State

Grants awarded to communities for food assistance during COVID-19

HELENA – More than $135,000 was awarded to seven Montana communities to address food access gaps related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Gov. Steve Bullock, First Lady Lisa Bullock and Montana No Kid Hungry announced grant awards to the Butte School District ($33,500), Farm to School of Park County ($50,000), Wibaux K-12 Schools ($5,000), Anaconda School District ($14,750), Montana Food Bank Network ($15,000), Box Elder Public Schools ($7,700), and Huntley Project Schools ($9,400) on April 24.

Directives issued to increase health provider capacity, expand health coverage for routine care during pandemic

HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock issued two directives April 21 to increase frontline health care provider capacity to respond to the coronavirus and expand insurance coverage allowing residents to access routine health care services while social distancing.

Additional protective equipment obtained through private markets

HELENA – Montana received hundreds of thousands of personal protective equipment from private markets to add to the state supply, Gov. Steve Bullock announced April 21.

The state received 244,200 KN95 masks, 110,000 surgical masks, 54,500 face shields and 55,000 gloves from several private suppliers for health care providers in the state. The supplies will be distributed based on need.

FBI warns of coronavirus scams

SALT LAKE CITY – Federal Bureau of Investigation officials warned residents to be wary of the coronavirus scams circulating nationally.

Criminals are using the pandemic to perpetrate a variety of schemes to steal personal information, personal finances, or both. Scams to be on the lookout for include:

• Cyber schemes: A variety of current internet-related crimes can be found at https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200320.aspx

Statewide reopening plan begins next week

Montana's stay-at-home restrictions will start relaxing Sunday for individuals and Monday for some businesses, as part of a phased reopening plan for the statewide economy.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the changes Wednesday, stressing the coronavirus pandemic will continue to be a danger in the months to come.

State receives swabs for testing from FEMA

Montana received 5,000 nasal swabs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) April 20, to add to the state’s supplies available to test for the coronavirus.

Montana Coronavirus Relief Task Force announced

HELENA – A new task force will provide guidance and advice on how best to use over a billion dollars in federal relief money to workers, businesses and other sectors of the Montana economy impacted by COVID-19.

Social Security beneficiaries with dependents must act soon if they do not file taxes

HELENA – Residents who receive Social Security and have dependents must act quickly to claim the $500 per child economic impact benefit if they currently do not file tax returns.

Attorney General Tim Fox said those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with dependent children should do the same before noon April 22.

Grant awarded to KPS for meals

KALISPELL – Kalispell Public Schools food service will receive a $15,000 grant to provide meals as part of the school's response to COVID-19.

Gov. Steve Bullock, First Lady Lisa Bullock and Montana No Kid Hungry announced the grant award April 16.

Montana schools chief: Expect to finish academic year online

HELENA, April 10 (AP) – The superintendent of Montana schools told districts Friday to expect to finish out the school year with distance learning amid the coronavirus outbreak.