U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced the “Unborn Child Support Act”, a bill aimed at recognizing the humanity of unborn children and allowing expectant mothers to receive child support payments during pregnancy. “Caring for a child starts long before birth, and Montana moms need access to critical child support while they’re pregnant,” Daines said. Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen is reminding Montanans to stay vigilant and on the lookout for bad actors trying take advantage of them as the Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) fielded 900 scam complaints, over 1,000 complaints about businesses, and saved Montanans from losing over $1 million in 2024. In 2024, OCP prevented Read More…
The University of Montana received a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support a new Democracy Studies Program. Led by history professors Claire Arcenas, Kyle Volk, and Jeff Wiltse, the grant seeks to foster democratic values and revitalize the humanities while also supporting faculty research over the next three years. UM is one of Read More…
Amid ongoing discussions about the future of President Trump’s tax cuts, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and 33 other Republican senators, introduced the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act,” a bill aimed at making the 20 percent pass-through business tax deduction permanent. Without congressional action, the deduction is set Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced the “Unborn Child Support Act”, a bill aimed at recognizing the humanity of unborn children and allowing expectant mothers to receive child support payments during pregnancy. “Caring for a child starts long before birth, and Montana moms need access to critical child support while they’re pregnant,” Daines said. Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen is reminding Montanans to stay vigilant and on the lookout for bad actors trying take advantage of them as the Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) fielded 900 scam complaints, over 1,000 complaints about businesses, and saved Montanans from losing over $1 million in 2024. In 2024, OCP prevented Read More…
The University of Montana received a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support a new Democracy Studies Program. Led by history professors Claire Arcenas, Kyle Volk, and Jeff Wiltse, the grant seeks to foster democratic values and revitalize the humanities while also supporting faculty research over the next three years. UM is one of Read More…
Amid ongoing discussions about the future of President Trump’s tax cuts, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and 33 other Republican senators, introduced the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act,” a bill aimed at making the 20 percent pass-through business tax deduction permanent. Without congressional action, the deduction is set Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has been named chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC), a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to protecting and advancing the interests of sportsmen and women across the United States. “It’s an honor to serve as chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said Gov. Gianforte. “As we’ve demonstrated in Montana, governors have Read More…
The United States Supreme Court today upheld a federal law banning TikTok nationwide unless its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, divests its stake in the app by Sunday. In response to the ruling, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen praised the court’s decision, emphasizing the national security risks posed by the popular social media platform. “I’m glad Read More…
The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) announced today that Waded Cruzado, president of Montana State University (MSU), will become the association’s next president, effective July 1. Cruzado, a passionate advocate for public and land-grant universities, is set to lead the organization after over a decade of transformative leadership at MSU. Cruzado has served Read More…
On the steps of the Montana State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte was officially sworn in Monday for his second term as the 25th Governor of Montana. Accompanied by his wife, First Lady Susan Gianforte, the ceremony marked a historic milestone, as Gianforte became the first Republican governor to secure a second term since 1996. Chief Read More…
In a historic milestone, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has announced the investment of more than $92 million in public schools, marking a record-breaking revenue contribution from the state’s trust lands. “Thanks to DNRC’s responsible management of state trust lands, this historic $92 million investment will provide our students with the Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines has announced his committee assignments for the 119th Congress, taking on influential roles in the Senate Committees on Finance, Foreign Relations, Energy and Natural Resources, and Indian Affairs. These assignments place Daines at the center of critical policy discussions affecting Montana and the nation. “It’s an honor to serve Montanans in Read More…
Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter, 48, who was recently elected District Court Judge for Lake and Sanders counties, has been charged with one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts of attempted criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The Montana Attorney General’s Office announced the charges following a months-long investigation led 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…
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 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…
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) – 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…
(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…
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 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…
(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…
As part of his fourth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte marked Giving Tuesday by donating a quarter of his annual salary to Warriors & Quiet Waters, a Bozeman-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones. In 2020, Governor Gianforte pledged to donate his gubernatorial salary to 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…
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…
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…
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…
(The Center Square) – House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has opened an investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency over reports that it discriminated against supporters of Donald Trump. Comer said whistleblower reports suggest anti-Trump discrimination is rampant and has been going on for years. “[O]n the condition of anonymity, a FEMA official Read More…
In a bipartisan effort to safeguard and improve America’s public lands, Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine), joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), have introduced the “America the Beautiful Act.” This landmark legislation seeks to reauthorize and enhance the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), Read More…
President-elect Donald Trump has begun appointing officials to top positions in his incoming administration, signaling a departure from the internal strife that marked his first term. This time, Trump is leaning heavily on loyalists to shape his government, even as some of his selections face the prospect of contentious Senate confirmation battles. Cabinet Appointments Treasury Read More…
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his pick to head the U.S. Department of Justice. Bondi, a longtime ally of Trump, has been selected for the high-profile role after Representative Matt Gaetz, who was initially chosen for the position, stepped aside. The nomination of Bondi, a well-known figure in Read More…
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — Lucille “Cille” MacDonald, who this spring was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for “Rosie the Riveter” work during World War II, died Friday in Valley Island, Maui. She was 98. MacDonald, a longtime Maui resident who narrowly escaped the Lahaina wildfire last year, was a shipyard welder during the war, according Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today that Dustin Temple, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), will retire at the end of the year after a distinguished 20-year career with the agency. “I am grateful to Dustin for his service to FWP for two decades and for the outstanding progress he has made at one Read More…