Government & Politics
U.S. Supreme Court rules Alabama’s congressional maps violate Voting Rights Act
The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that Alabama’s 2022 congressional maps violated the Voting Rights Act, a ruling that preserves a major part of the law and could lead to new congressional maps in Alabama. A three-judge panel in January 2022 ruled that maps approved by the Alabama Legislature in 2021 […]
June is the wettest month in Montana, but this year, it’s extra rainy in Billings
It’s super soggy in Billings, and most of the state is covered by a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service. Last weekend in just 24 hours, Billings saw nearly six inches of rainfall, said Cory Mottice, warning coordinator with the National Weather Service in Billings. Typically, he said, the total for the month […]
Lauren Boebert sued for defamation in federal court by activist
A North Carolina political activist filed a defamation lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Silt in federal court Thursday. Plaintiffs David Wheeler, who last year publicized information about Boebert in an effort to derail her reelection bid, and the super PAC American Muckrakers claim that Boebert defamed Wheeler by falsely accusing him of defaming […]
On a record day in D.C. for smoke pollution, U.S. Senate panel debates wildfire strategy
As smoke from Canadian wildfires caused the most hazardous air conditions on record in the Washington, D.C., area on Thursday, members of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said that Congress should lift federal firefighter pay and encourage logging to reduce the risk of future blazes. “Smoke from the wildfires burning right now […]
Second lawsuit filed alleges Gianforte used ‘procedural trickery’ to stop popular marijuana bill
A second lawsuit challenging how Senate Bill 442 was handled by Gov. Greg Gianforte and Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has been filed in Lewis and Clark County District Court. The lawsuit was filed at nearly the same time as the Montana Association of Counties filed a similar suit in the same county, seeking […]
Lawmakers, MACO go to court to demand chance to override veto on SB 442, marijuana revenue bill
The Montana Association of Counties, one of the most powerful and influential groups of leaders in the state, is taking on the governor and secretary of state, saying they’re blocking a potential veto override of a key marijuana revenue bill of the 2023 legislature. MACO is suing Gov. Greg Gianforte and Montana Secretary of State […]
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 […]
OPI to run summer meals program for children; Dems call on gov to accept $10M for food
The Office of Public Instruction will administer a nutritious food program this summer that last year meant nearly $2.8 million of federal money in meals and snacks for children, according to the agency. “Last year, there were 748 meals/snacks served by 101 sponsors at 273 sites,” wrote OPI spokesperson Brian O’Leary in an email. It’s […]
U.S. House committee approves bills on whole milk, condemns sheltering migrants in schools
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee on Tuesday passed several bills that are a rebuke of not only the Biden administration’s policies on immigration, child nutrition and healthcare, but regulations from the Obama era. The committee passed a resolution that condemns the use of public schools to shelter undocumented people, a bill […]
Montana Supreme Court rejects Attorney General’s last-minute attempt to stop climate trial
The Montana Supreme Court has rejected a last-minute attempt by the State Attorney General’s Office to stop a lawsuit waged by a group of youth plaintiffs who charge the state has failed to preserve a “clean and healthful” environment for future generations, as guaranteed by the Montana Constitution. On Monday, the Montana Attorney General’s Office […]
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 […]
State asks Montana Supreme Court to halt Montana youth climate trial slated to start next week
A week before the Montana youth climate change trial is set to start, the state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to halt the trial and take supervisory control over the case on the basis the district court judge set to hear the trial made “a mistake of law” in allowing the case to go […]