The 2025 Montana legislative session got off to a rocky start on day one in the Senate when a group of nine Republicans defected to collude with Democrats in a surprise maneuver to change the Senate’s rules and committee assignments giving themselves and Democrats more power. For the entire legislative session, the 9 censured Republicans joined with all Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released its 2024 State of the Environment Report, outlining key accomplishments across the department’s four core focus areas: air, land, waste, and water. The annual report underscores Wyoming’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection while supporting the state’s economic vitality. “This report underscores the Wyoming DEQ’s leadership and Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today the appointment of Brendon Taylor as District Judge for Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of the Honorable Bruce L. Pickett. Taylor currently serves as a Magistrate Judge in Bonneville County, a position he has held since 2022. He is also the presiding judge of Read More…
U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy’s bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act is on its way to President Donald J. Trump’s desk after clearing the House of Representatives today. The legislation, introduced by Sheehy alongside Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in January, aims to strengthen the nation’s wildfire suppression capabilities amid an increasingly dangerous wildfire season. The bill unanimously Read More…
(The Center Square) – Noncitizens, including those in the country illegally, are committing crimes, and they’re being charged, imprisoned and convicted for them in Texas. A new report by the Texas Department of Public Safety highlights the extent of criminal charges, it says, not “to allege that foreign nationals in the country illegally commit more Read More…
(The Center Square) – Tens of millions of federal tax dollars are coming to Illinois to further support Rockford’s electric grid. During an event in front of a banner saying “Biden-Harris Administration; Investing in America,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the $50 million in federal tax funds coming to the community to help achieve his “ambitious Read More…
A human trafficking operation conducted this week by the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), along with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and the Missoula Police Department, resulted in the arrest of eight individuals, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today. All individuals were arrested on pending charges of patronizing a prostitute, with Read More…
Montana State University (MSU) Extension is set to launch the first Cattle Academy, a biennial regional conference for beef cattle producers, on November 19-20 at the Custer County Event Center, located at 72 Garryowen Road. The Cattle Academy aims to equip beef cattle producers with valuable insights on contemporary topics, current research, and innovative technologies Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today condemned new guidance issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X), labeling it a “cynical and desperate attempt to get votes before the election.” Daines’ remarks came after the Treasury made minor adjustments to its draft guidance, which he had previously criticized for Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined community leaders today to announce a $700 million investment aimed at enhancing affordable and reliable energy in Montana through the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation project. This initiative will establish the first high-voltage transmission line connecting Montana’s eastern and western power grids. “Access to affordable and reliable energy is a top Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee released a report Wednesday saying that the Biden-Harris Administration spent nearly a billion dollars promoting COVID-era messaging, much of which turned out to be untrue or misleading. The Congressional report examines the $900 million spent by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines, along with several Republican colleagues, has formally challenged new guidance from the Biden administration that they claim undermines religious protections and poses risks to women’s safety in the workplace. In a letter addressed to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the senators Read More…
(The Center Square) – More than 525,000 illegal border crossers were reported in California in fiscal 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. This excludes those who illegally entered and evaded capture, known as gotaways. CBP doesn’t publicly report gotaway data. The Center Square first reported gotaway data in 2021 after obtaining it Read More…
Montana State University (MSU) is set to welcome nearly 1,800 high school and middle school students from across the state for the annual Montana FFA Ag Expo, taking place from November 14 to 16. The expo will feature a variety of activities designed to enhance leadership skills and provide educational opportunities. Students will participate in Read More…
(The Center Square) – Short on the heels of another major refinery closure, Valero signaled it is considering closing its two California refineries that produce over 14% of the state’s gasoline. Refinery closures already have the state importing 8% of its gasoline supply, which means the state could soon have to significantly increase its imports Read More…
Montana Republican Party Chairman Don Kaltschmidt has condemned the Commission on Practices (COP) following their recommendation to suspend Attorney General Austin Knudsen for 90 days. Kaltschmidt described the recommendation as “absurd,” claiming it reflects the interests of “a group of Democrat donors looking to advance the electoral interests of their party’s candidate for Attorney General.” Read More…
(The Center Square) – The surge of undocumented immigration in the U.S. strains resources far beyond the border, leaving many areas grappling with mounting pressures on social services. This includes hospitals that face the cost of uncompensated care. Uncompensated care refers to services provided without payment, such as charity care and unanticipated bad debt. Federal Read More…
(The Center Square) – Colorado Governor Jared Polis launched the Colorado Hospital Price Finder this week. It’s a tool made available to the public by HB22-1285. It hopes to “connect Coloradans with services, increase price transparency, and save people money on health care,” according to the governor’s office. It complements another state-generated price transparency initiative Polis announced Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the social media platform knowingly shares addictive and harmful content with children and teens, while engaging in deceptive practices that violate the Montana Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit follows a comprehensive investigation by the Montana Department of Justice, which found that TikTok presents Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a bid brought by Washington State Republican Party Chair Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, to stop the state from issuing financial impact statements on three initiatives on the Nov. 5 ballot. The three measures are Initiative 2109, to repeal the state’s capital gains tax; Initiative 2117, to Read More…
(The Center Square) – Some Arab- and Muslin-American leaders endorsed Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally Saturday in Novi, Michigan. The endorsements are notable in the key swing state that is home to more than 200,000 Muslim-American voters. According to RealClearPolitics’ polling average, Trump holds the narrowest of leads Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined staff from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) Region 7 yesterday to celebrate expanded public access at the Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management Area (WMA). “As we work to increase public access across the state, we enhance and protect our Montana way of life,” said Gov. Gianforte. “We’ll continue to keep public Read More…
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced on Friday that the application deadline for two openings on the North Dakota Board of Higher Education has been extended to 5 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, December 17. The terms of current board members Casey Ryan and Jeffry Volk expire on June 30, 2025. Volk, an engineer and Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Pritzker administration continues to deny the state is losing population. During a panel discussion about pensions with the Better Government Association this week, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar was asked about the state’s economic trends, including population decline. “There has never been more people living in the state of Illinois than Read More…
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is set to unveil a new photographic exhibition titled “Fire on the Mountain: Photographs of Wildland Firefighting by Kyle Miller,” opening to the public on October 26, 2024, in the John Bunker Sands Photography Gallery. This compelling exhibition showcases the work of Wyoming Hotshot Captain Kyle Miller, who Read More…
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is proud to announce the launch of a new Job Board through Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC), aimed at enhancing support for its portfolio companies and partners. This initiative addresses the ongoing challenges of recruiting qualified talent in Wyoming while providing job seekers with a streamlined resource to explore employment opportunities Read More…
Montana State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, in collaboration with MSU Extension, will host the 18th Annual Agricultural Economics Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, November 8. The event will take place at the Best Western GranTree Inn, located at 1325 N. Seventh Ave. in Bozeman. This year’s conference is Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today the appointment of Christine Starr as the new executive director of the Commission of Pardons and Parole. Starr brings a wealth of experience in the criminal justice system, having most recently served as deputy director and chief of staff at the Idaho Department of Correction. Her background includes roles as Read More…
The Montana University System (MUS) is initiating a comprehensive national search to find a successor for Waded Cruzado, who has announced her retirement as President of Montana State University (MSU) at the end of the academic year. To facilitate the recruitment process, MUS has engaged the services of Greenwood Asher and Associates, a firm specializing Read More…
After closing over 100 locations and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, Red Lobster has announced the appointment of Damola Adamolekun as its new CEO. The seafood restaurant chain, which has been a staple for 56 years, has faced significant challenges, including a leadership shake-up with five CEOs since 2021. Adamolekun, 35, expressed Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is set to host an Attorney General Alliance (AGA) Working Group Meeting from October 23 to 25 in Deadwood. “It is an honor to host Attorneys General from both parties here in South Dakota,” said Attorney General Jackley, who previously served as the Chairman of the AGA. “While each Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is taking fire for its increased focus on migrants, and diversity, equity and inclusion policies while its response to recent hurricanes is under scrutiny. Many Americans assume FEMA is only focused on helping respond to disasters, but a closer look at FEMA’s recent internal documents, spending, Read More…
High school students are invited to register for free mathematics contests taking place on Wednesday, November 6, and Tuesday, November 12, at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman. The exams will be administered in person on campus, with results submitted online and compared against a national competition pool. The contests, known as the American Mathematics Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte recently praised the innovative efforts of Missoula FFA students during the FFA State Convention, where they showcased their work on building a tiny home. “Innovation in education and programs like FFA are crucial for student success and unlocking the full potential of the next generation of Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. He expressed Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Tuesday that he is spearheading a coalition of seven attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against a Biden-Harris administration rule. This rule, known as the “Parole-in-Place” (PIP) policy, would permit illegal immigrants to remain in the United States and access employment and public benefits. The Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today that Montana has been ranked among the top states for fiscal responsibility and tax relief in a recent report by the Cato Institute, a nationally recognized think tank. The report assessed the tax and spending records of all 50 states and their leadership since 2022. “I’m proud of my record Read More…
(The Center Square) – The federal government spent $1.8 trillion more than it collected in tax revenue in fiscal year 2024, according to figures released Friday by U.S. Treasury Department. Congress has run a deficit every year since 2001. In the past 50 years, the federal government has ended with a fiscal year-end budget surplus Read More…
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested for driving under the influence in Franklin, Tennessee, on Thursday night, according to reports from WGN. Authorities say the 41-year-old Cutler was involved in a minor traffic accident after allegedly rear-ending another vehicle. Police noted that he appeared to be slurring his words and refused to take field Read More…
The Idaho Department of Commerce has announced the formation of a new Rural Services team aimed at enhancing support for rural communities across the state. Leading the team is Jerry Miller, a seasoned economic development professional with over 29 years of experience at Idaho Commerce. As the Rural Services Manager, Miller will spearhead initiatives designed Read More…
Austin Knudsen has been a steadfast defender of Montana’s sovereignty against federal overreach, and that’s why I fully support his reelection as Attorney General. Since taking office, he has sued the Biden-Harris administration more than 55 times, standing up for Montanans on critical issues like border security, energy independence, gun rights, and the fight against Read More…
As the demand for wireless services continues to grow, many consumers may not realize that they are facing significant financial burdens due to the taxes and fees imposed on these services. Wireless taxes can take various forms, including privilege taxes, license fees, and user taxes, and they are often added to your monthly wireless bill. Read More…
40% were performed in just four states: California, New York, Washington and Ohio (The Center Square) – Sex reassignment procedures and surgeries on children have gained national prominence in recent years, and half of U.S. states now have laws passed either restricting or banning them. Newly released data provided by the nonprofit Do No Harm indicates Read More…
(The Center Square) – Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters are now officially facing trespassing charges for demonstrations at Arizona State University in April. The 68 protesters were charged with “criminal trespass” as a third-degree misdemeanor, which is the lowest level, for allegedly participating in the encampment on the Tempe campus’s Old Main lawn that ended up Read More…
(The Center Square) – An Afghan citizen released into the U.S. less than 10 days after the Biden-Harris deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was arrested for plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on American soil. The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday announced charges were brought against 27-year-old Afghan national Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, Read More…