Healthcare & Tech Investment: Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene installed the da Vinci 5 robotic-assisted surgery platform, a $3M-plus upgrade aimed at expanding specialized care. Water & Rural Economy: The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ CSKT-Montana Water Compact won final approval from the Montana Water Court, integrating about 300 tribal water rights into the state system. Local Governance & Public Funding: Ronan City Council advanced CDBG planning for projects ranging from affordable housing and youth services to major sewer and downtown upgrades. Workforce & Training: MSU Gallatin College launched Montana’s first new law enforcement academy since statehood, building a pipeline from basic academy training through field evaluation. Business & Community Banking: Valley Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank awarded $8,574 grants to seven Western Montana nonprofits supporting housing, healthcare access, youth programs, and economic development. Agriculture & Water Rights: A Montana Stockgrowers Association push highlights risks to ranchers if a court challenge to exempt wells succeeds, potentially tightening permitting for stockwater wells. Policy Watch: A new analysis warns Social Security trust fund exhaustion in 2032 could cut benefits by about $500 per month on average, with Montana among the states facing smaller-but-still-significant impacts. Wildfire Outlook: State and federal officials warned Montana’s fire season could “turn on a dime” despite recent rain, with warm conditions and wind factors still in play.