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Alleging ‘gross injustice’ by Lake County judge, lawyers ask MTSupCo to step in
Two attorneys are asking the Montana Supreme Court to take over a case that resulted in a 5-year-old child being taken from his mother on the spot in a “draconian transition” the judge said would build the child’s “stress muscles” — despite no evidence she is “anything but a good mother.” That’s part of the […]
Grizzly spotted in Missouri River Breaks on American Prairie land
The grizzly bear that wandered far enough into the Missouri River Breaks to warrant a celebration was probably eating chokecherries along the rivers and streams and maybe sniffing its way to hunters’ gut piles. “That’s a possibility,” said Wesley Sarmento, bear management specialist with Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “Bears have been eating leftover hunter kills […]
Montana prisoners in Arizona after $8M CoreCivic deal
The Montana Department of Corrections inked a $7.9 million deal this week with private prison company CoreCivic to house 120 inmates for the next two years – and the first 30 inmates are already in Arizona. The hot-button deal was a contentious portion of 2023 infrastructure and criminal justice legislation. The Montana State Prison in […]
Montana Libertarian launches U.S. Senate campaign
Libertarian Sid Daoud of Kalispell has announced a run for the U.S. Senate. “There has never been a more urgent time in our history for the United States to focus on individual liberty, federal fiscal responsibility, and rebuilding our economy through an unfettered free market,” Daoud said in a statement. “Curbing federal overreach immediately is […]
Historic election, shakeup, in mayor’s races in Missoula, Bozeman
Missoula hasn’t had a woman elected as mayor since 1947, but that changed Tuesday, and Andrea Davis will be sworn into office later this month. Tuesday, voters overwhelmingly backed Davis, director of the housing nonprofit Homeword, over Realtor and Missoula City Councilor Mike Nugent. Bozeman saw a shakeup in its mayor’s race as well, with […]
Montana PSC didn’t consider lower income customers in NorthWestern settlement, says new motion
Low-income power customers will absorb the biggest hit from steep increases in NorthWestern Energy rates, but the Montana Public Service Commission didn’t consider them in its recent order. The PSC also failed to direct the utility to improve efforts that are supposed to help people who earn less. Those are a couple of the arguments […]
Ryan Busse confirms 1998 hunting ticket, said honest mistake, fixed immediately
Gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse confirmed Tuesday he received a hunting ticket in 1998, but the Democrat also took a shot at Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s record. Lee Enterprises reported this week a records request showed Busse was cited 25 years ago for taking game birds without a license, and he paid a $120 fine. Tuesday, […]
High power bill? NorthWestern, Energy Share, other programs can help
Your power bill is likely going up, but you might qualify for help. The Montana Public Service Commission recently approved a settlement that means NorthWestern Energy electric rates will be 24% higher than where they were in August 2022 — or 8% higher than a couple of weeks ago. A couple of parties have filed […]
Montana PSC asked to reconsider rate hike for NorthWestern customers
The Public Service Commission needs to reconsider its recent rate hike for NorthWestern Energy because its order invents a “magical” new standard to evaluate costs — one with no legal authority — and sends shareholders $3.4 million that belongs to Montanans. So says part of a motion to reconsider filed last week by 350 Montana, […]
Wrestling program in Kalispell School District subject of new complaint
The parent of a high school wrestler is alleging the Kalispell School District and officials with a standout wrestling program failed to protect her son from a sexual assault and permitted a culture and “tradition” of hazing in a lawsuit filed last week following three related federal complaints. In the lawsuit filed last Monday in […]
U.S. Forest Service may face steep fine for leaks at Holland Lake wastewater system
The U.S. Forest Service could be fined as much as $10,000 a day for violations related to leaks and unreported, unapproved repairs at the wastewater treatment system at Holland Lake, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The Forest Service confirmed this week the system isn’t receiving any new waste, and the DEQ said […]
Judge: University of Montana did not discriminate in Schweyen lawsuit
The University of Montana’s decision to not renew Shannon Schweyen’s contract as head coach of the Lady Griz was not discriminatory; rather, it followed persistent complaints about a toxic team culture and a demand Schweyen make improvements, a U.S. District Court judge in Missoula ruled Tuesday. “Based upon the undisputed evidence in the record, a […]