Briefs
Montana public officials clash on Gallatin bar case
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert argued Thursday over whether Knudsen can order the county to throw out a case against a bar that broke local COVID-19 rules. The Gallatin City-County Board of Health and Health Officer Matt Kelley sued Rocking R Bar in late 2020 after it stayed open […]
Permitless carry bill passes state House
A bill to allow permitless carry of concealed firearms in much of the state of Montana sailed through the state House on third reading Thursday, passing 66-31 with little fanfare on party lines. HB102, a top priority for a broad Republican majority newly liberated with a governor from their own party, would also remove the […]
Gov. Gianforte activates Army National Guard for inauguration at U.S. Capitol
HELENA, Mont. — In response to a request from the National Guard Bureau and federal authorities, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Thursday that Montana will send 150 Army National Guard soldiers to the nation’s capital for the upcoming presidential inauguration. “The Montana National Guard has a long, proud history of supporting our state and nation,” Gianforte […]
Gov. Greg Gianforte announces board appointments
In a news release sent out Wednesday evening, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced appointments to the Board Environmental Review, the Transportation Commission, the Fish and Wildlife Commission and the State Parks and Recreation Board. Below are the following appointments provided by Gianforte’s office: Board of Environmental Review Steven P. Ruffatto, Columbus. Qualification: Hydrology. Ruffatto has been an […]
Montana Public Radio hosts special tribute to MLK on Jan 18
Montana Public Radio, in conjunction with Whitefish-based “Love Lives Here,” will broadcast a 90-minute radio special featuring a special lineup of speakers at 8 p.m., Jan. 18, commemorating the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The 1963 March on Washington is best remembered for Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. A quarter […]
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, […]
Second lawmaker announces COVID-19 diagnosis
Rep. Fiona Nave, a Republican from Columbus, has tested positive for COVID-19, the Legislature announced Monday afternoon. Nave, the second legislator to come forward with a positive diagnosis, has not been at the state capitol in person since the legislative session began. She received her test results yesterday, according to an announcement from Sen. Jason […]
Gianforte: Scott Osterman to lead Commerce
HELENA – Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Monday his nomination of Scott Osterman to lead the Montana Department of Commerce. “Getting our economy going again, getting Montana open for business, and getting Montanans back to work and thriving in good-paying jobs require a strong leader at the Department of Commerce,” said Gianforte in a news release. […]
Amendments coming to COVID-19 liability shield bill
Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick intends to amend legislation he proposed that would shield businesses and non-profits from coronavirus-related civil liability in response to concerns from committee witnesses he heard Friday, the Great Falls Republican told the Daily Montanan. The bill, a top priority of Gov. Greg Gianforte, would increase the legal standards necessary to bring a case […]
Rep. Bedey tests positive for COVID-19
State Rep. David Bedey has tested positive for COVID-19, the Legislature’s coronavirus panel said Thursday night. Bedey contracted the virus “via a non-legislative, non-Capitol contact that occurred prior to the start of the session,” legislative COVID-19 Panel Presumptive Chair Jason Ellsworth announced. He is asymptomatic and in quarantine. Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, said in a statement that […]
Gianforte taps Kuhl to lead Department of Indian Affairs
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced in a news release Wednesday that Misty Kuhl will lead the Department of Indian of Affairs for his administration. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Montana and our Native nations, and am excited to build on Jason’s Smith’s work for the last eight years. I love our vibrant, resilient, […]
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 […]