A growing field of Democrats is lining up to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke in Montana’s western U.S. House district, as the party looks to mount a competitive bid in a seat national analysts still rate as safely Republican. On Thursday, Ryan Busse, an author, climate activist and gun control advocate from Kansas, announced Read More…
House Speaker Johnson spoke yesterday at the kickoff of the House Republican policy summit, delivering a wide-ranging address that touched on the party’s legislative agenda, U.S. military action in Venezuela, Democratic opposition, and the sudden passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Republicans Leading on Tax Policy, Speaker Says Speaker Johnson emphasized Republican achievements on tax policy, Read More…
The White House announced Friday that the United States will begin withdrawing from a broad range of international organizations, conventions, and treaties deemed “contrary to the interests of the United States,” according to a presidential memorandum. The memorandum, issued to the heads of executive departments and agencies, follows Executive Order 14199, which directed a comprehensive Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined Johnson Metal Works in Bozeman to celebrate the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities that prepare Montana students for high-demand, well-paying careers. “Apprenticeships open doors for Montanans to learn valuable skills, earn while they learn, and step directly into rewarding careers,” Gianforte said. “Thanks to employers like Johnson Metal Works, we are connecting Read More…
Efforts to convene a special session of the Montana Legislature aimed at addressing tax-related concerns have fallen short. On Friday evening, the Montana Secretary of State’s Office disclosed the outcomes of a legislative poll. Of the total votes cast, 55 were in favor of scheduling a special session on January 15, falling short of the Read More…
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted morning traffic on Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport—two of the busiest airports in the nation—during coast-to-coast protests that concluded with numerous arrests. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that 36 individuals were apprehended at LAX, where the protesters became unruly. According to the Read More…
As the 2024 election cycle gains momentum, all eyes are on the Montana Senate race, which is anticipated to be a focal point next year. The state hosts one of three Democratic-held U.S. Senate seats up for grabs in states won by Donald Trump in the previous election, the others being Ohio and West Virginia. Read More…
For over a decade, the Flathead County Detention Center has consistently operated at or beyond its intended capacity, as highlighted in a recent jail needs assessment. Numerous discussions among commissioners have taken place, and during a recent work session, all three commissioners unanimously affirmed the necessity of a new facility, expressing a preference for it Read More…
In a press release, the MCV Action fund, an independent Political Action Committee aligned with the liberal environmental activist group Montana Conservation Voters, proclaimed its formal endorsement of Democrat Ryan Busse in his gubernatorial bid for Montana. Democrat political staffer Jill Lombardi, the chair of the MCV PAC board, praised Busse, saying, “Ryan Busse has Read More…
The mayor of Joliet, Dakota Zachariah Mitchem, who also holds the position of the town’s Postmaster, is facing a felony assault charge. The charge was filed in Carbon County District Court on Monday. According to court records, the charge is related to an incident that occurred on Sunday at a residence on Second Street in Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a strategic investment of up to $17.5 million to enhance access to community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities care for Montanans. This marks the initial allocation of the $300 million funding commitment made by the governor this spring to overhaul and enhance Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems. Read More…
On Friday, a legal challenge was initiated by James Goetz, a longtime trial lawyer from Bozeman and a prominent Democratic Party contributor. The lawsuit questions the constitutionality of four bipartisan laws recently enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in Montana. These laws were designed to address the state’s housing shortage by promoting proactive land use planning Read More…
A group of people came together outside the Cascade County Courthouse Annex in Great Falls on Monday, December 11, 2023, to protest a proposal to remove election duties from the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. “It’s our right as citizens to elect the person that takes care of our elections,” said Lisa Bennett. “If that goes Read More…
National Democrat aligned groups are actively working towards placing a state constitutional amendment on abortion on Montana’s ballot next year. The move is aimed at bolstering the re-election prospects of Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who is identified as one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents in the upcoming 2024 elections. READ THE FULL STORY: https://politics406.com/montana-abortion-ballot-measure-aims-to-boost-tester/
Helena – A judge heard testimony in a case aiming to resolve an ambiguity regarding the interaction between the governor’s authority to veto a bill and the Legislature’s power to overturn that veto. Attorneys presented oral arguments in a lawsuit concerning Gov. Greg Gianforte’s veto of Senate Bill 442. District Judge Mike Menahan, a former Read More…
Representative Mike Gallagher, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Congressional Republicans are urging a University of Montana institute linked to former U.S. ambassador Max Baucus to sever ties with a Beijing proxy group operating in the United States, as reported by National Review. The GOP lawmakers contend that the Read More…
Hunter Biden faces a heightened legal scrutiny with an indictment on nine tax charges as part of a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden’s son, unfolding against the backdrop of the 2024 election. Filed on Thursday, these new charges—comprising three felonies and six misdemeanors—are in addition to federal firearms charges Read More…
Montana Senator Steve Daines is urging a progressive fundraising powerhouse to cease processing donations for groups sympathetic to Hamas. ActBlue, the primary fundraising platform for Democratic campaigns nationwide, facilitates contributions for several organizations that either participated in or amplified rallies commemorating Hamas’ violent attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, resulting in over 1,200 Read More…
Missoula witnessed unforgettable night at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, as the No. 2 seed Montana Grizzlies powered through a snow-covered showdown to dominate the Delaware Blue Hens 49-19 in the FCS playoffs’ second round. The win marked the Grizzlies’ eighth consecutive victory, propelling them into the FCS quarterfinals with an impressive 11-1 record. The snowfall, Read More…
HELENA — A judge in Helena has dismissed the lawsuit brought by state Rep. Zooey Zephyr challenging the constitutionality of disciplinary actions taken by legislative Republicans against her during the recent session. District Court Judge Mike Menahan deemed the lawsuit moot, stating that Zephyr’s disciplinary measures ceased with the conclusion of the session. In April, Read More…
Cory Swanson, the Broadwater County Attorney and Army veteran, officially declared his candidacy for the Montana Supreme Court this week, initiating a competition with former magistrate judge and liberal trial lawyer Jerry Lynch for the position of chief justice. In a campaign announcement on the Montana Talks radio show, Swanson emphasized the importance of fairness Read More…
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State University will host a presentation, “New Directions: County and City Leaders Look Forward to 2024,” during its monthly Friday Forum on Dec. 8 via Zoom. The event will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. U.S. census data shows that Read More…
GREENOUGH — On Monday, November 27, 2023, Governor Greg Gianforte journeyed from Helena to Greenough to partake in the felling of the 2023 State Capitol Christmas tree. The governor ventured into the woods, reaching the designated site within the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) trust lands, where the ideal tree was selected Read More…
HELENA — Montana legislators are poised to make a pivotal decision regarding the convening of a special session early next year to address tax-related matters, notably the resolution of a property tax dispute by the state Supreme Court. The Montana Freedom Caucus, comprising fervently conservative Republican lawmakers, formally requested a special session on January 15, Read More…
In a report released last week, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) confirmed that Montana’s outdoor recreation industry continues to play a significant role in the state’s economy. According to the 2022 report detailing the industry’s economic impact, outdoor recreation contributed to 4.3% of Montana’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year. While this represents Read More…
WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden extended an offer on Tuesday to testify publicly before Congress in response to a subpoena from Republicans delving into various aspects of his business dealings amid their pursuit of an impeachment inquiry into his father, President Joe Biden. Characterizing the investigation as a “fishing expedition,” the son of the Democratic president Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte visited Billings to engage with veterans, business owners, legislators, and advocates in a discussion centered around the benefits of Senate Bill 104. The bill, set to take effect on January 1, will allow veterans to exempt up to 50 percent of their military retirement pay from state income tax. The governor emphasized Read More…
A new report from CNN has found that Senator Jon Tester failed to follow through on the ethics pledge he made the center of his 2006 campaign against incumbent Conrad Burns. From the CNN report: “I’ll end secret meetings with lobbyists. At the end of every business day, I will post a list of every Read More…
Atlantic Richfield Company and ARCO Environmental Remediation (collectively known as Atlantic Richfield) have agreed to the cleanup of community soils – including both residential and non-residential yards and soil affected by the refinery’s operations – at the ACM Smelter and Refinery Superfund Site in Black Eagle, Montana. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in Read More…
Starting Tuesday, Montana homeowners can apply to get back up to $675 on their property taxes. The Montana Department of Revenue will open claims Aug. 15 for the property tax rebate approved by the state Legislature and signed off on by Gov. Greg Gianforte earlier this year. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1. “Property Read More…
Many Crow tribal members have been caught up in Arizona’s sober-living home scam, but when they return back to Montana, many often need treatment and recovery. The problem has caught the attention of Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, who recently reached out to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for assistance. “This situation is very troubling because these crooks Read More…
The rejection of the plan to send water from the Hungry Horse Reservoir to raise Flathead Lake in northwest Montana has sparked frustration among elected officials and local communities heavily reliant on the lake for their economy and livelihoods. The lake’s water levels have reached a record low for this time of year, dropping nearly Read More…
MontPIRG, a liberal nonprofit organization is facing a significant financial setback. According to a report from the Daily Montanan, the organization is expected to lose approximately $50,000 in student fees in the coming year. MontPIRG has a long-standing presence on state college campuses in Montana, operating for nearly four decades. While University of Montana students Read More…
Helena – Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced his participation, along with 17 other state attorneys general, in a lawsuit against the Biden administration. The lawsuit challenges the administration’s efforts to redefine certain illegal border crossings as “lawful pathways” into the country. Attorney General Knudsen believes that this proposed border policy will worsen the ongoing crises Read More…
Helena, MT – Susan Gianforte, in collaboration with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has unveiled the Imagination Library of Montana, an initiative that will be implemented across the entire state. This non-profit endeavor aims to enhance early childhood literacy by offering complimentary, top-notch books tailored to the age of Montana’s children. “Literacy is critical for our Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 states against Mexico’s lawsuit against the American firearms industry. In an amicus brief filed Thursday, the 20 attorneys general seek to shield the law-abiding firearms manufacturers within their borders. The Mexican government is pursuing a $10 billion claim against multiple prominent U.S. firearms manufacturers, Read More…
The expiration of Title 42, a COVID-era policy used to expel migrants, on Thursday has sparked concerns about the growing wave of migrants at the southern border. U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Steve Daines (R-MT) have both addressed the situation and raised alarms regarding the security at the border. The issue has drawn national Read More…
The recent revelations that Montana Senator Jon Tester has allowed industry lobbyists to craft legislation that benefits them contradict his campaign promise not to depend on lobbyists to make decisions. Emails obtained by Politico show that hemp industry lobbyists proposed and created a bill introduced by Tester in March to change regulations that benefit industrial Read More…
Wyoming is home to a wealth of mining and coal-fired power generation infrastructure that will eventually be decommissioned, razed and shipped away, even as the state courts dozens of new manufacturing and other industrial projects. But a new report finds opportunity in repurposing such facilities — which include railspurs and industrial-scale connections to the power Read More…
A Helena District Court Judge has rejected an attempt by Rep. Zooey Zephyr to be allowed to return to the House floor. The ruling by Judge Mike Menahan came in repose to a motion from lawyers for the state of Montana that asked the judge to reject Zephyr’s request to return. Menahn said he didn’t Read More…
In his initial bid for Senate, Jon Tester, denounced legislators who hire lobbyists, vowing to end the “revolving door.” However, as he seeks reelection to his fourth term, Tester’s campaign is being managed by a former lobbyist. On April 4, Tester expressed his utmost satisfaction in hiring Shelbi Dantic, a former lobbyist, as his campaign Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte received praise from industry leaders, business owners, and business advocates for his advocacy of a tax relief package, signed into law on March 13. Fulfilling his campaign promise to address the priorities of Montanans by offering them the largest tax cut in the state’s history, which includes both immediate tax rebates and Read More…
Montana senator Jon Tester bills himself as “a tireless defender of rural America” who prefers a home-cooked meal to dining out in Washington, D.C.’s vibrant restaurant scene. But the Democrat’s campaign receipts tell a different story: Tester has spent more than a million dollars at swanky restaurants, including one Beltway haunt that touts its appeal Read More…
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana and Wheatland Memorial Healthcare are pleased to announce that the USDA will invest more than $19 million to build a new health care facility in Harlowton. “Everyone deserves quality, accessible health care, no matter where they live, which is why it is critical that we invest in Read More…