here’s how it works.

Bridging the Gap: A Guide to Funding Affordable Housing in Montana

This report explores existing tools that could be scaled up to more meaningfully address the housing problem AND identifies potential new tools at both the state and local level.

Corporate Polluters Have Emitted 700 Gigatons of Greenhouse Gases – It’s Time To Adopt A New Mindset About The Planet

Top polluters and billionaires call for a new mindset to hold actors accountable and protect the planet. Montana businesses may face changing costs and resource availability amid evolving environmental policies but it’s our future.

Ekalaka, Montana’s Carter County Museum to Triple Size and Double Economic Impact

Currently, the museum draws about 5,000 visitors annually to a town of roughly 400 residents, generating around $1 million in economic impact. While this little museum may be two hours from everywhere, soon, it will be a whole lot harder to ignore.

Montana Continues to Sell More State Trust Land Than It Buys

The land-banking account holds over $40 million, yet roughly $5.5 million risks being redirected away from the fund after 2028 if unused.

Can one question help children feel emotionally safe?

You’re going to wish your Mom and Dad had asked you this question regularly.

One in Four U.S. Workers Stuck in Jobs to Keep Their Health Insurance

Nearly 24 percent of U.S. workers remain in unwanted jobs to keep health coverage, with those having chronic conditions most affected. Rising healthcare costs and the end of ACA subsidies may be worsening this job lock, impacting labor market flexibility.

Become an Insider Faster: Relationships Drive Results – Wharton School of Business

Reach full effectiveness sooner after stepping into a new role by treating local familiarity as the work itself, not as something that accumulates on its own.

What’s behind the “learning recession” for U.S. students?

Compared to a decade ago, math scores today are down in 70 percent of school districts and reading scores are down in 83 percent.

France Bans Social Media (and cellphones in school) for Children Under 15 Starting September

“The brains of our children and our teenagers are not for sale. The emotions of our children and our teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, neither by American platforms nor by Chinese algorithms.” French President Emmanuel Macron

California has a big pig problem and they don’t like people.

California has between 200,000 and 400,000 wild pigs — the fourth-largest population in the country. How long before they become a huge problem in your state?

Where will Missoula’s Food Trucks be? Zootown Eats – Does your Montana town have a food truck guide?

“Zootown Eats is still being manually updated until I can get some food trucks to update their information themselves… if you’re a food truck owner, send me a message via the contact page on the site, and I’ll get you connected.” -Alarmed_Load3942

Missoula and Bozeman Launch Montana’s First Green Power Program With Northwestern Energy

“This project originated from a request from these communities, and NorthWestern Energy is excited to move closer with the communities on a solution that addresses their needs while safeguarding safe, reliable affordable service for all customers,” said Charlie Lane, NorthWestern Energy director of regulatory affairs. “The willingness of all parties to work together helped achieve a balanced outcome, and we appreciate the constructive engagement that made this progress possible.”

Bozeman, Montana’s Museum of the Rockies tech experts remodel “Big Al” the dinosaur’s face. (And Dinosaurs Were Colorful)

Renowned paleontologist Jack Horner—who inspired the character of Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park—argues that we should rethink how we picture dinosaurs. Rather than the muted grays and browns typically seen in movies, Horner believes dinosaurs were brightly colored, much like modern birds, using vibrant tones for mating displays and camouflage.

New law holds colleges accountable if grads don’t earn more than $36,000 a year

Effective this month, all colleges, universities and short-term certificate programs in the U.S. must prove that their graduates earn at least the median wage of someone in their state with only a high school diploma. Otherwise, their students will soon become ineligible for federal loans.

Short-Term Rentals Inject $755 Million Into Montana Economy

“This is not a niche market. Short-term rentals have resulted in more visitors coming to Montana, spending more money and creating an economic impact we all benefit from.”

Idaho National Laboratory to play central role in new Nuclear Energy Tech Hub

The grant, along with $9 million in matching funds and investments, will bring more than $40 million into the Idaho-Wyoming region.  

City Club Missoula – The People’s Court Qualifications, Justice, and the Race for Justice of the Peace – Department 2 – Monday, August 10th, 2026

What does it take to be a judge? In Montana, the answer might surprise you.

Why Is Everyone Gambling Now? Kalshi – Betting on Everything Surges as Apps Exploit Human Risk Instincts

Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, betting platforms have grown rapidly by tapping into deep biological impulses that drive impulsive decisions. This trend raises concerns about addiction and vulnerability, especially among young men.

Bozeman Housing Prices Soar 40 Percent Amid Population Boom – The Yellowstone Effect

It was on this wave of frustration that Mayor Morrison swept to victory in November 2023. Now 30, the mayor lives with his fiancée – and two roommates. Before that, about 10 years ago, he rented a room in a duplex for $333; that same room now rents for $900, he says.

Current Opportunities To Join Our Award-Winning Team at GFDA in Great Falls, Montana

Government Contracting Advisor–APEX Accelerator Are you driven, curious, and ready to make a real impact? Do you bring both analytical thinking and strong relationship skills—able to break down complex problems while building trust with business…

GFDA Top Ten for 7/19/26

GFDA has some great Career Opportunities! https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/about/team/careers/

A Record Warm Winter and Severe Summer Heatwave Is the Recipe for Significant Wildfires in Montana – Are You and Your Family Prepared?

Scientists report that drying vegetation and shifting wildfire seasons complicate forecasting and preparedness. Community forums are underway to inform residents as above-normal temperatures persist through July.

Can you reach the latest retirement savings ‘magic number’?

While the survey stops short of prescribing solutions, it paints a clear picture of strained retirement readiness amid inflation and market uncertainty.

The Great Wealth Transfer: How to Move Wealth Without Losing Your Family

Wealth transfer strategies for families must account for both stages: the near-term spouse-to-spouse transition and the longer-term generational transfer that follows. Families who plan for only one stage often discover gaps when the other arrives.

Are You Paying Too Much For Your Solar System? AI Platform AgentSolar AI Aims to Cut $2 Billion Solar Sales Overpricing.

AgentSolar AI uses advanced technology to analyze complex solar proposals and identify inflated costs. This innovation could reduce the 30 to 40 percent soft costs that currently inflate rooftop solar prices nationwide.

Australia to Require AI Data Centers to Fund Clean Energy by 2027

“Every country on earth is grappling with these challenges right now. Australia will be the first country in the world to bring these issues into a single, national framework,” Albanese added.

Montana State Unveils $58 Million Combined State Laboratories Building

The new building brings together three key laboratories under one roof: the Montana Department of Livestock’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Analytical Laboratory and Montana State University’s Wool Laboratory. The facility replaces aging laboratory spaces, some of which were more than 70 years old.