Article Summary – In the upcoming primary election for the Montana state auditor position, attorney-turned-politician James Brown and police officer-turned-insurance salesman John Jay Willoughby are leading contenders. Brown, who is leaving his second term on Montana’s utility board, asserts his small business and regulatory experience will make him a highly
Article Summary – Candidates seeking seats in Montana’s Congress have addressed immigration and border management as a crucial issue in the campaign. Montana Free Press questioned candidates about their position on border issues, with many Republican candidates expressing strong criticism towards President Joe Biden’s administration and calling for the resumption
Article Summary – In the process of redetermining Medicaid eligibility post-COVID-19, over 20 million people across the US have been removed from the program. Native Americans are particularly vulnerable to losing coverage and face significant barriers to re-enrolling or finding alternative coverage. The redetermination process has particularly affected rural Indigenous
Article Summary – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will not issue new coal leases in the Powder River Basin, the largest coal-producing region in the U.S. The decision was laid down in a supplemental environmental impact statement, which outlines the agency’s natural resource strategy for the areas. The BLM
Article Summary – Sharyl Allen, a former deputy to current Republican state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and a candidate in the 2024 election, has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer. The charge is related to a state investigation into alleged misconduct by a teacher at Harrison
Article Summary – Attorney General Austin Knudsen is under fire over allegations he violated campaign finance law, after a recording emerged in which he reportedly admits recruiting his primary challenger to raise more campaign funds. The Montana Democratic Party has filed two complaints against Knudsen, arguing that he and his
Article Summary – At a Republican fundraiser, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte presented himself as a different type of Republican, focusing on fiscal responsibility, business-friendly policies, and efficient state government operations rather than on national hot-button issues. Despite advancing many conservative policies in his first term, Gianforte’s approach has led to
Article Summary – Environmental groups are appealing to the Montana Supreme Court to uphold a lower court’s ruling that blocked a 175-megawatt gas plant being built by NorthWestern Energy near the Yellowstone River. The groups argue that the state did not adequately review the plant’s potential greenhouse gas emissions and
Article Summary – Chuck Winn, a long-serving employee of Bozeman city, has been promoted from assistant city manager to interim city manager. He replaces previous city manager Jeff Mihelich, who was dismissed after disparaging comments he made towards city officials were leaked online. Winn’s priorities in his new role include
Article Summary – The clerk of the Montana Supreme Court is a unique, partisan, and elected position. This year’s incumbent, Republican Bowen Greenwood, is running for re-election and argues that a Republican official is essential to balance the court, which he believes is dominated by “extremist, progressive ideologues.” His primary
Article Summary – The Montana Supreme Court clerkship is unique as it is a partisan election every six years and the incumbent, Republican Bowen Greenwood, is seeking re-election. Greenwood believes it’s essential for a Republican official to exist within the high court due to escalating criticism from the GOP in
Article Summary – Republican lawmakers in Montana have called for three special sessions to address political issues in the election cycle. The first call, backed by House Speaker Matt Regier, proposes tighter immigration laws following the arrival of a Venezuelan migrant family in Flathead County. The second request from the
