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Law enforcement agencies in 40 states are partnering with ICE 287(g) program

(The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is calling on law enforcement officials in all U.S. counties to participate in a federal program, 287(g). Those who do receive free training and resources, potentially federal grant money, and a partnership with the Trump administration to identify violent criminals illegally in the country, many of Read More…

Watchdogs: New Montana law restricting foreign money in elections insufficient

(The Center Square) – Montana recently became the sixth state this year to pass a ban on foreign spending on ballot measures. Watchdog organizations, however, say the state’s new law is inadequate. Montana’s new law bars non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, foreign political parties and foreign-owned entities from contributing to campaigns surrounding ballot measures. The legislation Read More…

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Trump Nominates Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General

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…

Netanyahu Confirms Israeli Airstrike Targeted Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday that Israel’s airstrike on Iran last month targeted a specific element of Tehran’s nuclear program, while also damaging its defense and missile production capabilities. In a speech to the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu stated, “It’s not a secret. There is a specific component in their nuclear program that was Read More…

Billings City Administrator’s Pay Increase Postponed Amid Ongoing Water Bill Audit

Billings City Administrator Chris Kukulski, currently in the second year of a three-year contract, will see a delay in discussions about his pay increase. The Billings City Council decided to postpone the decision following Kukulski’s recent performance evaluation, citing concerns about public perception as the city continues to address issues with its water billing system. Read More…

Montana Attorney General Leads 28-State Coalition Challenging Biden Admin’s New Firearm Regulation

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen spearheaded a coalition of 28 states in filing an amicus brief opposing the Biden-Harris administration’s attempt to classify forced reset triggers (FRTs) as machine guns under federal law. The brief, submitted to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, supports the National Association for Gun Rights in their challenge to the Read More…

DEQ Proposes New Permit for Montanore Minerals Corporation’s Libby Creek Project

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has drafted a new Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permit to replace an existing permit issued in 2006 for the Montanore Minerals Corporation (MMC) Libby Creek Adit, located south of Libby in Lincoln County. The Libby Exploration Project involves underground exploration for silver and copper ores. MMC Read More…

University of Montana Alumni Association Honors Five Distinguished Alumni

The University of Montana Alumni Association (UMAA) has announced the recipients of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing five individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields and brought honor to the university, state, and nation. The awardees are chosen by the UMAA Board of Directors based on their respected careers and community impact. Read More…

University of Montana Secures NSA Grant for Cybersecurity Education Initiative

The University of Montana has been awarded a grant from the National Security Agency (NSA) to lead a coalition of five western states in enhancing cybersecurity education for students and teachers. Through the GenCyber program, the nearly $600,000 grant will enable UM to collaborate with other colleges to develop a regional initiative aimed at strengthening Read More…

Tim Sheehy Defeats Jon Tester

Republican Tim Sheehy has won Montana’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race, defeating three-term Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in a contest that saw record-breaking spending and national attention. Sheehy’s victory bolsters the GOP’s newly acquired majority in the Senate and signals a continued shift toward Republican dominance in Montana. The 38-year-old Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy SEAL Read More…

Greg Gianforte Declared Winner of Montana Governor’s Race

Decision Desk HQ has officially called Montana’s Governor race for incumbent Republican Greg Gianforte, as early results show him leading Democratic challenger Ryan Busse by a wide margin. With 6.2% of the vote counted as of 9:25 p.m., Gianforte has garnered 22,188 votes, while Busse trails with 12,777 votes. Libertarian candidate Kaiser Leib is currently Read More…

Austin Knudsen Wins Re-election as Montana Attorney General

The Associated Press has called Austin Knudsen the winner of the race for Montana Attorney General, with 86.1% of the votes counted. Knudsen, the Republican incumbent, has successfully secured a second term in office, defeating Democratic challenger Ben Alke. Knudsen, who was raised in Culbertson, Montana, has held the position of Attorney General since 2020. Read More…

Collaboration between Montana State and Smithsonian elevates prairie and grassland research

BOZEMAN – While it’s known for its museums in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Institution also comprises dozens of research and education bodies around the world. And through a unique collaboration with one of those teams, faculty and students at Montana State University are amplifying ecological research in the northern Great Plains. The Smithsonian’s Great Plains Read More…

Governor Gianforte Visits Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch to Support Youth Mental Health Initiatives

Governor Greg Gianforte visited the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) in Billings on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to staff for their work in supporting youth facing mental health challenges. “From pandemic-related isolation to the pressures of social media, young people across the state and country are facing a mental health crisis,” Gov. Gianforte stated. “It Read More…

Montana Republican Party Chairman Calls Out Tester Over Law Enforcement Funding Claims

Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued a statement today criticizing Senator Jon Tester for what he claims are false assertions regarding funding for law enforcement in a recent political advertisement. Kaltschmidt’s remarks come after several Montana Sheriff’s Offices publicly disputed Tester’s claims about his support for local law enforcement agencies. “Jon Tester’s true Read More…

Montana State University Receives $6.4 Million Grant for Railway Workforce Development

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $6.4 million grant to the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) at Montana State University to support workforce development in the railway sector throughout Montana. Announced on October 29, the grant is part of a larger infrastructure initiative funded by the DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration. This initiative is made Read More…

Texas DPS: Over 443,000 criminal noncitizens booked in Texas jails

(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…

Report: Biden-Harris admin spent $900 million pushing faulty COVID messaging

(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…

Daines Challenges Biden Administration’s “Gender Identity” Guidance

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…

Montana Attorney General Sues TikTok Over Harmful Content to Minors

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…

Governor Gianforte Celebrates Increased Public Access at Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management Area

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…

Buffalo Bill Center of the West to Launch “Fire on the Mountain” Photographic Exhibition

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…

Red Lobster Appoints New CEO Amid Bankruptcy and Menu Overhaul

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…

‘Disaster Equity:’ FEMA shifted focus to migrants, climate and DEI

(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…

Governor Gianforte Spotlights Missoula FFA Students’ Tiny Home Project

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…

Attorney General Knudsen Leads Coalition in Legal Challenge Against Biden-Harris Immigration Rule

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…

Montana Recognized for Fiscal Responsibility and Tax Relief by Cato Institute

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…

ASU pro-Palestinian protesters charged by county attorney

(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…

Afghan released into US by Biden administration arrested for plotting terror attack

(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…

Poll: Voters divided on Biden admin’s Title IX changes ahead of election

(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…

Attorney General Austin Knudsen Defends Actions Amid Professional Conduct Hearing

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…

Gianforte Files Amicus Brief with U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Tennessee Law on Children’s Medical Protections

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…

Poll: Knudsen leads Alke by 18%

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…

Trump blasts Harris for FEMA help to migrants as hurricane budget runs low

(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…