On Wednesday, a county in Washington state declared a public health emergency because of an outbreak of measles, a vaccine-preventable infectious disease. Today, Montana’s Legislature heard two bills proposing more options to opt out of vaccines, and to let the public know about those options.

Union representatives of Montana’s 7,000 federal workers impacted by the federal government shutdown say they’re pleased President Donald Trump has agreed to put them back to work for three weeks and authorize back pay. But they say questions still abound and damage has already been done.

Montana’s Democratic U.S. Senator, Jon Tester, is only cautiously optimistic about the deal to end the 35 day partial government shutdown. In a statement released Friday, Tester described it as, "Only a short-term fix to this irresponsible government shutdown." The Republican members of Montana’s delegation, Rep. Greg Gianforte and Senator Steve Daines, issued separate statements of support for the deal, saying it will give both parties a chance to negotiate in good faith.

HELENA — If two bills in the Montana Legislature aimed at reducing plastic waste become law, diners would need to request a plastic straw at a restaurant , and shoppers would have to pay 4 cents for a plastic bag at retail stores.

Businesses that care for the elderly, poor and disabled say they’re struggling to make ends meet on what the state pays for housing and assisted living services. Much of that funding is via Medicaid , and on Thursday, assisted living businesses and workers asked the Montana Legislature to increase payments for day-to-day services for seniors and people with disabilities.

It’s official, Tim Fox has announced that he’s running for governor. "I feel I have a calling to public service," Fox says. "I’ve been Montana’s attorney general for the last six years, I have actually a dozen years in public service all told. I think I’ve been an effective and responsible leader, with a lot of results."

Montana's Senate has approved a policy prohibiting legislators and legislative employees from subjecting someone to discrimination, harassment and retaliation and creates a confidential process to report and investigate complaints.

In first weeks of the legislative session Gov. Steve Bullock and the Republican Majority are trading barbs over how the state should pay for big public projects , including university system improvements and maintenance in towns and counties. On Wednesday GOP leaders revealed plans for a new system for how Montana borrows money for public works projects.

The state health department has launched a new website to help parents raise their kids . It’s called Parenting Montana, and offers videos like this one that portray a sample of parents of various backgrounds talking about the challenges they face, their goals for their children and how they’re trying to accomplish them.

HELENA — Survivors of domestic violence, stalking and harassment came to the Montana Capitol Wednesday to rally support for Senate Bill 114 , which would update laws dealing with stalking and restraining orders.