Education
Sex ed ‘opt-in’ bill returning this session
A longtime Republican lawmaker has revived a legislative effort to require that parents provide written consent for their kids to receive any kind of instruction on human sexuality — a reversal from the current “opt-out” policies that districts in the state generally employ now. The bill would require parental consent for any class material or […]
Bill penalizing doctors for providing medical care transgender youth moves out of committee
The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-8 to pass a heavily amended bill Friday that would penalize doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to transgender youth. House Bill 113 was originally scheduled to be voted on Thursday but was held up by the then pending amendment. The amendment expanded details on the kind of care doctors […]
Buttigieg puts greenhouse gas reduction at center of Biden transportation policy
Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg offered an unapologetic defense of President Joe Biden’s vision for improved transportation and greenhouse gas reductions during a Senate hearing to consider Buttigieg’s nomination for U.S. transportation secretary on Thursday. “We need to build our economy back, better than ever, and the Department of Transportation can play a central […]
Bills restricting trans athletes, abortion, advance
The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed a series of bills restricting abortion and limiting transgender Montanans who wish to participate in interscholastic or college sports in a marathon session that began at 7 a.m. Four of the bills, HB 140, HB 136, HB 171 and HB 167, would require doctors to offer an ultrasound […]
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,” […]
Dr. Anthony Fauci to present for University of Montana
The University of Montana’s 2021 Mansfield Lecture will present the country’s leading infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, in a Zoom conversation at noon Wednesday, Feb. 17, UM announced in a news release Tuesday. Free and open to the public, the discussion is an opportunity for Montanans to hear directly from Fauci on developments in […]
Transgender athletes bill could mean revenue losses for communities
Some Montana colleges and communities could miss out on revenue from hosting sporting events if a bill that would require K-16 athletes to participate on sports teams that align with the gender they were assigned at birth passes in the legislature. But University of Montana Senior Associate Athletic Director Jean Gee said she worries most about […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
Lawmakers consider two bills to regulate transgender youth
A Whitefish Republican wants to ban transgender athletes from competing in K-16 sports — a move a federal judge blocked in a similar bill from Idaho. Idaho District Court Judge David C. Nye said Idaho’s bill “stands in stark contrast to the policies of elite athletic bodies that regulate sports both nationally and globally” when […]
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 […]