Governor Larry Rhoden has signed six bills into law, advancing legislation that addresses ballot transparency, administrative rulemaking, education policy, and state regulatory updates. The bills signed include: SB 5, which requires disclosure of whether a ballot question was proposed through a citizen initiative or by the Legislature; SB 56, which requires state agencies promulgating permanent Read More…
Senator Sheehy (R-MT) joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in introducing the Carbon Resource Innovation Act, a bipartisan bill designed to expand the 45Q carbon capture tax credit to include innovative technologies that capture carbon in solid or liquid forms. Supporters say the legislation will incentivize responsible forest management, reduce wildfire risk, and create economic opportunities Read More…
Gov. Kelly Armstrong has rolled out a new statewide effort aimed at improving soil health and expanding wildlife habitat across North Dakota’s rural landscape, announcing the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program at a Capitol press conference. The voluntary, working-lands program is designed to help farmers strengthen cropland productivity and resilience by establishing perennial Read More…
Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that President Trump has signed H.R. 6938, the 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, which includes more than $8 million in federal funding for critical water infrastructure and law enforcement projects across Western Montana. “These projects come directly from county commissioners Read More…
In a significant development for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Montana Senator Barry Usher has been elected as the organization’s new vice president. This bipartisan body represents the 7,386 state lawmakers and over 30,000 legislative staff across the United States.* Usher, who will serve a one-year term as vice president, is poised to Read More…
(The Center Square) – The “whitewashing” of stolen valor claims leveled against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz insult servicemembers, who know better than any how to spot a “coward” among them. So says Pat Harrigan, the Army Green Beret vying for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District seat in Washington, D.C., during a visit to the VFW Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has spearheaded a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in urging the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to uphold the national TikTok divest-or-ban legislation passed by Congress earlier this year. The federal law mandates that TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, must either divest Read More…
Weeks after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and endorses Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse has yet to publicly address the situation. Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt criticized Busse for his silence, calling it a “disservice to all Montanans.” Kaltschmidt argued Read More…
In his first interview since announcing his exit from the 2024 presidential race, President Joe Biden spoke candidly with CBS News’s Robert Costa at the White House on Wednesday. The interview, airing Sunday, focused on Biden’s reflections on his presidency, his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, and his concerns about the 2024 election. Biden Read More…
Former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday night, aiming to energize supporters and impact down-ballot races in a state he previously won in the 2020 presidential election. “Less than three months from now, we are going to defeat radical left Democrat John Tester and send Tim Sheehy to the Read More…
(The Center Square) – Voters in Wyoming have a new way to find out where to vote. Secretary of State Chuck Gray said voters can go to his “Wyoming Votes” webpage and provide information about their residence to locate their polling place this year. “The enhancements made to our polling place locator provide a great Read More…
(The Center Square) – During President Joe Biden’s address to the American public Wednesday night, he said his administration secured the border. Without discussing border policies in his 10-minute address, he touted his efforts in two sentences, saying, “We are also securing our border. Border crossings are lower today than when the previous administration left Read More…
As President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, Montana’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse has remained notably silent on the matter. The Montana Republican Party is expressing frustration over Busse’s lack of comment. Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt criticized Busse for not addressing Biden’s Read More…
Governor Brad Little has appointed Brandon Shippy to fill the vacant District 9 Senate seat left by Abby Lee, marking a significant addition to Idaho’s legislative roster. Shippy, a native of Payette County, brings a wealth of community involvement and entrepreneurial experience to his new role. He is the owner and operator of Shippy Sprinkler Read More…
(The Center Square) – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Monday she plans to us an $80.7 million budget surplus to offset prison construction costs. The $80 million surplus includes $24.3 million, which was above the forecast for fiscal year 2024 and $56.4 million saved by reductions in state government spending, according to Noem. “South Read More…
The House Appropriations Committee took a significant step forward by passing the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025 out of Full Committee Markup. This legislation includes substantial provisions aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs and housing challenges in Western Montana. Among the key components of the bill Read More…
(The Center Square) – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s tenure spans the presidencies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden. He said there has been a difference between how the two approach energy policy. As governor, he has battled with the Biden administration over oil and gas leasing guidelines that he has said would hinder production Read More…
In a bold move, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has publicly addressed serious allegations regarding the security arrangements at former President Donald Trump’s recent rally. In a letter addressed to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Hawley detailed concerns brought forward by whistleblowers within the security apparatus. The letter, opens with Senator Read More…
In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Senator Jon Tester an F rating. Republican Tim Sheey received and AQ rating was endorsed by the Read More…
In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Attorney General Austin Knudsen an A rating and the group endorsed him for the 2024 Election. Each Read More…
On Tuesday evening, Tim Sheehy, a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Montana, took the stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to deliver a speech urging the need to “save America.” Sheehy was among several GOP Senate hopefuls who addressed the convention, each aiming to bolster their campaigns and rally support. Sheehy’s candidacy Read More…
n anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Chief Justice candidate Jeremiah Lynch an F rating. The group endorsed Lynch’s opponent, Broadwater County Attorney Cory Read More…
Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices, Chris Gallus, decisively dismissed a complaint on Wednesday alleging misuse of taxpayer funds by Governor Greg Gianforte for his reelection efforts. The complaint, filed by Democratic candidates Ryan Busse and Raph Graybill, accused Gianforte of leveraging state resources through postcards sent to Montana taxpayers to bolster his campaign. In a Read More…
REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN CALLS ON JUDGE MENAHAN TO RECUSE HIMSELF In a strongly-worded statement, Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt called on Judge Mike Menahan to recuse himself from the CI-128 case. Kaltschmidt accused the judge of bias, alleging that Menahan has consistently favored pro-abortion activists throughout his career. “Judge Menahan has sold out Read More…
In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Governor Greg Gianforte an A rating and the group endorsed him for the 2024 Election. Gianforte’s Democrat Read More…
In a contentious legal battle unfolding in Montana, two organizations are taking the state’s Secretary of State to court over signature acceptance rules for proposed constitutional initiatives. These initiatives face uncertain prospects for appearing on the November ballot. The dispute centers on the inclusion of signatures from “inactive voters” — individuals who have not participated Read More…
Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center is gearing up to assist numerous municipalities and counties in Montana as they embark on their decennial local government reviews. With 43 municipalities and 12 counties opting to participate, the center will play a crucial role in providing necessary support and training to study commissioners. According to Dan Read More…
(The Center Square) – As the 2024 election season gears up, a recently-released report predicts nationwide political spending will reach a record high $10.69 billion. The Political Projections Report predicts that California, Pennsylvania, and Arizona will have the highest levels of spending on advertising. The report was released on Monday by advertisement tracking company AdImpact. “This Read More…
(The Center Square) – A bill that bans China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia or Venezuela from owning agricultural land in South Dakota took effect Monday. The bill also prohibits any of the countries from leasing agricultural land unless it is for research and is no more than 320 acres or is for the contract Read More…
(The Center Square) – Taxpayers are not only funding the border crisis, but they are also paying for numerous free services illegal foreign nationals receive, according to a new report published by the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. The committee blames the Biden administration in its new report, Read More…
Renowned pollster Nate Silver, founder of ABC’s FiveThirtyEight, has joined a chorus of voices urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following what he termed “incoherent comments” made during Biden’s first post-debate interview on Friday. Silver, known for his data-driven analyses, expressed his concerns publicly on social media platform X after Read More…
In a bid to steady his reelection campaign following a widely criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden addressed concerns and reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the race in an interview with ABC News aired on Friday. During the interview with George Stephanopoulos, taped earlier in the day, Biden attributed Read More…
Montana’s latest legislative effort to enhance government transparency went into effect on July 1 with the implementation of House Bill 890, aimed at providing the public with clearer insights into local government proceedings. Sponsored by Rep. Brad Barker, R-Luther, HB 890 mandates that many local government boards across the state record their meetings and publish Read More…
In a significant legal development, a federal court has granted Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s request to halt the Biden administration’s controversial new rule concerning gender-transition treatments. The rule, proposed under Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), aimed to tie federal funding to compliance with mandates requiring healthcare providers to offer Read More…
Democratic Senator Jon Tester, currently in his bid for a fourth term in predominantly Republican Montana, faces a pivotal race in 2024. His reelection is crucial for Democrats, who are defending three Senate seats in states won by Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections—Ohio and West Virginia being the others. Tester is Read More…
Jon Tester, the Democratic Senator from Montana, is striving to retain his seat in a state that strongly supported Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Despite Montana’s conservative leaning, Tester has managed to secure victories in several tough elections over the past decade, maintaining his popularity with the state’s right-leaning voters. This November, Tester Read More…
June 21st marked a crucial deadline for advocates aiming to place ballot measures before Montana voters this year. It was the final day to submit tens of thousands of petition signatures to county election offices across the state. Now, county officials must review the signatures and confirm their validity. To get initiatives on the ballot, Read More…
(The Center Square) – Gov. Mark Gordon is hosting a Town Hall to address what he calls “a barrage of proposed rules” for energy industries and public lands. The Town Hall is scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm on Tuesday, June 25th at Gillette College’s Technical Education Center. State agency leaders will be on hand, along with Read More…
Montana’s Senator Steve Daines joined a group of Republican senators in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers after individuals with suspected ties to ISIS were apprehended at the southern border, underwent vetting and were then released into the United States. “We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports Read More…
The Biden Administration has announced the launch of the Columbia River Task Force by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), aimed at implementing President Biden’s longstanding plan to remove dams on the Snake River system. These dams currently supply western Montana with affordable and reliable electricity, constituting between 60-70% of the power in the Pacific Read More…
The economy is set to be a pivotal issue in the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the stark differences between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Consider the American economy as a bag filled with a variety of policies and economic indicators, with inflation being a prominent one. Although inflation has retreated from its Read More…
(The Center Square) – Vermont is the first state to enact a law requiring the fossil fuel industry to pay for “climate change cost recovery.” The bill became law without Republican Gov. Philip Scott signing it. In a May 30 letter to the Vermont General Assembly, he explained why. “Vermont – one of the least Read More…
A federal judge, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle, delivered a significant ruling declaring a Florida law targeting gender-affirming health care for transgender minors and certain adults as unconstitutional. Judge Robert Hinkle,was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Hinke took Senior status in 2016. The law, enthusiastically supported by Republican state Read More…
(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, introduced a bipartisan bill this week in hopes of supporting ranchers who graze their livestock on federal lands. Wyden filed the Operational Flexibility Grazing Management Program Act with U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming. “After embracing the Bureau of Land Management pilot program, ranchers in eastern Oregon worked closely Read More…