WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate voted Thursday to pass a budget resolution for next year that is mostly significant because it could make it easier for Republicans to pass major tax cuts, a top GOP priority. The 51-to-49 vote was split mostly on party lines. Only GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted no. To Read More…
Washington (CNN)Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that President Donald Trump is “getting a lot more done” than his criticism of the slow-moving Senate would suggest. “I think he’s getting a lot more done than he’s giving everybody credit for,” McConnell said. “I think his appointments, as I’ve Read More…
LAS VEGAS — The Democratic National Committee is reeling, facing a turnaround that’s proving a much bigger lift than anyone expected as it struggles to raise enough money to cover its basic promises. Many donors are refusing to write checks. And on-the-ground operatives worry they won’t have the resources to build the infrastructure they need Read More…
Filings for unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level since 1973 as workers affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma continued to return to their jobs, Labor Department figures showed Thursday. Highlights of Jobless Claims (Week ended Oct. 14) Jobless claims decreased by 22k to 222k (est. 240k), the lowest since March 1973 Period Read More…
Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is receiving significant criticism nationwide as many actresses have stepped forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual assault, harassment, and a cover-up of these stories by the press. As a high-profile political contributor, Weinstein’s donations have even been re-donated to charities by major politicians, including New York’s Andrew Cuomo. Interestingly, according to Read More…
The Democratic Party this week plans to name 75 people including lobbyists and political operatives to leadership posts that come with superdelegate votes at its next presidential convention, potentially aggravating old intraparty tensions as it struggles to confront President Donald Trump. The new members-at-large of the Democratic National Committee will vote on party rules and Read More…
Steve Bannon, the failed presidential adviser and alt-right sympathizer, has declared war on incumbent Republicans, particularly Sen. Mitch McConnell. From his perch at Breitbart, Mr. Bannon is vowing to defeat officeholders who back Mr. McConnell as majority leader or who won’t sign onto Mr. Bannon’s populist agenda. So what kind of challengers is Mr. Bannon Read More…
Gov. Steve Bullock said Wednesday he needs a “willing partner” to call a special legislative session and address the state’s budget revenue shortfalls. Bullock met with the Chronicle editorial board Wednesday to talk about the decision he needs to make regarding budget cuts. READ THE FULL STORY.
BOZEMAN, Mont. – In a four to one decision, the Bozeman City Commission voted Wednesday night to approve a controversial apartment complex project slated for downtown. It was the second vote on the Black Olive project. Dozens of people crowded into City Hall to have their voice heard. Many were disappointed when the vote came Read More…
BISMARCK, N.D. – The Burke County Sheriff’s Office logged a high-profile arrest. Singer Melissa Etheridge was charged with possession of a controlled substance after her tour bus was searched while attempting to enter the United States from Canada at the Port of Entry. Burke County authorities said they were conducting K9 searches at the Port of Entry when Read More…
State Rep. Tom Woods said Thursday he will challenge GOP Congressman Greg Gianforte for Montana’s at-large congressional seat in the House of Representatives. “Montanans deserve a government that is by people and for people,” the Bozeman Democrat said. “That principle is what this country was founded on. The principle of putting people first is what Read More…
Kathy Boelter, Billings, founder and President of Arrow Solutions Group, was recently accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, a very coveted award for small business owners who demonstrate dynamic leadership in business. The program, a co-investment between Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg Philanthropies, focuses on job creation and economic development. It offers participants Read More…
Fourth-generation Montanan and 22-year District Judge Russ Fagg made a stop in Kalispell Monday to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. A small crowd gathered for Fagg’s announcement in front of the Flathead County Courthouse on the crisp, clear morning. “It’s just about a perfect day in the Flathead Valley, and it’s an honor Read More…
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY, Mont. – A Washington man is being held in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility following a traffic stop Thursday morning that uncovered 80 one-pound sealed bags of marijuana in his car. According to court records, on October 12th at 10:55 a.m. Anthony Fujimoto, 33, was stopped for failing to signal a lane change Read More…
BILLINGS – Making hand crafted spirits is a labor of love for Casey McGowan, who opened Trailhead Spirits in January 2013. “We are a true production distillery where we make all the products that we sell,” said McGowan. “We ferment, we distill, we bottle, we do everything on site here.” When McGowan says everything is Read More…
The Supreme Court on Monday accepted a second important case on digital privacy, agreeing to hear a dispute between the federal government and Microsoft about emails stored overseas. The justices increasingly have been called upon to settle legal battles between law enforcement and technology companies, and to interpret laws written before the technology revolution that Read More…
One irony of Washington these days is that a press corps that claims to loathe right-wing political operative Steve Bannon can’t get enough of him. The media broadcast his every utterance, cheering on his declaration of “civil war” against Republicans in Congress. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) captured that reality on CBS’s “Face the Nation” Read More…
A man accused of killing a South Carolina high school student had been protected from deportation under the DACA program, U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News Thursday evening. Daniel De Jesus Rangel-Sherrer, 19, is accused of murder, kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with the death of 18-year-old Diana Read More…
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl told a military judge on Monday that he’s pleading guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. “I understand that leaving was against the law,” said Bergdahl, whose decision to walk off his remote post in Afghanistan in 2009 prompted intense search and recovery missions, during Read More…
Here are the highlights from Monday’s proceedings in the federal corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. Menendez, a Democrat and New Jersey’s senior senator, is charged with doing official favors for his friend and co-defendant, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, in exchange for expensive hotel stays, private jet flights and hundreds of thousands of Read More…
The last special legislative session in Montana was held a decade ago, when Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, announced the “call” summoning lawmakers back to Helena in order to fund government and transfer money to pay for wildland firefighting. Today, Schweitzer’s Democratic successor, Gov. Steve Bullock, is in an even direr situation following an expensive Read More…
Colin Kaepernick has filed a grievance against the National Football League in which he claims team owners colluded to keep him from being signed. The grievance was filed on Sunday under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, according to a statement from Mark Geragos, Kaepernick’s attorney. Geragos is also a CNN contributor. The statement said the Read More…
As of this month, Montana non-profits will have an easier time using gambling to raise money. “Effective October 1, non-profits that have registered with our department can sell raffle tickets online,” said Angela Nunn from the Montana Gambling Control Division. “The second piece of that is that they can also sell raffle tickets outside of Read More…
The Russians who worked for a notorious St. Petersburg “troll factory” that was part of Vladimir Putin’s campaign to influence the 2016 presidential election were required to watch the “House of Cards” television series to help them craft messages to “set up the Americans against their own government,” according to an interview broadcast Sunday (in Russian) with a former member of the troll factory’s Read More…
Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Kalispell City Council in the upcoming November election. The Beacon is publishing its first series of questionnaires with candidates for municipal elections this fall, starting with Kalispell. Absentee ballots are being mailed Oct. 18 and Election Day is Nov. 7. In Kalispell, incumbent Mayor Mark Johnson Read More…
Montana logged its first avalanche death of the 2017-18 season south of Bozeman Saturday. Two skiers — accomplished mountaineer Hayden Kennedy and his girlfriend, Inge Perkins — trekked to the upper reaches of Imp Peak in the southern Madison Range. Around 10,000 feet above sea level they accidentally dislodged a mass of snow 150 feet Read More…
On Wednesday, top Republican state leaders gathered in a conference call with the media to discuss their views of the current budget crisis in Montana. There is currently a $200 million shortfall in crafting a constitutionally mandated balanced budget. Speaker of the House Austin Knudsen began by calling out Governor Steve Bullock for making budget Read More…
Two Democrats running to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte in 2018 have raised more than a half-million dollars in campaign funds between them – and a third Democrat appears poised to enter the contest. Billings attorney John Heenan, the first Democrat to announce he would challenge Gianforte, reported raising $325,000 in August and September Read More…
BILLINGS – Yellowstone County District Judge Russell Fagg heard his last case Tuesday before hanging up his robe after 22 years on the bench. Fagg estimated that he’s presided over 25,000 cases, but one stands out in his mind. The year was 1996 and the defendant Gino Gonzalez, who was 17 at the time. “He killed a Read More…
I’m a hardcore, card carrying Tennessee conservative, and I’m running for the US Senate. Watch to find out why #TNSen → pic.twitter.com/ieaRjFrVYO — Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) October 5, 2017 Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s Senate campaign announcement ad has been blocked by Twitter over a statement the abortion rights opponent makes about the sale of fetal Read More…
Harvey Weinstein, the brash outsider from Queens who upended Hollywood, has always liked to think of himself as an underdog. So there may have been no prouder moment for him than the night of March 21, 1999, when he stood on the stage at the Academy Awards accepting the best picture Oscar for “Shakespeare in Read More…
“I could really use your support,” the embattled exec pleaded. As the board of The Weinstein Co. moved to fire Harvey Weinstein as its co-chairman over the weekend, he sent a private email to a number of high-level Hollywood executives at the studios, networks and talent agencies, begging for their aid in helping him save Read More…
Granite County Commissioner Scott Adler is being investigated after locals complained that he used county resources on his personal property in early September. During a commissioner meeting recorded by QSPNLIVE last Tuesday, Adler admitted when questioned by resident Susie Browning, that this wasn’t the first time. Browning: “What equipment was used?” Adler: “A tractor, a Read More…
CHEYENNE – Native Americans in Wyoming soon will receive more recognition in statewide K-12 education. During the 2017 session, the Legislature passed Enrolled Act 119, which requires the Wyoming Department of Education and State Board of Education to update the state’s social studies standards to include Native American history, cultural heritage and contemporary contributions. READ Read More…
It was a windy week in Casper, appropriate given the number of wind stories that ended up in the paper since last Monday. Each came from the same conference, a two-day forum about wind development at the University of Wyoming. It’d be overkill to lay out each of the topics from that conference for a newsletter. In Read More…
The state Legislature’s lawsuit against Gov. Doug Burgum over his vetoes does not cover Burgum’s veto of extra funding for township roads in non-oil producing counties. Nor does it seem likely that lawmakers will meet in special session to overturn the veto. That leaves 1,610 townships with $10,000 less in funding than they’ve had in Read More…
MINNEAPOLIS — Xcel Energy has proposed splitting its utility operations in North Dakota and Minnesota, telling regulators that widening policy differences between the two states over clean energy have caused stresses that might best be resolved through a breakup. But a consultant for the North Dakota Public Service Commission is arguing against the separation, saying Read More…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (KGWN) – Representative Robert McKim of Afton has resigned from the Wyoming Legislature because of health reasons. McKim was chairman of the House Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee. He served about eight years in the House. House Speaker Steve Harshman announced Wednesday that Rep. Hans Hunt of Newcastle will Read More…
Washington (CNN)Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is expanding his efforts to unseat sitting Senate Republicans in primaries next year. In the two weeks since Bannon-backed former judge Roy Moore defeated Sen. Luther Strange in Alabama’s Republican primary, Bannon has expanded his map of targets in the 2018 midterms and ramped up his efforts Read More…
WASHINGTON — Erik Prince, the founder of the security contractor Blackwater, is seriously considering a Republican primary challenge for a Senate seat in Wyoming, potentially adding a high-profile contender to a fledgling drive to oust establishment lawmakers with insurgents in the mold of President Trump. Mr. Prince appears increasingly likely to challenge John Barrasso, a Read More…