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) – 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…
(The Center Square) – In a new national poll released this week, voters signaled they are divided over the Biden administration’s Title IX changes to expand gender identity protections ahead of the general election. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights found that voters are almost evenly split on the controversial Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen stood firm in his defense during a formal hearing Wednesday and Thursday regarding a professional conduct complaint against him by a California lawyer, which arises from a long-standing legal dispute between the state Legislature and the judicial branch. The hearing, conducted by an adjudicatory panel of the Montana Commission on Read More…
A new poll indicates that Republican candidate Tim Sheehy is gaining significant support in the race for the U.S. Senate, leading incumbent Jon Tester by a margin of 51% to 45%. This marks a critical moment in Sheehy’s campaign as he seeks to unseat Tester, who has held the position since 2007. Montana Republican Party Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Tennessee’s laws aimed at protecting children from permanent and experimental medical and surgical procedures. This move comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear United States v. Skrmetti, a case initiated by the Biden administration challenging the Tennessee law, Read More…
A recent poll shows Attorney General Austin Knudsen maintaining a commanding lead in his reelection bid, with a 53% to 35% advantage over Democratic challenger Ben Alke. This demonstrates significant support for Knudsen’s conservative agenda as Montanans prepare to vote in the upcoming election. Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt expressed confidence in Knudsen’s Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Biden-Harris administration took a tidal wave of criticism this week after U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that the Federal Emergency Management Administration did not have enough funds to cover the rest of this hurricane season. Those comments drew criticism from Republican lawmakers, billionaire Elon Musk Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today that the Montana Department of Justice will provide an additional $3.5 million to enhance the state’s Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). This funding aims to improve the response and care for child survivors of crime and abuse across Montana. The financial support is made possible by a recent settlement with Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte visited the HER Campaign last week to showcase the organization’s vital work supporting survivors of human trafficking through their residential programs. “Human trafficking is a despicable, heartbreaking crime, but thanks to dedicated Montanans like Sammy and organizations like the HER Campaign, survivors are offered resources and hope,” Gianforte stated. He emphasized the Read More…
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Thursday that it will make tele-emergency care available nationwide to improve fast access to virtual emergency care for those enrolled in VA health care. The expansion of care, which was tested in recent months, has shown promise for veterans, helping more than 61,182 callers with a Read More…
Republican candidate Tim Sheehy emerged victorious in a heated U.S. Senate debate against incumbent Democrat Jon Tester, according to Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt. Following the debate, Kaltschmidt issued a statement underscoring Sheehy’s performance and criticizing Tester’s record. “Tim Sheehy’s second debate victory over career politician Jon Tester showed exactly why Montanans will Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte unveiled an investment of up to $2.5 million aimed at assisting rural counties and tribal communities in Montana to develop and implement tailored solutions for their behavioral health needs. This initiative is part of a broader $300 million funding allocation secured by the governor last year to reform and enhance the state’s Read More…
(The Center Square) — Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill joined a 20-state coalition to question the American Academy of Pediatrics practices with child gender dysphoria. In a letter, originally written by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, the AGs put the organization on notice for possible violations of state consumer protection statutes over its standards on Read More…
(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are virtually tied in Nevada, according to a new poll. According to the American Greatness/TIPP poll of 736 likely Nevada voters conducted from Sept. 23-25 in conjunction with TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and Politics, Harris holds a slim 49.2% to 47.9% advantage over Read More…
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump ramped up his personal attacks on Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, during a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. Trump repeated his claim that Harris is “mentally impaired,” going as far as to suggest she should be “impeached and prosecuted.” These remarks followed a rally from the day before, which Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte recently emphasized a report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, which identifies Montana as one of the least regulated states in the country. The report ranks Montana fourth, following North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho, citing the state’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens. Governor Gianforte stated that cutting red tape Read More…
(The Center Square) – A coalition of small businesses are calling on Congress to make the 20% small business tax deduction permanent. Small business leaders visited Washington, D.C. this week to call on lawmakers to pass the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, a bill that would prevent the expiration of a small business tax credit Read More…
Montana PBS will host a live debate featuring U.S. Senate candidates Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 30. The one-hour event will take place in a Montana PBS studio located on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. Incumbent Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat, will face Republican challenger Tim Sheehy Read More…
(The Center Square) – Lawfully issued congressional subpoenas are not subject to interference from the White House or its appointed leaders of departments, North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx said Friday. The Republican bidding for an 11th term in the Beltway chastised Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for “repeatedly” trying to interfere with the work of the Read More…
As the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump remain in a stalemate, according to recent polls. New data released on Thursday indicates a particularly close race in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania. A national poll conducted by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and 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…
Montana State University (MSU) has made history by becoming the first university in Montana to enroll over 17,000 students, reaching a fall headcount of 17,144—an increase of 1% from last year’s record of 16,978. This milestone solidifies MSU’s position as the largest university in the four-state region, which includes Wyoming and the Dakotas. The university 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…
(The Center Square) – North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the state will appeal a district court decision to strike down North Dakota’s abortion law. South Central District Court Judge Bruce Romanick said Thursday the law was unconstitutional due to its “vagueness” and that “pregnant women in North Dakota have a fundamental right to 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…
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…
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…
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…