Housing & Community Finance: Yellowstone County leaders are pushing a $195 million jail expansion plan for the Nov. 3 ballot after the detention center hit 693 inmates—far above its 434-bed design—while former Billings mayor Bill Cole and Safe and Secure Yellowstone County seek voter support for a bond and companion mill levy. Energy & Commodities: Montana Resources is celebrating record copper prices, with COMEX topping $6.70 per pound—about 52% higher than a year ago—while the company produces roughly 54 million to 70 million pounds annually. Public Health & Cost Pressures: Back-to-school spending is squeezing Montana families, with LendingTree estimating $824 per student-related shopping costs (13.1% of monthly income), and wildfire smoke in the Gallatin Valley is driving people to seek relief options like IV therapy. Business Regulation & Payments: A fintech explainer highlights why founders look at Montana MSB structures for cross-border payments, clarifying that FinCEN MSB registration is federal and not a state license workaround. State Politics & Elections: Alani Bankhead says she will stay in Montana’s Senate race despite a deadline for candidates to withdraw, setting up a four-way contest. Wildlife & Ranching: A bipartisan bill led by Sen. Steve Daines would fund nonlethal predator-control tools like range riders and fencing to protect livestock. Local Business & Growth: Phoenix Energy reported strong Q2 results and noted it drilled the first four-mile lateral switchback wells in Montana. Tech & Consumer Compliance: Montana is among states supporting digital driver’s licenses in mobile wallets, while a separate recall warns Montana shoppers to check Louisville Featherlite attic stairway ladders with gas struts. Environment & Data: Wyoming released new Phosphoria Formation data as part of a multistate critical minerals study that includes Montana.