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HELENA, Mont. - Incoming Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signaled he won't continue a statewide mask mandate in place since July, though he said he plans to wear a mask himself and get vaccinated against COVID-19.

If Gianforte, a Republican, reverses outgoing Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock's mask order, Montana will be just the second state after Mississippi to lift its mandate. Thirty-eight states now have statewide mandates.

"I trust Montanans with their health and the health of their loved ones," Gianforte said in a recent interview with KHN. "The state has a role in clearly communicating the...