The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) announced Wednesday the filing of a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act (NFA), seeking to eliminate registration requirements for certain firearms. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas under case number 2:25-cv-00223, the case — Jensen v. ATF — names the Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 20 states in backing President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal and National Guard forces to Portland, Oregon, in response to violent protests and threats against federal officers. The coalition filed an amicus brief Wednesday in the case State of Oregon and the City of Portland Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on Thursday, October 16, in Bozeman, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to focus on the theme of unleashing American-made energy in Montana. “With rising demand on our energy grid, Montana must continue Read More…
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kurt Alme to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, returning the Great Falls native to a post he previously held from 2017 to 2020. A seasoned prosecutor and respected public servant, Alme brings decades of experience in both state and federal law enforcement. His confirmation drew strong Read More…
(The Center Square) – The federal government spent $1.8 trillion more than it collected in tax revenue in fiscal year 2024, according to figures released Friday by U.S. Treasury Department. Congress has run a deficit every year since 2001. In the past 50 years, the federal government has ended with a fiscal year-end budget surplus Read More…
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested for driving under the influence in Franklin, Tennessee, on Thursday night, according to reports from WGN. Authorities say the 41-year-old Cutler was involved in a minor traffic accident after allegedly rear-ending another vehicle. Police noted that he appeared to be slurring his words and refused to take field Read More…
The Idaho Department of Commerce has announced the formation of a new Rural Services team aimed at enhancing support for rural communities across the state. Leading the team is Jerry Miller, a seasoned economic development professional with over 29 years of experience at Idaho Commerce. As the Rural Services Manager, Miller will spearhead initiatives designed Read More…
40% were performed in just four states: California, New York, Washington and Ohio (The Center Square) – Sex reassignment procedures and surgeries on children have gained national prominence in recent years, and half of U.S. states now have laws passed either restricting or banning them. Newly released data provided by the nonprofit Do No Harm indicates Read More…
(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…
(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…
On September 30, Idaho Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Kolby White received a report from an archery hunter who found four quarters of a harvested elk abandoned alongside a road near Geneva in Bear Lake County. Officer White promptly investigated and confirmed that the elk quarters had been dumped on US Forest Service Road Read More…
Governor Doug Burgum has announced that Steve D. Scheel, board chairman emeritus of Fargo-based sporting goods retailer Scheels, will receive the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, North Dakota’s highest honor for its citizens. This marks the 50th recipient of the prestigious award. Under Scheel’s leadership, Scheels has transformed from a regional brand into one of 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…
All-American swimmer Riley Gaines addressed the importance of preserving women’s sports during the Montana Family Foundation Banquet held at the Northern Hotel on Friday. Her remarks came in light of recent developments in collegiate athletics, including the University of Wyoming women’s volleyball team’s decision to forfeit a match against San Jose State, reportedly due to Read More…
In a heartfelt ceremony at the Sheridan County Courthouse, Governor Greg Gianforte presented Sheriff Lonnie Johnson with the prestigious 2023 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation. Joined by Johnson’s wife and fellow V.F.W. members, the governor acknowledged the sheriff’s dedication to both military and community service. “I was honored to recognize Sheridan County Sheriff Lonnie Johnson with 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…
The 2024 South Dakota State Fair generated $266,352.21 in tax collections, reflecting a 20% increase from the $222,108.58 collected in 2023. This year’s fair featured 602 booths rented to 301 vendors, marking a 6.5% decrease from the 322 vendors in 2023. Despite the drop in vendor numbers, fairgoers contributed over $3.2 million in total spending Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce has announced the launch of a new grant program aimed at supporting rural and tribal agricultural businesses while promoting economic diversification throughout the state. The funding will be provided through the newly established Agritourism Grants Program. Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, stated, “This new grant program Read More…
(The Center Square) – If you’re a Washington resident reluctant to buy or drive an electric vehicle due to the lack of charging infrastructure around the state or in cold weather conditions, you’re not alone. Some state agencies are reporting that their staff are hesitant to use EVs for that same reason, highlighting an ongoing challenge 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…
n response to escalating wildfire risks, Governor Doug Burgum has signed an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency. This action activates the State Emergency Operations Plan to strategically position resources for a swift response to wildfires throughout North Dakota. The state has already seen significant fire activity, with nearly 3,500 acres burned in the 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…
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is facing backlash after stating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has exhausted its funds for disaster relief, while billions have reportedly been spent on housing and supporting migrants across the country. As Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc on the South and East, many are expressing frustration over FEMA’s perceived Read More…
The highly anticipated pheasant hunting season in Montana kicks off on Saturday, October 12, offering hunters a chance to engage in the state’s beloved outdoor tradition. This fall, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) plans to release nearly 18,000 pheasants across wildlife management areas, fishing access sites, and select school trust lands. This year marks 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…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding Montana $2.7 million to enhance the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison. “This funding allows us to honor the sacrifices of those who have served our nation,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Each grave is a testament to courage and commitment, and Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana’s unemployment rate increased by 0.1% to 3.2% in August, still holding steady below the national average of 4.2%, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Montana’s unemployment rate has now been at or below 3.4% Read More…
The production team for the television series “1923” is making a return to Butte as they begin construction of the Dutton Ranch set down a dirt road near the Mining City. Some scenes for the show’s second season will be filmed in and around Butte this October and possibly into November. After filming its first 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…
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…
Montana State University will welcome four finalists for the position of dean of the Office of International Programs during the week of September 30. Each candidate will conduct interviews on campus, engaging with students, faculty, and administrators throughout the day. As part of the interview process, each finalist will hold an open forum at 4 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…
(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…
From the time he was a child, Paul E. Funk II knew he wanted to serve in the U.S. military. He watched his father, also named Paul, fly a Cobra helicopter in 1968, sparking some of his earliest fascination with the armed forces. An avid athlete, Funk had always felt the deep importance of being Read More…
(The Center Square) – Three Mile Island came out of retirement on Friday, exactly five years after mounting economic pressure and shifting energy demand forced the infamous Pennsylvania nuclear generation plant to shut down. Constellation Energy announced that Microsoft will buy 835 megawatts of energy from the facility to power the company’s data centers spread Read More…
When J. Mitchell Vaterlaus worked as a marriage and family therapist, he noticed that many of his clients lacked basic relational skills, including skills in communication, setting boundaries, and combining and establishing familial traditions. “It made me really interested in thinking about how to do more prevention science,” Vaterlaus said. “How do we prevent these Read More…
(The Center Square) – As Americans struggle with high inflationary costs, paying record high grocery costs and energy bills, Congress continues to allocate billions of dollars of taxpayer money to fund services for illegal border crossers living in U.S. cities. Prior to the last budget funding showdown in March, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said Read More…
This week marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group. Hostilities intensified following two days of deadly attacks attributed to Israel, which caused casualties among civilians in Lebanon. For nearly a year, the two sides have exchanged fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border, often stepping back from the 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…
Montana State University’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering is set to host its annual Shadow Day events on October 16 and 17, inviting high school students interested in engineering, computer science, and Army and Air Force ROTC programs to participate. The first day, October 16, will focus on ROTC programs, featuring Army ROTC activities from Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte, joined by Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Director Amanda Kaster, praised the state’s enhanced investments in wildfire prevention and suppression during a press conference today. The announcement emphasized the impact of $60 million in funding from House Bill 883, which aims to improve forest management and fire response. “This Read More…
Five Montanans Honored with Governor’s Arts Awards HELENA, Mont. (September 20, 2024) – Five distinguished Montana artists have been recognized with the state’s highest honor for those whose careers exemplify the visual, performing, literary, and traditional arts. The 2024 Governor’s Arts Award recipients are: Jackie Larson Bread of Great Falls Jim Dolan of Belgrade Read More…
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested an “unlawfully present” Salvadoran national charged with 11 counts of sex crimes against a child in Nantucket. Elmer Sola, 49, was taken into custody on September 10 in Nantucket. He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. Sola was indicted by a Read More…