Christopher Abbott

State Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Republican from Hamilton and former Senate president, was charged last year with official misconduct for awarding two no-bid state contracts to a longtime friend.

Court denies request to halt Montana GOP operations amid lawsuit from party members. Wildlife officials seek information on illegal introduction of non-native pike to a Kalispell pond.

An advisory jury last week found that districts to elect utility regulators were not drawn in a way that favored one political party over another. This is the latest in an ongoing legal fight over the maps

That information was previously kept in public record as part of “junque files”. Those are folders documenting communications between lawmakers and other parties while drafting bills.

Abortion clinics will now be required to be licensed by the state. State health officials announced they are adopting the rules.