Montana State Auditor James Brown has joined elected leaders and financial officers nationwide urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the delisting of Chinese companies that fail to meet U.S. anti-fraud and transparency standards. The move is aimed at protecting American investors and strengthening national security. “Montanans should not be forced to roll Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R–Mont.) emphasized the importance of expanding energy production in tribal communities during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing this week. Speaking with David Conrad, Acting Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, Daines highlighted the potential for tribal energy projects to strengthen sovereignty and fuel Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte this week signed an executive order creating a new Energy Task Force charged with developing strategies to expand affordable, reliable energy production in Montana. “With increasing demand on our energy grid, we must meet the challenge head-on to ensure affordable, reliable power for Montanans now and into the future,” Gianforte said. “After Read More…
U.S. Senator John Hoeven announced that U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy E. Meink will be a featured guest speaker at the 19th annual UAS Summit & Expo, scheduled for October 14–15 at the Alerus Center. The Summit, one of the nation’s premier gatherings for unmanned aircraft systems, draws government, military, and commercial Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced Thursday that 39 cities, towns, counties, and water and sewer districts across the state will share more than $23.7 million in grant funding through the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP), supporting critical infrastructure improvements ranging from water and wastewater system upgrades to bridge replacements. “MCEP project grant funding is Read More…
Flathead Lake will not reach full pool this summer, marking the third consecutive year of below-normal water levels. Projections indicate the lake will peak at 2,892.3 feet on June 19, 2025, then gradually decline. Full pool is 2,893 feet. The shortfall is due to reduced snowpack and insufficient spring runoff, combined with demands for hydropower Read More…
Commissioner of Securities and Insurance and Montana State Auditor James Brown announced new additions to the agency’s executive leadership team this week, naming three seasoned professionals to top roles. The appointments reflect Commissioner Brown’s continued emphasis on building an experienced, consumer-focused, and forward-thinking leadership structure. Erin Snyder Appointed Deputy Insurance Commissioner Effective June 2, Erin Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke today announced a slate of 15 infrastructure, law enforcement, and rural development projects across Western Montana, requesting federal funding totaling $64,619,833. The funding requests, submitted to the House Appropriations Committee on which Zinke serves, target community improvements spanning 13 counties, including Beaverhead, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Mineral, Powell, Ravalli, and Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released its 2024 State of the Environment Report, outlining key accomplishments across the department’s four core focus areas: air, land, waste, and water. The annual report underscores Wyoming’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection while supporting the state’s economic vitality. “This report underscores the Wyoming DEQ’s leadership and Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today a new agreement between the Idaho State Police (ISP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program. The partnership authorizes Idaho law enforcement to transport hundreds of convicted illegal alien criminals from Idaho jails directly to ICE detention facilities for deportation processing. The agreement is part Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen celebrated a major legal victory for American gun manufacturers and Second Amendment advocates on Thursday after the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Mexican government against several U.S. firearms companies. The case, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., et al. v. Mexico, centered on Mexico’s attempt to Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is spearheading a 28-state coalition backing a legal challenge to Maine’s newly enacted 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases, calling the law an unconstitutional infringement on Second Amendment rights. In an amicus brief filed in Beckwith v. Frey, the coalition urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte on Thursday praised the Trump Administration’s approval of a crucial mining permit for the Signal Peak Energy coal mine, calling the move a major victory for Montana coal miners and a lifeline for American energy independence. The U.S. Department of the Interior, under Secretary Doug Burgum, authorized Signal Peak to move forward Read More…
Today, on the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the world pauses to honor one of the most defining moments of the 20th century—the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. On this day in 1944, over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, Read More…
Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) has followed through on a key campaign promise by placing up to $50 million of his Bridger Aerospace stock into two blind trusts — a move that sets a high standard for transparency and ethical responsibility. The blind trusts, which were filed with the U.S. Senate Financial Disclosures Office recently, mark Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte continued his fifth annual 56 County Tour this week, meeting with Montanans in Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Fergus counties to celebrate legislative wins and highlight rural resilience. During stops across central Montana, the governor met with lawmakers, small business owners, and community leaders, emphasizing the importance of local leadership and education. “The Read More…
(The Center Square) – In just a few months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested more than 1,000 “illegal alien workers without employment authorization.” It’s “the highest rate of arrest in HSI’s history,” HSI acting Executive Associate Director Robert Hammer said in April. “We’ve subpoenaed the business records of about 1,200 businesses, and Read More…
(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…
BOZEMAN – Two years ago, a research team led by Montana State University assistant professor Martin Mosquera discovered that photons – the smallest possible units of light – can be controlled with color superposition to interact with and reveal specific information about molecules. For that discovery and its significance, as well as his work Read More…
(The Center Square) – A day after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the Trump administration was terminating Harvard University’s foreign student visa “privileges,” a federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from halting the program. Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order Friday Read More…
(The Center Square) – Los Angeles’ deputy mayor for public safety has pleaded guilty to calling in a fake, anti-Israel bomb threat to himself in October. Brian Williams, who was charged by federal prosecutors Thursday, faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Mayor Karen Bass announced in December that Williams had been put on administrative Read More…
The Max S. Baucus Institute has announced its Baucus Leader Class of 2025. The more than 40 University of Montana students selected represent Ambassador Baucus’ commitment to create outstanding service opportunities at home and abroad for undergraduate and graduate students from across Montana. Inspired by Baucus’ belief that “there is no higher calling than public Read More…
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public input on its draft Mountain Goat Management Plan for 2025–2030, with the comment period open through June 8. Hunters, wildlife advocates, and other interested individuals are encouraged to review the draft plan and share their level of support—whether they generally support, support with concerns, or Read More…
North Dakota Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus announced today that the state’s taxable sales and purchases for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $5.65 billion, reflecting a 1.53% decrease compared to the same period last year. Despite the modest decline, Kroshus said the data show signs of underlying economic stability amid national economic uncertainty. “While we Read More…
The Wyoming Veterans Commission wrapped up its inaugural Veteran Services Symposium this week at Casper College, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen the network of care for veterans and their families. The two-day event brought together more than 150 service providers, advocates, and leaders from across Wyoming for a robust exchange Read More…
In a candid and forward-looking quarterly meeting this week, the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) Board of Directors turned its focus toward bold strategies aimed at reversing persistent economic challenges, including stagnant job growth and population decline. During a strategic work session held May 20, WBC CEO Josh Dorrell presented a stark assessment of Wyoming’s current Read More…
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the nation’s leading aerial firefighting companies, announced today it has secured two unprecedented 120-day task orders from the U.S. Forest Service for its fleet of CL-415EAF “Super Scooper” aircraft. The contracts, each covering two aircraft, mark the longest task orders ever awarded to Bridger for Read More…
With Memorial Day weekend kicking off the unofficial start of summer, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are urging Montanans to drive safely as the state enters the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities historically spike. To prevent tragedies, MHP Read More…
As part of his ongoing 56 County Tour, Governor Greg Gianforte made stops in eastern Montana this week to recognize two veterans with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation, honoring their military service and continued contributions to their communities. On Thursday in Glendive, Gov. Gianforte presented the award to U.S. Army veteran Rick Berg during Read More…
Montana continues to outperform much of the nation in employment, ranking third among U.S. states for the lowest unemployment rate, Governor Greg Gianforte announced. The state’s jobless rate held steady at 2.7% in April, trailing only South Dakota and North Dakota. The figure marks an ongoing trend of low unemployment in Montana, maintaining 46 consecutive Read More…
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded the 2025 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award in the coal category to the Buckskin Mine for its outstanding work restoring native sagebrush habitat in Campbell County. The award, which recognizes exceptional achievements in mine reclamation, will be officially presented during the 69th Annual Wyoming Mining Association Read More…
North Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler’s nomination to serve as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education has advanced to the full United States Senate. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) approved Baesler’s nomination Friday in a party-line vote of 12-11, as part of an en Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today the promotion of two veteran law enforcement officers to newly created leadership positions within the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Supervisory Special Agents Mike Hockett and Dane Rasmussen have been named Special Agents in Charge (SAC) for the Eastern and Western regions of the state, respectively. “Special Read More…
The Wyoming Public Safety Communications Commission (PSCC) will convene in Casper next week for a two-day session focused on strategic planning and key updates to the state’s emergency communications infrastructure. The meetings will take place May 28–29 at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building, located at 444 W. Collins Dr., and will include both an Read More…
Elizabeth Shanahan, a professor of political science at Montana State University, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Australia, where she will investigate Australian public responses and policy development related to the prevention of emerging infectious disease. Shanahan will collaborate with a researcher in the University of Wollongong’s School of Health and Society Read More…
(The Center Square) – Leaders in both political parties are showing former President Joe Biden their support after Biden announced he is dealing with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Biden’s personal office released a statement Sundaysaying he had prostate cancer “characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the Read More…
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, through his hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management, has made a significant move by investing $900 million in Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH), increasing his stake to 46.9% and positioning the real estate developer as a platform for a diversified holding company modeled after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. The announcement, Read More…
(The Center Square) – A recent Trump administration order that seeks to boost critical mineral production could be a boon for Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming, which are home to key critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies, a new report claims. President Donald Trump in March signed Executive Order 14241, citing the economic and national security Read More…
(The Center Square) – U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan addressed a group of Republican lawyers at a national policy conference Friday about the status of President Donald Trump’s three primary goals on illegal immigration. The president gave Homan three main objectives as the administration’s border czar: To secure the border, to spearhead “the biggest deportation Read More…
Montana State University’s Office of Research Development has received national recognition for its innovative efforts to strengthen research collaboration across universities in the western U.S. At the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) annual conference held April 28–May 1, MSU’s research development team was presented with the prestigious Innovation Award. The award honors individuals Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced a major expansion in financing options for businesses and nonprofits today, following the enactment of Senate Bill 104, which significantly broadens the reach of the Montana Facility Finance Authority (MFFA). Signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte on April 16, 2025, the legislation allows the MFFA to issue conduit Read More…
Kicking off his fifth annual 56 County Tour, Governor Greg Gianforte hit the road this week, visiting Montanans in Sheridan, Daniels, Roosevelt, McCone, and Richland counties, spotlighting legislative wins, economic development, and investments in education. “Over the course of the next few months, we’ll hit the road visiting each of Montana’s 56 counties to celebrate Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced Jordyn Muggli, a fifth-grade student at Lincoln Grade School in Miles City, as the winner of the 2025 Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest, held annually during National Police Week. Jordyn’s artwork was selected from more than 175 entries submitted by students across 35 classrooms throughout Montana. In her artist Read More…
The University of Montana and Blackfoot Communications have joined forces to launch a critical new initiative aimed at bolstering cybersecurity defense in Montana’s rural communities. Announced this week, the partnership marks the first corporate collaboration for the Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES) in the state. The program will provide cyber threat monitoring and Read More…