A Denton, Texas grand jury indicted former MLB reliever John Wetteland on three counts of continuous sexual assault of a child on Friday. Police arrested Wetteland in January on charges that he repeatedly sexually abused a 4-year-old relative starting in 2004. Wetteland accused of assaulting 4-year-old relative From an affidavit reported in The Dallas Morning News on January 15: “Wetteland, 52, Read More…
A former Nevada lawmaker has accused former Vice President Joe Biden of kissing and touching her during a campaign event, an allegation that Biden — a possible presidential contender for 2020 — said he doesn’t recall. The allegations were laid out in a first-person piece written by Lucy Flores, a Democrat who at the time was Read More…
The chairman of the House oversight panel threatened Friday to subpoena testimony and documents related to the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the panel’s Democratic chairman, said officials at the Commerce Department withheld key documents about the decision despite repeated follow-up requests. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Read More…
Stacey Abrams is set to reveal soon whether she’ll run for president or senator or something else. But in recent months, the Democrat has mounted a nationwide, largely below-the-radar effort to expand her donor and political network that will make her an instant force whatever she decides. Abrams has traversed the country meeting with top Read More…
A district judge on Friday overturned a state decision allowing a Creston water-bottling facility to begin production near the Flathead River, ruling that the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation erred when it granted a permit that would have allowed a company to produce more than 1 billion 20-ounce bottles per year. The order Read More…
BILLINGS – It’s not an election year in Montana, but it didn’t take long for politics to take center stage in Helena. Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock can’t run again after finishing his second term next year, which leaves the race for governor wide open. Secretary of State Corey Stapleton surprised everyone when he announced on Jan. Read More…
HELENA – The Montana House Friday endorsed a bill increasing the license fee paid by most investment advisers and stockbrokers doing business in Montana — a bill that raises about $8 million a year and could be part of the final budget picture at the 2019 Legislature. The House voted 59-40 to advance House Bill Read More…
BOZEMAN – The Montana High Tech Business Alliance reports that the state’s high-tech companies generated more than $2 billion in revenue in 2018. Many of those high tech businesses are found in Bozeman and have cropped up as the area’s rapid growth continues. “Most of my clients when I started were out of state and Read More…
HELENA – The Helena Civic Center celebrated the commissioning of 60 new officers from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy on Friday. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox commended the class for choosing a profession that runs toward danger and not from it. Many graduates and attendees wore green in honor of Trooper Wade Palmer, the Trooper Read More…
If you are planning on driving anywhere and look up from the pump at the price of gas, you might be noticing an uptick in cost. According to the fuel price tracker Gas Buddy, prices are expected to climb for the sixth straight week across the country. Right now, the average price of gas across Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. — This is the time of year people get excited about winning cash from a number of contests. Hannah Stiff is the Montana Marketplace Manager for the Better Business Bureau, and says many Montanans are getting notices they have won contests through e-mail, phone calls and pop-up messages on the internet. “Maybe it’s Read More…
MISSOULA – There’s a new fast food option coming to Missoula, and it’s setting up shop in a familiar building. Frugals is moving into the former Dairy Queen building on Brooks Street. It will mark the seventh location for the burger chain, which is focused in Washington, Idaho and Montana. The restaurant’s menu includes a Read More…
A Montana-based organization is helping jump start high-tech startups through a business pitch competition held in Missoula, Billings and Bozeman to encourage tech industry development and job opportunities. Early Stage Montana, a nonprofit coalition, is looking for entrepreneurs who need help planning and growing their businesses. Participants will pitch their business plans and products to Read More…
BISMARCK — North Dakota senators voted Monday, March 18, to repeal the state’s law prohibiting drivers from leaving their car running while it’s unattended, a ban that’s often ignored during the state’s frigid months. READ FULL STORY
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill Friday that would have allowed the Legislature to sue the state of Washington over coal exports. It’s important for Wyoming to “speak with one voice” on coal-export litigation, Gordon said. Wyoming is the top coal-producing state. Wyoming’s coal industry seeks to export more coal Read More…
Local microgreens growers have come up with innovative ways to use their product. EarthStar Farms owner Susan Waite of Whitefish mixes microgreens into her homemade macaroni and cheese and sticks them into a grilled cheese sandwich or a hamburger. Ashley Kwasney of Gecko Mountain Farm in Somers throws them in soup, omelets and pasta dishes, Read More…
Shopko will close its remaining stores across the country, including all of its Montana locations. According to a document filed on March 18, the company will close all of its remaining locations by June. The company stated in a press release that it was unable to find a buyer for the business, which declared bankruptcy Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. — Many outdoorsmen are still celebrating after President Donald Trump signed the Public Lands Package into law. The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee Chairman, Lisa Murkowski and Senator Steve Daines discussed the recent legislation at the Wild Sheep Foundation in Bozeman Sunday. The president signed the bipartisan John D. Dingell Jr. Read More…
BILLINGS – Pitching a tent, enjoying the great outdoors, and gathering around a campfire: all things many people associate with Kampgrounds of America (KOA). Now, customers can also associate Toby O’Rourke as chief executive officer of the Billings-based company. Based in Billings, KOA just named Toby O’Rourke as the new CEO. O’Rourke has been the KOA president since March 2018 and Read More…
KALISPELL, Mont. — Dozens of Montana National Guard soldiers have returned home following a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. The Daily Inter Lake reports soldiers from the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion arrived at Glacier Jet Center in Kalispell late Saturday, greeted by a crowd of family and friends. U.S. Army Cpt. Dan Bushnell says the Read More…
NorthWestern Energy recently announced its support of the Montana Energy Security Act of 2019, which includes language to define greater details of a potential purchase of an additional share of Colstrip Unit 4. Montana State Sen. Tom Richmond (R-MT) introduced the measure allowing NorthWestern Energy, which services Nebraska and South Dakota in addition to Montana, Read More…
GREAT FALLS – Youth Dynamics reports that every year almost 4,000 Montana children enter foster care due to abuse, neglect and other serious difficulties within their families. “There’s nowhere near that many homes,” Youth Dynamics Family Development Coordinator Bethany Grohs said. Grohs says there is a need for more couples to become foster parents, “I would Read More…
Scott Sales, Montana Senate President, was a guest on The KMMS Morning Soapbox with Tom and Shane today. In a KMMS exclusive interview Sales announced his proposed run for Montana Secretary of State replacing Cory Stapleton who is running for Governor of Montana. (Listen to the entire interview below) Scott has served as both the Read More…
Over a century later, UPS continues to honor their safe drivers across the nation in what they call the Circle of Honor. As of last month, over 1400 drivers were added to the Circle, 3 of whom are from right here in Montana. In total, Montana has 569 full-time UPS drivers. Out of those drivers, Read More…
Thirty-four years ago, Rupert Murdoch showed up in Hollywood with $250 million, buying a stake in the 20th Century Fox film studio — even though he had little interest in making movies. The scrappy Australian newsman, then known for his clamorous tabloids, was viewed with suspicion. Skeptics assumed he was a corporate raider intent on Read More…
WASHINGTON — Beto O’Rourke raised $6.1 million in his first 24 hours as a presidential candidate, according to his campaign, surpassing Bernie Sanders and every other 2020 Democrat who has disclosed their figures. O’Rourke’s campaign announced Monday that he had taken in $6,136,763 in online contributions in the day after declaring his candidacy Thursday morning. Read More…
Joe Biden is carrying a 20th century voting record into a 21st century political dogfight. During more than 40 years in public life, Biden has taken an array of stances at odds with today’s Democratic Party consensus. As he now prepares for his third presidential campaign, that record could hamper him in a big field Read More…
Medicare has penalized nine Wyoming hospitals this year for high rates of readmission and Aspen Mountain Medical Center in Rock Springs for a high rate of hospital-acquired illnesses. According to data from health news organization Kaiser Health News, hospitals can receive cuts to their reimbursements from Medicare. This includes up to three percent per Medicare Read More…
Voter turnout rates among Montana’s youth have swelled in recent years, from nearly 18 percent in 2014 to just over 42 percent last year in 2018, according to a report from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE. The organization, which specializes in research on young people in the Read More…
GREAT FALLS – A local man won the Montana Lottery’s top prize this week of $75,000, according to a press release. “It paid off really well,” said Arnie Depping, who bought the winning Slingo Trio Treasure ticket at the Holiday Station Store on 1428 3rd Street NW. He had cashed in a few winning lottery Read More…
Development in Kalispell has gathered momentum in recent years, as many businesses and organizations anticipate the arrival of a new walking path cutting through downtown, replacing the existing train tracks. Since that ball got rolling, officials said, it has only picked up speed. Earlier this month, at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon, it became Read More…
A massive public lands package including a ban on new mining claims north of Yellowstone and the renewal of a popular conservation fund has now become law. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed S. 47, a broad legislative package including land designations and more affecting areas across the country. It sailed through the House and Read More…
Bozeman lawyer Matthew Monforton has asked the Gallatin County District Court to review the decision by the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices to dismiss his ethics complaint against the office’s former commissioner, Jonathan Motl. Monforton, a former Republican state representative, is accusing Motl of illegally using public resources to oppose the 2016 reelection Read More…
The Montana School Choice case ruled unlawful by the Montana Supreme Court has officially been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lead attorney for the Institute for Justice headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Erica Smith, said the appeal was filed early Tuesday morning. “The Montana Legislature passed this program in 2015, and it’s been helping lots Read More…
A Montana State Fair carnival worker has been arrested in connection to a 2017 sexual assault. Lyle Oka made his initial appearance for one count of sexual intercourse without consent. In July of 2017, the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office responded to Benefis Health System for a report of a sexual assault, according to court documents. Read More…
Francesco “Frank” Cali, the reputed leader of the Gambino crime family, was shot to death outside his house in Staten Island on Wednesday night, in a killing that echoes Mafia murders of the 1980s. The New York Police Department says that at 9:17 p.m. ET, officers received a 911 call reporting an assault in progress Read More…
A dreaded bloodbath at Goldman Sachs under the bank’s new boss has finally begun. The Wall Street powerhouse — whose new chief executive, David Solomon, took the reins from Lloyd Blankfein last October — laid off 65 employees in its New York office at the end of February, according to notice filed Thursday with the Read More…
(CNN)Bernie Sanders advocated for the nationalization of most major industries, including energy companies, factories, and banks, when he was a leading member of a self-described “radical political party” in the 1970s, a CNN KFile review of his record reveals. Sanders’ past views shed light on a formative period of his political career that could become Read More…
Facebook removed several ads placed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign that called for the breakup of Facebook and other tech giants. But the social network later reversed course after POLITICO reported on the takedown, with the company saying it wanted to allow for “robust debate.” The ads, which had identical images and text, touted Read More…
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has called for Google to be broken up in Australia, the latest salvo in a battle between the corporate media giants. In a petition to Australian regulators, News Corp’s local subsidiary complained that “Google enjoys overwhelming market power in both online search and ad tech services.” Going a step further, the Read More…