The lawmakers pressed China’s leadership on fentanyl, agricultural market access, and Boeing aircraft purchases ahead of an anticipated Trump-Xi summit next week. A bipartisan group of five U.S. senators held three high-level meetings in Beijing on Friday with China’s top leadership, including Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a rare diplomatic overture Read More…
A former state senator has publicly identified herself for the first time as the source of a confidential 2018 sexual harassment complaint against state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, directly challenging his recent claims that allegations against him are part of a politically motivated smear campaign. Jennifer Gross disclosed Friday in a post on her Substack Read More…
A Montana minerals exploration company marked its arrival on a U.S. national securities exchange Thursday when Silver Bow Mining Corp. leadership rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, roughly a week after the Butte-based company completed its initial public offering. Silver Bow Mining began trading on the NYSE American exchange under the Read More…
Government programs often spiral out of control, harming the very people they were supposed to help. Obamacare was full of such perversities. The most obvious are skyrocketing prices caused by a law that claims to make care “affordable.” While fixing the structure requires action by Congress, the Trump administration has gone into the policy weeds Read More…
The final decision reverses a Biden-era authorization that allowed non-production bison to graze on more than 63,000 acres of federal land, ending a four-year legal and political fight by Montana’s governor, attorney general, and congressional delegation. The Bureau of Land Management issued a final decision canceling the American Prairie Reserve’s bison grazing permits on more Read More…
(The Center Square) – Another international human smuggling ring exploiting lax Canadian border security and visa processes has been thwarted by U.S. officials. Mexican smuggling at the U.S.-Canada border isn’t new but during the Biden and Trudeau administrations, illegal activity increased to record levels that exploited weak Canadian border security and lax visa policies, The Read More…
The governor held a town hall in Sidney and visited a string of small businesses and nonprofits across five counties, using the tour to tout property and income tax reforms ahead of the next legislative session. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte brought his 56 County Tour to the state’s southeast corner this week, holding a town Read More…
A wave of new economic data is pointing to broad-based strength across the American economy, with improvements in housing, manufacturing, consumer confidence, and the labor market. Housing New residential construction surged last month to its highest level in more than a year, reflecting strong momentum in expanding housing supply. Home prices declined on an annual Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that the North Dakota Development Fund Inc. (NDDF) has expanded its eligibility criteria to include non-primary sector businesses. The change is intended to open financing opportunities for more rural businesses and community organizations that previously did not qualify for support. The updated guidelines allow for-profit businesses, specific nonprofits Read More…
sophomore in Montana State University’s Honors College double-majoring in cell biology and neuroscience and biochemistry was recently accepted to the highly selective University of Virginia Law School Roadmap Scholars program. Neva Clark is one of 12 students nationwide admitted to the program and the first to be accepted from MSU. The program by the top-tier Read More…
A Pakistani national has pleaded guilty to operating an international human smuggling network that charged migrants as much as $40,000 each to be illegally transported into the United States, the Justice Department announced. Abbas Ali Haider, 49, of Sialkot, Pakistan, operated two fake Pakistan-based companies — Diamond TV World Productions and Multimedia Advertising Ltd. — Read More…
South Dakota senior citizens and citizens with disabilities have until July 1 to apply for a tax refund through the state’s Tax Refund Program. Eligible individuals may receive a refund of a portion of the sales taxes they paid in the previous year. To qualify, individuals must meet the following requirements: have been a South Read More…
Montana has topped the nation in year-over-year increases in single-family home permits, according to a new report from the National Association of Home Builders. The Washington, D.C.-based trade association, which represents over 140,000 members in the residential construction industry, reported that seven states recorded year-over-year increases in single-family permits in January. Gains ranged from 25.5 Read More…
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has launched investigations into 36 Illinois public school districts to determine whether they have included sexual orientation and gender ideology content in classes for grades pre-K through 12 and whether parents have been properly notified of their rights. The investigations will examine whether the school districts have notified parents Read More…
The War Department is seeking $71 billion to modernize the U.S. nuclear triad — encompassing air, land, and sea-based weapons systems — as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told senators during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “[This budget] invests in it — $71 billion in our Read More…
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon joined members of the Wyoming National Guard in Tunisia this week, participating in activities surrounding Exercise African Lion 2026, the largest annual joint military exercise led by the U.S. Africa Command. Held in Tunis, Tunisia, the exercise brought together military forces from the United States, Tunisia, and more than 40 partner Read More…
U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have introduced a bipartisan resolution commemorating May 5th, 2026, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. “On this year’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, we remember with a heavy heart all those who have Read More…
(The Center Square) – The U.S. national debt is now larger than the entire American economy and is only set to keep growing, further exacerbating the affordability crisis and risking national security. Out of the $39 trillion total national debt, debt held by the public hit $31.27 trillion on March 31, surpassing the $31.22 trillion Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program (MRAP), administered by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), reported record participation in 2025, reinforcing its role as a key driver of workforce development in the 406 JOBS initiative. “The Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program is opening doors for hardworking Montanans to earn while Read More…
Bridger Photonics, the global leader in emissions detection and intelligence, has announced the launch of Bridger Command™, an interactive emissions management platform designed to help oil and gas operators turn emissions data into faster, more confident decisions. Oil and gas operators make thousands of decisions daily across operations, maintenance, safety, regulatory, and capital planning. Over Read More…
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Arlington National Cemetery on April 30 for a full honors wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marked by a 21-gun salute. The ceremony came on the final day of their state visit to the United States, commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The royal Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced that applications are open for the Innovate ND grant program. Entrepreneurs across the state are encouraged to apply by May 14, 2026, to be considered for this round of funding and support. Innovate ND provides North Dakota entrepreneurs with hands-on education in the lean business model canvas, Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen joined the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) at a press conference in Washington, D.C. to support the Trump Administration’s efforts to strengthen the Second Amendment and reduce burdens on law-abiding gun owners. “Today is a day of celebration for lawful gun Read More…
U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have introduced the China-Africa Mining Transparency Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill aimed at exposing China’s use of forced labor, child labor, and environmental abuse in critical mineral mining operations across Africa. “As we restore American energy dominance and onshore critical mineral production, it is imperative Read More…
U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Congressmen Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Troy Downing (MT-02), sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation requesting funding to repair the St. Mary Diversion Dam and Canal in northwestern Montana. The delegation is urging the Bureau of Reclamation to consider the St. Mary Diversion Dam Read More…
The University of Montana will celebrate over 2,000 degree candidates who make up the class of 2026 during its Spring Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 9. “This is a special time of year, as Commencement marks the culmination of the academic journey of so many of our students,” said Leslie Webb, UM vice president for student Read More…
The United States Department of Justice has filed a complaint challenging New Jersey laws that provide in-state tuition rates and financial assistance to illegal aliens, arguing the laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens and conflict with federal law. The complaint, filed in the District of New Jersey, names the State of New Jersey, the Higher Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that a $7.4 billion settlement reached with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, for their role in fueling the opioid crisis took effect Friday, May 1. South Dakota is expected to receive an estimated $10.1 million over the next 15 years as part of its settlement Read More…
Speaker Mike Johnson delivered remarks after House Republicans ended what he characterized as a Democrat-driven DHS shutdown and passed a budget resolution to fund immigration enforcement and border security for three years, a move Republicans say will prevent future efforts to reopen the border or halt the removal of criminal illegal immigrants. House Republicans also Read More…
The North Dakota Supreme Court welcomed its newest member as Justice Friese was officially installed during a formal investiture ceremony. Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers was joined by Justices Jon J. Jensen and Jerod E. Tufte in welcoming attendees to the ceremony. Debra L. Hoffarth, President of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, presented Read More…
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of $10.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, more than double the $4.6 billion reported in the same period a year ago, according to the company’s quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2026. The results were driven by strong Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has invoked supervisory control over Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell, following her failure to issue a memorandum clarifying that Gallatin County may share confidential criminal justice information (CCJI) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for civil immigration enforcement functions. On April 2, Attorney General Knudsen sent a letter to Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced the House passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, commonly known as the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to strengthen American agriculture, support rural communities, and improve forest and land management. The bill includes six provisions sponsored or co-sponsored by Zinke. “The Farm Bill Read More…
Spirit Airlines announced on May 2 that it was suspending all operations after years of financial hardships, compounded by a recent spike in fuel prices, leaving travelers scrambling for alternative flights and refunds. All Spirit flights have been canceled and the airline’s customer service is no longer available. “For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines Read More…
Wall Street capped a strong week with fresh all-time highs on Friday, as upbeat earnings from Apple and hopes for a resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict helped push major indexes higher for a fifth consecutive week. The Nasdaq led the way, surpassing the 25,000 level and closing at 25,114.44, a new record. The S&P 500 Read More…
(The Center Square) – A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily halted a Biden-era rule that allowed individuals to receive the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail without a prescription from a doctor. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that the state of Louisiana likely would win Read More…
The U.S. Department of the Treasury intensified its economic pressure campaign against Iran on Friday, sanctioning a major China-based refinery and dozens of shipping firms and vessels accused of helping move Iranian oil to global markets. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, said it imposed sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Read More…
Nearly 250 tourism and hospitality professionals gathered this week in Grand Forks as the 2026 North Dakota Travel Industry Conference entered its second day with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and future growth. Hosted by Visit Greater Grand Forks, the North Dakota Travel Industry Alliance, and the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the conference is Read More…
Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in parts of Wyoming are now eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans following a drought declaration issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The assistance is available to businesses in Goshen County, Laramie County, and Niobrara County, which were included in a multi-state disaster declaration covering drought conditions that began Read More…
The ND250 Commission has awarded a new round of community grants to support projects across North Dakota celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. The ND250 Community Initiatives Grant Program helps organizations and local governments create projects recognizing North Dakota’s role in the nation’s history while encouraging public engagement ahead Read More…