MISSOULA, Mont. — U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez traveled to Missoula Thursday to headline a campaign rally for Democratic congressional candidate Sam Forstag, bringing national progressive star power to Montana’s competitive Western District primary in its final days before the June 2 vote. The event was held at The Wilma in downtown Missoula, a venue with Read More…
HELENA, Mont. — Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar appears on track to qualify for Montana’s November general election ballot after county election officials certified more than 18,000 signatures and forwarded them to the Secretary of State’s Office for final verification, according to an unofficial tally released Friday. Bodnar’s campaign needed 13,327 valid signatures to Read More…
Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate Tuesday, ending over three decades of Sen. John Cornyn’s electoral dominance in what amounts to a watershed moment for GOP politics in Texas. The Associated Press called the race for Paxton shortly after 8 p.m., about an hour after most polls closed in Read More…
(The Center Square) – Parental rights group the American Parents Coalition is urging Congress to review federal funding of the American Academy of Pediatrics, alleging that the organization prioritizes politics and gender ideology before children’s health while using tax dollars. Executive director of American Parents Coalition Alleigh Marré told The Center Square that “President [Donald] Trump’s 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…
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of unanimous decisions this week, resolving contentious disputes and clarifying legal boundaries on discrimination, religious tax exemptions, gun manufacturer liability, and environmental regulations. Handed down by June 5, 2025, these rulings addressed pressing issues, shaping policies and lives across the nation. In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) teamed up with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representative Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) to introduce the bipartisan PROTECT Act, aimed at tackling drug trafficking in tribal communities across the country, including Montana. The bill—Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act—would expand 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…
(The Center Square) – Montana recently became the sixth state this year to pass a ban on foreign spending on ballot measures. Watchdog organizations, however, say the state’s new law is inadequate. Montana’s new law bars non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, foreign political parties and foreign-owned entities from contributing to campaigns surrounding ballot measures. The legislation Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced new legislation aimed at reinforcing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ commitment to accessible, high-quality health care for America’s veterans. Joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Daines is championing the “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act,” a bill that would bolster the VA’s Community Care program Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) announced his vote in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill Act, landmark legislation that he says delivers long-awaited reforms to federal tax policy, border security, entitlement programs, and land conservation—all while safeguarding Montana’s values and public lands. Zinke hailed the bill as a “bold, decisive action” to restore fiscal sanity and Read More…
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump signed several executive orders on nuclear energy Friday that Trump said would make the U.S. the “real power” in the industry. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the orders marked “a huge day for the nuclear industry,” enabling America to pursue nuclear innovation in ways it hasn’t Read More…
Just days before Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring national cemeteries remain open to the public on all federal holidays. The bill is designed to provide families, friends, and veteran organizations with consistent access to honor fallen service members on the days set aside for remembrance. “Federal holidays Read More…
Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Foreign Military Sales Task Force, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing the outdated Congressional Notification (CN) process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). Zinke’s legislation comes as FMS and DCS Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is calling on the Gallatin County Commission to reject legal guidance from the Democrat county attorney and partner with the Trump Administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. In a letter sent Wednesday, Knudsen criticized a recent legal opinion from Democrat Gallatin County Attorney Read More…
The Center Square) – The Washington State Department of Ecology is proposing updates to regulations that reduce pollution from new semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles sold in the state. Ecology contends the updates will increase flexibility and help the industry transition to zero-emission trucks. DOE is offering over $130 million in taxpayer funding to buy clean trucks and build charging infrastructure Read More…
(The Center Square) – As China continues to expand its military presence worldwide, a bipartisan group of senators is introducing legislation to counter potential risks. Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Chris Coons, D-Del., and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., introduced the Combating PRC (People’s Republic of China) Overseas and Unlawful Networked Threats through Enhanced Resilience Act. The senators Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines is calling on the U.S. Department of the Treasury to reverse a Biden-era Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiative that he and several Republican colleagues argue unfairly targets Main Street businesses. In a letter co-signed by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.), Daines criticized the creation of Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed House Bill 401 into law, banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of lab-grown meat in Montana. The legislation, aimed at safeguarding the state’s ranching industry, takes effect October 1, 2025, and positions Montana as a staunch defender of traditional agriculture. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Braxton Mitchell (R-Columbia Falls), prohibits Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced new legislation aimed at protecting Montana’s trucking and agriculture industries from what he calls a “dangerous and unnecessary” federal mandate. The bill, titled the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act, seeks to prevent the Biden administration from enforcing a rule that would require commercial trucks Read More…
In a rare display of cross-party collaboration, U.S. Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) have announced the formation of the Public Lands Caucus, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers dedicated to conserving America’s public lands and expanding access for all Americans. The new caucus aims to champion practical, consensus-driven policies that support land conservation, Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and several Republican colleagues in introducing legislation that would allow the death penalty for illegal immigrants convicted of murdering American citizens. The proposed legislation, titled the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, aims to codify a previous executive order issued under President Donald Read More…
(The Center Square) – As congressional Democrats push back against second-term Republican President Donald Trump’s policies, from border security and his mass deportation efforts to tariffs and energy policies, nearly 3 in 4 Democratic voters say their elected representatives in Congress aren’t doing enough. Only Democrats were asked: “Should Democrats in Congress fight Trump more Read More…
(The Center Square) – Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is pitching gun manufacturers based in Colorado to relocate to his state. Gianforte, whose office posted a video to social media on Wednesday, cited Colorado’s new gun law, Senate Bill 25-003, and other laws not friendly to the industry. SB 25-003, which Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed into law earlier Read More…
Montana has made history as the first state in the U.S. to legally protect its citizens’ right to access and use computational tools and artificial intelligence technologies. Governor Greg Gianforte this week signed Senate Bill 212, officially known as the Montana Right to Compute Act (MRTCA), into law. The groundbreaking legislation affirms Montanans’ fundamental right Read More…
The first quarter financial reports for Congress are in and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis is seeing the green. Lummis now has more than $1.5 million cash-on-hand heading into the 2026 election season between her main campaign committee and Steer political action committee. No one has announced that they plan to challenge Lummis. If someone does, Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte joined small business owners in Kalispell today to rally support for his push to deliver permanent property and income tax relief for Montanans. Speaking at a press conference hosted at The Rancher’s Daughter, a local farm-to-table store, Gianforte laid out his tax reform agenda and emphasized the urgency of passing relief measures Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 21 states in filing an amicus brief supporting President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce the workforce at the Department of Education, a move aimed at returning more educational authority to state governments. The brief was filed on Monday in the case State of New York v. Read More…
The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday regarding the classification of abortion as healthcare, a case that could significantly impact the future of abortion access in the state. The state is challenging a Teton County judge’s ruling that abortion is a form of healthcare, arguing that laws passed in 2023, which could impose a near-total Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong signed Senate Bill 2214 into law today, officially approving the merger of the North Dakota Securities Department into the North Dakota Insurance Department. The consolidation aims to streamline regulatory oversight of the state’s financial services industry. Under the new law, regulatory authority will be unified under the elected insurance commissioner. The merger Read More…
Two bills aimed at laying the groundwork for a nuclear energy industry in Montana have passed the state legislature and are awaiting the governor’s signature. House Bill 623 would permit the establishment of nuclear waste storage facilities in the state. This measure aligns with national Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements, which mandate that nuclear power plants Read More…
While nine law firms have made deals to avoid President Donald Trump’s orders targeting them, the one that works for Wyoming’s largest federally recognized Indian tribe is continuing to fight the federal government in court. As of Tuesday, nine firms had settled with Trump and agreed to perform, collectively, nearly $1 billion worth of free work in causes Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) for a review of a Montana Supreme Court decision concerning parental rights in abortion cases has gained significant support. Five amicus briefs were filed urging SCOTUS to reverse a decision that, according to Knudsen, puts the health and safety of children at risk Read More…
In a significant move aimed at preserving the integrity of local elections, the Montana Senate advanced House Bill 413 on Thursday, tightening voter residency requirements to ensure that only long-term residents influence county decisions. The measure, strongly supported by conservative lawmakers, seeks to maintain community values by guaranteeing that voters have a real, sustained stake Read More…
Flathead County District Court Judge Dan Wilson, who narrowly lost his 2024 bid for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court, announced Wednesday that he will run again—this time for a different seat on the state’s highest court in the 2026 election. Wilson, who was edged out by Katherine Bidegaray in a closely contested race, Read More…
A Missoula judge appointed by former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock has temporarily blocked a newly enacted law that protects women’s bathrooms and locker rooms from being accessed by biological males. District Court Judge Shane Vannatta, who openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, issued a ruling Wednesday putting the law on hold just Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong has announced the appointment of Zachary Greenberg as North Dakota’s permanent Labor Commissioner. Greenberg had been serving as interim commissioner since January and has been recognized for his leadership in enforcing the state’s labor and human rights laws. “Zach has proven himself to be a capable leader these past few months, ensuring Read More…
In a narrow 51–48 vote early Saturday morning, Senate Republicans approved a budget resolution that paves the way for extending former President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and significantly reducing federal spending. The vote followed a late-night legislative session and unlocks the use of budget reconciliation — a procedural tool that allows Republicans to sidestep Read More…
Former Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth has been banned for life from the Senate floor following a bipartisan vote to censure the Hamilton Republican over a serious ethics violation tied to a no-bid government contract awarded to a close associate. In a 44–6 vote on Tuesday, the Senate approved the censure, which removes Ellsworth from Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte, joined by Americans for Prosperity (AFP), rallied at the Montana State Capitol Friday to push for historic tax cuts aimed at providing significant relief to Montanans. The governor emphasized that his proposal offers the most conservative approach to tax reform, focusing on empowering individuals and families to keep more of their hard-earned Read More…
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump is endorsing conservative Judge Brad Schimel in his race against liberal Judge Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Calling Crawford a “radical left liberal,” Trump wrote on Truth Social she “has repeatedly given child molesters, rapists, women beaters and domestic abusers ‘light’ sentences. “She is the handpicked Read More…
As National Agriculture Week comes to a close, Governor Greg Gianforte is ramping up efforts to reform Montana’s business equipment tax, emphasizing its financial strain on small businesses, farms, and ranches. Speaking at a press conference, the governor reiterated his proposal to raise the tax exemption from $1 million to $3 million, a move aimed Read More…
he South Dakota Attorney General’s Office has released the final ballot explanation for a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for legislative changes to initiative and referendum procedures. The amendment, spearheaded by Rick Weiland of Sioux Falls, aims to ensure that any legislative modifications to citizen-led ballot initiatives and referendums are subject to Read More…