In a contentious legal battle unfolding in Montana, two organizations are taking the state’s Secretary of State to court over signature acceptance rules for proposed constitutional initiatives. These initiatives face uncertain prospects for appearing on the November ballot. The dispute centers on the inclusion of signatures from “inactive voters” — individuals who have not participated Read More…
NorthWestern Energy has formally requested approval from Montana regulators to raise rates for its electric and natural gas customers, marking its first rate adjustment petition since its last review two years ago. NorthWestern Energy submitted its proposal to the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) for an interim rate increase. The initial request outlines a $2 Read More…
BILLINGS – Billings is set to elevate its event hosting capabilities with the imminent completion of two state-of-the-art event centers by the close of the year. The Billings Hotel & Convention Center is slated to unveil a significant addition, encompassing approximately 16,000 square feet of brand-new space. This expansion aims to cater to larger gatherings Read More…
For individuals looking to reconnect with their family heritage, explore new horizons abroad, or secure the flexibility of a second passport, citizenship by descent offers a compelling avenue. Across at least 50 countries worldwide, varying paths exist for individuals to acquire citizenship based on familial ties. However, the journey to dual citizenship is often labyrinthine, Read More…
Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center is gearing up to assist numerous municipalities and counties in Montana as they embark on their decennial local government reviews. With 43 municipalities and 12 counties opting to participate, the center will play a crucial role in providing necessary support and training to study commissioners. According to Dan Read More…
(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden’s attempt to re-interpret Title IX and thereby implement a sweeping LGBTQ agenda at schools around the country may be put on hold after a few key court rulings. The Biden administration’s overhaul of Title IX is set to take effect Aug. 1, but a flurry of court decisions Read More…
(The Center Square) – As the 2024 election season gears up, a recently-released report predicts nationwide political spending will reach a record high $10.69 billion. The Political Projections Report predicts that California, Pennsylvania, and Arizona will have the highest levels of spending on advertising. The report was released on Monday by advertisement tracking company AdImpact. “This Read More…
(The Center Square) – Montana is receiving $40 million in federal funds due to legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines. The “Endless Frontier Act” calls for increased investments in science and technology innovation as a way of strengthening the U.S. economy and national security to compete with China and other nations. “Montana continues to lead Read More…
(The Center Square) – A bill that bans China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia or Venezuela from owning agricultural land in South Dakota took effect Monday. The bill also prohibits any of the countries from leasing agricultural land unless it is for research and is no more than 320 acres or is for the contract Read More…
(The Center Square) – Idaho Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order Wednesday meant to protect Idaho’s water resources from federal intervention. The order comes after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked an agreement between water users in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado over the Rio Grande Compact, asserting federal control in water disputes. That decision Read More…
(The Center Square) – Taxpayers are not only funding the border crisis, but they are also paying for numerous free services illegal foreign nationals receive, according to a new report published by the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. The committee blames the Biden administration in its new report, Read More…
Renowned pollster Nate Silver, founder of ABC’s FiveThirtyEight, has joined a chorus of voices urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following what he termed “incoherent comments” made during Biden’s first post-debate interview on Friday. Silver, known for his data-driven analyses, expressed his concerns publicly on social media platform X after Read More…
In a bid to steady his reelection campaign following a widely criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden addressed concerns and reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the race in an interview with ABC News aired on Friday. During the interview with George Stephanopoulos, taped earlier in the day, Biden attributed Read More…
Montana’s latest legislative effort to enhance government transparency went into effect on July 1 with the implementation of House Bill 890, aimed at providing the public with clearer insights into local government proceedings. Sponsored by Rep. Brad Barker, R-Luther, HB 890 mandates that many local government boards across the state record their meetings and publish Read More…
In a significant legal development, a federal court has granted Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s request to halt the Biden administration’s controversial new rule concerning gender-transition treatments. The rule, proposed under Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), aimed to tie federal funding to compliance with mandates requiring healthcare providers to offer Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte recently honored Sergeant Major Sean Gifford during a ceremony in Three Forks, presenting him with the 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation. “Giving back and serving our neighbors is integral to our identity as Montanans,” Governor Gianforte remarked. “It’s a privilege to recognize Sergeant Major Gifford for his exceptional contributions to the Three Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte recently attended the reopening ceremony of Big Sky Decon in Belgrade, highlighting Montana’s resilient economy and the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs. “Montana’s economy continues to thrive despite challenges like inflation and workforce pressures resulting from policies at the federal level,” Governor Gianforte remarked. “I was pleased to visit Big Sky Decon in Read More…
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen headlined the Montana Chamber of Commerce’s “Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit,” where she engaged in a fireside chat with Chamber CEO Todd O’Hair on topics of work culture and leadership. “I take great pride in the daily efforts of the Secretary of State’s Office. Our team is dedicated Read More…
The National Education Association Staff Organization, the union representing NEA employees, set up picket lines around the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia on Friday and had planned a three-day strike during the event. President Joe Biden canceled his scheduled address at the National Education Association’s annual conference in Philadelphia after union staff initiated a Read More…
Democratic Senator Jon Tester, currently in his bid for a fourth term in predominantly Republican Montana, faces a pivotal race in 2024. His reelection is crucial for Democrats, who are defending three Senate seats in states won by Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections—Ohio and West Virginia being the others. Tester is Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte celebrated Montana’s recent ranking as the third most patriotic state in the nation ahead of Independence Day. “God bless America, and Montana,” Gov. Gianforte exclaimed. “This study confirms what I’ve long known: Montana is home to some of the most freedom-loving and patriotic individuals in our country. From our unwavering support for Read More…
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan strongly criticized her conservative colleagues on Friday for overturning the Chevron deference, a major decision that shifts power from federal agencies to the courts. In her dissent, Kagan condemned the majority’s action, stating that it effectively transforms the Court into the nation’s administrative czar. Alongside liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Read More…
The Montana VA announced the appointment of Duane Gill as the new director for the Montana VA Health Care System. Effective June 30, Gill will officially take on the role of director, transitioning from his previous position as interim director, as stated in a news release. Expressing his commitment, Gill remarked, “I am honored to Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte continued his fourth annual 56 County Tour as governor, meeting with Montanans in Gallatin and Park counties. “Montana is home to a diverse range of industries, from pioneering research to small businesses that bolster tourism and the arts,” Gov. Gianforte emphasized. “Investing in our state laboratories and tourism sector is pivotal for Read More…
Attorney General Knudsen spearheaded a coalition of 24 states urging the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision in March. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling by a lower court that prevented states and local governments from enforcing laws aimed at preventing public spaces from turning into homeless encampments. Following Read More…
Jon Tester, the Democratic Senator from Montana, is striving to retain his seat in a state that strongly supported Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Despite Montana’s conservative leaning, Tester has managed to secure victories in several tough elections over the past decade, maintaining his popularity with the state’s right-leaning voters. This November, Tester Read More…
June 21st marked a crucial deadline for advocates aiming to place ballot measures before Montana voters this year. It was the final day to submit tens of thousands of petition signatures to county election offices across the state. Now, county officials must review the signatures and confirm their validity. To get initiatives on the ballot, Read More…
Two recent court rulings will temporarily prevent the Biden administration from implementing further parts of the president’s student loan repayment plan, which has already lowered or eliminated monthly payments for millions of federal student loan borrowers. These decisions put the SAVE Plan, introduced by President Joe Biden, into uncertainty, causing borrowers to once again face Read More…
(The Center Square) – Illegal border crossings at the northern border continue to break records, according to the latest data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A record-breaking 18,644, were apprehended illegally entering the U.S. at the northern border in May, the highest total for the month of May in recorded history. The northern Read More…
(The Center Square) – In March 2021, the Los Angeles Times published a story with a headline that asked, “What constitutes a border crisis?” The story quoted then House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as saying, “There is no other way to claim it than a Biden border crisis.” Then the LA Times asked, “But is Read More…
(The Center Square) – Gov. Mark Gordon is hosting a Town Hall to address what he calls “a barrage of proposed rules” for energy industries and public lands. The Town Hall is scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm on Tuesday, June 25th at Gillette College’s Technical Education Center. State agency leaders will be on hand, along with Read More…
(The Center Square) – Fentanyl has been a problem in Montana for years, and 2024 appears to be no different. Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) task forces seized 163,184 dosage units of fentanyl in Montana during the first quarter of this year. That is compared to 65,142 during the same period last year, an Read More…
BOZEMAN – Science teacher Doree Thilmony jumped at the chance when she learned last fall that Montana State University could help her put on a summer camp to teach geospatial skills in her rural community. “I teach drones, so I know they are used a lot for mapping,” said Thilmony, the science teacher at Thompson Read More…
(The Center Square) – Wyoming transportation officials believe a temporary detour can be built around where Highway 22 in Teton Pass collapsed once the area is secured, the Department of Transportation said on Monday. The pass, which connects Jackson, Wyoming to Victor, Idaho, was closed Thursday following a landslide that caused cracking in the road. Read More…
Montana’s Senator Steve Daines joined a group of Republican senators in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers after individuals with suspected ties to ISIS were apprehended at the southern border, underwent vetting and were then released into the United States. “We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports Read More…
The Biden Administration has announced the launch of the Columbia River Task Force by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), aimed at implementing President Biden’s longstanding plan to remove dams on the Snake River system. These dams currently supply western Montana with affordable and reliable electricity, constituting between 60-70% of the power in the Pacific Read More…
Jenifer Powell has been named the 2024 Centennial Bell Montana History Teacher of the Year. Powell, who teaches seventh-grade social studies at Corvallis Middle School, was recognized for her exceptional dedication and passion for educating students about Montana’s history. “Jenifer excels at creating an engaging learning environment that promotes critical thinking, curiosity, and a deep Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte underscored Montana’s thriving economy and recent initiatives to enhance the state’s business environment during his address at the Big Sky, Bright Futures Economic Summit in Bozeman, where he joined the Montana Chamber of Commerce. “With record business creation and a historically high employment rate, Montana’s economy is moving forward,” Governor Gianforte emphasized. Read More…
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has announced the winners of the 2024 Montana State Employers Council Employers of Choice Award. This annual accolade celebrates employers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to attracting and retaining employees, thereby nurturing a vibrant workplace culture. “Montana’s small businesses are integral to our economy and our way of life. Read More…
The Department of Administration (DOA) announced its intention to award the contract for the state’s health plan’s medical Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to BlueCross BlueShield of Montana (BCBSMT), the incumbent provider. In March 2024, the DOA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit competitive bids for TPA services for the state’s medical plan serving employees Read More…