GREAT FALLS — The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) made an appearance over the skies of Montana on Saturday night and into Sunday morning. A moderate geomagnetic storm over the weekend produced the aurora. Some people headed out of town to escape the city lights in order to maximize their chances of seeing – including Brennen Read More…
With the sunset of Whitefish’s tax-increment finance district less than a year away, the Whitefish City Council is contemplating priorities for the remaining TIF revenue and potential new tax districts within the resort city. A work session from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tonight at City Hall will include a review and discussion of tax increment Read More…
A new presidential poll conducted by Mammouth University shows Gov. Steve Bullock is still at less than 1% with Democratic voters — far behind Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders who are all in a virtual tie at the top of the poll. Bullock recently took part in a CNN Town Hall , again portraying himself as Read More…
BELLEVUE — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock brought his fledgling presidential campaign to the Puget Sound region Monday night, pitching himself as the only Democratic candidate who’s won a statewide campaign in a state won by President Donald Trump. Bullock, who’s made fighting the “toxic influence of money in politics” the cornerstone of his campaign, described Read More…
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Wednesday ruled out running for the Senate next year following news that Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) would retire. “Our thoughts are with Senator Isakson and his family. Leader Abrams’ focus will not change: she will lead voter protection efforts in key states across the country, and make sure Democrats are successful in Read More…
There have been at least three reports confirmed by officials of voting machines in two counties changing voters’ selections in the state’s GOP governor primary runoff. In one case, the glitch was caught on video. Tuesday morning, Facebook user Sally Kate Walker posted a video showing what appeared to be a touch-screen machine changing someone’s selection Read More…
WASHINGTON – A Washington, D.C., physician alleged in divorce filings Tuesday that her husband, a national political consultant, left her after becoming romantically involved with U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a client of his fundraising business. In an interview, Omar denied that she is separated or dating outside her marriage. “I have no interest in really allowing Read More…
A former law clerk in Lewistown who settled a 2011 lawsuit against a state district judge sued the governor and attorney general Friday, saying an agreement not to reveal details of the initial case should be voided as unconstitutional. Britt Long, who lives now in New Jersey, settled a lawsuit with the state in 2013. Read More…
MISSOULA – A man arrested in Bozeman for sympathizing with terrorist groups is scheduled to change his plea this week. Court documents say Fabjan Alameti is set for an Aug. 28 hearing to change his plea in federal court. A plea agreement says Alameti will plead guilty to two counts of making a false statement Read More…
On Sunday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock made his case for why he should be the Democratic nominee for president to a nationwide TV audience. He answered questions from Democratic primary voters at an hourlong town hall in New York City, hosted by CNN. Bullock is now the last state governor remaining in the 2020 Democratic Read More…
Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page could hinder a criminal case against former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe if the Justice Department decides to bring charges against him. Federal prosecutors are close to making a final decision on whether to indict McCabe, who is accused of lying to federal agents, the New York Times reported Monday. McCabe’s lawyers met Read More…
WASHINGTON—President Trump said he is considering measures to bolster the economy, including a possible reduction in capital-gains taxes, and continued to press the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates even as he played down warning signs of a possible slowdown. “We’re looking at various tax reductions,” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House on Read More…
Walmart is suing Elon Musk’s electric vehicle and clean energy company after Tesla solar panels atop seven of the retailer’s stores allegedly caught fire, according a court filing. The Walmart suit alleges breach of contract, gross negligence and failure to live up to industry standards. Walmart is asking Tesla to remove solar panels from more than 240 Walmart locations Read More…
Target CEO Brian Cornell still thinks the U.S. consumer is strong and spending, despite fears that some shoppers may be pulling back with the threat of another economic recession looming. He told members of the media Wednesday morning after reporting quarterly earnings that blew past estimates: Target CFO “Cathy [Smith] and I —we meet with our banking partners, Read More…
Sen. Mike Rounds said there’s been a positive development in his wife’s cancer treatment. “After multiple rounds of chemo treatment, we’re pleased to report that not only has Jean’s tumor shrunk in half, a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan showed no signs of the tumor spreading or metastasizing,” the South Dakota Republican said in a statement. He added that “the Read More…
Rep. Liz Cheney called on President Trump to reject a peace deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan, arguing in an op-ed that it would be tantamount to losing the war to al Qaeda, the Taliban and the Islamic State. “We should not withdraw U.S. forces based on a political timetable that grants concessions to the Read More…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – On Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, the Wyoming Department of Agriculture honored five individuals for their contributions to the agriculture industry and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at the Ruthe James Williams Center on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds during the 107th State Fair. The excellence in agriculture awards are given to individuals who Read More…
The gold leaf Hamptons in New York are about as far as one can get from Helena in Montana. In the Hamptons, it is all about Christian Louboutin sandals. In Helena, cowboy boots are more likely. In the Hamptons, a haircut can cost a small fortune. In Helena, well, see Jon Tester. This past Saturday, Read More…
Thomas Penley, an incoming senior at Helena’s Capital High School, says when he took part in the Montana American Legion Boys State program in June, he hoped he might be selected to represent the state at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. “I really wanted to do it, I was hoping and just really worked hard Read More…
BOZEMAN, Mont. — As students prepare for a new school year, Montana’s Office of Public Instruction wants parents and educators to be aware of new trends found in their recently published Youth Risk Behavior Survey . The survey is conducted every two years and given to all Montana middle and high school students. Over 90% participated this year. Read More…
HELENA – There are two new AmeriCorps billboards around the Treasure State. Their goal is to increase awareness of their programs and the opportunities for Montanan’s to serve right here in our fine state. There are eight programs for people to get involved in, which are all starting back up again in September. AmeriCorps offers Read More…
GREAT FALLS — Glacier National Park has temporarily closed access to the Granite Park area due to unusual grizzly bear activity, according to press release from park officials. The Highline, Loop, and Swiftcurrent Trail (from Swiftcurrent Pass to Granite Park Chalet) are all closed as of Sunday evening, meaning that access to the Granite Park Read More…
Workers for the general contractor toil eight days straight, in 10-hour shifts, before hiking the 6-plus miles out for six days off. They’re replaced during that time by another crew from Dick Anderson Construction of Great Falls. That rotation means the ongoing work in Glacier National Park to rebuild the historic Sperry Chalet dormitory, perched Read More…
Idaho officials are focusing their attention on the state’s growing opioids and substance abuse problems. The Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Group met for the first time Thursday, with Gov. Brad Little (R) calling it a “very comprehensive and complex problem.” “I’ve looked, observed, talked about, observed from a distance, and sometimes, I’ve observed Read More…
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said in a Tuesday news release that the state is “doing everything we can to launch the hemp industry.” The Wyoming Legislature earlier this year passed House Bill 171, authorizing the launching of a state hemp program. The action followed the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill in Congress, which formally removed hemp Read More…
CHEYENNE – An effort to change the state’s trespass laws to punish violators even if they were unaware they were on private property failed to make it out of committee Thursday. The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Interim Committee voted 8-6 against supporting the proposed legislation, which would have removed language that trespass laws only apply Read More…
The collapse of an irrigation tunnel near Fort Laramie could cost Wyoming and Nebraska roughly $89 million in economic losses if affected crops are a total loss, according to a new report by researchers from the two states’ universities. “If farmers are unable to sell these commodities, there will be a negative impact not only Read More…
HELENA, Mont. — A judge has sentenced a Montana man to 80 years in prison without the possibility of parole for a stabbing outside a bar. The Helena Independent Republic reports the attack happened outside Jesters Bar in 2017. Andrew Pierce Lake stabbed the victim seven times before going home, getting rid of the knife and Read More…
Montana – -(AmmoLand.com)- Despite intense pressure from the media and the D.C. Establishment, he’s not budging in his opposition to proposed “red flag” gun grabs and expanded background checks. “These horrible tragedies should not be politicized to advance a political agenda,” he says. “Knee-jerk reactions and more gun laws are not the solution. I stand strongly Read More…
For lawmakers and political candidates, 2019 could be the year of not giving a f— about cursing. Profanity — once considered a major no-no among those seeking public office — is no longer an earth-shattering political snafu. And according to new research, this year could be on track to see members of Congress swearing up a storm more than Read More…
With 21 major candidates in the race, the Democratic 2020 presidential field is set to be one of the largest, most competitive, and most unpredictable in modern history. To help make sense of where all these candidates stand, INSIDER has been conducting a recurring SurveyMonkey Audience national poll. You can download every poll here, down to Read More…
Nearly 30 people from 20 countries raised their right hand on Thursday and swore allegiance to the United States before waving the Stars and Stripes to celebrate their achievement as the nation’s newest citizens. In a ceremony that marked many firsts, and with a diverse crowd looking on, the 28 new Americans took their “obligation Read More…
Under the Big Sky, the Emmy Award-Winning storytelling series from the Montana Television Network, has received a $40,000 grant from the Greater Montana Foundation to continue to bring stories about life in Montana to audiences. The series premiered in February 2017 and recently finished production on its seventh episode. The quarterly program combines cinematic visuals Read More…
With school starting up soon, school districts in Williams County are still trying to solve overcrowding issues. Monday afternoon, school officials, and other city and county officials met with the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the State’s Superintendent. Two school districts in Williams County have been unsuccessful at convincing voters to support tax increases to Read More…
JAMESTOWN, N.D. — Gov. Doug Burgum’s third annual Summit on Innovative Education had a clear message this week: Behavior is a major issue in the state and old models of discipline aren’t working. “We have to unlearn the things from the past,” Burgum told The Forum. “The new approaches are more effective and cost less. Read More…
Police in Wyoming are recommending sex abuse charges against two unnamed Catholic leaders in the state, a move that comes roughly a year after police reopened a case involving accusations of sex abuse by a local bishop who is now retired. “An investigation into sex abuse taking place in Cheyenne by members of the Catholic Read More…
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney and Sen. John Barasso met with local officials Thursday morning in Casper to discuss leveraging a federal tax incentive program designed to spur development in select zones in the area. The meeting served as a venue for leaders from Casper, Mills and Natrona County to pitch a variety of development projects Read More…
1. DUBBED “Big Sky Country,” Montana is the third-least densely populated state in the United States. Forty-six of its 56 counties are considered “frontier counties,” and average just 6.86 people per square mile of land. 2. What it lacks in human population numbers, it makes up for in cattle. Montana has more than double the number of cows Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana is ranked the fourth most dangerous state for kids online. The reason, according to a Century Link study, is because of “one law simply defining what bullying is, nothing else.” The study adds there is a “relatively low” victim rate of 8.21 per 100,000 residents. Century Link says more than one out of every Read More…
(Missoula, Mont.)—Moore Information Group, formerly Moore Information, has not only launched a new name and logo, but a new web presence as well. The national public opinion research and strategic analysis firm — with offices in Portland, OR, Missoula, MT, Denver CO and Washington, DC — is known for its strong track record of accurate Read More…