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Montana may see 1,000 teacher vacancies leading into 2023-24 school year
State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said Thursday the state could see 1,000 teacher vacancies going into the upcoming school year — or roughly one in 10 positions. “A thousand new teachers or teachers will be requested within our 928 schools across our state, our 402 school districts,” Arntzen said during the Montana Board of Public Education […]
Constitutional questions raised regarding company anonymity in broadband comments
Some private companies want to stay anonymous to comment on a plan for how Montana will use $629 million of federal broadband money. At a Communications Advisory Commission meeting Wednesday, the Department of Administration director said it would be common practice to shield their identities. All comments would be available to the public, but would […]
Montana State Library Commission votes to withdraw from national association
The Montana State Library Commission voted 5-1-1 in favor of withdrawing from the American Libraries Association, citing comments made by the incoming president of the organization where she self-identified as a “Marxist lesbian” in a since-deleted Tweet. “Our oath of office and resulting duty to the Constitution forbids association with an organization led by a […]
Taxpayers mad about high property appraisals, but officials argue tax bills won’t follow suit
GREAT FALLS — Richard Hopkins was one of more than 100 residents to pack a hotel convention center here on Monday to voice frustration over property appraisal notices from the Department of Revenue. Hopkins said his taxes were going to go up $1,500 or so, without any improvements to his property in the 15 years […]
After legislative hurdles, Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway unveiled in Browning
BROWNING — Delphine Old Person cried into Sen. Susan Webber’s shoulder following the unveiling of the Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway on Thursday. A group including Arlen Edwards, the late Old Person’s grandson, played a “victory song” with drums prior to the unveiling of the sign as a dedication to the Browning legislator’s work […]
$10 million going to historic preservation projects across Montana
Montana historical sites, societies and museums, like the “Queen of the Prairie” Fort Peck Theatre, will see more than $10 million in grant funding for more than 40 preservation projects around the state. The Montana Department of Commerce announced the grant awards Thursday that are going to be sent to more than 30 communities, according […]
After killing of unhoused man, Kalispell shelter criticizes ‘increased rhetoric’ from officials
Following the Sunday killing of Scott Bryan in Kalispell, a local shelter mourned the loss of the unhoused man and criticized “increased rhetoric by some community leaders” as spurring threats against people without homes. “We’ve never had violent acts like this toward our homeless community until recently,” read the statement by the Samaritan House. “It […]
Four GOP lawmakers get threatening letters, white powder; substance in one tests as flour
The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office told House Majority Leader Sue Vinton the white powder contained in a suspicious letter she received Monday tested as flour. The Billings representative was the fourth Republican Montana legislator to receive a letter containing white powder since Friday, according to a press release from Senate Republicans, with lawmakers in Kansas […]
Montana anti-LGBTQ+ incidents listed in national extremism report
Two national organizations tracking anti-LGBTQ+ acts across the country included two Montana incidents in a report finding more than 350 instances of harassment, vandalism and assault across the country in the past year. However, Shawn Reagor with the Montana Human Rights Network said the organization identified an additional six incidents in the same period that […]
Library Commissioners concerned about national association’s new ‘Marxist lesbian’ president
The Montana State Library Commission will consider withdrawing from the American Library Association later this summer after a state commissioner raised concerns — splashed in right-wing media outlets — the president-elect is a “self-proclaimed Marxist.” During the commission’s Thursday meeting, Commissioner Tom Burnett proposed the group hold a special meeting in the next three weeks […]
Cascade County Elections Official sees smoother elections process, some attribute to monitor
GREAT FALLS – A $1.5 million mill levy critical for the Great Falls Public Library passed Tuesday night in an election overseen with help from an elections monitor appointed by the court. The Elections Office released the 7,223—6,604 result, unofficial until provisional ballots are counted and canvassed. Election judges and poll watchers working at the […]
Plenty of conspiracies, but few facts at large election fraud summit in Ravalli County
HAMILTON — Former Ravalli County Sheriff Jay Printz took the microphone during a question-and-answer period following a presentation Monday claiming election anomalies and rigging in the county during the 2020 and 2022 elections. “Not a one of these guys here is corrupt or dishonest or doing anything illegal,” Printz said of the panel of elected […]