Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Friday that his office has opened an investigation into Lee Enterprises following a February cyberattack that compromised the personal information of nearly 40,000 employees… Read More
Featured Posts in Featured
Gianforte Praises Supreme Court Ruling
Governor Greg Gianforte applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Skrmetti, upholding Tennessee’s Youth Protection Act and reinforcing the right of states to restrict certain medical and… Read More
President Trump Signs Senator Sheehy’s Aerial Firefighting Bill Into Law
In a major legislative milestone for freshman U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), President Donald J. Trump on Friday signed into law the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act, Sheehy’s bipartisan bill to… Read More
Senator Daines Leads Bipartisan Push to Celebrate “Great Outdoors Month”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is once again championing Montana’s outdoor heritage on the national stage, as the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution he co-led to designate June… Read More
All Posts In Featured
House adopts contentious rules that make ousting speaker more difficult
(The Center Square) – After a brief and intense debate, lawmakers passed the Republican-proposed House rules package, 215-209, for the incoming 119th Congress Friday evening. Besides typical procedural updates and… Read More
Tim Sheehy Sworn in as U.S. Senator, Marks Historic Day for Montana
In a moment hailed as historic for Montana, Tim Sheehy was officially sworn in as the state’s newest U.S. Senator. Senator Steve Daines, who escorted Sheehy to the Senate floor… Read More
Montana State University’s Spirit of the West Marching Band Heads to Frisco for FCS Championship
Montana State University’s Spirit of the West marching band will join the Bobcat football team in Frisco, Texas, for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national game on Monday, Jan. 6,… Read More
Montana Supreme Court Orders New Environmental Review for Laurel Gas Plant While Allowing Operations to Continue
In a closely watched decision Friday, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that state regulators failed to conduct an adequate environmental review of NorthWestern Energy’s Laurel natural gas plant. The ruling,… Read More
Republicans tell Johnson ‘zero room for error’ after House speaker reelection
(The Center Square) – Following a tense and interrupted first roll call, enough Republican U.S. representatives ultimately voted for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., winning him re-election in a tight… Read More
Daines Helps Montanans Recover Nearly $5 Million from Federal Government in 2024
U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his office facilitated the recovery of nearly $5 million for Montana residents in 2024, assisting constituents in resolving federal government issues and closing hundreds… Read More
Violent Venezuelan prison gang members expand operations in western states
(The Center Square) – Members of the violent Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), continue to expand criminal operations in western states, including in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming…. Read More
Pornhub to block access in 13 states as age-verification laws expand across U.S.
(The Center Square) − Pornhub will soon be inaccessible in 13 states after lawmakers passed a slurry of restrictions for social media and other internet sites. The bills require certain age… Read More
Northwest power planners challenged by increasing demand of data centers
(The Center Square) – With energy-intensive artificial intelligence, or AI, consuming more electricity than traditional data-center activities, reliability of the electrical grid should be the top priority, according to the… Read More
Another federal court rules against DACA, this time related to health care
(The Center Square) – Another federal court has ruled against the federal program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), arguing a Biden administration plan to provide free health care to… Read More
Gender transition procedures for minors receive increased scrutiny from emboldened GOP
(The Center Square) – Gender transition procedures on minors face intensifying scrutiny as the transgender-friendly Biden administration prepares to step down, with Republican lawmakers demanding a federal health agency reveal… Read More
District Court Judge-Elect Charged in Drug Investigation
Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter, 48, who was recently elected District Court Judge for Lake and Sanders counties, has been charged with one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of… Read More
DNRC Announces Record $92 Million Investment in Montana Public Schools
In a historic milestone, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has announced the investment of more than $92 million in public schools, marking a record-breaking revenue contribution… Read More
Daines Secures Key Committee Assignments for 119th Congress
U.S. Senator Steve Daines has announced his committee assignments for the 119th Congress, taking on influential roles in the Senate Committees on Finance, Foreign Relations, Energy and Natural Resources, and… Read More
NorthWestern Energy Signs Massive Data Center Power Deals
NorthWestern Energy has announced agreements to supply significant amounts of electricity to two proposed data centers in Montana, with combined power demands set to exceed the capacity of the state’s… Read More
Zinke’s National Parks and Public Access Bill Heads to the President’s Desk
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that the Senate has passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The EXPLORE Act is a comprehensive, bicameral legislation package that includes Zinke’s… Read More
Border crime in Texas linked to child trafficking in Houston area
(The Center Square) – As the largest city closest to the border and a gateway hub for human and drug trafficking and crime linked to cartel and gang violence, Houston… Read More
Billionaire Democratic supporter calls Inslee’s wealth tax ‘boneheaded’
(The Center Square) – Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal for a “wealth tax” is drawing sharp criticism from Seattle business leader, entrepreneur and Democratic supporter Nick Hanauer. Hanauer posted on X, ripping… Read More
Trump promises to cut ‘hundreds of billions’ in federal spending next year
(The Center Square) – President-elect Donald Trump promised to cut “hundreds of billions” in federal spending in 2025 after demanding Congress pass a short-term measure to fund the government that… Read More
Montana Highway Patrol Seizes Illegal Drugs, Arrests Fugitives in Superior Operation
Montana Highway Patrol troopers conducted a drug interdiction operation in Superior from December 2 to 6, targeting illicit drugs, firearms tied to trafficking, and fugitives. The operation is part of… Read More
Montana Unemployment Rate Holds at Historic Low in November
Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.2% in November, continuing an unprecedented stretch of low unemployment that has persisted for 41 consecutive months, with rates at or below 3.4%. The state’s… Read More
Montana Eases Process for Veterans to Add Designation to Driver Licenses
In a move aimed at improving services for veterans, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is now accepting additional documentation for veterans to obtain a veteran designation on their state-issued… Read More
Government shutdown averted as House, Senate pass CR
(The Center Square) – A government funding stopgap is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk after the Senate voted 85-11 to pass a 118-page bill to keep the… Read More
Frontier Asset Management Launches Actively Managed ETFs on the NYSE
Frontier Asset Management, an independent asset management firm, has officially launched its suite of actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). These ETFs are designed… Read More
MSU Graduate School Dean Craig Ogilvie to Step Down
Montana State University announced this week that Craig Ogilvie, dean of the Graduate School and associate vice president of research, will step down from his administrative role at the end… Read More
Attorney General Knudsen Sues Biden Administration Over Coal Leasing Halt
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its plan to halt federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, a region responsible for… Read More
IRS data shows ‘Blue State Exodus’ over past 30 years
(The Center Square) – Millions of residents in blue states have migrated to red states within the past 30 years, according to federal data. A policy group that analyzed the… Read More
Federal data: School leaders say 40% of students are behind grade level
(The Center Square) – According to a federal survey of school leaders, 40% of students in the nation’s public schools were behind grade level in one or more subjects at… Read More
Biden’s Controversial Clemency Grants to Convicted Officials Spark Outrage
President Joe Biden faced bipartisan criticism this week after granting clemency to two disgraced officials convicted in high-profile corruption cases. The decision, part of a larger clemency package for 1,500… Read More
ABC News Settles Trump Defamation Lawsuit for $16 Million, Issues Apology
ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a “presidential foundation and museum” and $1 million in legal fees as part of a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump in… Read More
Federal judge blocks Albertsons-Kroger merger
(The Center Square) – A federal judge has blocked the $24.6 billion proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger in response to a lawsuit filed against it by the Federal Trade… Read More
Montana State education department works to address statewide teacher shortage
BOZEMAN — At the end of November in Montana, there were 51 openings for special education teachers, and a report on the state’s teacher shortage last year identified special education… Read More
North Dakota Development Fund Approves Over $6.6 Million in Loans
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that 10 businesses have been approved for a combined total of $6,628,000 in loans through the North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. (NDDF). The… Read More
Montana Attorney General Leads Coalition Defending U.S. Gun Manufacturers
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is spearheading a coalition of 28 states in urging the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to protect American firearm manufacturers from liability claims… Read More
23 AGs oppose Biden’s 4th attempt to saddle Americans with student loan debt
(The Center Square) – A group of 23 attorneys general led by Missouri and Kansas has put the Biden administration’s Department of Education on notice about its fourth attempt to… Read More
Montana Department of Commerce Opens Applications for 2024 Big Sky Film Grant
The Montana Department of Commerce has announced the opening of the 2024 Big Sky Film Grant (BSFG), offering financial support to filmmakers creating projects that showcase Montana’s unique landscapes, culture,… Read More
Trump nominates former Missouri congressman to serve as IRS commissioner
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump will nominate former U.S. Rep. Billy Long, a Missouri Republican, as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Trump announced the news in a Truth… Read More
After Trump threatens Mexico, authorities make largest fentanyl bust in history
(The Center Square) – After President-elect Donald Trump vowed to impose tariffs on Mexico and spoke to Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, demanding that Mexico stop facilitating illegal entry into… Read More
Governor Doug Burgum Delivers Final Budget Address
Governor Doug Burgum presented his final executive budget to the 69th Legislative Assembly today, outlining a $95 million package aimed at improving housing affordability, accessibility, and stability for the 2025-27… Read More
Holiday shopping expected to break records again in 2024
(The Center Square) – Nearly 40% of all Americans plan to shop on Black Friday, to kick off the holiday shopping season. Holiday sales are already expected to once again break… Read More
Milwaukee promises $10,000 bonuses to entice police officer transfers
(The Center Square) – The city of Milwaukee is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus for working police officers who transfer to the Milwaukee Police Department. The initiative, announced by Mayor… Read More
Federal loan to struggling EV automaker under fire
(The Center Square) – All-electric automaker Rivian Automotive announced on Monday that it received a “conditional commitment” for a $6.6B loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. If finalized, the loan… Read More
Steve Scheel Honored with North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award
Steve D. Scheel, the board chairman emeritus of SCHEELS, has been named the 50th recipient of North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest honor for its citizens…. Read More
Senator Daines Condemns Biden Administration’s Decision to Halt Montana Coal Leasing
U.S. Senator Steve Daines criticized the Biden administration’s recent decision to prohibit new coal leasing in Montana’s Powder River Basin, following the publication of the Miles City Resource Management Plan… Read More
Gov. Doug Burgum Appoints Lt. Daniel Haugen as Interim Highway Patrol Superintendent
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has appointed Lt. Daniel Haugen to serve as interim superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, effective December 1. The appointment follows the retirement of… Read More
Federal Judge Reverses Semi-Retirement Decision After Trump’s
For the second time since Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s election, a federal judge has reversed a decision to take senior status, citing the apparent lapse of time for a Democratic… Read More
Montana State University Engineering Students to Showcase Senior Projects at Design Fair
Montana State University engineering students will showcase their senior capstone projects on Thursday, December 5, at the biannual Design Fair in Norm Asbjornson Hall. The event, which is free and… Read More
Montana DEQ Expands Air Quality Monitoring with New Glasgow Station
In October, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) installed a new permanent air quality monitor in Glasgow, providing Valley County residents with expanded access to real-time air quality data…. Read More