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 Center Square) – As Americans struggle with high inflationary costs, paying record high grocery costs and energy bills, Congress continues to allocate billions of dollars of taxpayer money to fund services for illegal border crossers living in U.S. cities. Prior to the last budget funding showdown in March, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said Read More…
(The Center Square) – A top Democratic donation processor, Act Blue, is facing an investigation over concerns that the donation processing service is being used to circumvent campaign finance laws. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee launched the investigation, citing “reports of potentially fraudulent and illicit financial activity” in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Read More…
Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester is positioning the protection of abortion as a cornerstone of his campaign to maintain his seat, the last Democratic hold in statewide office in Montana. His efforts include campaigning alongside Planned Parenthood officials, launching advertisements advocating for abortion rights, and endorsing a proposed state constitutional amendment to secure abortion access. Read More…
This week marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group. Hostilities intensified following two days of deadly attacks attributed to Israel, which caused casualties among civilians in Lebanon. For nearly a year, the two sides have exchanged fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border, often stepping back from the Read More…
Five Montanans Honored with Governor’s Arts Awards HELENA, Mont. (September 20, 2024) – Five distinguished Montana artists have been recognized with the state’s highest honor for those whose careers exemplify the visual, performing, literary, and traditional arts. The 2024 Governor’s Arts Award recipients are: Jackie Larson Bread of Great Falls Jim Dolan of Belgrade Read More…
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested an “unlawfully present” Salvadoran national charged with 11 counts of sex crimes against a child in Nantucket. Elmer Sola, 49, was taken into custody on September 10 in Nantucket. He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. Sola was indicted by a Read More…
(The Center Square) – The federal government borrowed $1.9 trillion in the first eleven months of fiscal year 2024, including $380 billion in August, a startling amount as federal watchdogs sound the alarm on spending. Those borrowing figures come from the the latest Monthly Treasury Statement from the Treasury Department. Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee Read More…
(The Center Square) – A Texas congresswoman is under fire after saying Angel moms who testified about how their children were brutally murdered by criminal illegal border crossers released into the U.S. were “being exploited for political purposes.” U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from El Paso, Texas, made the remarks at a U.S. House Read More…
In a recent development, Raph Graybill, running mate of gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse, has admitted to violating campaign finance regulations. The Montana GOP has lodged a formal complaint with the Commissioner of Political Practices after an audio recording surfaced of Graybill acknowledging that he received confidential polling data that he was not authorized to access. Read More…
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has postponed the implementation of a controversial rule that would have drastically cut reimbursement rates for air and ground ambulance services for veterans. The delay comes after sustained oversight and demands from Congressman Ryan Zinke, who has been a vocal critic of the proposed changes. The rule, originally set Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen unveiled a new initiative today aimed at addressing the state’s growing fentanyl crisis. The program will provide life-saving naloxone kits to middle and high schools across Montana, equipping schools with essential tools to handle opioid overdoses. The naloxone kits, which include the overdose-reversal medication naloxone, a CPR respirator mask, a Read More…
(The Center Square) – More than 138,000 North Dakotans applied for the new primary residence credit, and 134,893 applications were approved, Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus told a legislative committee on Wednesday. Approved North Dakotans received $500 toward their property tax for their primary residence, which could include houses, condominiums and mobile homes. Taxpayers could only claim Read More…
(The Center Square) – Concerns over free speech on college campuses have intensified since the war in Gaza began last October, according to a new report. The study shows a growing decline in students’ trust in their institutions’ commitment to protect First Amendment rights, with low-performing schools failing to provide clear policies on free expression. Read More…
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) has emerged as the top recipient of lobbyist campaign donations. Tester’s campaign has received $489,440 from lobbyists, contributing to a total of $502,591 in contributions. This places him at the forefront of Senate candidates benefiting from lobbyist support, surpassing other notable figures such as Sen. Read More…
BOZEMAN – Over 30 years at Montana State University, Darrin Boss has worn many hats, most frequently a cowboy hat. Since finishing his master’s degree in beef cattle nutrition in 1994 and his doctorate in plant science focusing on forages in 2007 – both at MSU – he has served as a research associate, assistant Read More…
At the 2024 annual meeting of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, State Court Administrator Sally Holewa was awarded the prestigious Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal. This honor, bestowed by the State Bar Association’s Board of Governors, recognizes individuals for their exceptional dedication and contributions to the administration of justice and the enhancement of the Read More…
(The Center Square) – Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn his name from the Wyoming general election ballot. The son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew to President John F. Kennedy petitioned the state to appear as an independent candidate for president on Aug. 26. “Following his notice of Read More…
A 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee, Denise Prudhomme, was discovered deceased in her cubicle on August 20, four days after she was last seen scanning into the Tempe office. Authorities were alerted by on-site security who suspected Prudhomme was dead. She was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m. that day. Prudhomme last scanned into the Wells Fargo Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte, alongside Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson, showcased new data today illustrating the robust performance of Montana’s economy. During a press conference at the state capitol, Gianforte emphasized the impact of the state’s “strong work ethic” and “pro-business, pro-jobs policies” on its economic vitality. “Montana’s economy is thriving,” Read More…
A leading political analyst has revised its forecast for Montana’s Senate race, now favoring Republicans as Democratic Senator Jon Tester has seen a decline in poll numbers. On Friday, Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics shifted the race from a “toss up” to “leans Republican.” This change comes less than Read More…
BOZEMAN —Montana State University has set a new record for expenditures on research at more than $257 million, exceeding the prior year’s total by 12% and marking six consecutive years of record-setting research growth at the state’s largest university. In its annual report to the National Science Foundation, MSU recorded research activities totaling $257.9 million Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the launch of a new educational course designed to raise awareness about human trafficking and online exploitation among students. The course, titled “Enlightened,” was developed by the Montana Department of Justice in collaboration with anti-human trafficking organizations and features insights from human trafficking survivors and Division of Criminal Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte recognized 39 distinguished veterans this week with the 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation during ceremonies held across Madison, Missoula, Deer Lodge, and Silver Bow counties. Each recipient was awarded a special commemorative flag that had flown over the Montana State Capitol in their honor. “No one embodies our Montana values and commitment Read More…
The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota will hold two naturalization ceremonies in Bismarck on Friday, September 13, 2024. The ceremonies will take place at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2 at the William L. Guy Federal Building, located at 220 East Rosser Avenue. U.S. Magistrate Judge Clare R. Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the initiation of an investigation into MSCI Inc., a prominent investment firm, over allegations of discriminatory practices against Israeli companies. The probe, conducted under Montana’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, targets MSCI’s purported involvement in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) actions against Israel. The investigation follows Read More…
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers discovered 17 migrants hidden inside a cloned semi-trailer in rural southwest Texas on Thursday, potentially saving their lives as temperatures approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The semi-truck, which had fraudulent markings resembling those of the popular Lowe’s home improvement chain, was driven by a man from Mississippi. He now Read More…
A Montana cancer specialist, Dr. Thomas Weiner, is facing serious allegations following a four-year federal investigation into his medical practices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a civil lawsuit on Tuesday against Weiner and a $10.8 million settlement with St. Peter’s Health, where Weiner worked until late 2020. According to the lawsuit, Weiner, who saw up Read More…
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is looking into an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Saturday night in Valley County. Around 9:19 p.m., deputies from the Valley and McCone County Sheriff’s Offices were responding to a disturbance at Roundhouse Point Campground. En route, a McCone County deputy—working under contract with Valley County—came across an Read More…
Democrat Senator Jon Tester is receiving support from an outside group that is leveraging new NCAA guidelines to solicit endorsements from college athletes in Montana. This initiative essentially pays athletes to make political endorsements through their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. According to Lily Meskers, a track athlete and journalism major at the University Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte visited two prominent multi-generation family businesses in Missoula and Jefferson counties on as part of his 56 County Tour, highlighting the enduring spirit of the American Dream in Montana. “The American Dream is alive and well in Montana thanks to our hardworking job creators committed to carrying on their family legacy,” Gov. Read More…
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen has announced the four finalists for the 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year award. The winner will represent Montana in the 2025 National Teacher of the Year Program in Washington, D.C. Kevin Kicking Woman, the 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year, currently teaches Blackfeet Language and Culture at Browning High School. This Read More…
Twin Falls is gearing up for a major celebration this Sunday, September 1, marking the 50th anniversary of Evel Knievel’s legendary attempt to jump the Snake River Gorge using a steam-powered rocket. The festivities will kick off at 10 AM with a special tribute by local daredevil Kyle Miller. Miller will execute a dramatic motorcycle Read More…
Montana State pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat New Mexico 35-31 in their season opener on Saturday. Adam Jones’ 93-yard touchdown run and Scottre Humphrey’s 4-yard touchdown run in the final four and a half minutes propelled the Bobcats to victory, stunning the Lobos. New Mexico, under the leadership of new head coach Bronco Read More…
On National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, the Montana Meth Project announced a major expansion of its efforts to address the escalating Fentanyl crisis. The organization is introducing the Montana Fentanyl Prevention Lesson and the “Not Even Once: One Pill Can Kill” campaign to educate teenagers about the severe dangers associated with Fentanyl. Amy Rue, Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has called on Montana’s superintendents and school board trustees to implement “cell phone-free” policies in a bid to reduce classroom distractions and enhance student academic performance. In a letter sent to school leaders across the state, Gianforte emphasized the need to minimize disruptions in the learning environment. “For our Montana students to Read More…
Turn Left PAC announced its full endorsement of Senator Jon Tester and Congressional candidate Monica Tranel for Montana’s 2024 elections. The liberal organization is rallying behind the two candidates, praising them as staunch defenders of liberal values, public lands, and working families, while positioning them as a counterforce against the Republican agenda. In a bid Read More…
(The Center Square) – A coalition of states led by Kansas has sued the Biden-Harris administration to block the federal government from providing free health care through the taxpayer-funded Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, to foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court Read More…
Montana’s election landscape could get a significant shift this November, as the Secretary of State’s Office has certified two ballot measures aimed at overhauling the state’s election system. Constitutional Initiatives 126 and 127 which have been financed by out-of-state liberal so-called “Dark Money” groups have qualified for the ballot. On Thursday evening, just before 7:30 Read More…
(The Center Square) – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped his presidential bid Friday to endorse Republican nominee Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election. Kennedy, his voice hoarse, called it quits during a speech Friday in Phoenix. “In an honest system, I believe I would have won the election,” he said. Kennedy Read More…
In a striking declaration during a rally in Missoula on Wednesday, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) stated that electing Vice President Kamala Harris as president is of greater importance than his own re-election to Montana’s senior Senate seat. “Mine isn’t the important one; it’s the one at the top. There’s a lot at stake here. There’s Read More…