Good morning, Missoula.

Missoula’s Bugs & Brews returns on Thursday, Sept.

24 at the Missoula Butterfly House with a mission to help create pollinator-friendly backyards. Habitat coordinator Marirose Kuhlman will share rewilding tips, and tickets are selling fast.

Missoula will host three Oktoberfest celebrations by Bayern Brewing on Sept.

18, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 with authentic food + music and a stein-holding contest. The festivities will continue on Oct. 3 at Caras Park with GermanFest and the Montana State Stein Holding Championship finals.

Montana weddings offer a budget-friendly alternative with average costs around $21K while couples enjoy scenic venues.

The Missoula Wedding Fair will take place on Jan. 10 to help local couples compare vendors and plan their nuptials.

UM got nearly $5 million from the National Science Foundation to fund STEM scholarships for low-income grad students in engineering and natural resource fields.

The program covers about $13K-$14K per student yearly and supports four cohorts of up to 16+ students over six years to grow the local workforce.

Missoula city officials plan a bio-filtration project to address pesticide-related pollutants found in stormwater runoff from Pattee Creek.

The city will apply for clean water funding through a state revolving loan to test treatment options at Takima Park, Cutthroat Corner, and the Bitterroot outfall at phase one costing $70,000.

Trout Unlimited is seeking a federal grant to reconstruct a century-old dam on the Clark Fork River to improve fish passage, irrigation and boater safety.

Missoula County commissioners backed the roughly $3 million request that will upgrade the irrigation ditch and help local farmers + boaters.

City council advanced a $100K contract with the Missoula Economic Partnership, which has an annual operating budget of about $1 million based on IRS filings.

USDA announced on Aug.

31 a new Ranchers First Initiatives plan with insurance coverage for keeping heifers and a loan program aimed at rebuilding a cattle herd at a 75-year low; Montana ranchers like Bruce Schultz say final details and improved rangeland conditions will be key to managing rising costs.

Partnership Health Center's Seeley Lake clinic will close Oct.

31 after losing $400,000 each year for the past four years, and patients will need to drive or switch providers while staff are offered work at PHC in Missoula.

COVID-19 cases are rising in Montana and nationwide as September begins.

Health officials report that although overall respiratory illnesses remain low, more people are noticing coughs and runny noses ahead of fall (a sign to stay alert).

Montana Department of Administration announced that state employee health plan costs will rise in 2027 as deductibles triple from $1,000 to $3,000 and out-of-pocket expenses double, with added monthly fees for full-time employees.

Nearly 30,000 plan members are affected, and union reps say the change was a surprise.

New high school football co-ops are forming across western Montana as the season begins this fall.

Local schools plan to share resources (regional cooperation) to enhance team strength.

The Grizzlies made a strong O-line debut in camp and coach Bobby Kennedy said the performance was satisfying, though he noted plenty to clean up as the team works to tighten its defense.