North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday for proposing the repeal of two major Biden-era regulations affecting power plants, calling the move a win for common-sense energy policy and national security. The regulations targeted for repeal—known as the “Clean Power Plan 2.0” and updated Mercury and Air Toxics Read More…
In the wake of Israel’s latest strikes on Iranian military targets, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a forceful statement supporting Israel’s actions and condemning Iran’s role in regional and global instability. “Israel’s attacks against Iran are so far successful and more than justified, and the United Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today the appointment of Brendon Taylor as District Judge for Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of the Honorable Bruce L. Pickett. Taylor currently serves as a Magistrate Judge in Bonneville County, a position he has held since 2022. He is also the presiding judge of Read More…
U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy’s bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act is on its way to President Donald J. Trump’s desk after clearing the House of Representatives today. The legislation, introduced by Sheehy alongside Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in January, aims to strengthen the nation’s wildfire suppression capabilities amid an increasingly dangerous wildfire season. The bill unanimously Read More…
HELENA – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to Montana’s campaign-contribution limits, letting the 24-year-old law stand. The high court, without comment, denied the appeal of a 2017 appellate court ruling that upheld Montana’s monetary limits on what individuals, political-action committees and political parties can give to state candidates. Jaime Read More…
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will do something no senator has done in 75 years: serve on both the Senate Finance and Appropriations committees, a move expected to give Montana unusual clout and gird Daines for the 2020 elections. The assignment gives Montana a seat at the table on the committee responsible for prescription drug prices, Read More…
Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines introduced a bill on the Senate floor Thursday that would withhold the pay of members of Congress during future government shutdowns. Daines’s introduction of the bill, sponsored by Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, comes hours after Daines announced he sent a letter requesting the secretary of the U.S. Senate withhold Read More…
MISSOULA, Mont. — One day following the beginning of Montana’s 2019 legislative session, Gov. Steve Bullock presented a report on the benefits of Medicaid expansion. The current funding plan is set to expire in June. The governor was a strong proponent of I-185. The initiative would have funded Medicaid expansion by increasing the tobacco tax. Voters Read More…
House Democrats have formally proposed creating a new committee on climate change, without many of the main factors that progressives wanted in the panel’s structure. Democratic leaders unveiled the plans for the “Select Committee on the Climate Crisis” late Tuesday as part of a package of rules to govern House proceedings for the next two Read More…
Wednesday morning, recently reelected Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester broke some exciting news by telling Montana College Democrats that their state’s governor, Steve Bullock, would challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines in his 2020 reelection bid. Minutes later, Bullock’s chief of staff offered a contrary view: Not only was Bullock not ready to announce, he’s Read More…
As state lawmakers prepare to convene for the 66th session of the Montana Legislature, slated to begin Jan. 7, it’s widely agreed that crafting a bill to continue Medicaid expansion will dominate the 90-day term, a prediction that, coupled with Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s spending and tax proposals, sets the stage for another budget battle Read More…
CHEYENNE –- The Wyoming Legislature could act this year to make the state one of only three in the country that prevents any child under the age of 18 from getting married. Currently, Wyoming law sets the legal age for marriage at 16, but allows for a child younger than that to get married, if Read More…
The Montana Democratic Party has named Monica Lindeen as its new executive director, replacing the outgoing Nancy Keenan, who is retiring. Lindeen, 56, was most recently executive director of YWCA Helena, following eight years as the state Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. She was previously vice chair of the party and served eight years Read More…
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Close to 200 bills have already been introduced in the State House and Senate for this upcoming 2019 legislative session in Helena. From education to housing, here’s a summary of three standout bills: Senate Bill 52 would revise the laws on how sexual assault kits are processed in the state. The bill aims Read More…
US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will leave his post at the end of the year, in the latest high-profile departure from President Donald Trump’s administration. When announcing it on Twitter, Mr Trump did not give a reason for Mr Zinke’s departure but the former congressman from Montana has come under scrutiny for his use of Read More…
In a 6-1 decision Tuesday, the Montana Supreme Court overturned a legal opinion by Attorney General Tim Fox, ruling that Gov. Steve Bullock acted within the law when he circumvented the Montana State Board of Land Commissioners to finalize an eastern Montana conservation easement. As a result of the ruling, the Land Board will Read More…
During a stop for his book tour in Missoula on Monday night, former Vice President Joe Biden discussed his 2020 prospects, saying he believes that he is the “most qualified person” to be president, noting a decision is coming in the next two months, and acknowledging he’s a “gaffe machine.” “I’ll be as straight with Read More…
A federal jury Monday found U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s top political strategist, Ken Smukler, guilty of nine of 11 counts of repeatedly flouting campaign finance laws in a case that once threatened to ensnare the congressman himself. Smukler, 58, who has helped dozens of Democrats win public office over the last 30 years, was convicted of coordinating Read More…
Trial for Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and his wife and former campaign manager, Margaret, was set during a hearing on Monday for Sept. 10. Duncan and Margaret Hunter appeared in federal court in downtown San Diego for a planning hearing stemming for their Aug. 21 indictment. The two face 60 counts of crimes including conspiracy Read More…
Pat Arp and Gale Geringer will serve as co-chairs of the transition team. Arp is currently serving as Wyoming Deputy State Treasurer, and Geringer was helping manage Gordons campaign. The two will guide staffing decisions, administrative procedures, and initial policy rollouts. READ FULL STORY
Hillary Clinton is facing a backlash after arguing that European leaders should seek to assuage the concerns of a growing right-wing populism across the continent by refusing to offer “refuge and support” to migrants. “Europe has done its part, and must send a very clear message — ‘we are not going to be able to Read More…
Helena – Governor Steve Bullock unveiled his budget on Thursday that included about $100 in tax increases. Many of the tax increases where already voted down by the legislature in 2017. Mr. Bullock also included an increase in the tobacco tax which voters rejected at the ballot box just weeks ago. In addition to raising Read More…
In his first news conference as governor-elect last Wednesday, Wyoming treasurer Mark Gordon outlined his ambitions for the first year of his administration, his immediate plans for the office and how he hopes to set the tone for his agenda in Cheyenne. Less than 24 hours after a landslide 40-point victory in last week’s election, Read More…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming State Canvassing Board met today to certify the results of the election. With the newly elected and re-elected getting ready to take office in a few months, Governor Mead is preparing for his last few months as governor. He said, “This is a time of many last times for me Read More…
TRENTON — A former chief investigator of Mercer County elections has been charged with voter fraud after officials learned she resides in Pennsylvania, yet has voted in New Jersey since at least 2012. Andrea Palmucci-McGillicuddy, 52, is charged with fraudulent voting, interference with elections and other related offenses, according to court records. The charges were filed Read More…
(CNN)Democrats hope a manual recount will overturn the results of Florida’s Senate election and pave the wave for Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson to keep his Senate seat. Appearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer projected confidence about Nelson’s chances. “Bill Nelson is — is strong as could be,” Schumer said. “He believes, Read More…
A major GOP money group is getting ready to slam Mike Bloomberg with negative talking points if the billionaire Democrat makes a run for the White House in 2020. America Rising, a super PAC whose targets have included Hillary Clinton, is preparing an opposition-research blitz against Bloomberg that would focus on a range of topics, Read More…
A fight broke out in a closed-door meeting of House Democrats over climate change as a powerful veteran lawmaker fought with freshman star Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members-elect over the creation of a special panel for the issue. New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, incoming chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee — backed Read More…
A ballot initiative that would have continued funding Montana’s Medicaid expansion beyond June 2019 has failed. But advocates say they’ll continue to push for money to keep the expansion going after that financial sunset. “We now turn our attention to the legislature to maintain Montana’s bipartisan Medicaid expansion and protect those enrolled from harmful restrictions Read More…
If each legislative session in Helena were akin to a three-month football game, then the players and spectators alike would be thinking now about lively offensive strategies and formidable defenses. The Montana Legislature’s 2019 session launches Jan. 7. And members of the Kalispell City Council want to nail down the city’s legislative priorities in the Read More…
Helena – Governor Steve Bullock has appointed two longtime Democratic legislators and political operatives, Hal Harper and Dave McAlpin, to prestigious state board positions. On Monday, Governor Bullock’s office announced the appointment of Hal Harper to the Judicial Nominations Commission and Dave McAlpin to the Tax Appeal Board. Mr. Harper is a longtime Democrat state Read More…
Vice President Mike Pence will be in the Flathead Valley on Nov. 5 campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale on the eve of the midterm election. Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said his office was meeting with the U.S. Secret Service on Thursday and that the rally will be held at Glacier Park International Read More…
MISSOULA – Those watching the heated Montana Senate and US House races are wondering if President Trump’s trip this late in the campaign will draw more to vote for the GOP candidates, and if it’s worth the effort. It’s uncommon for a sitting president to make so many campaign stops in less-populated states like Montana. And Read More…
Republican congressman Kevin Cramer leads Democratic senator Heidi Heitkamp by 16 points in the latest poll of the North Dakota Senate race — the biggest lead that Cramer has held so far. According to the survey of 650 likely voters, Cramer leads Heitkamp 56-40 percent. The poll was conducted by Strategic Research Associates from October Read More…
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office in California was vandalized Monday, according to an Instagram post by the congressman. McCarthy, whose local office is in Bakersfield, Calif., posted photos of the suspects and some of the damage. Two young men were caught on surveillance camera outside of the office, which had its window smashed in Read More…
By CJ Baker Last week, the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office answered one of the lingering questions about August’s election: Just how many voters switched their political affiliation to participate in the Republican primary? According to the data, a total of 367 people in Park County switched over to the Republican party for the primary. Read More…
ENNIS, Mont. — Louie Baur confessed he doesn’t know much about Matt Rosendale, after meeting the Republican challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester as he glad-handed supporters and posed for selfies along Main Street in this historic hunting outpost. But Rosendale has President Trump’s seal-of-approval in Montana’s suddenly competitive Senate contest — and that’s good enough Read More…
MARK NOLAND Age: 59 Party: Republican, incumbent Family: Wife, Kathy, six children and seven grandchildren Education: Graduated from Whitefish High School, some college at University of Montana Occupation: Entrepreneur, 33 years as a Flathead Valley Business owner; owner of Flathead Janitorial and Rainbow Restoration Background: I’ve been a legislator since 2015, past president of Glacier Read More…
President Donald Trump defied climate scientists, intelligence specialists and even his own defense secretary on Sunday evening, capping a week of freewheeling press engagements with a sprawling prime-time network television interview in which he portrayed himself as an isolated but eminently empowered commander in chief. “I felt comfortable at the beginning, other than it was Read More…
BOZEMAN – Actor Jeff Bridges is appearing at a meet and greet in Montana to support Sen. Jon Tester’s reelection campaign. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 1:30-3 PM at Ballroom A in the Strand Union Building. It’s hosted by the Montana State University College Democrats. READ FULL STORY
Dan Vermillion has surprised some people while knocking on doors over the past few months. He’s a Democrat running for Senate District 30, which covers much of Park and Sweet Grass counties. It’s been a solidly Republican seat for a long time, so having a Democrat on their doorstep catches voters in places like Big Read More…
MISSOULA – Seven people protesting the Senate vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh were cited after occupying the Montana GOP office on Friday afternoon. Protesters with the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America arrived around 2 p.m., sat down in the office and refused to leave. Meanwhile, several other protesters stood outside waving signs against Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Read More…
Helena – The Commissioner of Political Practices ruled earlier this year that a political committee run by the wife of political prosecutor Gene Jarussi violated campaign finance regulations during the 2016 campaign. As part of a settlement agreement, Mrs. Jarussi admitted to multiple violations and has been fined by the Commissioner. Neighbors for Responsible Legislators Read More…
Vice President Mike Pence bragged to a big crowd in Bozeman Tuesday afternoon about what he and President Donald Trump have done in the last two years — tax cuts, killing regulations, a new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. And, he said, the key to keeping that going is running up the Republican majority Read More…