(The Center Square) – Death threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up by 8,000% compared to the same timeframe last year, the Department of Homeland Security said on Friday. Assaults against ICE officers remain at a 1,000% increase, The Center Square first reported. Targeted removal efforts prioritizing arresting violent offenders are ongoing as Read More…
Senator Sheehy (R-Mont.) joined forces with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) this week to launch the Senate Stewardship Caucus, a bipartisan effort focused on protecting public lands, promoting responsible land management, and supporting economic growth in rural communities. The announcement was made at an event hosted by Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering bipartisan Read More…
The Montana Department of Justice (MTDOJ) and Billings Police Department (BPD) are alerting residents of Yellowstone County about an increased presence of the deadly synthetic opioid carfentanil. The warning follows a significant seizure by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which confiscated 5,300 pills suspected of being trafficked into Montana Read More…
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s (WYDOT) National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan, certifying that the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) are fully built out and clearing the way for NEVI funding to be spent on non-interstate highways. Wyoming becomes the third state to achieve full build-out status, a Read More…
Montana state Senator Ellie Boldman, a Democrat from Missoula, pleaded guilty Monday morning to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence after being found asleep in her running vehicle in downtown Helena early Sunday. Boldman, who had attended the Montana Democratic Party’s annual Mansfield Metcalf fundraising dinner earlier that evening, admitted in Helena Municipal Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today the appointment of John A. Mercer to the Twentieth Judicial District Court, which covers Lake and Sanders Counties. “John served the people of the Twentieth Judicial District well when I appointed him to serve his community last year, and I’m glad he was willing to do so once again,” said Read More…
Newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel begins his tenure with a 47% favorability rating, according to a recent national survey from Rasmussen Reports. The poll, conducted via telephone and online, reveals that 47% of likely U.S. voters hold a favorable view of Patel, with 29% expressing a very favorable opinion. In contrast, 36% of voters Read More…
The Montana Senate has passed Senate Bill 42, a bill that would require judicial candidates at all levels – from Supreme Court justices to municipal judges – to declare a political party affiliation when running for office. Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, SB 42 passed the Senate by a 28-22 vote on Thursday, Read More…
A recent national poll reveals that 60% of voters support the idea of requiring paper ballots in U.S. elections, a measure that has gained significant attention following advocacy by former President Donald Trump. The proposal, which aims to strengthen election integrity, has sparked widespread discussion on both sides of the political spectrum. The survey, conducted Read More…
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, a new Cygnal poll reveals shifting political dynamics that could reshape the electoral landscape. Former President Donald Trump’s approval rating has climbed to 50%, with particularly notable gains among historically Democratic-leaning voter groups. Among Black men, 42% now approve of Trump’s performance, highlighting a growing realignment as the Republican Read More…
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration says that race-based decisions in education – including race-based hiring, admissions, and scholarships – are unlawful, and any institution that does not comply with the department’s antidiscrimination requirements will face loss of federal funding. “The Department of Education will no longer allow Read More…
In a controversial decision that flies in the face of biological science, a Montana District Court judge ruled that Senate Bill 458— which legally defined sex as strictly male or female— is unconstitutional. The ruling, handed down by Judge Leslie Halligan, claims the law violates the Montana Constitution’s guarantees of privacy and equal protection. However, Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has signed an immigration enforcement agreement with the Trump Administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allowing state law enforcement to take a more active role in deportation efforts. Under the agreement, Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) troopers and Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents will have the authority to arrest illegal Read More…
The Trump administration is standing firm against The Associated Press’ lawsuit over restricted press access, asserting the president’s authority to shape media participation in White House events. The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court, challenges the administration’s decision to block AP journalists from key presidential activities, but the White House argues that access to Read More…
lliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has filed a lawsuit against Sage Publishing after the academic publisher retracted three studies on the risks of abortion drugs, following a complaint about the authors’ pro-life views. The studies, authored by a team of professional researchers between 2019 and 2022, were peer-reviewed and published in Health Services Research and Managerial Read More…
(The Center Square) – Legislation has been introduced in Congress to repeal the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act. U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn. have introduced the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act, or BOWSER Act, named after the district’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. The lawmakers Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced two key pieces of legislation aimed at promoting American energy independence, strengthening the nation’s energy sector, and supporting rural communities. The “Supporting Made in America Energy Act” seeks to bolster oil and gas development by requiring annual onshore lease sales in top oil-producing states, as well as offshore Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen testified today before the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning, advocating for funding to construct an indoor firing range at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) in Helena. The project, if approved by the Montana Legislature, would address longstanding training challenges faced by law enforcement cadets. Currently, MLEA rents space at Read More…
Accounting students from Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship are offering free help preparing tax returns for MSU students and individuals who made less than $60,000 last year. The 2025 help sessions will be held on the MSU campus in Jabs Hall, Room 215, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. on the Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today that the state is set to receive $16.57 million from a $7.4 billion national settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, the owners of Purdue, over their role in fueling the opioid crisis. The settlement resolves allegations that Purdue aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, contributing to Read More…
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced today that the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) has joined a multi-state task force and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a $106 million settlement with Vanguard Marketing Corporation (VMC) and The Vanguard Group, Inc. The settlement stems from Read More…
Glacier Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bank of Idaho Holding Co. (OTCQX: BOID) in a $245.4 million all-stock transaction, further expanding its presence in Idaho and Eastern Washington. The deal, Glacier’s 26th acquisition since 2000, will see Bank of Idaho’s $1.3 billion in assets, $1.0 billion in loans, and 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…