A Missoula judge appointed by former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock has temporarily blocked a newly enacted law that protects women’s bathrooms and locker rooms from being accessed by biological males. District Court Judge Shane Vannatta, who openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, issued a ruling Wednesday putting the law on hold just Read More…
(The Center Square) – California did not materially comply with the requirements for seven of the 22 federal programs the state auditor examined, including “pervasive” noncompliance in its unemployment benefits program, which could put essential federal funding at risk. “This report concludes that the State did not materially comply with certain requirements for seven of the Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that Lonna Carroll, a former employee of the state Department of Social Services (DSS), was found guilty on Thursday of stealing an estimated $1.8 million from Child Protection Services. Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, was convicted by a Hughes County jury on two felony counts of Aggravated Grand Read More…
Los Angeles County has reached a record-setting $4 billion tentative settlement to resolve more than 6,800 sexual abuse claims, marking the largest financial settlement in the county’s history. Announced Friday, the agreement would settle decades of lawsuits from individuals who allege they were sexually abused or mistreated while in the county’s foster care system or Read More…
The Center Square) – The U.S. added 228,000 jobs in March, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday, nearly double what was forecast. Employment gains occurred in the health care, transportation, warehousing and retail trade industries, according to the Labor department. The overall gains come despite significant layoffs in the federal government under the Trump Read More…
A 20-year-old Kalispell man has been sentenced to 50 years at the Montana State Prison, with 10 years suspended, for the brutal killing of a homeless man in 2023, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Friday. Kaleb Elijah Fleck pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of deliberate homicide in the death of Scott Read More…
A Missoula judge appointed by former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock has temporarily blocked a newly enacted law that protects women’s bathrooms and locker rooms from being accessed by biological males. District Court Judge Shane Vannatta, who openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, issued a ruling Wednesday putting the law on hold just Read More…
(The Center Square) – California did not materially comply with the requirements for seven of the 22 federal programs the state auditor examined, including “pervasive” noncompliance in its unemployment benefits program, which could put essential federal funding at risk. “This report concludes that the State did not materially comply with certain requirements for seven of the Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that Lonna Carroll, a former employee of the state Department of Social Services (DSS), was found guilty on Thursday of stealing an estimated $1.8 million from Child Protection Services. Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, was convicted by a Hughes County jury on two felony counts of Aggravated Grand Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has released the results of its biennial Customer Satisfaction Survey, showing that approximately 70 percent of respondents are satisfied with the department’s services. The 12th edition of the survey, conducted by the University of Wyoming’s Survey and Analysis Center, collected 997 responses from Nov. 6 to Dec. 17, 2024. Read More…
Los Angeles County has reached a record-setting $4 billion tentative settlement to resolve more than 6,800 sexual abuse claims, marking the largest financial settlement in the county’s history. Announced Friday, the agreement would settle decades of lawsuits from individuals who allege they were sexually abused or mistreated while in the county’s foster care system or Read More…
nna Erickson, a junior from Dalton, Minnesota, majoring in psychology and cell biology and neuroscience, and Derek Jollie, a junior from Butte majoring in mathematical sciences and physics, are Montana State University’s two newest winners of the scholarship given by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The foundation announced Friday that 441 students Read More…
In a strong stand for parental rights and the rule of law, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the justices to overturn a controversial ruling by the Montana Supreme Court that struck down a common-sense law requiring parental involvement in a minor’s decision to get an abortion. Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong has announced the appointment of Zachary Greenberg as North Dakota’s permanent Labor Commissioner. Greenberg had been serving as interim commissioner since January and has been recognized for his leadership in enforcing the state’s labor and human rights laws. “Zach has proven himself to be a capable leader these past few months, ensuring Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has officially opened the application process for Education Service Providers (ESPs) for the state’s newly established Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The application portal will be accessible starting at 1 p.m. MDT on April 1, 2025, on the ESA website. Organizations interested in offering educational goods or services through Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in calling on the Trump Administration to take action against a little-known import program that they say is being exploited by drug traffickers and foreign adversaries to smuggle deadly fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. In a letter sent Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined law enforcement leaders in Billings to emphasize the importance of major new investments in Montana’s public safety infrastructure, including a proposed $150 million in one-time funding to expand the capacity of the Montana State Prison. Standing alongside local officials at a press conference, Gianforte stressed the urgency of addressing rising crime Read More…
(The Center Square) – Boeing earned a contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s top air dominance fighter, the F-47 and the service has plenty of options to base operational squadrons both in the U.S. and overseas. The sixth-generation aircraft is intended to replace the Air Force’s existing top fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Read More…
Belgrade High School was victorious in the Montana ProStart Invitational held March 20 at Montana State University, securing the school’s spot in the national competition in May. ProStart, a two-year culinary and business management program, prepares thousands of high school students nationwide for industry work through catering events, field trips and an annual competition. Gallatin Read More…
In a significant move for the cryptocurrency and banking sectors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced on Friday that U.S. banks can engage in certain cryptocurrency-related activities without seeking prior approval from the regulator. The FDIC clarified that as long as these activities are legally permitted and banks manage their risks appropriately, they do Read More…
(The Center Square) – Live Nation Entertainment, the events giant that operates Ticketmaster, is fighting to hold on to practices that states and the federal government allege are anti-competitive and hurt both fans and musicians. The company recently lost its bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8% in February, marking the 44th consecutive month of unemployment at or below 3.4%—a historic low. The strong labor market continues to be a key indicator of Montana’s resilient economy. “Montana’s economy is strong, adding 3,000 new jobs and reaching a record-high labor force of Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is taking a strong stand against human trafficking, bringing a major regional training conference to Bozeman this April to equip law enforcement and frontline professionals with the tools they need to combat this growing crisis. The 2025 Greater Rockies Immersive Training (GRIT) Conference, scheduled for April 28–30, will unite law Read More…
For the second year in a row, Bozeman, home to Montana State University, has been ranked the No. 1 college town in America by RentCafe.com, reaffirming its reputation as one of the best places in the country for students to live, learn, and launch their careers. Bozeman topped the rankings based on several factors, including Read More…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against affiliates of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), seeking to end collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that it claims hinder national security operations. The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Texas on behalf of eight federal agencies, follows an executive order issued by Read More…
Ventenata, cheatgrass and spotted knapweed are all considered invasive species in Montana because of their tendency to muscle native grasses and other plants out of their habitats. While completely eradicating invasive plants is virtually impossible, Montana State University plant ecologist Lisa Rew has dedicated her decades-long career to understanding the ecology of invasive species and Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Department of State will assume many of the responsibilities and oversight of programs previously performed by the U.S. Agency of International Development, effectively shuttering the controversial USAID department. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had been targeting USAID’s questionable spending for cuts, leading to legal challenges. But on Friday, Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has announced several important updates to its leadership team, aimed at strengthening the department’s ongoing initiatives and operations across the state. Franz Fuchs, who has served as the department’s chief policy analyst and legislative liaison, has been appointed as the new WDH Deputy Director. Fuchs, a U.S. Navy veteran, Read More…
Wells Fargo has officially abandoned its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, prompting Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen to close his investigation into the bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. The move follows a broader controversy over whether financial institutions should consider climate-related targets in their lending practices. The investigation, launched in October Read More…
For the fifth consecutive year, Montana State University’s efforts to support student veterans have been recognized with a designation as a top-10 military-friendly school in a nationwide survey through the website Militaryfriendly.com. MSU ranked third in military-friendly schools in the survey’s Tier 2 research institution category. The university has consistently placed top 10 in the Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the privacy, safety, and fairness of Montana women and girls by signing two key pieces of legislation aimed at protecting women’s spaces and ensuring fairness in women’s sports. “Standing alongside our partners in Montana and across the country, I am proud to safeguard privacy and security for Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, a Republican, is fighting back against a recommendation from the Montana Supreme Court’s Commission on Practice to suspend him from practicing law for 90 days, following his controversial actions in a separation of powers dispute with the state’s judicial branch. At the center of the dispute is Knudsen’s public criticism Read More…
In a groundbreaking move that fuses artificial intelligence with social media, Elon Musk’s xAI has acquired X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in an all-stock deal valued at $33 billion. Announced by Musk on X late Friday, the acquisition raises xAI’s valuation to an impressive $80 billion, creating a combined entity that aims to Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced key leadership changes in his administration today, including a new director for the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) and an appointment to the Idaho Transportation Board. Bree Derrick Appointed as IDOC Director The Idaho Board of Correction has appointed Bree Derrick as the new Director of IDOC, succeeding Josh Tewalt, who Read More…
The Wyoming Transportation Commission allocated $21.49 million in contracts for eight highway construction projects across the state during its regular business meeting on March 20, 2025. The awards, granted to various contractors, will fund improvements ranging from concrete slab replacements to bridge rehabilitation and road resurfacing, with completion dates spanning from June to November 2025. Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general in supporting President Donald J. Trump’s push to deport members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), a group recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization. In an amicus brief filed Tuesday, the attorneys general urged the U.S. Court of Appeals Read More…
(The Center Square) – A North Dakota jury on Wednesday found environmental activist group Greenpeace liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for its activities related to protests of construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Dallas-based Energy Transfer sued Greenpeace over the sometimes violent protests that delayed construction of the pipeline by five months, costing the Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced the award of $1,168,199 in Energy Conservation Grants (ECG) to communities across the state. These grants are part of the department’s ongoing initiative to support energy efficiency improvements in public buildings, benefiting local governments through funding for sustainable projects aimed at reducing energy costs. The ECG program Read More…
Governor Brad Little has signed House Bill 345, the Medicaid Reform and Cost Containment Act, reinforcing Idaho’s commitment to balancing healthcare access with fiscal responsibility. “We want Idahoans to become as self-sufficient as possible,” said Gov. Little during the bill signing. “House Bill 345 reinforces that goal while reasonably reeling in Medicaid spending so taxpayers Read More…
Montana State University (MSU) has announced two finalists for its next president, inviting students, faculty, staff, and the public to participate in upcoming campus visits and forums. The MSU Presidential Search Advisory Committee identified Dr. Kurt Schnier and Dr. Brock Tessman as the two finalists, each set to visit campus next week. Their visits will Read More…
When the U.S. military deploys tactical vehicles to hot and humid climates, microbes can grow on surfaces inside and out, potentially compromising the performance of specialized paints and other protective coatings. These microbes can clump together to form communities called biofilms, and combatting them requires understanding what specific microbes comprise them, according to a research Read More…
(The Center Square) – Sparks are flying once again over the plan to build the new FBI headquarters in Maryland, with President Donald Trump saying he plans to keep the headquarters in Washington, D.C. The president said he would “stop” building the new FBI headquarters in Maryland, falsely claiming the site is “three hours away” Read More…
(The Center Square) – The long-anticipated North Dakota lawsuit between Energy Transfer and Greenpeace is winding down, with both parties resting their cases Thursday. Energy Transfer installed the Dakota Access Pipeline from 2016-2017 but was met with opposition in North Dakota by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The pipeline would cross through land and waterways Read More…
Last summer, when Montana State University graduate student Connor Green was spending time with family, he didn’t expect his grandfather to receive a phone call he’d still think about five months later. The call happened to be from Connor himself. Or rather, a scammer using AI to sound exactly like Green’s voice, telling his grandpa Read More…