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Montana nurse, mom, says LR-131 makes ‘a horrible situation so much more traumatic’
Katie Samson remembers the last moment she had with her son, Cooper, as the nurse turned to take his frail body wrapped in a knitted white blanket out of the room. Cooper died just short of 17 weeks gestation. “I just remember her turning her back to walk away, and I said, ‘Oh, wait, just […]
Ronning, Buchanan discuss MMIW crisis during Western Native Voice debate
Democrat Penny Ronning and Independent Gary Buchanan both agree law enforcement need more coordination in tackling the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis and that Indigenous Peoples Day should replace Columbus Day. The Congressional candidates vying for votes in Montana’s second district discussed issues from access to healthcare to criminal justice Thursday in Billings during […]
LR-131 passage could cause ‘exodus’ of healthcare workers in Montana
Montana could lose healthcare professionals to other states if a ballot measure passes to require them to provide medical care for infants born at any stage of development — or potentially face criminal charges — medical leaders said Thursday. Legislative Referendum-131, also called the “Born-Alive Infant Protection Act,” would impose criminal penalties, up to 20 […]
‘Safe and Secure:’ Elections Workgroup gives update following system examination
Montana’s elections practices were found to be “safe and secure” following an examination from a workgroup made up of representatives from organizations and stakeholders across the state. “Both our election administrators and the many volunteers that execute this system are to be commended for their efforts in operating the system that is well put together,” […]
From workforce development to robots? ARPA money moves from training workers to automation
Warren Smeltzer said he oversees the training of about 500 to 600 people a year. He received funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Workforce Training Grant funds, but last month lawmakers decided to reallocate that money to business automation. Smeltzer is the Training Director at the Helena branch of the Laborers’ International Union […]
Gov. Gianforte praises Housing Task Force’s recommendations, calls for starter homes
Gov. Greg Gianforte called for more access to starter homes, like duplexes, townhomes and condos, as he commended the work of the Housing Task Force he assembled, which recently completed its final recommendations. “By doing so, a teacher or a police officer can better afford to live where they work,” Gianforte said at a Task […]
Health care providers tell Secretary of State to correct voter pamphlets over LR-131 inaccuracies
Attorneys representing Montana health care providers said in a letter to the Secretary of State’s Office the 2022 Voter Information Pamphlet contained false information on a ballot measure that would penalize doctors for not performing treatments on “born-alive” infants. The attorneys and doctors are asking Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen to correct the information […]
Lawyers, judges push Gustafson, GOP backs Brown, in justice race analysts deem more partisan
Former Republican Gov. of Montana Marc Racicot had no memory of endorsing a judicial candidate before the Supreme Court race between Justice Ingrid Gustafson, who is running to retain her seat, and GOP-endorsed President of the Public Service Commission James Brown. “I ruminated about it for a long time and my conscience could not be […]
Tester talks veteran’s healthcare, elections and OPEC at Helena town hall
Thirteen year-old Bode Doud skipped school Friday to ask U.S. Sen. Jon Tester about the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and President Joe Biden reconsidering the nation’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. The seventh grader asked for Tester’s thoughts on the issue during a town hall hosted in Helena, the senator’s second in-person […]
Adult-use marijuana sales now legal in Great Falls city limits following judge’s ruling
Great Falls must now allow adult-use marijuana sales within city limits, a district court judge ruled earlier this week. In June, owners of Green Creek Dispensary sued the city, arguing Great Falls contradicted new measures passed by the Legislature in 2021 by not processing a certificate the business needed to operate and claiming it went […]
Montana State Library Commission votes to accept new, slightly altered logo
The Montana State Library Commission voted 4-2 on Wednesday to adopt a new logo featuring a prism design and colors similar to an earlier rejected proposal that proved controversial to some for resembling the Pride flag. At the meeting, commissioners generally praised the new design despite the controversy it had caused earlier and ensuing delay. […]
Ronning, Buchanan spar over government spending on climate during debate in Billings
Democrat Penny Ronning and Independent Gary Buchanan split hairs over government spending on climate change during a debate in Billings on Wednesday. Democrat Ronning said that one of the biggest differences between her and Independent Buchanan was their support for Build Back Better, President Joe Biden’s economic and climate package that passed this year as […]