Gov. Greg Gianforte has appointed a seven-member advisory council to help review candidates for the vacant district court judgeship in Montana’s Sixth Judicial District, which serves Park County and Sweet Grass County. The council will assist the governor in evaluating the lone applicant for the position, Livingston attorney Rebecca Robyn Swandal, after the application and Read More…
New allegations of sexual misconduct have emerged against Montana state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy days after he suspended his campaign for Montana’s eastern congressional district. The latest claims come from a former legislative staffer who said Windy Boy showed her explicit nude photos of himself while she was working during the 2017 legislative session. The Read More…
A representative from Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen’s office appeared before a legislative committee Thursday to answer questions from lawmakers about the office’s public mailings and their handling of state voter data. Jacobsen’s elections director and chief legal counsel spoke to the Legislative Audit Committee on questions about mailers, billboards and voter data. In Read More…
A Montana Republican state representative, Llew Jones, received more than $4 million in low-interest federal loans through a program he helped create and sat on the commission formed to oversee — raising questions about conflicts of interest and possible violations of the program’s own lending caps, according to a report by Yellowstone County News. Rep. Read More…
Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) has introduced the Written Informed Consent Act, a measure designed to ensure veterans are fully informed about the intended effects and potential risks of certain high-risk medications prescribed through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also aims to combat widespread overprescription within the VA system. “America’s veterans put their Read More…
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines on announced that his bipartisan “BABES Enhancement Act” has been signed into law by President Donald Trump, marking a significant win for parents traveling with breast milk, formula, and other infant nutrition products. “I’m thrilled to see our bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act officially signed into law by President Trump,” Daines said. Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines highlighted two key bills aimed at strengthening Montana’s rural counties during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing this week. Daines discussed his Small County PILT Parity Act, designed to ensure that counties with populations under 5,000 receive fair compensation through the federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Read More…
NorthWestern Energy customers will see lower utility bills and receive refunds with interest after the Montana Public Service Commission finalized a sweeping decision in the company’s 2024 electric and natural gas rate case, rejecting $43 million of the utility’s proposed costs while approving construction of a new Yellowstone County power plant. The decision caps a Read More…
In a 5–2 decision, the Montana Supreme Court has approved the ballot statement for Constitutional Initiative 132 (CI-132), paving the way for signature gathering to begin on a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine nonpartisan judicial elections. The ruling allows supporters to begin petition drives immediately, with the goal of putting the measure before voters Read More…
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has been elected Chair of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), placing him at the forefront of the GOP’s national effort to expand its roster of governors ahead of the 2026 election cycle. The announcement came during the RGA’s 2025 Annual Conference, where Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves was selected as Vice Chair Read More…
Some Montana homeowners are expecting to see a reduction in property taxes after the state enacted sweeping tax reforms this year, but the changes have created unintended consequences for renters. The recent legislative session aimed to ease the burden on homeowners, who in recent years have seen property taxes surge. In 2023 alone, the median Read More…
Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of the “H.R. 5818 Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2025” (COOL Enforcement Act), legislation introduced by Congresswoman Liz Cheney’s colleague, Congresswoman Hageman of Wyoming. The bill seeks to strengthen labeling requirements for U.S. beef by clarifying that products marketed as “Product of the USA” must Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of a constitutional amendment proposed by South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during government shutdowns, with no back pay. Under current law, Members of Congress continue to receive salaries during a shutdown due to Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Read More…
Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) visited Montana State University’s state-of-the-art quantum research facility on Halloween, highlighting the university’s advancements in technology and the critical role quantum research plays in Montana’s economy. “It’s a blast to be back at my alma mater, MSU, on Halloween, and see all the great additions made to the university,” Daines said. 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…
Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen announced Monday a new legislative effort aimed at ending the practice of Montana teachers receiving educational credit for attending conferences that they say promote “extreme leftist ideology” and “classroom indoctrination.” The announcement follows reports about the Montana Federation of Public Employees’ (MFPE) Read More…
U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released a joint statement praising the Senate’s confirmation of William Mercer to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Montana. “We congratulate William Mercer on his long-awaited confirmation to serve as U.S. District Judge for Montana,” the senators said. “Bill will have a lasting impact on Read More…
Senator Sheehy hosted a Common Ground Summit in partnership with the Livestock Marketing Association to address current challenges facing American agriculture, recent developments in the beef industry, and strategies to ensure American producers remain central to agricultural policy. Following the event, Sheehy emphasized the importance of supporting domestic ranchers while protecting national food security. “Lowering Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte on Friday announced the appointment of Seth Cunningham and Edward Zink to serve as district court judges in the Thirteenth Judicial District, which covers Yellowstone County. “As accomplished attorneys with careers distinguished by their dedication to public service, Seth and Edward will continue the fair, consistent, and objective application of the law,” Read More…
Republicans in Congress have voted to overturn a Biden administration rule that blocked new federal coal leases in the Powder River Basin of eastern Montana, marking a significant shift in national energy policy and a victory for coal-producing states. The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reverse Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined thousands of students and community members at Montana State University this week for a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event honoring the late Charlie Kirk, urging attendees to continue Kirk’s mission of faith, freedom, and love of country following his assassination last month. More than 2,800 MSU students and several hundred Montanans Read More…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to continue its investigation into imports of unwrought palladium from Russia, ruling there is reasonable indication that the U.S. mining industry is being harmed by unfairly priced and subsidized Russian imports. The decision follows a letter last month from Montana’s congressional delegation urging the Trump administration to Read More…
Senator Steve Daines has introduced the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025, legislation aimed at ensuring public colleges and universities do not discriminate against religious student organizations. Daines said the measure is designed to safeguard religious liberty for students of faith, requiring schools that receive federal funding to treat religious groups the same as any Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a 27-state coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down California’s ban on firearm magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The group of attorneys general filed an amicus brief in Virginia Duncan, et al. v. Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California, arguing that the Ninth Read More…
Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke voted Thursday in favor of a short-term measure to keep the federal government funded and avoid a shutdown, as Congress works to finalize annual spending bills. The measure, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), extends government funding through November 21, giving lawmakers roughly seven more weeks to complete the 12 Read More…
The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Fire Ready Nation Act by unanimous consent, advancing legislation aimed at strengthening the nation’s ability to prevent, forecast, and combat wildfires. The bill, introduced in January by Senator Tim Sheehy (R–Mont.) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D–Wash.), formally establishes the Fire Weather Services program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a 27-state coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Washington state’s ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The coalition filed an amicus brief Monday in Gator’s Custom Guns, Inc. v. State of Washington, arguing the law violates the Second Amendment. In May, the Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines praised the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) recent proposals to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule and restore multiple-use land management, along with actions to increase timber sales in Montana. “President Trump and Secretary Burgum are bringing back commonsense land management policies that will benefit Montana Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is leading a bipartisan effort to increase transparency and accountability in the federal Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, introducing the CDFI Fund Transparency Act alongside Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). The legislation would require the Secretary of the Treasury to testify annually before Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is spearheading a 23-state coalition of attorneys general urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to halt grants to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), a group that has been providing climate-focused trainings for judges nationwide. In a letter sent Tuesday to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Knudsen raised concerns that taxpayer Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 21 other state attorneys general, has filed a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case challenging a Massachusetts school district’s policy on student “social transitioning” without parental consent. The case, Foote v. Ludlow School Committee, involves Ludlow Public Schools and parents Stephen Foote and Marissa Read More…
U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy led a letter from Montana’s congressional delegation urging President Donald Trump to take immediate action against Russia’s palladium exports, calling for a 50 percent tariff on unwrought palladium imports from Russia to protect American jobs and domestic mineral production. The letter, also signed by Senator Steve Daines, Rep. Troy Downing, and Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging the U.S. Department of Labor to quickly implement President Trump’s recent Executive Order expanding access to alternative investments for Americans with 401(k) and other defined-contribution retirement plans. The letter, sent to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, was also signed by Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines visited the Bull Mountains Mine in Musselshell County on Friday, celebrating what he called a major victory for Montana jobs and American energy. The mine, one of the state’s three large-scale active coal operations, had faced the prospect of closure in recent years but will remain open due to a provision Read More…
Tyler Newcombe has stepped down as executive director of the Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) after serving in the role since January, the party announced this month. “It has been an incredible honor to work with such a dedicated team on advancing conservative values across Montana,” Newcombe said in a statement. “I’m proud of what we Read More…
A Jefferson County man, backed by the liberal advocacy group Upper Seven Law, has filed a lawsuit against Republican Governor Greg Gianforte over his appointment of former state legislator Marta Bertoglio to lead the Montana Department of Commerce. Bertoglio, a three-term lawmaker from Clancy, was appointed on June 16 while still representing Jefferson County in Read More…
A coalition of Montana’s top elected officials, lawmakers, and local leaders is pushing back against criticism of Governor Greg Gianforte’s appointment of Jessica Flint to the state’s Criminal Justice Oversight Council, calling it a decisive move toward accountability and balance in Montana’s justice system. In a letter released Monday, 56 officials—ranging from members of Montana’s Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has urged Congress to support two joint resolutions aimed at overturning a Biden administration policy that threatens Montana’s coal industry and could cost the state’s public schools over $4 billion in future revenue. In a letter to lawmakers, Gianforte expressed strong backing for Senate Joint Resolution 61 (S.J.Res.61) and House Joint Resolution Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced bipartisan legislation to end wage discrimination against workers with disabilities and support their transition into competitive, integrated employment. The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act seeks to phase out the use of subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities—still legal under federal law—and invest in programs that promote inclusive Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT), former Secretary of the Interior, and Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) today unveiled new legislation aimed at shoring up funding for America’s national parks by charging most foreign tourists a dedicated entry fee. Joined by Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) and Senator Jim Banks (R-IN), the group introduced the Protecting America’s Treasures by Read More…
U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) today introduced the Stop Anarchists from Endangering (SAFE) Cities Act, a bill aimed at cutting off federal taxpayer dollars to cities that, in Sheehy’s view, “weaken their police departments, ignore civil unrest, and allow violent criminals to have free rein.” The legislation would require the U.S. Attorney General to identify Read More…
Montana’s U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines praised the Senate’s passage of a sweeping legislative package dubbed the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” calling it a major victory for working families and a key step in advancing the America First agenda. The comprehensive reconciliation bill, backed by President Donald Trump and Republican leadership, includes provisions Read More…
U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy introduced the COVID-19 Military Backpay Act of 2025 on Friday, aiming to provide backpay and compensation to thousands of service members who were discharged from the military due to non-compliance with the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The legislation seeks to restore benefits, pay, and retirement accruals to the roughly 100,000 Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke is calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior to take immediate action to prevent what he warns could be a “catastrophic drop” in Flathead Lake levels this summer. In a letter sent to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Zinke urged coordinated efforts to stabilize the lake, including increased water releases Read More…