The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has officially opened the application process for Education Service Providers (ESPs) for the state’s newly established Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The application portal will be accessible starting at 1 p.m. MDT on April 1, 2025, on the ESA website. Organizations interested in offering educational goods or services through Read More…
In a narrow 51–48 vote early Saturday morning, Senate Republicans approved a budget resolution that paves the way for extending former President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and significantly reducing federal spending. The vote followed a late-night legislative session and unlocks the use of budget reconciliation — a procedural tool that allows Republicans to sidestep Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in calling on the Trump Administration to take action against a little-known import program that they say is being exploited by drug traffickers and foreign adversaries to smuggle deadly fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. In a letter sent Read More…
Nissan Motor Co. is considering shifting a portion of its Japan-based production for U.S.-bound vehicles to the United States, amid escalating global trade tensions fueled by President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff policies, according to a report by the Nikkei on Saturday. The move is aimed at avoiding the financial impact of Trump’s aggressive trade agenda, Read More…
Former Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth has been banned for life from the Senate floor following a bipartisan vote to censure the Hamilton Republican over a serious ethics violation tied to a no-bid government contract awarded to a close associate. In a 44–6 vote on Tuesday, the Senate approved the censure, which removes Ellsworth from Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined law enforcement leaders in Billings to emphasize the importance of major new investments in Montana’s public safety infrastructure, including a proposed $150 million in one-time funding to expand the capacity of the Montana State Prison. Standing alongside local officials at a press conference, Gianforte stressed the urgency of addressing rising crime Read More…
(The Center Square) – Boeing earned a contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s top air dominance fighter, the F-47 and the service has plenty of options to base operational squadrons both in the U.S. and overseas. The sixth-generation aircraft is intended to replace the Air Force’s existing top fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Read More…
Belgrade High School was victorious in the Montana ProStart Invitational held March 20 at Montana State University, securing the school’s spot in the national competition in May. ProStart, a two-year culinary and business management program, prepares thousands of high school students nationwide for industry work through catering events, field trips and an annual competition. Gallatin Read More…
In a significant move for the cryptocurrency and banking sectors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced on Friday that U.S. banks can engage in certain cryptocurrency-related activities without seeking prior approval from the regulator. The FDIC clarified that as long as these activities are legally permitted and banks manage their risks appropriately, they do Read More…
When someone calls 911 for a medical emergency in Missoula, there is a good chance the paramedics responding are graduates of the University of Montana’s Paramedicine Program. For the past five years, UM has partnered with Missoula Emergency Services Inc. to provide the Paramedicine Program at Missoula College. The program has produced highly trained paramedics, Read More…
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Positive Aviation, Inc. (PA), a Blagnac, France-based engineering firm, to develop and deploy the innovative FF72 amphibious water-scooping firefighting aircraft. The partnership, formalized today through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Read More…
(The Center Square) – Live Nation Entertainment, the events giant that operates Ticketmaster, is fighting to hold on to practices that states and the federal government allege are anti-competitive and hurt both fans and musicians. The company recently lost its bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8% in February, marking the 44th consecutive month of unemployment at or below 3.4%—a historic low. The strong labor market continues to be a key indicator of Montana’s resilient economy. “Montana’s economy is strong, adding 3,000 new jobs and reaching a record-high labor force of Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is taking a strong stand against human trafficking, bringing a major regional training conference to Bozeman this April to equip law enforcement and frontline professionals with the tools they need to combat this growing crisis. The 2025 Greater Rockies Immersive Training (GRIT) Conference, scheduled for April 28–30, will unite law Read More…
Debanking is a growing concern for conservatives nationwide, and Montana is no exception. Financial institutions have been weaponized to silence conservatives by cutting off essential banking services. Rather than addressing this injustice, the Biden administration allowed it to continue unchecked. While President Trump recognized the importance of preventing banks from targeting conservatives, Montana’s Senate Bill Read More…
For the second year in a row, Bozeman, home to Montana State University, has been ranked the No. 1 college town in America by RentCafe.com, reaffirming its reputation as one of the best places in the country for students to live, learn, and launch their careers. Bozeman topped the rankings based on several factors, including Read More…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against affiliates of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), seeking to end collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that it claims hinder national security operations. The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Texas on behalf of eight federal agencies, follows an executive order issued by Read More…
Ventenata, cheatgrass and spotted knapweed are all considered invasive species in Montana because of their tendency to muscle native grasses and other plants out of their habitats. While completely eradicating invasive plants is virtually impossible, Montana State University plant ecologist Lisa Rew has dedicated her decades-long career to understanding the ecology of invasive species and Read More…
OpenAI, the groundbreaking artificial intelligence company, must complete its transition into a for-profit entity by the end of 2025 in order to secure the full $40 billion in funding it is currently raising, according to a person familiar with the matter. The funding round is being led by global technology giant SoftBank. This pivotal transition Read More…
Today we saw oral arguments in the lawfare case against Attorney General Knudsen. Sadly, this is nothing new. We’ve seen this movie before. The left uses “lawfare” to silence and target political opponents, manipulating the legal system for partisan gain. This isn’t just happening at the national level, as we’ve witnessed in the ongoing lawfare Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Department of State will assume many of the responsibilities and oversight of programs previously performed by the U.S. Agency of International Development, effectively shuttering the controversial USAID department. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had been targeting USAID’s questionable spending for cuts, leading to legal challenges. But on Friday, Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has announced several important updates to its leadership team, aimed at strengthening the department’s ongoing initiatives and operations across the state. Franz Fuchs, who has served as the department’s chief policy analyst and legislative liaison, has been appointed as the new WDH Deputy Director. Fuchs, a U.S. Navy veteran, Read More…
Wells Fargo has officially abandoned its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, prompting Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen to close his investigation into the bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. The move follows a broader controversy over whether financial institutions should consider climate-related targets in their lending practices. The investigation, launched in October Read More…
For the fifth consecutive year, Montana State University’s efforts to support student veterans have been recognized with a designation as a top-10 military-friendly school in a nationwide survey through the website Militaryfriendly.com. MSU ranked third in military-friendly schools in the survey’s Tier 2 research institution category. The university has consistently placed top 10 in the Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the privacy, safety, and fairness of Montana women and girls by signing two key pieces of legislation aimed at protecting women’s spaces and ensuring fairness in women’s sports. “Standing alongside our partners in Montana and across the country, I am proud to safeguard privacy and security for Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte, joined by Americans for Prosperity (AFP), rallied at the Montana State Capitol Friday to push for historic tax cuts aimed at providing significant relief to Montanans. The governor emphasized that his proposal offers the most conservative approach to tax reform, focusing on empowering individuals and families to keep more of their hard-earned Read More…
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share at a meeting held on March 26, 2025. This marks the 160th consecutive quarterly dividend declared by the company, which has also increased its dividend 49 times over the years. The dividend will be payable Read More…
CoreWeave, an AI infrastructure firm backed by tech giant Nvidia, made its Nasdaq debut on Friday with a less-than-enthusiastic response from investors. The company’s shares closed flat after opening nearly 3% below their offering price, giving it a valuation of $23 billion on a fully diluted basis. The lackluster performance has raised concerns about the Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, a Republican, is fighting back against a recommendation from the Montana Supreme Court’s Commission on Practice to suspend him from practicing law for 90 days, following his controversial actions in a separation of powers dispute with the state’s judicial branch. At the center of the dispute is Knudsen’s public criticism Read More…
In a groundbreaking move that fuses artificial intelligence with social media, Elon Musk’s xAI has acquired X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in an all-stock deal valued at $33 billion. Announced by Musk on X late Friday, the acquisition raises xAI’s valuation to an impressive $80 billion, creating a combined entity that aims to Read More…
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, has reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2024. The company achieved a significant milestone with $98.6 million in revenue for the full year and $15.6 million in the Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced key leadership changes in his administration today, including a new director for the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) and an appointment to the Idaho Transportation Board. Bree Derrick Appointed as IDOC Director The Idaho Board of Correction has appointed Bree Derrick as the new Director of IDOC, succeeding Josh Tewalt, who Read More…
The Wyoming Transportation Commission allocated $21.49 million in contracts for eight highway construction projects across the state during its regular business meeting on March 20, 2025. The awards, granted to various contractors, will fund improvements ranging from concrete slab replacements to bridge rehabilitation and road resurfacing, with completion dates spanning from June to November 2025. Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte is celebrating a $2 million investment from GE Aerospace to expand manufacturing capacity at its joint venture site in Butte, further boosting Montana’s role in commercial and military aircraft engine production. “I appreciate the continued investment from GE Aerospace to boost American manufacturing, jobs, and products,” said Gov. Gianforte. “In Montana, we’ll Read More…
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump is endorsing conservative Judge Brad Schimel in his race against liberal Judge Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Calling Crawford a “radical left liberal,” Trump wrote on Truth Social she “has repeatedly given child molesters, rapists, women beaters and domestic abusers ‘light’ sentences. “She is the handpicked Read More…
Everyone has seen the stories. A homeowner goes on vacation only to return and find strangers in their bed and half their furnishings sold. Or a widow vacates a family home, puts her house on the market and then finds out someone moved in and changed the locks while the house was unoccupied. Or a Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general in supporting President Donald J. Trump’s push to deport members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), a group recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization. In an amicus brief filed Tuesday, the attorneys general urged the U.S. Court of Appeals Read More…
(The Center Square) – A North Dakota jury on Wednesday found environmental activist group Greenpeace liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for its activities related to protests of construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Dallas-based Energy Transfer sued Greenpeace over the sometimes violent protests that delayed construction of the pipeline by five months, costing the Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced the award of $1,168,199 in Energy Conservation Grants (ECG) to communities across the state. These grants are part of the department’s ongoing initiative to support energy efficiency improvements in public buildings, benefiting local governments through funding for sustainable projects aimed at reducing energy costs. The ECG program Read More…
As National Agriculture Week comes to a close, Governor Greg Gianforte is ramping up efforts to reform Montana’s business equipment tax, emphasizing its financial strain on small businesses, farms, and ranches. Speaking at a press conference, the governor reiterated his proposal to raise the tax exemption from $1 million to $3 million, a move aimed Read More…