As of Saturday, April 24, 2021, Montana reports 108,048 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 182 new cases reported in the last day: 44 in Gallatin County, 24 in Yellowstone County, 19 in Missoula County, 15 in Cascade County, 15 in Flathead County, and more new cases in 23 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana has increased to 984. Currently, 53 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Cascade Counties. 1,563 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Six more deaths have been reported in the last day. Nationwide, more than 571,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 32,000,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

Japan has declared a state of emergency, but says the Olympics will go ahead. Just three months away from the Summer Olympics, which were postponed from a planned 2020 date due to COVID-19, Japan has declared a targeted state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures as cases of COVID-19 have surged in the country in recent weeks.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the confirmation of Gallatin County District Court Judge Peter Ohman on Friday morning, bringing the judge at least one step closer to full confirmation

Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a controversial bill Friday allowing private payment for expenses to successful wolf trappers and hunters. Senate Bill 267 from Sen. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls, is one of multiple bills aiming to reduce Montana’s wolf population that have drawn significant debate this session.