(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…
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…
The Senate Ethics Committee convened its first witness testimonies on Friday as part of its investigation into Sen. Jason Ellsworth’s alleged conflict of interest. The inquiry centers on a six-figure state-funded contract Ellsworth arranged without disclosing his long-standing personal relationship with the vendor. A legislative audit in February found that he had structured the contract Read More…
Snow crunched underfoot as Mark Hebblewhite scanned the ridgelines of Canada’s Banff National Park. It was 1995, and the young biologist, fresh out of undergrad, was trailing one of the park’s most elusive wildlife species – the gray wolf. Though rare to see, the wolves of Banff had radio collars that allowed biologists like Hebblewhite Read More…
A new survey reveals that while the vast majority of Americans claim they’ve never cheated on their taxes, a significant portion of the population still worries about the possibility of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to a recent Rasmussen Reports national survey, 33% of American adults express concern that the IRS Read More…
Border Patrol agents in Texas, working in coordination with sheriff’s deputies from two counties, have seized more than half a million dollars in cash linked to alleged criminal activities. The occupants of the vehicles involved now face state charges related to cash smuggling. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks reported the significant bust on Friday, Read More…
Prospects for a federal wealth tax could be nil in the Trump era, but states – specifically blue states – may be tempted to take up that cause, demonstrating the devastating effect that policy would have on citizens, businesses and the economy. Massachusetts went first, adopting a “millionaire tax” in 2022 that imposes a 4 Read More…
Montana state Senator Ellie Boldman, a Democrat from Missoula, pleaded guilty Monday morning to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence after being found asleep in her running vehicle in downtown Helena early Sunday. Boldman, who had attended the Montana Democratic Party’s annual Mansfield Metcalf fundraising dinner earlier that evening, admitted in Helena Municipal Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today the appointment of John A. Mercer to the Twentieth Judicial District Court, which covers Lake and Sanders Counties. “John served the people of the Twentieth Judicial District well when I appointed him to serve his community last year, and I’m glad he was willing to do so once again,” said Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today visited Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) to spotlight innovative programs that prepare students for success in the workforce. “Career and Technical Education plays an important role in preparing the next generation of Montana’s workforce,” Gov. Gianforte said. “By equipping students with hands-on skills and real-world experience, CTE and Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy, Congressman Ryan Zinke, introduced a bicameral bill today aimed at protecting Montana mining jobs by prohibiting the import of critical minerals from Russia. The bill, which focuses on minerals such as platinum, palladium, and copper—resources that can be mined in the U.S.—seeks to reduce American reliance on foreign Read More…
In a cautious assessment of its business in China, Nvidia executives warned during the company’s quarterly earnings call Wednesday that the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict is hurting its revenue, with tariffs and export controls adding significant uncertainty to its outlook. CEO Jensen Huang highlighted that Nvidia’s sales in China have been slashed by half since Read More…
The United States is falling behind in energy and infrastructure development, and the culprit is our own federal bureaucracy. This can change if Congress implements significant permitting reform, repeals decades of senseless and duplicative regulations, and restores regulatory order by returning power to the states as our founding fathers intended. While states like Texas can Read More…
Newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel begins his tenure with a 47% favorability rating, according to a recent national survey from Rasmussen Reports. The poll, conducted via telephone and online, reveals that 47% of likely U.S. voters hold a favorable view of Patel, with 29% expressing a very favorable opinion. In contrast, 36% of voters Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today that he has signed House Bill 93, establishing the Parental Choice Tax Credit program, which will provide $50 million in tax credits to help Idaho families access a wide range of educational opportunities. “With the passage of the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program, Idaho is once again leading Read More…
The Montana Senate has passed Senate Bill 42, a bill that would require judicial candidates at all levels – from Supreme Court justices to municipal judges – to declare a political party affiliation when running for office. Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, SB 42 passed the Senate by a 28-22 vote on Thursday, Read More…
A recent national poll reveals that 60% of voters support the idea of requiring paper ballots in U.S. elections, a measure that has gained significant attention following advocacy by former President Donald Trump. The proposal, which aims to strengthen election integrity, has sparked widespread discussion on both sides of the political spectrum. The survey, conducted Read More…
Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of the newly renamed Strategy, stirred up a social media storm this week with an eyebrow-raising suggestion to his 4 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). In a post on Thursday, Saylor told his audience to “sell a kidney if you must, but keep the Bitcoin,” as the cryptocurrency faced Read More…
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, a new Cygnal poll reveals shifting political dynamics that could reshape the electoral landscape. Former President Donald Trump’s approval rating has climbed to 50%, with particularly notable gains among historically Democratic-leaning voter groups. Among Black men, 42% now approve of Trump’s performance, highlighting a growing realignment as the Republican Read More…
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration says that race-based decisions in education – including race-based hiring, admissions, and scholarships – are unlawful, and any institution that does not comply with the department’s antidiscrimination requirements will face loss of federal funding. “The Department of Education will no longer allow Read More…
In a controversial decision that flies in the face of biological science, a Montana District Court judge ruled that Senate Bill 458— which legally defined sex as strictly male or female— is unconstitutional. The ruling, handed down by Judge Leslie Halligan, claims the law violates the Montana Constitution’s guarantees of privacy and equal protection. However, Read More…
For the third consecutive year, UM has been named the top university in the nation for community and national service, an honor that highlights institutions excelling in student and alumni contributions to public service. “This ranking confirms what we know to be true: UM students and alumni continuously outperform their peers in the fields of Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has signed an immigration enforcement agreement with the Trump Administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allowing state law enforcement to take a more active role in deportation efforts. Under the agreement, Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) troopers and Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents will have the authority to arrest illegal Read More…
(The Center Square) – Spokane joined the ranks of others suing the Trump administration on Friday amid attempts to reduce federal spending after research institutions spent $9 billion in NIH grants on “indirect costs.” The National Institutes of Health posted on X earlier this month that of the $35 billion it handed out in research grants Read More…
Housing affordability is a real concern, but Washington lawmakers are proposing a deeply flawed solution: rent control. While Argentina reaps the benefits of repealing its disastrous rent control law, Washington legislators are hurling headlong down the path of ruinous third-world housing policy. House Bill 1217 would limit rent increases to 7% per year, prohibit any increases during a Read More…
(The Center Square) – Bitcoin and digital asset bills have been field in at least 31 state legislatures, according to a Bitcoin Laws website tracking state legislative filings. The website breaks down each bill filed and its progress in its respective chamber. Digital currency bills have been filed in the state legislatures of Alabama, Arizona, Read More…
A Montana State University ice researcher recently won a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center to help a multi-institution team develop technologies to enable more readily sustained military operations in cold regions, such as within the Arctic Circle. The project is funded by a program of the Defense Advanced Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte and Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras marked a significant milestone in their administration’s ongoing efforts to streamline government regulations, celebrating the repeal or amendment of over 25% of state regulations in the last four years. Speaking on the success of the Red Tape Relief Task Force, Gov. Gianforte emphasized the state’s commitment to Read More…
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) posted record annual profits and expanded its cash reserves to $334.2 billion, as Warren Buffett used his annual shareholder letter to issue a pointed message to Washington: spend wisely and protect those who draw the “short straws in life.” The 94-year-old investing titan, widely regarded as one of the greatest Read More…
The Trump administration is standing firm against The Associated Press’ lawsuit over restricted press access, asserting the president’s authority to shape media participation in White House events. The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court, challenges the administration’s decision to block AP journalists from key presidential activities, but the White House argues that access to Read More…
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting a second round of comments on a proposed Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permit for snowmelt associated with snowmaking using treated wastewater on Spirit Mountain, Andesite Mountain, and the Spanish Peaks base area near Big Sky. Spanish Peaks Mountain Club (Spanish Peaks) applied to DEQ for Read More…
If American Airlines were looking to hire a new pilot, the most important qualification would be experience flying a plane. After all, someone who has never flown a plane would have neither the knowledge nor the skills necessary to safely transport passengers through the air. In the same way, Christian ministries need to hire people Read More…
Once a relatively popular, if ineffective, public official, Marc Racicot has reappeared on Montana’s political scene after a near 20-year absence. But rather than returning as a statesman, he comes back as a shameless shill of a liberal judiciary that has routinely overstepped its authority. Once trusted with Montana’s highest office, Racicot’s transition from public Read More…
I’m a busy parent. My wife and I juggle the schedule for four kids (three in the Noblesville, Indiana, school system) on top of work, church and fun activities when we can squeeze them in. And like many Hoosier parents, when it comes down to learning about school board candidates, we often find ourselves cramming Read More…
lliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has filed a lawsuit against Sage Publishing after the academic publisher retracted three studies on the risks of abortion drugs, following a complaint about the authors’ pro-life views. The studies, authored by a team of professional researchers between 2019 and 2022, were peer-reviewed and published in Health Services Research and Managerial Read More…
The mostly friendly state battle for tax competition and economic competitiveness is alive and well in our region. Except for some states on the left coast (looking at you Washington), prioritizing additional tax relief is front and center in state capitals across the country. This includes major income tax reduction proposals in Idaho and Montana. Read More…
(The Center Square) – Legislation has been introduced in Congress to repeal the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act. U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn. have introduced the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act, or BOWSER Act, named after the district’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. The lawmakers Read More…
Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has acquired a significant stake in BP Plc, as the British oil giant struggles with years of underperformance and weak investor confidence, according to sources familiar with the matter. Elliott is reportedly pressuring BP to consider transformative measures to boost shareholder value, believing the company is undervalued and its performance Read More…
Gov. Kelly Armstrong testified today in support of Senate Bill 2308, a proposal aimed at reducing the number of state boards and commissions to improve efficiency and cut government costs. The bill seeks to establish a task force to review over 150 existing boards and determine which should be consolidated or dissolved. “That’s too many,” Read More…
(The Center Square) – A bill preventing future presidents from unilaterally banning hydraulic fracking is on its way to the Senate after passing the House 226-188 Friday. Sixteen Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the Protecting American Energy Production Act, which will block future bans on hydraulic fracking without congressional approval, if enacted. “When Read More…
A new wave of phone scams is targeting bank customers, using sophisticated caller ID fraud, also known as “vishing.” Scammers are impersonating representatives from First Interstate Bank, deceiving customers into handing over sensitive financial details. According to reports, fraudsters manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though calls are coming from a legitimate First Read More…
Senate Bill 58, a measure aimed at strengthening human trafficking laws in South Dakota, was unanimously approved Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Proposed by Attorney General Marty Jackley, the bill revises current human trafficking provisions, prohibits obstruction of enforcement, and introduces penalties for violations. “South Dakota is not immune from human trafficking, and this Read More…