Briefs
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 […]
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, […]
Morrison backs out of Supreme Court chief justice race, endorses Lynch
Former state auditor John Morrison announced Tuesday he was bowing out of the race to be Montana’s next Supreme Court Chief Justice and endorsing the only other candidate in the race so far, former federal magistrate Jeremiah “Jerry” Lynch. “I do not want to waste resources or create divisions that could undermine our shared commitment […]
Gianforte recognizes vets ahead of 2023 Veteran Commendation announcement
Gov. Greg Gianforte recognized four of the 51 veterans who received the 2022 Governor’s Veteran Commendation in a ceremony at the state Capitol on Monday ahead of his announcement of the 2023 recipients this Friday. He awarded the four recipients – Army Captain Steven Page of Billings, Navy Petty Officer Paul Thomae of Laurel, Air […]
Heat repaired at state prison after going out last week
People who are incarcerated at the Montana State Prison have heat again after a system breakdown last week left 51 inmates without it, according to a Department of Corrections press release late Wednesday. The heat went out on Friday, leaving inmates in the low-security side of the prison without heat for five days, as first […]
Gov. Gianforte meets with President Tsai of Taiwan
Gov. Greg Gianforte met Tuesday with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan to strengthen Montana’s relationship with its longstanding partner and ally, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office. “Montana and Taiwan share nearly four decades of history as trading partners and friends, built on our common values of individual liberty, innovation, and free enterprise,” […]
Group presents expert on how to combat election misinformation
University of Montana Journalism Professor Lee Banville will present a program on how to identify and debunk bad election information. “Preparing for the Flood: Misinformation in 2024” will be presented by the Helena League of Women Voters’ program at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 6. He will be presenting in-person at the Lewis & Clark Library, and […]
FWP chief of operations pleads not guilty to hunting without landowner permission
The chief of operations for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks pleaded not guilty last week to failing to obtain a landowner’s permission for hunting in Lewis and Clark County. Mike Volesky, the FWP chief of operations, is next due in Lewis and Clark County Justice Court Nov. 21 for a pre-trial hearing, according to court […]
Montana Public Service Commission to take up NorthWestern rate hike
The Montana Public Service Commission will take up Wednesday a long-awaited decision on a rate case that could lead to 28% higher electric bills for NorthWestern Energy customers as proposed in a contested settlement. The PSC, which regulates monopoly utilities, takes up the matter 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for a decision. The increase was characterized at […]
Billings man indicted over alleged threats to kill Rep. Kevin McCarthy
A Billings man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court to making phone calls threatening to kill then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in February. Richard Lee Rogers, 44, was indicted by a grand jury on Sept. 21 on one count of threatening to injure and murder a member of Congress in regards to his official duties, […]
Hunter kills grizzly near Ennis in alleged self-defense
A hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear Saturday in the Gravelly Range mountains outside Ennis, according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks press release. The release said the grizzly charged the hunter, who then shot and killed the bear at close range in self-defense, according to FWP. The agency said the grizzly was […]
Former state auditor and previous federal magistrate running in Chief Justice race
Both former state auditor John Morrison and former federal magistrate Jeremiah Lynch filed to run for Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice seat, according to the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices website.