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Montana lawmaker: Bill could cost MSU, UM $4.5M each
A bill that would allow guns on campus could cost Montana State University and the University of Montana at least $4.5 million each – every year – said Sen. Diane Sands, a Missoula Democrat. “These are expensive costs when we have a university system that also struggles to be adequately supported in our state budget,” […]
Sen. Webber: ‘Inequities are glaring’
Susan Webber taught Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech in her American government class at Blackfeet Community College. “I always go back to his speech,” said Webber, a state senator from Browning. “And that was one of the great speeches of all time. It not only spoke to the African American community, […]
House leader shuts down gunshot story
Rep. Jim Keane got shut down Wednesday during a hearing on a gun bill in the Montana House when he tried to talk about getting shot in 1957 while getting a Christmas tree. “You ever suffered a gunshot wound, representative?” Keane asked Rep. Seth Berglee, sponsor of House Bill 102. Berglee, who served in the […]
Montana tribal campuses to put historic donations to housing, transportation, more
Tribal college presidents say MacKenzie Scott's historic donation will allow them to plan for the future and address immediate needs, such as housing, transportation and internet connectivity. Salish Kootenai College, Chief Dull Knife College, and the Blackfeet Community College all received gifts.
Pandemic pinches enrollment throughout Montana University System
When the pandemic hit the Treasure State in March, Montana campuses started preparing for the worst. Montana State University in Bozeman budgeted for a $12.3 million drop in tuition revenue from a high of $145.1 million the previous fiscal year, or an 8 percent slide, according to data from the Montana Office of the Commissioner […]
Glacier Park sees record October, spike in November
Everybody wants to be first in line to make a reservation for the historic Granite Park Chalet or Sperry Chalet inside Glacier National Park. That was one observation Monday from Kevin Warrington, chalet coordinator, the day the backcountry lodges opened for reservations for the 2021 season. “So it’s not unusual for there to be thousands […]
Bill to broaden places firearms can be carried advances
A bill that aims to broaden the places people can legally carry firearms — and strike down the Montana Board of Regents’ authority to regulate guns on college campuses — advanced Monday on party lines. The House Judiciary Committed voted 12-7 to move House Bill 102 forward. The bill is proposed by Rep. Seth Berglee, […]
Gianforte’s budget to boost new teacher pay
Teachers in Montana run roughly in the middle of the pack when it comes to average salaries across the country, according to education officials here. But new teachers? In the Treasure State, rookies take home the smallest paychecks of those in all other states. Thursday, education officials who represent schools and educators said Gov. Greg […]
Court: ‘No reasonable expectation of privacy’
The Montana Supreme Court opinion dismissing a former soccer coach’s claim the University of Montana violated his privacy when it released information from an audit of his cellphone underscores a long-held legal principle in the Treasure State, according to a lawyer with expertise in open government. “If a public employee occupies a position of public […]
‘Tuition freeze’ a priority for Dems; GOP leader said it’s unlikely
When Allison Reinhardt testifies at the Capitol for the 2021 Montana Legislature, she’ll advocate on behalf of some 40,000 students. Among their needs? Food. “Our food pantry, ‘Bounty of the Bridgers,’ has been hard pressed lately because there are so many people who are food insecure right now, especially in family and graduate housing,” said […]
Montana AG Knudsen favors gun expansion bill
Montana’s top law enforcement officer, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, testified Wednesday in favor of a bill that would reduce restrictions on firearms in Montana, such as a general prohibition against guns on college campuses. “I think this is a very clear mandate from the voters of Montana,” Knudsen said. In a hearing of House Bill […]
Tester condemns ‘attack on our democracy’
(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester denounced Wednesday the move by 12 other senators objecting to the Electoral College results. “I join my Republican and Democratic colleagues in condemning this despicable and dangerous attack on our democracy,” said Tester, a Democrat, in a statement. “The election is over — and the time for baseless […]