Jason Ellsworth

The state Senate is mulling an ethics report about one of its own. Lawmakers hope to pass bills to boost teacher pay. The state school superintendent supports eliminating the federal Department of Education. And Montana's congressional delegation has no desire to hold public town halls.

The Montana Senate Ethics Committee published a final report on its investigation into a sitting legislator. It’s now up to the full chamber to decide whether to hand down a punishment.

Legislators have voted forward bills on property tax relief, Medicaid expansion, judicial oversight and more.

Senate Republicans continue to split votes on key issues; Medicaid expansion is well on its way to passage; Montana's congressional delegation isn't concerned — yet — about federal workers being fired; And Montana public school classrooms won't be displaying the Ten Commandments.

Medicaid expansion is one vote away from the governor's desk. The program gives 75,000 low-income Montanans access to health care. A bill that would maintain the state’s program passed a key vote in the Senate Thursday.

The Montana Department of Justice opened an investigation into a Hamilton senator Wednesday. The Division of Criminal Investigation will gather facts to determine whether Republican Sen. Jason Ellsworth is guilty of criminal misconduct.

Press freedom and press access are at stake in the fight over the Gulf of Mexico's name. Legislators want to make sure you use the right bathroom. A climate change court ruling is behind several bills to change Montana's environmental laws. And Republican lawmakers join Vice President Vance in making fun of climate activist Greta Thunberg.

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.

The Montana Senate devolved into emotional arguments and angry tirades on Thursday. Several Republicans sided with Democrats in a vote to send an internal ethics investigation to the state Department of Justice.

Threatened cuts to federal funding have Montana organizations anxious. The state Senate gears up for an ethics investigation. Medicaid expansion bills advance. The Democratic party is looking for a new leader. And state workers — and legislators — would get a pay raise under a proposed new pay plan.