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Bison management group discusses deadly winter for Yellowstone bison, plans for next season
Many of the federal, state, and tribal representatives of the Interagency Bison Management Plan described this winter’s hunt of Yellowstone National Park bison – the deadliest winter for the herds in 15 years – as a success, and the biannual meeting showed there is still some disagreement when it comes to management of the animals. […]
State asks Montana Supreme Court to halt Montana youth climate trial slated to start next week
A week before the Montana youth climate change trial is set to start, the state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to halt the trial and take supervisory control over the case on the basis the district court judge set to hear the trial made “a mistake of law” in allowing the case to go […]
Democrats ask for explanation on stalled budget bill, others, call delays ‘chaotic way to govern’
Montana’s Democratic legislative leadership sent a letter Friday to Senate President Jason Ellsworth calling on him to sign several bills that have been awaiting his signature for weeks so they can be sent to the governor. For several weeks since the legislature adjourned May 2, six bills that were passed by lawmakers, sent through the […]
Butte-Silver Bow cancels library event with trans speaker citing new drag story hour ban
The Butte-Silver Bow Public Library canceled an event featuring a transgender speaker that was slated for Friday at the request of the county attorney over concerns it could violate the newly enacted ban on drag story hours in Montana. “We regret to announce cancellation of our highly anticipated ‘First Friday’ speaker. This decision is in […]
State files notices of appeal in abortion cases with Montana Supreme Court
The Montana Department of Justice and attorneys for the state have filed notices of appeal with the state Supreme Court after a judge in Helena blocked several newly signed bills restricting abortion access and a state health department rule on Medicaid-funded abortions. Additionally, the Montana Supreme Court is allowing the state’s appeal of a judge’s […]
FWP asks for information on grizzly bear shot and killed in NW Montana
State and federal wildlife officials are looking for information on a collared male grizzly that was shot and killed near Berray Mountain in Sanders County on what they believe was the evening of May 16. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a news release Tuesday the bear was discovered on May 24, more than […]
Lawsuit challenges $3,700 fee, other new restrictions, on Montana citizen initiative process
Ten Montanans, including former elected officials and Constitutional Convention delegates, have sued the state arguing a bill that adds a host of new requirements for people trying to get initiatives and constitutional amendments onto the ballot violates the state constitution. At issue is Senate Bill 93, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, which Gov. Greg […]
10th Circuit rejects authorization to kill up to 72 grizzlies in Wyoming under grazing program
A ruling by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday will protect up to 72 grizzly bears in the Bridger-Teton National Forest area in Wyoming from being killed after the court found the 2019 culling authorization violated the law. The court found that the authorization to try to allow a 10-year livestock grazing period in […]
Gianforte says no ‘larding up’ bills, line-item vetoes $23M in long-term infrastructure spending
Gov. Greg Gianforte this week line-item vetoed about $23 million in spending on 11 projects, including for a veterans cottage in Butte and a conservation area in Yellowstone County, that were part of a $1.2 billion infrastructure spending bill. The governor slashed the portions of House Bill 5 in a letter to legislative leadership sent […]
Montana man convicted in Jan. 6 attack; Oath Keepers founder sentenced to 18 years
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., convicted a Dillon man this week of seven counts, including assault of police officers, tied to his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, while former Montana resident and Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy linked to […]
Whitefish man charged with voter fraud in 2020 election
A Whitefish man was arraigned on two voter fraud charges Thursday in federal court in Missoula that allege he voted with another person’s ballot in the 2020 election. Donald Samuel Hill, 52, pleaded not guilty to two counts – false information in voting and fraudulent voting. Each carry penalties of up to five years in […]
Judge allows Montana youth climate change lawsuit to proceed to trial
A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge this week denied the state’s request for summary judgment in the Montana youth climate change lawsuit, meaning the case is effectively guaranteed to proceed to the trial scheduled to start June 12 in Helena. Judge Kathy Seeley wrote in her Tuesday order in the Held et al […]