Montana News

Understanding the Role of a Supreme Court Clerk

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

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Three special session pushes by Republican lawmakers underway

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

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Montana Governor Candidates on Medicaid Expansion Renewal

Article Summary – The Medicaid expansion program in Montana, which provides a public health insurance option for low-income adults and is funded mainly by the federal government, is due to end in June 2025. If the program is not reauthorized by the state lawmakers and governor, approximately 85,000 adults could

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Carroll Celebrates Indigenous Graduate: A Hopeful Example

Article Summary – Jaydee Weatherwax, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, will become one of the first Native Americans to earn a master’s degree in social work from Carroll College, with the college planning its first-ever graduation drumming ceremony in her honor. Weatherwax’s journey was challenging, involving overcoming past trauma,

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Montana’s 2024 Election Guide: MFTP Candidates

Article Summary – In the 2024 election, Montana voters will choose from over 60 candidates to fill 14 state-specific federal and state offices, as well as selecting from more than 300 candidates for positions in the state Legislature. The Montana Free Press has created a digital guide to make sure

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Bozeman’s growth leans on immigrants, struggles to aid them

Article Summary – Bozeman, Montana, a city with a population of around 56,000, has recently seen an influx of immigrant workers from Central America, largely due to a booming construction industry driven by a surge in wealthy people and a multibillion-dollar tech industry. The need for construction workers has resulted

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Buttigieg champions infrastructure bill, Missoula airport expansion

Article Summary – US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, recently visited the Missoula Montana Airport to celebrate the funding and progress of its expansion project, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The airport, which has received $41 million from the law and other sources, undertook a $64.6 million first phase

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Missoula County Delays Controversial Gravel Pit Decision

Article Summary – Western Materials is requesting permission to expand its 80-acre gravel operation, located in a zone designated for low-density residential use. Residents in the local area are against the expansion, citing potential negative impacts on their quality of life, the environment, and their property values. The company proposes

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Montana Legislature vs Judiciary Clash

Article Summary – The newly formed Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform in Montana had its first meeting, which primarily served as a lesson in constitutional law delivered by Jim Ramlow, a non-voting citizen member. The committee was formed by Senate President Jason Ellsworth in response to recent

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Study: Montana Sees Largest Pre-pandemic Drop in Child Medicaid

Article Summary – A study by the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University showed a 27% decline in childhood Medicaid enrollment in Montana between April and December 2023. This was the second-highest drop in the nation, with over four million children nationwide being dis-enrolled. Despite Montana’s Governor and

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Montana Supreme Court Rules in Favor of State in Water Dispute

Article Summary – The Montana Supreme Court has confirmed the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation retains an ownership interest in a water right used to irrigate both private and public land, following a dispute initiated in 2019. The ruling affirms that the state must hold some ownership over

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