Montana State University will host an interdisciplinary symposium Oct. 1-2 to explore the possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence for human knowledge. “The Future of AI” conference, sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Institute on Artificial Intelligence at MSU, will be held on campus. Attendance includes lunch and an evening reception on Thursday, and a light breakfast Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Montana will end the “orphan tax” — the longstanding practice of diverting Social Security survivor benefits from children in foster care to cover the cost of their state care — following a federal directive earlier this year calling on states to end the practice. For more than two decades, the Montana Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced the Montana Motor Vehicle Division is extending its fee waiver for driver license and identification card renewals and replacements through September 30, following a strong response to the program that saw more than 18,000 Montanans add the new citizenship marker to their credentials in July alone. The waiver, originally set Read More…
Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy introduced two pieces of legislation in recent weeks — one bipartisan bill to strengthen Buy American requirements for school meals and one to extend nationwide concealed carry privileges to elite special operations veterans. On July 30, Sheehy and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the American Food for American Schools Act, with Read More…
BILLINGS — Seven Montana TV stations owned by Cowles Media, including KFBB in Great Falls, have been unable to produce normal newscasts since last Monday after a cyber-attack infected computer operating software. “Systems and software are integrated among all the TV stations. The attack to the vital software has caused delays in video feedback and Read More…
More than three years after California voters broadly legalized marijuana, a state panel is considering if its potent, high-inducing chemical—THC—should be declared a risk to pregnant women and require warnings. Studies have indicated that a rising number of mothers-to-be have turned to marijuana products for relief from morning sickness and headaches, though it’s effectiveness has Read More…
To celebrate a game-winning pass break-up against the Buffalo Bills last week, Marcus Peters jumped into the crowd of friendly fans in enemy territory and crushed a beer. [Watch live NFL games on the Yahoo Sports app, here’s how] The NFL decided it just couldn’t let that fun moment happen without a little discipline, and Bud Light Read More…
BISMARCK — Justice Jon Jensen will take over the top spot on the Supreme Court just a few years after being appointed by Gov. Doug Burgum. He handily defeated Justice Lisa Fair McEvers in a runoff election for the position at the state Capitol on Thursday, Dec. 12. Jensen will sign an oath of Read More…
LAS VEGAS — Montana, say hello to your two newest world champions. Helena steer wrestler Ty Erickson and Miles City tie-down roper Haven Meged claimed 2019 PRCA world titles Saturday during the final round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday. Meged’s race was as close as they come. Read More…
The plan would utilize hunters to remove the herd of about 20 sheep by offering more licenses and ewe tags that would require hunters to take female sheep in Unit B1 of the southern Badlands, said Jeb Williams, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck. Details are a work in Read More…
RONAN – The first hemp-processing license in the State of Montana was issued to a Ronan business in November from the Montana Department of Agriculture. Green Ridge Biosolutions moved into a 15,000 square-foot building at 63298 U.S. Highway 93, located near the Ronan arch, in September. Sam Belanger, chief operations officer, said he looks forward Read More…
Billionaire wildcatter Harold Hamm is stepping down as chief executive officer of Continental Resources Inc. and will become executive chairman of the shale-oil producer he founded over five decades ago. Board member William Berry will take over as CEO at the start of next year, according to a statement released Wednesday. Jack Stark, currently president Read More…
Pernod Ricard, France’s largest spirits maker, is busy raiding America’s liquor cabinet. In 2019, the purveyor of Absolut vodka and Jameson Irish whiskey has bought Jefferson’s Bourbon, Firestone & Robertson Distilling, and a majority share of Rabbit Hole Distillery, all bets on America’s whiskey boom. This comes on top of recent new vodka distillery openings Read More…
In a festive opening to the sale of its best known company, Saudi political and economic elite were out on Wednesday to show their full support for the sale of their country’s crown jewel. Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil company had its first IPO on Wednesday and is now being heralded as the world’s most valuable company with Read More…
SALT LAKE CITY — The waste is piling up in landfills, from grocery stores and restaurants and stinky manure from hog and dairy farms. What to do with it? Dominion Energy has the answer through transforming some of that waste into renewable natural gas through a number of ways, including a $500 million corporate partnership Read More…
The Navy marked a first earlier this year when a woman completed Navy SEAL officer assessment and selection, Military.com has learned. At the quarterly meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services in December, a Navy official disclosed that the woman had reached the end of the physically and mentally demanding two-week SOAS process in September. Read More…
On the same day that President Donald J. Trump hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the White House, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, blocked an effort to fast-track a bill meant to punish Russia or other foreign countries for meddling in U.S. elections, as Russia did in 2016. On the U.S. Senate floor on Read More…
PINEDALE, Wyo. — A Sublette County Sheriff’s deputy was driving through Pinedale on his way to training when he saw an unusual call to action. A deer had become stuck in a pond that was partially iced over. Deputy Justin Hays radioed to dispatch and was soon joined by Deputy Peterson, who activated his body Read More…
The U.S. House passed the National Defense Authorization Act today. That means the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana is halfway to federal recognition. But will the tribe’s land base include Hill 57? Montana Republican Greg Gianforte voted yea on the defense bill, passing a version of Little Shell recognition bill he’s introduced in the Read More…
It may seem that no matter where you go in the U.S. you see chain stores — those ubiquitous big box stores with Starbucks (SBUX) – Get Report inside of them. But fear not: Small business in America is not dead. In fact, it’s the majority of the country’s business, according to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. Read More…
Arthur Blank has a new ranch. The Arthur M. Blank Family of Businesses announced Wednesday it has closed on the purchase of Paradise Valley Ranch, a 9,300-acre property between the city of Livingston and an entrance to Yellowstone Park. Paradise valley is near Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and West Creek Ranch, two interdependent properties belonging Read More…
HELENA – Employees of the Montana Democratic Party said Wednesday they have chosen to be represented by a union. The employees made the announcement in a news release along with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 206. James Holbrook, IBEW 206 business manager, said more professional employees are joining the IBEW because they can Read More…
The race to represent California’s 36th District in the U.S. House of Representatives just became much less confusing: Republican challenger Raul Ruiz announced Wednesday he was dropping his challenge against Raul Ruiz, the incumbent Democratic congressman with the same name. “It is with sincere heartfelt sentiment that I announce my inability to continue moving forward in Read More…
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes would manage the National Bison Range in exchange for concessions on water rights, according to draft legislation Montana Sen. Steve Daines is expected to introduce in Congress. Both Daines and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes announced last week that they had come to an agreement to settle thousands Read More…
MISSOULA — A University of Montana partnership with the state has proved doubly lucrative, supporting Montana families’ health needs while garnering nearly $16 million in grants to fund health-related programs. The state-UM partnership has received 12 competitive federal grants that help small rural hospitals, mental health therapists, doctors and clinics – and even public schools Read More…
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KOLO) – The U.S. Senate has confirmed Lawrence VanDyke to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The final vote was 51 to 44 in favor of confirmation. VanDyke previously served as Solicitor General of Nevada and Montana. Nevada’s two Senators, Jackie Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, both Democrats, opposed VanDyke’s nomination. Sen. Cortez Masto Read More…
On Dec. 10, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) argued against confirming Lawrence VanDyke to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Doing so, he said, would depart from “bedrock principles that once guided the exercise of the Senate’s constitutional duty to advise and consent” on the president’s nominations. Blumenthal neglected to mention some important information that puts Read More…
The Montana National Guard and the Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) were recognized in Washington D.C. with the Army Community Partnership Award for their work in creating the Ten Mile Creek Community Park. Major General Matthew Quinn, Adjutant General for Montana, and Mary Hollow, Executive Director for PPLT received the award at the Pentagon on Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines announced he reached a new agreement to settle water disputes with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) that “protect the water rights for all Montanans.” Senator Jon Tester said he is pleased with the bipartisan support for the introduction of the CSKT Water Compact. Daines will introduce the “Montana Read More…
Washington Democrats are no longer pining for Beto O’Rourke. They’re far more infatuated with another ousted presidential candidate: Steve Bullock. O’Rourke has just three days before the Texas filing deadline to decide whether he wants to run against incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn. Yet many Senate Democrats aren’t sure O’Rourke would even be the strongest Read More…
The grandson of the late President George H.W. Bush, nonprofit executive Pierce Bush, announced Monday morning that he is running for Texas’ 22nd Congressional District. Bush enters a crowded GOP primary to replace U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, whose seat was a national Democratic target even before Olson announced his retirement earlier this year. Bush made Read More…
The Supreme Court on Monday left in place a Kentucky law requiring abortion providers to perform an ultrasound and show and describe it to the patient, regardless of the patient’s wishes. The justices did not offer an explanation for their decision to refuse to hear a challenge to a lower court ruling that upheld the Read More…
SAN FRANCISCO — Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the Stanford graduate students who founded Google over two decades ago, are stepping down from executive roles at Google’s parent company, Alphabet, they announced on Tuesday. Sundar Pichai, Google’s chief executive, will become the chief of both Google and Alphabet. The move is an end of an Read More…
SAN ANTONIO (CBSDFW.COM) – Country music legend Willie Nelson says he’s stopped smoking pot — 65 years after he rolled his first joint. “I don’t smoke anymore. I take better care of myself today than I did then,” he said. The 86-year-old Texan says, due to ongoing health and breathing issues, he no longer smokes marijuana. Read More…
Gov. Brian Kemp appointed financial executive Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, selecting the co-owner of Atlanta’s WNBA franchise over a congressman that President Donald Trump repeatedly urged the Republican to pick. During remarks in Kemp’s ceremonial office, Loeffler presented herself as a lifelong conservative who is “pro-Second Amendment, pro-military, pro-wall and pro-Trump” Read More…
The case against Michael Bloomberg’s presidential run seems strong. He’s a political chameleon, who went from Democrat to Republican (in order to find a place on the New York City ballot in 2001) to Independent to Democrat (again). He spent a lot of money in politics. Some of it helping Republicans, such as Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Read More…
HELENA — A former Helena elementary school teacher – who also is married to Democratic state superintendent of public instruction candidate Melissa Romano — was charged Tuesday with felony drug possession, including cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine. The charges against Eric Lehman, who resigned his teaching post at Hawthorne Elementary School as of Nov. 1, said Read More…
China avoided measures related to trade in its first actions retaliating against the U.S. over a law supporting Hong Kong’s protesters, instead vowing to sanction some rights organizations and halt warship visits to the city. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing Monday that U.S. groups targeted for sanctions included the National Endowment Read More…
The Haverford School’s leafy campus, arched doorways, and neatly uniformed boys would seem to denote the sort of class and privilege that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) has decried on the campaign trail. That may be why Warren, confronted by a school-choice activist in November, denied that her kids had attended private schools. The 2020 Read More…
In the entire U.S., only one state — Wyoming — lacks legal protections for journalists who refuse to give up the names of confidential sources when law enforcement comes calling. After years as an outlier — and at least one close call for a reporter who faced legal pressure to reveal his sources — Read More…
GRAND FORKS — State Sen. Ray Holmberg remembers when the relationship between the North Dakota University System and the Legislature was more tenuous. Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, a longtime member of the Legislature and leader of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says that around 2013, the relationship was especially fractured. “The relationship was, shall we Read More…
HOUSTON, TEXAS – A North Dakota soldier was honored in the NFL’s Salute to Service at the Houston Texans’ stadium and his son shared this video of the moment with us. Master Sgt. Al Herda Jr., of Devils Lake, and his 8-year-old grandson, Ben Herda, got to stand on the sidelines of Sunday night’s Texans – Read More…
FORT WASHAKIE – A Wyoming tribe is looking to hemp and medical marijuana as potential ways to bolster the Wind River Reservation economy and treat illnesses, an approach more and more tribes view as potentially lucrative. In late September, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe’s General Council voted to approve a resolution to have a group Read More…
Montana Governor Steve Bullock is ending his presidential campaign, citing an inability to gain traction with Democratic primary voters and, in a setback for Democrats, he has no plans to pursue a 2020 Senate bid. “While there were many obstacles we could not have anticipated when entering this race, it has become clear that in Read More…