Rail transportation is the backbone of the American economy, and a proposed $85 billion merger threatens to concentrate market power in an already highly consolidated industry in the hands of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. The consequences will ripple across the economy, raising transportation costs, weakening service, and squeezing industries that depend on rail, from Read More…
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation is inviting employers, educators and workforce partners to a free virtual session next week aimed at promoting registered apprenticeship programs as a tool for addressing persistent talent pipeline challenges. The online event, part of a broader Apprenticeship Knowledge Series timed to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, is Read More…
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recognized personnel assigned to National Guard counterdrug programs for their support to 10 award-winning law enforcement investigations during a ceremony in Washington, April 2. The investigations were part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, a White House-led effort that brings together federal, state, local Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has launched a consumer protection investigation into Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis N.V., alleging that both automakers have been collecting and selling drivers’ personal data to third-party companies — including insurance data brokers — without vehicle owners’ knowledge or consent. Mr. Knudsen issued Civil Investigative Demands to both companies, giving Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that the Senate has passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The EXPLORE Act is a comprehensive, bicameral legislation package that includes Zinke’s bipartisan Gateway Communities and Recreation Enhancement Act introduced with Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola in May 2023. The bill passed the House in April and will Read More…
NorthWestern Energy has announced agreements to supply significant amounts of electricity to two proposed data centers in Montana, with combined power demands set to exceed the capacity of the state’s newest gas-fired power plant. The development raises questions about Montana’s energy infrastructure and its ability to meet growing demand while maintaining reliable service. The larger Read More…
Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.2% in November, continuing an unprecedented stretch of low unemployment that has persisted for 41 consecutive months, with rates at or below 3.4%. The state’s historic run surpasses the previous record set in 2006-2007 when unemployment rates stayed at or below 3.4% for 15 months. In November alone, Montana added Read More…
Frontier Asset Management, an independent asset management firm, has officially launched its suite of actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). These ETFs are designed to enhance Frontier’s multi-asset Active ETF Strategies, with the goal of providing attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors. The Frontier ETF suite consists of six actively Read More…
South Central Judicial District Presiding Judge Bruce Romanick has announced he will retire on December 31, 2024, after serving 24 years on the bench. First elected as a District Court Judge in 2000, Judge Romanick held the SCJD Judgeship #3 seat for four consecutive terms, overseeing numerous cases and making a lasting impact on the Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that Renee Strong, 55, of Springfield, has been indicted on 26 forgery-related charges stemming from alleged crimes committed while she was an employee of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and performing contract work for the Department of Health. “Crimes of this nature violate the public’s trust Read More…
In a move aimed at improving services for veterans, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is now accepting additional documentation for veterans to obtain a veteran designation on their state-issued driver licenses. Veterans can now use a current Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or American Legion membership card, in good standing, to receive the designation. Read More…
Montana State University announced this week that Craig Ogilvie, dean of the Graduate School and associate vice president of research, will step down from his administrative role at the end of December. Ogilvie, who has led the Graduate School since 2019, will remain at MSU as a faculty member in the Department of Physics within Read More…
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has let some much-needed sunlight into the opaque corridors of federal bureaucracy. Thanks to this landmark 1967 legislation, any person or organization has the right to request access to federal records and receive a response within 20 business days. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance Foundation (TPAF) had a banner year Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its plan to halt federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, a region responsible for 85% of coal production on federal lands. Knudsen argues the decision will devastate Montana’s coal industry and harm the state’s economy. The lawsuit, filed in Read More…
(The Center Square) – Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal for a “wealth tax” is drawing sharp criticism from Seattle business leader, entrepreneur and Democratic supporter Nick Hanauer. Hanauer posted on X, ripping the proposal apart, calling it “impractical” with “serious legal challenges.” “I’ve spent my life working to address income inequality & progressive taxation,” posted Hanauer. “We Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced the appointment of Lee Johnson as the new administrator for the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Johnson, a veteran with over three decades of experience at DCI, previously served as the bureau chief of the division’s Investigations Bureau. “I’m confident Lee has the knowledge and experience required to Read More…
(The Center Square) – Methane emissions from the largest oil- and natural gas-producing basins fell 44% between 2011 and 2013, according to newly published data from the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, methane emissions dropped in seven oil- and natural gas-producing basins by up to 87% from 2019-2023. The Read More…
The Center Square) – A government funding stopgap is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk after the Senate voted 85-11 to pass a 118-page bill to keep the federal government open until March 14. The Continuing Resolution will allocate about $100 billion in disaster relief and extend the Farm Bill, key provisions demanded Read More…
(The Center Square) – According to a federal survey of school leaders, 40% of students in the nation’s public schools were behind grade level in one or more subjects at the beginning of the school year. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) announced its findings this week that the percentage of students school leaders Read More…
Idaho Governor Brad Little announced today a significant reduction in the state’s unemployment insurance tax rate for 2025, marking a 20% decrease from the previous year. The move is expected to save Idaho employers approximately $22 million. The base unemployment insurance tax rate will drop to 0.788%, the second-lowest rate recorded since 1980. This reduction Read More…
(The Center Square) – Millions of residents in blue states have migrated to red states within the past 30 years, according to federal data. A policy group that analyzed the data says it’s a clear sign that many Americans find Democratic policies unlivable. From 1990 to 2021, a total of 13 million people left California, New Read More…
BOZEMAN – In 2006, Patrik Callis predicted in an interview that his retirement from Montana State University would unfold somewhat gradually. He began the process two years later, but didn’t complete it until this fall, 56 years after joining the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and surpassing the record as the longest-tenured Read More…
The Montana Department of Revenue has issued a reminder to business owners with equipment reporting requirements to submit their reports for Tax Year 2025. Businesses and individuals owning business equipment with a total market value exceeding $1 million statewide as of January 1, 2025, must file their reports by March 1, 2025, to avoid a Read More…
(The Center Square) – A federal judge has blocked the $24.6 billion proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger in response to a lawsuit filed against it by the Federal Trade Commission and several states. In the ruling, Oregon-based U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson argued that the merger “is a plausible, relevant market for antitrust purposes,” Read More…
ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” and $1 million in legal fees as part of a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit, according to court documents filed Saturday. The lawsuit was sparked by comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos during a March 2024 broadcast. Read More…
President Joe Biden faced bipartisan criticism this week after granting clemency to two disgraced officials convicted in high-profile corruption cases. The decision, part of a larger clemency package for 1,500 individuals, ended house arrest for former Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan and ex-Dixon, Illinois, comptroller Rita Crundwell, both of whom had previously been released from prison Read More…
The 2024 presidential election is over and the American people spoke loud and clear about who they wanted to lead the country. With a 312-to-226 victory in the electoral college and a 2.6 million vote advantage in the popular vote, a rare but illustrative feat, former and soon-to-be President Donald J. Trump enters the White Read More…
(The Center Square) – A group of 23 attorneys general led by Missouri and Kansas has put the Biden administration’s Department of Education on notice about its fourth attempt to force American taxpayers to pay for others’ student loan debt. With less than three months left in the administration, the DOE published a notice of Read More…
(The Center Square) – After President-elect Donald Trump vowed to impose tariffs on Mexico and spoke to Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, demanding that Mexico stop facilitating illegal entry into the U.S., Mexican authorities have made major drug and cartel busts. Sheinbaum claimed they’d been working on the operation for a while, but some members Read More…
In recent opinion pieces, Evan Barrett, a longtime Democratic consultant, and Mike Jopek, a former Democratic legislator, have repeatedly provided their “simple solution” to our high property taxes in Montana: just lower the residential property tax rate to 0.76%. If it truly was that simple, both Democrat and Republican legislators would have already done it. Read More…
(The Center Square) – While some schools across the nation hosted meagerly-attended “Transgivings” around Thanksgiving time, students at Hillsdale College wrote over 4,000 thank-you cards on the school’s annual “Day of Thanks.” Throughout the day on Nov. 21, participating Hillsdale students wrote the thousands of grateful notes to “donors, family members, professors, friends, and others Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is spearheading a coalition of 28 states in urging the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to protect American firearm manufacturers from liability claims brought by the Mexican government. In a brief filed Tuesday, the coalition challenges a lower court ruling that Mexico alleges could hold U.S. gun manufacturers Read More…
The Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West proudly announces the acquisition of Portal, a monumental bronze sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Deborah Butterfield. Created in 2023, the piece represents a significant addition to the museum’s collection and underscores its dedication to contemporary Western art. Butterfield, celebrated for her evocative Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are urging drivers to prioritize safety this December as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. In response to an uptick in roadway fatalities, MHP will increase patrols statewide from December 11 through January 1 to target drunk and drugged drivers during the holiday season. Read More…
Beginning this December, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) will conduct helicopter surveys and wildlife capture operations across the Clearwater Region. This effort, running through the next couple of months, aims to provide critical data on big game populations, including abundance, herd composition, survival rates, and movement patterns. Wildlife staff will focus on capturing and collaring Read More…
BOZEMAN — At the end of November in Montana, there were 51 openings for special education teachers, and a report on the state’s teacher shortage last year identified special education as one of the top three critical shortage areas in Montana. At the same time, many Montana children need and benefit from the services that Read More…
As Montana heads into winter, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is urging residents to follow strict guidelines for open burning to prevent poor air quality caused by smoke trapped in mountain valleys during temperature inversions. Open burning, defined as outdoor burning of materials like slash piles or yard waste, is closely regulated during Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced the appointment of Trevor Sparrow as Idaho’s inaugural Health and Social Services Ombudsman, a position established under Senate Bill 1380 earlier this year. The new role aims to enhance oversight and responsiveness within the state’s child welfare system, ensuring that services provided to foster children, those under protective supervision, and residents Read More…
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has appointed Lt. Daniel Haugen to serve as interim superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, effective December 1. The appointment follows the retirement of Col. Brandon Solberg, who is stepping down on November 30 after nearly 6½ years as superintendent. Haugen brings 24 years of experience with the Highway Read More…
(The Center Square) – The city of Milwaukee is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus for working police officers who transfer to the Milwaukee Police Department. The initiative, announced by Mayor Cavalier Johnson at a recent press conference, is part of the city’s effort to meet its 1725 officer staffing goal imposed by Act 12. “I’ll Read More…
Tracy Stone-Manning, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration who spearheaded its aggressive climate agenda, has been named the next president of The Wilderness Society, a prominent environmental organization based in Washington, D.C. Stone-Manning’s appointment will take effect in February, the group announced Tuesday. Stone-Manning’s tenure as Director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines criticized the Biden administration’s recent decision to prohibit new coal leasing in Montana’s Powder River Basin, following the publication of the Miles City Resource Management Plan (RMP) Record of Decision. The move effectively designates 1,745,040 acres of federally managed land in the Miles City Field Office area as unavailable for coal Read More…
For the second time since Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s election, a federal judge has reversed a decision to take senior status, citing the apparent lapse of time for a Democratic president to appoint a successor. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn, appointed by Democratic former President Barack Obama in Asheville, North Carolina, had previously announced in Read More…
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday afternoon visited the new Helena Food Share facility to support the organizations’ food drive ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. “We have so much to be grateful for as Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This Thanksgiving week, I encourage Montanans to give what they can, including the gift of their Read More…