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Montanans line up to vote on Election Day
Tanner Dodd stood in line outside the Elections Center in Missoula County on Election Day waiting to vote in person. “My dog spilled coffee on my ballot as I was voting,” Dodd said. Pup Zetta, 1 year old, is half German shepherd and half husky, and one appendage got in the way. “She’s got a […]
Two top DOJ employees resign, office confirms
Two top officials in Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office resigned, KTVH reported earlier this week and Knudsen’s office confirmed. Chief Deputy Attorney General Derek Oestreicher and Solicitor General David Dewhirst have stepped down. KTVH reports Dewhirst will be replaced by Christian Corrigan, who previously served as Assistant Solicitor General, and that his last day was […]
University of Montana, Montana State hold post-election forums next week
Will legislators be nasty or nice to each other? And how will election results affect Montanans? The University of Montana and Montana State University-Bozeman are each holding forums next week on those topics. The Zoom events are free and open to the public. UM Nov. 9: “Can Civility Prevail in the Montana Legislature?” UM hosts […]
With less than a week left, here’s how to vote in Montana
Ballots have been out in Montana since mid-October, and Tuesday, the Secretary of State’s office reported just over 45 percent of absentee ballots it mailed were returned already. For voters who have yet to register or vote in this year’s midterm election, here’s how, according to the Secretary of State: Registered voters who are 18 […]
DPHHS sending $2.7 million to detention centers for behavioral health programs
The state’s health department is sending nearly $3 million to detention centers across the state to fund substance abuse treatment programs, according to a news release. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services awarded Behavioral Health Services in Local Detention Facilities grants to: Yellowstone County ($536,118) Missoula County ($567,253) Lewis and Clark County […]
Tech workforce development program launches at state prison
A workforce development program centered on building skills in technology was launched at the Montana State Prison Tuesday, according to a news release. The Last Mile, which started in San Quentin in 2010, teaches incarcerated individuals web development fundamentals to help transition folks into employment upon release. The program exists in six states and touts […]
Gianforte, unions announce state employee pay plan proposal
Following extensive bargaining, Gov. Greg Gianforte and public employee unions this week reached an agreement for the state pay plan, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office. Covering the 2024-2025 biennium, the agreement includes wage increases, health benefit cost freezes, one-time payments, and other contractual changes, according to the news release. It characterized […]
Man who swore, yelled, tried to get naked on flight, will pay more than $14K in restitution
A swearing airline passenger who started to strip on a cross-country flight that was diverted to Billings because of his antics will pay $14,500 in restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a news release Thursday. Adam Alexander Williams, who also jumped onto a beverage cart, pleaded guilty in June to interfering with flight attendants […]
USDOJ: Butte nurse sentenced for stealing opiates from multiple medical centers
A Butte nurse who admitted to stealing opiates while working at area medical centers was sentenced last week to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a news release. Shantyl Marie Giacoletto, 30, pleaded guilty in June to unlawfully obtaining […]
FWP: Hunter survives attack by grizzly bear near Choteau; bear euthanized
A 51-year-old hunter from Washington state sustained non-life threatening injuries when he was attacked by a grizzly bear on Tuesday afternoon in Teton County, according to a news release Wednesday from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In the likely surprise encounter, FWP noted the hunter fired at the grizzly with a shotgun and handgun, wounding […]
Montana Farmers Union announces congressional candidates town hall; GOPs decline
In a Twitter post, the Montana Farmers Union said people can hear from candidates for the state’s U.S. House of Representatives races during a live congressional candidate town hall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial – Marriott. In a phone call, the Farmers Union said Democrat […]
Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices announced resignation
Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan announced that he would be stepping down from the position in a Twitter thread earlier this week. Mangan had been appointed to the position in 2017 and his term was set to expire in January. He said on Twitter Monday that he would be leaving Nov. 7, the […]