Author
Ehrlick: We must choose our words more carefully
By: Darrell Ehrlick - January 8, 2021
There’s the phrase: Elections have consequences. The day after a coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol, that phrase sounds a little plastic, a little overmatched. Good Lord, I never thought I’d have to write “coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol.” And if Wednesday’s rebellion has taught us anything – and by the grace of that […]
Judge tosses newspaper lawsuit, rules school district didn’t violate First Amendment
By: Darrell Ehrlick - January 6, 2021
ROUNDUP – A Musselshell County Judge has ruled that Roundup Public Schools didn’t violate a media company’s First Amendment rights when it barred reporters and broadcasters from attending girls’ volleyball games. Judge Randal I. Spaulding denied the Yellowstone County News a preliminary injunction, which would have forced the district to allow the media company owning […]
Small media group challenges getting booted from covering rival’s sports events
By: Darrell Ehrlick - January 6, 2021
BILLINGS—Sports rivalries run deep in any high school. Now, a court battle in central Montana may take it to a different level. Yellowstone County News and its sister radio station, KFHW, have been stymied from covering school sporting events at Roundup High School, a rival of several of the high schools in the newspaper and […]
Rosendale joins with Daines to contest election results
By: Darrell Ehrlick and Keith Schubert - January 5, 2021
Rep. Matt Rosendale, Montana’s lone representative in the United States House, announced Tuesday that he will vote against the certification of the presidential election claiming there are widespread and credible allegations of fraud, despite the absence of evidence validating those claims. With his decision, Rosendale joined U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana in voting against […]
Auditor denounces political prayer that invoked reseating Trump, prosecuting evil Deep State
By: Darrell Ehrlick - January 5, 2021
What was supposed to be a simple prayer for wisdom and blessings, turned out to be a fiery political sermon at the swearing-in ceremony of State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Troy Downing. Downing’s office confirmed that neither he nor his staff had seen the prayer before the ceremony and did not know […]
Ehrlick: Introducing the Daily Montanan. You’re always welcome here.
By: Darrell Ehrlick - January 5, 2021
Nearly a year ago, I left The Billings Gazette fairly certain about two things — first, that we needed more journalists, not fewer, and that my run in the profession was done. Like so many things in life, I was half right. We still need more journalists: One study recently reported that nearly eight in every […]
Gianforte sets staff appointments
By: Darrell Ehrlick - January 5, 2021
Gov. Greg Gianforte issued a preliminary list of senior staff members, their titles and salaries. Under Montana law, public officials’ salaries are public record. However, in an effort to be transparent, Gianforte released these voluntarily and ahead of his inauguration. Kurt Alme, budget director: $130,000 Charlie Brereton, health care policy advisor: $78,000 Sonny Capece, economic […]