Katie Zolnikov

Montana's largest utility this year struck deals to power three data centers — and counting. NorthWestern Energy has promised them at least twice the amount of electricity used to power all homes and businesses in the state. As data centers look to break ground in Montana, some worry ratepayers will have to subsidize their colossal power needs.

The "bathroom" law remains stalled in the courts. Lawmakers appear poised to pass the state budget. Sen. Daines gets a presidential endorsement. And female senators call out sexism in the chamber.

Montana has one of the highest rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the country. House Bill 855, carried by Billings Republican Representative Katie Zolnikov, creates a way to fund wildlife crossings to fix the problem.

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

A legislative effort to make Montana a so-called “Right to Work” state failed in committee. Lawmakers hear a bill requiring power suppliers to stockpile energy.

A bill that would have allowed Montana’s largest electric utility to recover costs and a rate of return from its customers for coal-fired power generation was tabled in committee yesterday.