The Center Square) – Diversity, equity and inclusion polices are retreating nationwide, from the federal government to corporations around the country. President Donald Trump immediately upon taking office began rooting… Read More
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Senator Daines Introduce Bill to Make Small Business Tax Cuts Permanent
Amid ongoing discussions about the future of President Trump’s tax cuts, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and 33 other Republican senators, introduced the… Read More
Zinke Reintroduces Conservation Bills
Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke has reintroduced a series of conservation bills aimed at protecting public lands, ensuring water levels in Flathead Lake, and preserving wildlife migration corridors. The bills,… Read More
Governor Gianforte Named Chair of Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus
Governor Greg Gianforte has been named chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC), a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to protecting and advancing the interests of sportsmen and women across… Read More
DEQ Announces $1 Million in Grants for Water Quality Improvement Projects
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting applications for $1 million in grant funding to support projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in the state’s lakes… Read More
Waded Cruzado Named Next President of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities
The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) announced today that Waded Cruzado, president of Montana State University (MSU), will become the association’s next president, effective July 1. Cruzado, a… Read More
Governor Greg Gianforte Sworn in for Second Term as Montana Governor
On the steps of the Montana State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte was officially sworn in Monday for his second term as the 25th Governor of Montana. Accompanied by his wife,… Read More
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Eco-Terrorism Ties Resurface as Biden Official Takes Role at Environmental Group
Tracy Stone-Manning, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration who spearheaded its aggressive climate agenda, has been named the next president of The Wilderness Society, a prominent environmental organization… 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
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 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
FEMA under investigation over Trump supporter discrimination
(The Center Square) – House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has opened an investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency over reports that it discriminated against supporters of Donald… Read More
Board of Regents approves new institute at Montana State to address national security
BOZEMAN — The Montana Board of Regents today approved Montana State University’s proposal to establish a new institute to help address the nation’s security needs through applied research, technology development… Read More
Trump Shapes Second Administration
President-elect Donald Trump has begun appointing officials to top positions in his incoming administration, signaling a departure from the internal strife that marked his first term. This time, Trump is… Read More
Senators Daines and King Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect and Restore Public Lands
In a bipartisan effort to safeguard and improve America’s public lands, Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine), joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.),… Read More
‘Rosie the Riveter’ Lucille MacDonald dies at age 98 in Hawaii
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — Lucille “Cille” MacDonald, who this spring was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for “Rosie the Riveter” work during World War II, died Friday in Valley Island,… Read More
Governor Opens Applications for District Court Judge Vacancy in Montana’s Seventh Judicial District
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has begun accepting applications and nominations to fill a district court judge vacancy in the Seventh Judicial District, which serves Dawson, Prairie, McCone, Richland, and Wibaux… Read More
Pentagon still can’t pass audit despite years of trying
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Defense’s annual audit once again resulted in a disclaimer. That means the federal government’s largest agency – with a budget of more… Read More
Energy independence group hails Trump cabinet picks
(The Center Square) – A group that advocates for American energy independence is applauding President Donald Trump’s recent cabinet selections, including Saturday’s nomination of Chris Wright as secretary of the… Read More
Montana FWP Director Dustin Temple Announces Retirement
Governor Greg Gianforte announced today that Dustin Temple, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), will retire at the end of the year after a distinguished 20-year career with… Read More
Netanyahu Confirms Israeli Airstrike Targeted Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday that Israel’s airstrike on Iran last month targeted a specific element of Tehran’s nuclear program, while also damaging its defense and missile production… Read More
Montana Law Enforcement Academy Graduates 62 New Officers
The Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), part of the Montana Department of Justice, celebrated the graduation of 62 new officers today. These graduates will serve in 40 agencies across the… Read More