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Matt

@gfmt.bsky.social
240 followers 194 following 156 posts

Reporting from the Electric City for Montana Free Press. Sign up for the Great Falls This Week newsletter: montanafreepress.org/newsletters-si…

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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Big media news today out of Great Falls montanafreepress.org/2026/09/28/l...
montanafreepress.org
Lee Enterprises acquires Great Falls Tribune from USA Today Co.
Lee, Montana's biggest newspaper company, will grow its footprint to nearly all of the state's major markets with the acquisition.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In Montana, attorneys secured class status for undocumented people who have been arrested without warrants. A judge agreed to expedite release orders in batches. montanafreepress.org/2026/09/21/d...
montanafreepress.org
Dozens of warrantless arrests deemed wrongful in class-action immigration case
Upper Seven Law announced that 24 "unlawfully detained individuals" had been released from the Cascade County Detention Center. More are expected to be released as the court considers further petition...
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/t...)
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
NEW: A senior hospital administrator is out at Benefis Health System. No comment from the hospital on the nature of the departure. montanafreepress.org/2026/09/02/g...
montanafreepress.org
Greg Tierney, senior administrator at Great Falls' largest hospital, departs Benefis
An orthopedic surgeon, Greg Tierney was the clinical leader at Benefis through challenges like COVID and an external financial fraud case that involved hospital leaders.
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 26/08/2026
Benefis Health System in Great Falls brought in an out-of-state cardiologist, and paid her handsomely, to ‘stabilize’ its emerging and troubled TAVR program that faced criticism from other doctors.
montanafreepress.org
Tax records show standout salary for traveling doctor tasked with growing Benefis’ troubled heart program
Benefis Health System in Great Falls brought in a traveling cardiologist, and paid her handsomely, to ‘stabilize’ its emerging and troubled TAVR program that faced criticism from other doctors.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A Great Falls hospital paid a traveling cardiologist more than $800k to run a specialty heart program. The salary was much more than what the hospital paid full-time staff cardiologists, and the heart program ultimately closed. montanafreepress.org/2026/08/26/b...
montanafreepress.org
Tax records show standout salary for traveling doctor tasked with growing Benefis’ troubled heart program
Benefis Health System in Great Falls brought in a traveling cardiologist, and paid her handsomely, to ‘stabilize’ its emerging and troubled TAVR program that faced criticism from other doctors.
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Leah Sottile @leahsottile.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Hydro Hogs is one of the greatest features in Oregon journalism and the 2026 edition does not disappoint: “I can’t tell you how much I hate your little paper and you little smartass fuckers who think you’re environmentalists and know nothing of the environment.” www.wweek.com/news/2026/08...
wweek.com
Hydro Hogs
For the 10th time, here are the Portlanders who use the most water.
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 22/07/2026
The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana has gained the city's approval to build a large affordable housing development on land that was once home to the Indigenous poor in Great Falls.
montanafreepress.org
Little Shell housing project gets approval from Great Falls officials
Once known as the "landless Indians," the tribe aims to build 115 homes, adding to a growing portfolio of completed and prospective real estate projects around Great Falls.
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depths of wikipedia @depthsofwikipedia.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
it's the anniversary of the moon landing which means it's also the anniversary of this baseball game with extremely sparse attendance
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 20/07/2026
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center remains a big tourism draw, but its three remaining full-time employees are set to leave with no apparent plan to replace them.
montanafreepress.org
Federal support in question at Great Falls' popular interpretive center
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center remains a big tourism draw, but its three remaining full-time employees are set to leave with no current plan to replace them.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
There are times I really miss the Twin Cities
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
The mining operation has gone, but the legacy pollution remains. montanafreepress.org/2026/06/22/i...
montanafreepress.org
In southeast Montana, a history of coal mining haunts farmers and ranchers
In southeast Montana, ‘salt flats are getting bigger,’ wreaking havoc on crops, fisheries and rural livelihoods.
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 10/06/2026
Benefis brought a cutting-edge heart treatment to its Great Falls hospital. When doctors questioned how some patients were chosen, they said they were pushed aside.
montanafreepress.org
In Great Falls, a hospital tried to build a cutting-edge heart program. Doctors left in the process.
Former cardiologists and family members of a deceased patient question why and how people were routed to the hospital's now-paused TAVR program.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Last summer, Kim Sangray boarded an emergency flight with her mother, who had a critical heart issue. She got a strange call from her mom's cardiologist just before boarding: "I didn't do this," she recalled the doctor saying. "This is not because of me." montanafreepress.org/2026/06/10/a...
montanafreepress.org
In Great Falls, a hospital tried to build a cutting-edge heart program. Doctors left in the process.
Former cardiologists and family members of a deceased patient question why and how people were routed to the hospital’s now-paused TAVR program.
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 03/06/2026
As of 5:07 p.m., election officials had received about 46% of all absentee ballots mailed to voters statewide, according to the Montana Secretary of State’s office. The office expects to release updated numbers for absentee returns at 7 p.m. Follow our election coverage live ⬇
montanafreepress.org
Live blog: Primary elections news, context and analysis
Follow along for Montana voting updates, results and campaign trail insights.
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 20/05/2026
The candidates vying for Cascade County clerk and recorder are trying to move past the election management issues that drastically changed the functions of the typically inconspicuous public office. But, in different ways, all three candidates were also linked to those past events.
montanafreepress.org
Cascade County clerk and recorder candidates aim for stability after past controversies
Years after county officials stripped election duties from the office, concerns remain over how current staff manage core record keeping duties.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Breaking news in Cascade County this morning: montanafreepress.org/2026/05/14/r...
montanafreepress.org
Montana judge rules to release Froid mechanic after 109 days in detention
Judge sides with Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, an undocumented immigrant from rural Montana, calling Trump administration’s interpretation of the longstanding immigration law “erroneous”
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 11/05/2026
Last month, Roosevelt County Sheriff Jason Frederick wrote a letter to a federal judge vouching for an undocumented immigrant he’d only met once before. In doing so, he became one of at least seven sheriffs nationwide who have taken a public stance against immigration policies since January.
montanafreepress.org
The rural Montana sheriff who went to bat for one undocumented immigrant
Actions like Roosevelt County Sheriff Jason Frederick’s are becoming more common as the Trump administration detains more undocumented immigrants without criminal histories.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Amid all the election news, it's poll week at MTFP. We polled Montanans on a bunch of topics, and here are the results: montanafreepress.org/2026/03/02/p...
montanafreepress.org
Poll week: How Montanans feel about sales tax, immigration and state officials
We polled Montana voters on an array of issues. Results will roll out the week of March 2.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/u...
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 02/03/2026
Nearly a third of voters polled by MTFP named Billings as the starting point of eastern Montana — but others picked locations as far west as the Continental Divide. Tell us whether you think the Montana voters we polled got it right 🤔 montanafreepress.org/2026/03/02/w...
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Absent in this analysis is the professional development and joy for reporters writing the story. I would be frustrated to do all the reporting and then hand over the actual news communication to a computer program.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
This week I wrote about the usually common party-switching among Cascade County political candidates. montanafreepress.org/2026/02/24/i...
montanafreepress.org
In Cascade County, 3 more candidates file under new party affiliation
With about a week to go for local candidates to file for office, two former Libertarians and a former Democrat have filed to run as Republicans in 2026. The moves add to an increasingly crowded primar...
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The Great Falls This Week newsletter is free and full of local news for the Electric City. For today's edition, I visited the Eagles Manor senior living home and talked to residents about the new owners and change coming. montanafreepress.org/2026/02/23/a...
montanafreepress.org
A senior home grapples with change
School board considering levy options.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
A local blog wrote this account of Presidents' Day and I just have never heard of anyone doing this
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Yesterday, Great Falls residents voiced concerns about immigration enforcement. There's no indication at this time that city officials are considering any action. The story also shows how local law enforcement has already participated in federal efforts. montanafreepress.org/2026/02/04/g...
montanafreepress.org
Great Falls residents call on city commission to act in response to immigration crackdowns
While local officials haven't indicated any action related to federal enforcement, residents lined up to voice concerns during a public meeting.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Great story from my colleagues in Helena: montanafreepress.org/2026/02/02/r... @montanafreepress.org
montanafreepress.org
Rent hikes hammer residents of Helena trailer court
The cost of rent for the land under the homes at Golden Estates Mobile Home Park has nearly doubled in one year of new ownership.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
“Roberto is a father, he opened his own business. He has a great family. They’re just model citizens.” montanafreepress.org/2026/01/28/f...
montanafreepress.org
When Border Patrol arrested a beloved mechanic in Froid, Montana, neighbors were forced to reckon with national immigration policy
Roberto Orozco-Ramirez’s detainment has brought the Trump administration’s national immigration crackdown to a small, conservative town in Montana. As community members rally to support their neighbor...
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
I profiled the ambitious charter school model that exists in a single Great Falls elementary school: montanafreepress.org/2025/12/31/b...
montanafreepress.org
Built from scratch, Great Falls school brings a college degree program to an elementary setting
The program aims to educate a pipeline of young teachers ready to join the Great Falls Public School District.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
The incident was reported back in October. But it wasn't publicly known until now that the blood contamination came from someone who was hep-C positive and that three inmates tested positive for the first time after being served the food.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Here's an update on an interesting ICE removal case being argued in federal court in Great Falls. While the focus is on the court argument, there is some discussion of how a man with no resident status worked at a senior living home for eight years. montanafreepress.org/2025/12/11/b...
montanafreepress.org
Court hears arguments for British man who arrived in U.S. as a teen, faces deportation as an adult
Before federal authorities detained him, Dakota Wheeler worked for years at a Great Falls senior living home without legal resident status.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
11 years ago, I got to cover the one-of-a-kind Frank Gehry guest house in Owatonna, Minnesota. RIP, Frank. www.southernminn.com/owatonna_peo...
southernminn.com
Gehry house in limbo: University to decide its fate after sale of Gainey Center in Steele County
OWATONNA — People who followed a local event listing for an open house at Frank Gehry’s Winton Guest House Saturday arrived to see that nobody was home.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Happy eight-year anniversary to my favorite local election story:
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Plot of The Chair Company playing out in federal court in Great Falls.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
www.newyorker.com/culture/phot...
newyorker.com
The Offices Only a Newsperson Could Love
Ann Hermes spent six years documenting American newsrooms, from Juneau to St. Louis, forming a witty and elegiac portrait of local journalism in action.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Expect to see changes to Great Falls' parking fines, fees and processes. montanafreepress.org/2025/11/25/g...
montanafreepress.org
Increased rates and fines possible as Great Falls looks to stabilize ailing parking budget
'Unpopular choices' ahead with city’s parking fund losing money each month.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Great photo-heavy story about a Billings (and Montana) institution: montanafreepress.org/2025/11/21/a...
montanafreepress.org
A morning at one of the state’s busiest cattle auctions
We visited the Billing Livestock Commission to try to understand what a $4/pound cow looks like as beef prices in the U.S. reached record highs.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Montanans talk SNAP disruption in their own words: montanafreepress.org/2025/11/18/m...
montanafreepress.org
Montanans describe how the freeze on federal food aid impacted them
Choosing groceries over rent, selling old toys, avoiding car repairs. Here’s how some Montanans navigated the lapse in SNAP benefits.
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 12/11/2025
University of Providence administrators are asking their board to approve a declaration of financial exigency, which acknowledges a budget crisis and allows officials to take drastic measures to restructure programs, reduce staff and launch new enrollment and revenue campaigns.
montanafreepress.org
Facing a multimillion-dollar shortfall, University of Providence in Great Falls confronts a 'hard reset'
As small colleges across the country see market challenges, the university will also lose a major funding source. Now, leaders are strategizing a top-to-bottom restructuring in hopes of saving the sch...
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High Country News @highcountrynews.org · 07/11/2025
A heavy music festival in Blackfeet Nation this summer was abut more than just music – it was a protective ceremony to shelter Indigenous youth from suicidal distress. buff.ly/aQQC7EX
hcn.org
Heavy metal is healing teens on the Blackfeet Nation - High Country News
In response to youth suicides, teachers show students the power of headbanging at Fire in the Mountains festival.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Fireworks restrictions pass, Mayor Cory Reeves re-elected. Final muni election results just came in: montanafreepress.org/2025/11/05/g...
montanafreepress.org
Great Falls voters approve new fireworks restrictions
Mayor Cory Reeves also won a decisive re-election in Tuesday's municipal election.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Montana highway crash rates, explained with maps: montanafreepress.org/2025/11/04/m...
montanafreepress.org
We mapped five years of Montana highway crashes. Here's what jumped out at us.
MTFP crunched Montana Department of Transportation data to identify crash rates for Montana highways from Eureka to Ekalaka.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Good article as Great Falls may end up in the same debate at some point.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Months in the making, this story profiles a no-cost child care center that fills a crucial need for parents in Great Falls.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Leading the Great Falls Tribune today is an article written by three academics at a separate online publication nearly six weeks ago.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Leading the @montanafreepress.org website right now are three Great Falls pieces. As our local newspaper has waned with coverage, I'm happy that a statewide outlet has prioritized local news in my hometown.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
This just in:
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Another excellent installment from my colleague Nora on Indigenous housing challenges and successes. This story features a unique home loan org with roots in northcentral MT. montanafreepress.org/2025/10/03/h...
montanafreepress.org
House and home: When housing works, tribal communities win
Part 3 of The Shelter Gap, a three-part series examining barriers to buying, renting and building homes on reservation land and highlighting the community benefits of secure housing.
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Matt @gfmt.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
"According to 2019-2023 census estimates, the Northern Cheyenne, Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap reservations in Montana had homeownership vacancy rates of zero, meaning there were no unoccupied homes for sale when the survey was conducted." montanafreepress.org/2025/09/29/h...
montanafreepress.org
No roads home: How a chronic housing shortage keeps reservation communities in crisis.
Part 1 of a three-part series examining barriers to buying, renting and building homes on reservation land and highlighting the community benefits of secure housing.
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