News

Workers at 38 GM and Stellantis auto suppliers called to join UAW strike 

BY: - September 22, 2023

Workers at a total of 38 auto parts plants will join the United Auto Workers strike against Detroit Three auto manufacturers – Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. All the parts distribution facilities for General Motors and Stellantis across the country are called to the stand up and strike at noon Friday. The UAW declared the […]

‘Ride for their lives’ event in Billings will focus on climate change

BY: - September 22, 2023

Montana healthcare providers are sponsoring a “Ride for Their Lives” bike ride to draw attention to the fact that our kids’ health is negatively affected by climate change.  From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, sponsors Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate and Billings Trailnet, in cooperation with the Children’s Clinic of Billings […]

‘Get ready’: Texas Attorney General promises retribution after impeachment trial

BY: - September 22, 2023

Newly reinstated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton went on a tour of conservative talk radio Thursday morning, revealing new details about his impeachment trial and political ambitions. Among other things, Paxton discussed how much the trial cost him — over $4 million — and vowed to get involved in primary challenges to House Republicans who […]

Clarence Thomas secretly participated in Koch Network donor events

BY: , and - September 22, 2023

This story was produced and originally published by ProPublica,  a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ decadeslong friendship with real estate tycoon Harlan Crow and Samuel Alito’s luxury travel with billionaire Paul Singer have raised questions about influence and ethics at the nation’s highest court. On Jan. 25, 2018, dozens of private […]

Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office

BY: - September 22, 2023

WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday announced the formation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention that will help states and local governments as they implement a gun safety legislative package President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Lacking additional action in Congress to curb gun violence, “the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along […]

U.S. House passes Wounded Knee memorial bill

BY: - September 22, 2023

The U.S. House approved by voice vote Wednesday a bill that would help protect land at the site of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota, where an estimated 350 Lakota were killed by U.S. soldiers. The site is within the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River […]

Montana to apply for federal money for children’s meals for summer 2024

BY: - September 21, 2023

Montana’s health department director said last week the state is applying in January for the next round of federal money that helps pay for meals for children in the summer. Educators and others in the state who work with schools and raise money to feed hungry kids said this week they hope the state follows […]

Former state health department employee admitted stealing nearly $90,000 in federal assistance

BY: - September 21, 2023

A former employee with the state health department admitted to stealing nearly $90,000 from federal assistance programs by submitting false information on applications. According to a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release, Heather Marie Bugni, 34, of Butte, was a client services coordinator for six years and processed applications and approved benefits for multiple programs including […]

‘If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war’: Zelenskyy asks Congress to help Ukraine

BY: and - September 21, 2023

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers to reiterate the need for continued aid to support his country’s fight against the Russian invasion, even as the U.S. faces a partial government shutdown as soon as the end of the month. “If we don’t get the aid, […]

Updated: Yellowstone extends comment period for bison management plan after high volume of comments

BY: - September 21, 2023

Given the volume of comments, Yellowstone National Park has extended the public comment period for its draft Bison Management Environmental Impact Statement until Oct. 10. “We’ve received nearly 2,000 comments so far,” a park spokesperson said Thursday in an email. “At the end of the 60-day public comment period, we’ll analyze and consider all of […]

Shutdown inches closer as U.S. House GOP fails to pass defense bill, lawmakers exit D.C.

BY: - September 21, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans were unable for a third time Thursday to begin debate on the Defense funding bill, throwing another wrench into Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership tenure. The 212-216 vote that rejected the rule for the $826 billion Defense spending measure was unexpected, coming less than a day after House GOP lawmakers gathered in a […]

Biden administration offers temporary protection to Venezuelan migrants 

BY: - September 21, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced late Wednesday that the agency will expand protected status to nearly half a million Venezuelan nationals, allowing them to live and work in the United States. The move comes after multiple requests from cities that have struggled to house asylum seekers and calls from […]