Montana News

Missoula Superfund site transformation into lively neighborhood starts

Article Summary – The Scott Street-Ravara housing development, built on a former contaminated lumber mill site in Missoula, is under construction and includes 89 homes and 200+ apartments. The project involves 46 income-qualified and 43 market-rate condos and townhouses, along with 220-225 apartments and 35,000 sq ft of commercial space

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Sec. of State issues SB 442 veto override poll

Article Summary – Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen sent a poll, as ordered by a state district court, asking lawmakers whether they want to override Governor Greg Gianforte’s veto of Senate Bill 442, a marijuana tax reallocation measure. The bill, which initially passed the Legislature with broad bipartisan support,

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Montana Supreme Court Advances Abortion Ballot Proposal

Article Summary – The Montana Supreme Court has overruled the state attorney general’s claim that an initiative to protect abortion rights is legally insufficient. The court found that the proposal submitted by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana did not confuse voters nor conflict with other parts of the Constitution. However,

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Contest to Succeed Supreme Court Justice Sandefur Underway

Article Summary – Three candidates are competing to replace retiring Montana Supreme Court Justice Dirk Sandefur: Flathead County District Court Judge Dan Wilson, 7th Judicial District Judge Katherine Bidegaray and former Republican lawmaker Jerry O’Neil. While the candidates are officially nonpartisan, the race is marked by the politics of constitutional

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China’s Stance on Washington’s TikTok Ban Furor

TL/DR – U.S. lawmakers have passed a bill that would force Chinese company ByteDance to sell the popular app TikTok or face a ban in the United States. The move follows a failed attempt by former president Donald Trump in 2020 to force a sale of the app, which was

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Alternative State Supreme Court Race

Article Summary – The race to replace retiring Montana Supreme Court Justice Dirk Sandefur features two district court judges and a former Republican legislator who is not a member of the bar. The two judges vying for the seat are Flathead County District Court Judge Dan Wilson and 7th Judicial

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Many Montana property owners to receive supplemental tax bills

Article Summary – Officials from 49 of Montana’s 56 counties are having to send supplemental property tax bills to numerous property owners following a Supreme Court ruling. The ruling was related to a dispute over the state’s “95 mill” school equalization property tax with Gov. Greg Gianforte. The amount of

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Lawmakers Criticize Arntzen for K-12 Agency Delays in Montana

Article Summary – Montana lawmakers have criticised state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen’s refusal to attend a legislative committee meeting about new education laws. Arntzen was accused of not meeting her constitutional obligation, and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) was criticised for delayed implementation of new laws and poor communication with

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Global firm set to acquire Montana public assistance contract

Article Summary – The Montana state health department has awarded Maximus Federal Services a $15 million contract to deliver employment assistance and training for some public assistance recipients until September 2025. The move, aimed at creating consistency, expanding access, and increasing efficiency in employment and training programs, sees the state

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2024 Election Bracket Set After Candidate Filing Deadline

Article Summary – The candidate filing period for elected office in Montana has closed, with 416 people running for a variety of positions, from the U.S. Senate to state Legislature. Prominent races include incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Tester facing several challengers, with Republican businessman Tim Sheehy being the primary contender.

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Dems Support Tester Amid Activist Pressure on Gaza Ceasefire

Article Summary – Montana Democrats, including party executive director Sheila Hogan, gathered at the annual Mansfield Metcalf dinner to rally ahead of the 2024 election, with U.S. Sen. Jon Tester seen as a crucial figure for the party. House Minority Leader Kim Abbott emphasized their goal to win at least

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