Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | By Steven Bullcoming Haworth
Good morning from eastern Montana. Truth in Focus is following several developments affecting families, schools, health care and tribal communities.
Montana Medicaid: Work requirements already underway, further changes coming in 2027
Montana began new community-engagement requirements for certain Medicaid Expansion recipients on July 1, 2026. Most non-excluded adults ages 19–64 must document 80 hours a month of qualifying activities such as work, approved training, school or volunteering. Beginning in October 2026, some applicants and members who do not meet the requirements may be denied coverage or disenrolled. American Indian and Alaska Native individuals are excluded from the work requirement. Starting January 2027, most Medicaid Expansion enrollees face six-month eligibility redeterminations, but American Indian and Alaska Native members continue on annual redeterminations. Rules and individual circumstances matter; check Montana DPHHS for guidance.
Source: Montana DPHHS, Changes to Medicaid and DPHHS FAQs.
Four-day school weeks: East Helena explores a possible change
East Helena Public Schools is exploring a potential four-day school week. No final decision is reported in the coverage. The discussion raises questions about staffing, student learning, childcare and what different school schedules mean for rural families. Truth in Focus will continue examining the possible impacts across eastern Montana.
Source: MTN News / KXLH, East Helena schools exploring a potential four-day school week.
Indigenous Peoples Day: Indian relays bring families together in Hardin
Indian relay racing brought nearly 40 teams to the Big Horn County Fairgrounds for an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. The gathering highlighted the connections among sport, family and cultural traditions across generations.
Source: MTN News / KTVQ, Hardin celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day with Indian relays rooted in tradition.
Northern Cheyenne government: Public accountability
Truth in Focus is preparing a public-records explainer on Northern Cheyenne constitutional government and how citizens can examine official actions, resolutions, public spending and legal safeguards. The story will be grounded in publicly available law and records, not private communications or political endorsements.
Our commitment: Local information should be accessible, carefully checked and useful to the people who need it. Look at the record. Follow the facts. Ask the questions.
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