Austin Knudsen

Gov. Gianforte issues disaster declaration over storm damage; State senator Jason Ellsworth faces official misconduct charges; Gallatin County appoints replacement for open legislative seat.

A second ballot initiative that would ensure Montana’s judicial elections are nonpartisan is advancing. The initiative was tied up in court when its backers and Attorney General Austin Knudsen disagreed over its wording.

Montana’s top attorney will lead the Republican effort to elect more conservative attorneys general next year. State officials are looking for a site in Laurel to build a new mental health facility for criminal defendants.

A proposed ballot initiative to keep Montana’s judicial elections nonpartisan is advancing after the state Supreme Court ruled that the attorney general overstepped by rewriting the measure.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has stalled or altered multiple proposed ballot initiatives. Backers of a campaign finance initiative are challenging his actions in court.

An Anaconda resident says prosecutors relied on illegally-obtained evidence to convict him of a felony. The country’s highest court will soon weigh in.

The manhunt for the suspected shooter who left four dead in an Anaconda bar continues five days after the incident. State officials gave an update on their efforts Tuesday as residents of the town struggle to come to grips with the shooting.

Montana’s Flathead Valley cherry industry relies heavily on migrant labor. This year, President Donald Trump’s immigration policies threw the industry into a new level of uncertainty. This year, workers hesitated to cross state lines.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen asked the Montana Supreme Court Friday to dismiss any punishment for violating rules of conduct. The charges stem from strong language the attorney general used to rebuke the high court in a 2021 case.

More hard feelings erupt in the state Senate. State lawmakers appear poised to ban trans women from competing in women's sports. And Sen. Tim Sheehy says Elon Musk is doing a great job.