News
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. Gianforte preserves former Gov. Bullock’s COVID-19 directives
Gov. Greg Gianforte updated his COVID-19 executive order Thursday to clarify that directives put in place by former Gov. Steve Bullock will remain in effect as long as they do not conflict with Gianforte’s new executive order. The update to Republican Gianforte’s executive order also states that all government-issued regulations that rely on Democrat Bullock’s […]
Confusion, conspiracy in COVID-19 panel
Republicans continued to resist a mask requirement at the Montana Capitol as lawmakers on the Legislature’s COVID-19 response panel were again treated Thursday to the whole range of heterodox perspectives on the virus that abounds in the state. Colorful public testimony from Montanans frustrated with the Capitol for all manner of reasons capped off the slow-moving […]
Colorado strikes back: Says Space Command decision was politically motivated
The U.S. Air Force has selected Huntsville, Ala., as the permanent headquarters for the U.S. Space Command, passing over the command’s existing base in Colorado Springs, the Air Force said Wednesday. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, both Democrats, raised concerns that President Donald Trump overruled military decision-makers and made the decision […]
House leader shuts down gunshot story
Rep. Jim Keane got shut down Wednesday during a hearing on a gun bill in the Montana House when he tried to talk about getting shot in 1957 while getting a Christmas tree. “You ever suffered a gunshot wound, representative?” Keane asked Rep. Seth Berglee, sponsor of House Bill 102. Berglee, who served in the […]
Montana Dems tout three healthcare bills
After last week’s proposal by legislative Republicans to establish a baseline budget for the state’s health and human services budget $1 billion lower than what fellow GOP Gov. Greg Gianforte recommended, the Democrats offered their vision of legislation that would help Montanans. On Wednesday, a group of lawmakers presented three bills that would change healthcare […]
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 […]
House committee signs off on new loans for affordable rentals
A legislative panel voted Wednesday to double the amount of money that the state can loan to developers of rental homes for low and middle-income Montanans — a move that advocates say is a small step towards addressing the state’s growing affordable housing crisis. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday recommended passage of the bill, […]
Gianforte announces directive to lift capacity and hour restrictions of bars and restaurants
Keeping with the theme of a COVID-19 response that shifts responsibility from government mandates to individuals, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Wednesday a new directive that lifts restrictions on hours and capacity of bars, restaurants and casinos. “Many of the folks we talked to were very frustrated. They were loud and clear: They feel the layers […]
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.
Dems call for Gianforte to reconsider flag proclamation
Democrats in the Montana Senate are urging Gov. Greg Gianforte to order flags across the state to be lowered to half staff, following a proclamation by President Donald J. Trump. Senate Minority Leader Jill Cohenour of East Helena asked Gianforte to reconsider his decision not to lower flags in honor of U.S. Capitol Police Officers […]
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 […]