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Montana begins process of ‘redetermining’ Medicaid eligibility for residents
Nearly 7,900 Montanans may lose Medicaid coverage by the end of the month. For comparison purposes, that’s roughly the number of people who live in Whitefish. And, even though the process, plans and communication have been anticipated, the state is beginning its initial round of “redetermination” for the federal medical insurance program administered through the […]
From my cold dead hand: Gun groups perpetuate militia myth to keep whatever arms they dream of
About the Second Amendment: I have questions. I cannot wrap my lizard-sized brain around the notion that the reason for people to keep and own guns is to protect against tyranny. Spare me the historical discourses about the establishment of the Second Amendment, because I realize a bunch of a rag-tag colonists rose up against […]
TikTok files suit against State of Montana’s ban in federal court
In a court filing that chronicles how it stores data and protects minors, TikTok has responded to Montana’s first-of-its-kind ban on the social media app, which was signed into law earlier this month by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. TikTok Inc., is suing the State of Montana to strike the recently passed law, alleging a number […]
Gianforte vetoes bill that would provide funding for law enforcement on Flathead reservation
Rep. Joe Read described what he thinks will happen next on the Flathead Indian Reservation when it comes to law enforcement. “The governor has walked into a buzzsaw by vetoing this,” Read said. Last week, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed House Bill 479 which would have provided funding for law enforcement on the the Flathead […]
We thought we won: State argues it shouldn’t be held in contempt for birth certificate rules
Attorneys for the State of Montana have argued that the state should not be held in contempt next week in Yellowstone County District court because lawyers with the state’s Attorney’s General Office believed a unanimous Supreme Court decision handed them, not the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, “a win.” In a case that stretches […]
Montana influencers file lawsuit on state TikTok ban in federal court
How is Montana’s newly enacted TikTok ban illegal? Well, lawyers for five popular TikTok users in the Treasure State have counted the ways, and they’ve told a federal judge that there are at least six legal problems with the first-of-its-kind ban which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024 unless otherwise stopped. […]
Groups add two more recently signed abortion law to legal challenge
Almost as soon as Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed four abortion bills into law, groups challenging new abortion restrictions in the state amended their lawsuit to include two more bills into their plea for a preliminary injunction that would halt the laws from going into effect. The paperwork was sent to the Lewis and Clark […]
Gianforte’s legal analysis may be flawed, but his family bona fides are even worse
I don’t know if Gov. Greg Gianforte has read the Montana Constitution. I will assume he has. I don’t know if Gov. Gianforte has read the U.S. Constitution. I will assume he has. At various points in his political career, he’s sworn an oath to uphold, defend and protect both of them. Implicit in the […]
Hamm announces bid for Congress
Kevin Hamm told a crowd gathered in the backyard of a downtown Billings house that he can help unify the state behind one shared value that transcends both political parties – a belief in being stubbornly independent. As he announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, he said the spirit that has made […]
Montana Supreme Court says advance practice nurses can perform abortion care
The Montana Supreme Court unanimously upheld the decision of a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge who ruled that advanced-practice nurse practitioners and other mid-level medical providers can perform both surgical and medication abortion in Montana, in a ruling issued Friday. The State of Montana and the Legislature argued that due to the risk […]
Federal court must decide whether BIA should be held responsible for officer’s sexual assault
In a case that has been to the Montana Supreme Court and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals twice, a federal judge moved closer to determining whether the U.S. government is liable for a law enforcement officer who coerced a woman into having sex with him while on duty and impregnating her. The criminal […]
Group says it plans to sue state, feds because they’re failing to protect grizzlies from trapping
A citizens’ task force says that it plans on suing both the state and federal government for not protecting grizzly bears because of the state’s zeal to enact expanded trapping and hunting laws without regard to the bears. The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen task force has sent the 60-day notice of intent to sue the United States […]