We know it’s hard to keep up with the news and we get asked a lot of the same questions on repeat.

In an effort to help make the week’s news a bit more digestible, we’re introducing the Weekly Wrap, a quick roundup of the previous week’s headlines.

We’re testing the Weekly Wrap to see if it helps readers have better awareness of what’s happening in the community, and Jenn’s ability to tread water with her existing workload of daily stories and the business side of The Electric.

Just a quick reminder for anyone who’s new, and longtime readers alike, The Electric is a one woman show. Jenn does all the reporting, handles advertising and the business side, website management, photos (trust me, she knows she’s not a web designer or a photographer), social media and very limited public speaking. Matt Ehnes graciously helps out with sports and events photography when he can and we’ve had some intern support, but it’s a heavy lift for one person. So, if Jenn hasn’t responded to your emails, don’t be hurt, it takes her days if not weeks to text her friends and family back too.

Jenn had big plans for a holiday wrap up, but simply ran out of time, so if you’re a business interested in sponsoring weekly features like this new Wednesday Wrap or the Sunday Reads, the soon to be launched obituary page, annual projects like Great Falls Greats or Feasting in the Falls, or advertising in general so perhaps this is the year Jenn can finally hire some help, send an email to jenn@theelectricgf.com.

We don’t believe in paywalls because local news coverage is vital to a healthy community, but if you’re so included, you can also support The Electric monthly here.

In the meantime, we’ve got a lot of news content coming your way again this year, continued events like Feasting in the Falls, plus some new projects in the wings.

You can also sign up for the near daily newsletter delivered to your inbox around 4 a.m. with all the previous days stories.

With that, the inaugural Wednesday Wrap.

Delays at state hospital put status of attempted homicide suspect, other criminal defendants, in question

• A backlog at the Montana State Hospital has delayed court ordered mental health evaluations and trial fitness for multiple criminal defendants, including one who hit a man with his vehicle last fall, causing defense attorneys to argue for their release and frustration for prosecutors, judges and jails.

City Commission approves updated version of lift station repair contract

• City Commissioners approved an updated version of a $7.79 million contract for lift station repairs after finding errors in the initial version they’d approved in December.

Commission approves FEMA grant application for fire equipment

• City Commissioners voted to allow Great Falls Fire Rescue to apply for a federal grant for fire fighting equipment that they couldn’t otherwise afford within their existing budget. It’s common practice for departments to request approval to apply for and accept grant funding.

Calumet closes on $1.44 billion federal loan; tax appeal cases pending at state board

• Last week, Calumet said it closed on a $1.44 billion federal loan for the expansion of its sustainable aviation fuel facility in Great Falls. The expansion will increase their production capacity and add jobs, according to the company. Calumet and it’s subsidiary Montana Renewables have pending tax appeal cases before the state, including one asking the entire MR facility be deemed tax exempt.

Business Bites: 100-acre mixed use project proposed; Buffalo Blanc opens second location; UP athletic director resigns; Clearwater, Baatz projects progressing; Benefis building senior health center

• A mixed use development with commercial and residential has been proposed for 100-acres near Malmstrom and a number of other projects were announced at the Great Falls Development Alliance’s Ignite 2025 on Friday, plus other business updates.

Gov. Gianforte focuses on state budget, education and affordability in State of the State 

• The legislative session is underway and Gov. Gianforte laid out of his priorities on Jan. 13. Reported by the UM Legislative News Service.

GFPS working to add high school baseball

• A committee of district and community representatives are working on plans to add baseball in 2026. At their next meeting, the school board will be asked to allow the committee to begin its fundraising effort with benchmarks that must be met for staff to recommend fielding high school teams next spring.