Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of a constitutional amendment proposed by South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during government shutdowns, with no back pay. Under current law, Members of Congress continue to receive salaries during a shutdown due to Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Read More…
(The Center Square) – With Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate now at a record-high 28%, Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena Estabine says city policymakers have become their own worse enemy when it comes to addressing the area’s changing demographics. New data shows Loop vacancies ballooned over the recent third quarter as post-pandemic work trends continue Read More…
The federal government shutdown entered its sixth week this weekend, stretching into the longest in U.S. history and revealing the mounting toll of Washington’s political stalemate. With more than 1,000 flight cancellations nationwide for the second straight day and critical federal services strained, the crisis is now hitting ordinary Americans far harder than the politicians Read More…
U.S. markets lost momentum this week as investors stepped back from recent highs, digesting mixed economic signals and growing uncertainty around the outlook for interest rates and growth. After several weeks of gains, the S&P 500 fell roughly 2.4% for the week, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped about 3%, its steepest decline since April. The Read More…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) have released a draft programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for 318 Authorization applications and are accepting public comments through Dec. 8. The draft is available on DEQ’s website. The 318 Authorization regulates short-term turbidity, or water cloudiness caused by suspended particles, Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced this week that the Automation Tax Credit (ATC) Program Portal is now open for applications. The program is designed to support primary sector businesses that invest in automation to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in manufacturing and animal agriculture. Authorized under N.D.C.C. § 57-38-01.41, the ATC allows eligible Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Wednesday that nine individuals—eight men and one woman—have been indicted by a Davison County Grand Jury for their alleged involvement in a cocaine distribution network operating in the county. Three of the suspects are also facing immigration-related investigations. The indictments, returned on Oct. 29, encompass 36 felony charges Read More…
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) over a data breach that allegedly exposed the sensitive personal and medical information of hundreds of thousands of members. The filing comes as Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown launched a separate investigation into the Read More…
Wyoming PBS and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West have launched a new partnership aimed at sharing authentic stories of the American West through a combination of history, storytelling, and visual media. Their inaugural production, From the Center of the West: A Conversation with Authors Dr. Paul Hutton and Peter Cozzens, features an in-depth Read More…
In a game packed with big plays, wild momentum swings, and a finish few will forget, the No. 2 Montana Grizzlies held off Eastern Washington 29–24 on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium to remain unbeaten on the season. The win pushed Montana to 10-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Sky Conference play, keeping the Grizzlies firmly Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced Wednesday that he is donating a quarter of his annual salary to The Producer Partnership, a Montana nonprofit dedicated to providing locally raised beef and other animal proteins to families in need across the state. The Producer Partnership, founded in 2020, works with Montana livestock producers to accept donated animals, process Read More…
(The Center Square) – Dick Cheney, vice president to former President George W. Bush, has died. He was 84. His family was with him Monday evening and said the cause of death was due to complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. Cheney served as the 46th vice president, often being referred to as the “most Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced Wednesday that last year $24 million in tourism loan funding was distributed to economic development organizations (EDOs) across the state to help grow local economies, support tourism businesses, and create and retain jobs. The funding comes through the Tourism Development and Enhancement Revolving Loan Fund Program. “The Tourism Development Read More…
The Montana Microfabrication Facility at Montana State University recently received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through its Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program. The funding will support current and new Montana Microfabrication Facility customers to rapidly develop, assemble and test photonic integrated circuits, or PICs. In this 2023 file photo, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Self-proclaimed democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani will be the next mayor of New York City after taking down the former Democrat New York governor for a second time on Tuesday. Democrats also won their respective races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia Tuesday. NEW YORK CITY MAYOR In one of the most Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced an immediate investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) following a major data breach that may have compromised the personal and medical information of up to 462,000 Montanans. “This breach is not just a technical lapse. This is a deeply disturbing Read More…
The Original Governor’s Mansion will temporarily close to public tours beginning November 1, 2025, as contractors begin a series of critical exterior repairs aimed at preserving one of Montana’s most cherished historic landmarks. The restoration effort, funded through the Governor’s Long-Range Building Program, will address both the mansion and its adjacent historic carriage house. Planned Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a proposed initiated Constitutional Amendment that would repeal property taxes in the state and replace them with a new “retail transaction” tax. If sponsors collect 35,017 valid petition signatures, the measure would appear on the 2026 general election ballot. Attorney General Jackley Read More…
Now that the United States has officially stopped making pennies, a nationwide scramble is underway among gas stations, fast-food chains, and major retailers to adjust prices and handle cash transactions — a shift that could quietly erode profits for many high-volume businesses. The transition follows President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to halt production Read More…
(The Center Square) – Death threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up by 8,000% compared to the same timeframe last year, the Department of Homeland Security said on Friday. Assaults against ICE officers remain at a 1,000% increase, The Center Square first reported. Targeted removal efforts prioritizing arresting violent offenders are ongoing as Read More…
Bitcoin was on track Friday to post its first October loss in seven years, breaking a streak that had given the month a “lucky” reputation among cryptocurrency traders. The world’s largest digital currency is set to fall nearly 5% for the month, trading around $66,800 Friday afternoon, as investors pulled back from risk assets amid Read More…
(The Center Square) – With the ongoing government shutdown dragging on for a record-breaking period of time, U.S. lawmakers are introducing bills to make shutdowns as painful for Congress as they are for federal workers. Since the government shut down on Oct.1 after Senate Democrats filibustered Republicans’ House-passed funding bill, hundreds of thousands of federal Read More…
Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) visited Montana State University’s state-of-the-art quantum research facility on Halloween, highlighting the university’s advancements in technology and the critical role quantum research plays in Montana’s economy. “It’s a blast to be back at my alma mater, MSU, on Halloween, and see all the great additions made to the university,” Daines said. Read More…
Senator Sheehy (R-Mont.) joined forces with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) this week to launch the Senate Stewardship Caucus, a bipartisan effort focused on protecting public lands, promoting responsible land management, and supporting economic growth in rural communities. The announcement was made at an event hosted by Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering bipartisan Read More…
University of Montana alum Cassidy Randall will serve as the 2026 Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer in Environmental Studies. As an author and freelance journalist, the Missoula resident covers adventure and the environment in the West. Her most recent book, “Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Journey of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali,” recently won Read More…
From unleashing the coronavirus, to controlling the social media app TikTok, or evading U.S. sanctions, Beijing has repeatedly attempted to exploit the American people. In recent years, communist leaders have looked to a dangerous new form of leverage against U.S. citizens – gaining control of our domestic agricultural and food supply chains. There is no doubt that Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong announced Thursday that he has directed more than $1.5 million in state funds to support food assistance programs during the ongoing federal government shutdown, urging North Dakota residents to consider donating food or money to local food pantries to help families impacted by the loss of federal benefits. “The state of North Read More…
Montana’s manufacturing sector remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy, according to three reports on the state of manufacturing recently released by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University and authored by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. The manufacturing sector generated more than $2 billion in Read More…
Hilltop Bank announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Cheyenne State Bank, marking a significant expansion of its banking footprint in Wyoming. Under the terms of the agreement, Hilltop Bank will integrate Cheyenne State Bank’s operations, employees, and branch network, aiming to provide enhanced banking services to both retail and commercial customers Read More…
Dakota Foundry, a vertically integrated grey and ductile iron foundry, has been named one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “CO—100 Top 100 Small Businesses in America”, a national recognition that highlights the company’s innovation, craftsmanship, and impact on American manufacturing. The CO—100 designation honors small businesses demonstrating exceptional innovation and influence across the country. Read More…
The Montana Department of Justice (MTDOJ) and Billings Police Department (BPD) are alerting residents of Yellowstone County about an increased presence of the deadly synthetic opioid carfentanil. The warning follows a significant seizure by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which confiscated 5,300 pills suspected of being trafficked into Montana Read More…
Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing and the Montana State University Alumni Foundation recently received a Blue Impact Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. The $43,685 grant, awarded in August, will help the nursing college collaborate with clinical agencies in rural areas to develop a post-graduate transition-to-practice program Read More…
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s (WYDOT) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan, certifying that the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) are fully built out and clearing the way for NEVI funding to be spent on non-interstate highways. Wyoming becomes the third state to achieve full build-out status, a Read More…
As Virginians head to the polls in the 2025 Attorney General election, the race between incumbent Republican Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones has tightened, drawing national attention and raising the stakes for conservatives across the state. For conservatives, the office of Attorney General is more than a political prize—it’s a frontline in the Read More…
The stock market wrapped up this week in a mood of cautious celebration as investors watched technology companies drive the rally. After a standout October, November opened with optimism and bullish forecasts for a strong finish to the year. The Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones each posted weekly gains. Amazon delivered a blowout earnings Read More…
The Federal Reserve delivered a widely anticipated quarter-point rate cut this week, lowering its benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, its second reduction of the year. But despite the move, Chair Jerome Powell sent a clear message to markets: don’t expect a rapid march toward lower borrowing costs. The decision Read More…
(The Center Square) – Illegal border crossings in September were historically low, representing a 92.4% drop from a record high reported in September 2023. Last month, 26,002 illegal border crossers were reported nationwide compared to a record high of 341,392 reported in September 2023, according to newly released U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Las Read More…
Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) is preparing to release its third-quarter 2025 earnings report on Wednesday, November 19, after the market closes, with investors and analysts closely watching for insights into the company’s continued growth in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Analysts are forecasting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.24, up from $0.81 in the same quarter Read More…
Watching William Shakespeare’s plays come to life is a bit like walking into a dark room. The longer someone is immersed, the more everything comes into focus. Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, a branch of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture, shares this Read More…
Montana renters are about to pay the price for one lawmaker’s political gamesmanship. Rep. Llew Jones of Conrad the self-styled architect of Montana’s property tax “reform” is now scrambling to explain how his signature legislation wound up raising taxes on apartment buildings across the state. That mistake, buried deep in hundreds of pages of last-minute Read More…