BOZEMAN — A 3-foot tall robot with blinking LED eyes delivered a shovel to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday afternoon at the groundbreaking for Gianforte Hall at Montana State University, a new three-story building which will house computer science and related fields of study. The Gianforte Family Foundation donated $50 million to help fund Read More…
(The Center Square) – Requiring publicly traded companies to make climate-related disclosures has voluntarily been put on hold by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC’s move came before a decision was reached by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. John Rady, counsel for the SEC in the case, notified the court in a Read More…
MISSOULA – Between performing in front of crowds exceeding 26,000 and committing to a lengthy season that spans July through April, the University of Montana Dance Team knows how to face a challenge together. The team is about to take on a new and historic challenge: dancing on behalf of the University and the entire Read More…
(The Center Square) – A veteran advocacy group has called on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for better outcomes on a range of metrics as the agency seeks a bigger budget. VA is charged with providing medical care, benefits and other services for those who have served in the military. It’s one of the Read More…
(The Center Square) — New Jersey has given labor unions the legal authority to file litigation against companies over alleged labor violations despite claims from business groups that it will result in a slew of lawsuits. The legislation, recently signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy, will allow unions to represent workers or a third party Read More…
(The Center Square) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams is considering a curfew at the city’s homeless shelters amid complaints about migrants shoplifting and wandering neighborhoods begging for money. The Adams administration is considering the plan as the ‘sanctuary’ city continues to wrestle with the influx of tens of thousands of asylum seekers arriving Read More…
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen today announced a record number of new businesses were created in Montana last year. At Copperline Smashburgers! in Helena, Sec. Jacobsen reported that Montanans registered more than 59,420 new businesses with her office in 2023, surpassing the previous record set in 2022 by Read More…
New data suggests incidence of violent crimes in the state, revealing a notable decline in various criminal activities based on data provided by the Montana Board of Crime Control. The most significant drop was observed in the number of murders, which decreased by 38.6% from 57 cases in 2022 to 35 cases in 2023. This Read More…
Sarah Ransome, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein, claimed Tuesday that tapes of former President Bill Clinton, British royal Prince Andrew and billionaire Richard Branson having sex at the pedophile financier’s mansion do exist — after previously saying she invented the existence of the tapes. Speculation over the alleged tapes was renewed Monday after a trove Read More…
On a single night in 2022, 582,462 people experienced homelessness in the United States, and numbers are on the rise. Since 2017, there has been a 6% increase in homelessness. About six in 10 of the people experiencing homelessness in 2022 had access to emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens, while the remainder Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Texas economy grew at a much faster rate than nearly all U.S. states in the third quarter in 2023. Texas also surpassed national growth rates in all categories and grew faster than the nation for five quarters in a row, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Real gross Read More…
(The Center Square) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is recovering after a New Year’s Day visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Austin went to the Walter Reed after “complications following a recent elective medical procedure.” He did not give details about the elective procedure. “He is Read More…
In a press conference held Thursday to observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Governor Greg Gianforte was joined by Attorney General Austin Knudsen, law enforcement officials, and nonprofit leaders. Governor Gianforte expressed his strong stance against human trafficking, condemning the perpetrators who prey on individuals and engage in heart-wrenching crimes. He emphasized Montana’s unwavering commitment to Read More…
The first two years of the coronavirus pandemic had a profound impact on the U.S. housing market as Americans fled expensive, high-population areas to mid-sized cities or adjoining suburbs in lower-cost parts of the country. (See how the cost of housing has skyrocketed in these major U.S. cities.) Low-mortgage rates and high demand for homes Read More…
(The Center Square) – Former President Bill Clinton is among several high-profile names identified in nearly 1,000 pages of unsealed court documents stemming from a defamation lawsuit related to Jeffrey Epstein. The documents released out of the Southern District Court of New York Wednesday evening, were filed by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s Read More…
As Human Trafficking Awareness Month begins, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen urges Montanans to familiarize themselves with the indicators of human trafficking and report any instances they observe to aid the state in combating this reprehensible crime. In a stern message, he warns human traffickers and their accomplices against conducting business in Montana, emphasizing that Read More…
The implementation of a Montana state law scheduled to ban the TikTok app on January 1 has been temporarily halted by a federal judge pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the law. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has filed notice of an appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, contesting the preliminary Read More…
Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Jay Nelson has verified the evacuation of the Montana State Capitol in response to a bomb threat received around 8:30 a.m on Wednesday. MHP troopers efficiently cleared the Capitol, evacuating both staff and visitors. This incident is part of a series of threats directed at state capitol buildings on Wednesday morning, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Starting Monday, electronic cigarette products will be banned inside public places in Illinois. Kristina Hamilton of the American Lung Association said the association has been leading the charge to encourage states to expand their smoking bans to include e-cigarettes. A coalition of partners across Illinois have been working with the association Read More…
The Montana Grizzlies’ thrilling run to the FCS national title game in Frisco, Texas, has not only captivated fans but also garnered heartfelt praise from former teammates who intimately understand the team’s relentless dedication. These ex-Griz players, having shared the day-to-day grind with the current roster, are expressing their immense pride and joy for the Read More…
A beer company that calls itself “anti-woke” and gained popularity in response to Bud Light’s promotion of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has announced that its recent campaign successfully raised thousands of dollars for the Riley Gaines Center, dedicated to safeguarding women’s sports. Conservative Dad’s Ultra Right Beer collaborated with Riley Gaines, a women’s sports activist, Read More…
Electric Vehicles are “piling up on dealer lots” as consumers continue buying traditional cars at faster rates, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Wall Street Journal reports that, contrary to expectations from both the administration and the automotive industry, President Joe Biden’s green energy agenda has not gained widespread acceptance among Americans, despite substantial investments Read More…
The IRS recently announced the waiver of approximately $1 billion in common penalties for taxpayers who faced delays in paying their taxes during the pandemic. This decision aims to bring relief to nearly five million taxpayers who may have been unaware of accumulating balances from tax years 2020 and 2021. The IRS had temporarily suspended Read More…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Grand Canyon University (GCU), marking the second federal agency under the Biden administration to take legal action against the largest Christian school in the nation within the past few months. The university asserts that this is part of a coordinated attack by Read More…
(The Center Square) – Four high school female track athletes in Connecticut have stood against the influx of transgender athletes seeking to compete against girls in school sports, likely setting up a defining legal battle of 2024. The U.S. Court of Appeals rescued the legal challenge, Soule v. Connecticut Association of Schools, in December after Read More…
(The Center Square) – Newly released data shows the five states where Americans are most and least in debt. Forbes Advisor released the report, which found the five most indebted states by determining the per capita debt burden when considering the state government’s debt as well as state residents consumer debt, such as their credit Read More…
Efforts to convene a special session of the Montana Legislature aimed at addressing tax-related concerns have fallen short. On Friday evening, the Montana Secretary of State’s Office disclosed the outcomes of a legislative poll. Of the total votes cast, 55 were in favor of scheduling a special session on January 15, falling short of the Read More…
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted morning traffic on Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport—two of the busiest airports in the nation—during coast-to-coast protests that concluded with numerous arrests. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that 36 individuals were apprehended at LAX, where the protesters became unruly. According to the Read More…
For those who have ever envisioned owning their own ranch, particularly a piece of historically rich land, a cool $67 million can transform that dream into reality. Situated in the Greybull River valley in Northwestern Wyoming, this expansive property spans 96,000 acres, offering natural grass, freshwater, and natural shelter for livestock. The current listing marks Read More…
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Thursday that Mexican and U.S. officials have agreed to keep border crossings open. This decision follows a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, focusing on securing Mexico’s cooperation to address the record-high migration levels. Earlier this month, the United States temporarily closed several crossings, including Read More…
A 58-year-old Billings woman, Mary Ann Whitecrane, who was previously charged with attempted murder for shooting a police officer during a standoff earlier this year, has entered a guilty plea. Whitecrane appeared in Yellowstone County District Court on Friday, having reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. As per the agreement, Whitecrane pleaded guilty to the Read More…
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has verified that actor Daniel Masterson, known for his role in “That ’70s Show,” has been incarcerated at North Kern State Prison in Delano following his conviction for rape earlier this year. Masterson is currently undergoing the classification and reception process, as confirmed by the CDCR on Wednesday. Read More…
For over a decade, the Flathead County Detention Center has consistently operated at or beyond its intended capacity, as highlighted in a recent jail needs assessment. Numerous discussions among commissioners have taken place, and during a recent work session, all three commissioners unanimously affirmed the necessity of a new facility, expressing a preference for it Read More…
The Montana Lottery has announced the locations that sold the 3 $1 Million grand prize winners in this year’s Montana Millionaire raffle. The winning ticket numbers and locations are: 299951 – Kalispell (Town Pump of Kalispell #5) 315800 – Billings (Town & Country Supply Assoc.) 346589 – Great Falls (Heidelberg Lounge & Casino) by: Montana Newsroom Read More…
General Motors (GM) has acquired approximately half of its Buick dealerships across the United States as a result of their reluctance to promote electric vehicles (EVs) during GM’s transition to an electric future. Roughly 1,000 of GM’s 2,000 Buick dealerships opted for the voluntary buyout, which remains open for additional dealers to choose instead of Read More…
This fall, the University of Wyoming’s Science Initiative Roadshow reached 4,209 K-12 students in six counties through 14 individual events — the program’s largest one-semester reach since it began in 2017. Events included four STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Days that included participation from the UW Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace; the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Read More…
Efforts by UND researchers to transform the state into a hub to produce rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals (CMs) continue to move forward, and the pilot production facility, located off Mill Road in Grand Forks, has begun to produce concentrated mixtures of the compounds. This most recent development comes on the heels of Read More…
The mayor of Joliet, Dakota Zachariah Mitchem, who also holds the position of the town’s Postmaster, is facing a felony assault charge. The charge was filed in Carbon County District Court on Monday. According to court records, the charge is related to an incident that occurred on Sunday at a residence on Second Street in Read More…
BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension and the Montana Stockgrowers Association awarded 2023 Steer of Merit certifications at the association’s Dec. 7 convention in Billings. MSU Extension beef cattle specialist Megan Van Emon presented the top five winners of the carcass and ultrasound Steer of Merit contests at a Best of Beef Luncheon. MSU Extension Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a strategic investment of up to $17.5 million to enhance access to community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities care for Montanans. This marks the initial allocation of the $300 million funding commitment made by the governor this spring to overhaul and enhance Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems. Read More…
In a pulsating clash at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, the Montana Grizzlies etched their names in history, overcoming the North Dakota State Bison in a double-overtime spectacle to earn a coveted spot in the FCS national championship game. The heart-stopping 31-29 victory not only marked the end of the season at home, as symbolized by the iconic Read More…
On Friday, a legal challenge was initiated by James Goetz, a longtime trial lawyer from Bozeman and a prominent Democratic Party contributor. The lawsuit questions the constitutionality of four bipartisan laws recently enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in Montana. These laws were designed to address the state’s housing shortage by promoting proactive land use planning Read More…
The second “Early Bird” drawing in the annual Montana Millionaire raffle was conducted by the Montana Lottery on Friday. In this year’s raffle, there were two Early Bird prizes: one for $25,000, drawn on Nov. 24, and another for $100,000, drawn on the most recent Friday. The winning ticket for the $100,000 prize bears the Read More…
Patricia Real Bird, a teacher and coach for the girls’ basketball team in the Lodge Grass school district, was apprehended on Wednesday following accusations of consuming alcohol during work hours, as reported by school authorities. There is a possibility that Real Bird may be charged with child endangerment. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is Read More…