Montana Politics

Montana’s farmers have been hit particularly hard by the war in Iran. Price increases and market instability are straining producers already under pressure. A federal judge ruled a logging project near Whitefish violated federal environmental laws. A former Montana campaign consultant who pleaded guilty to embezzlement is now in custody.

Thousands of Montanans gathered Saturday in cities across the state to participate in the national “No Kings” protest. Reporters from Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio spoke with protestors in several cities.

Former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, Governors Marc Racicot and Steve Bullock drew an overflowing crowd to a forum in Helena last weekend. They talked about the upcoming elections, the Trump agenda, and defending democracy. Racicot was a Republican governor from 1993 to 2001. Bullock and Tester were the last Democrats to hold statewide office in Montana.

Several Montana industry groups and chambers of commerce are suing the state over a ballot initiative aimed at restricting 'dark money' in campaign spending.

State health officials remain committed to a plan for implementing work requirements and other major changes to Medicaid months before a federal deadline. Federal officials aren’t expected to release detailed guidance until June, raising concerns about whether the state's plan is feasible.

A ballot initiative aimed at restricting dark money in Montana elections is advancing. Dubbed "The Montana Plan," the proposal would prohibit any entity that does business in Montana from contributing to candidates, political parties or ballot issues.

More than 100 Missoula scientists and activists gathered this weekend to demonstrate against political interference in science. The nationwide rally is a repeat of last year’s demonstration. Then, Trump administration officials were slashing the federal workforce and moving to gut funding for academic research. Attendees at this year’s Stand Up for Science event said the damage from those actions has, in their view, been devastating.

Controversial BLM director nominee clears first Senate hurdle. Dillon City Council appoints new mayor. Court upholds state law that allows insurance companies to factor gender, marital status into rates. Bozeman-based candidate withdraws from State Department nomination process.

Montana Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy joined Capitol Police as they ejected a man protesting military action in Iran from a committee hearing. Sheehy ran to help the officers remove Brian McGinnis, a Marine Corps veteran and Senate candidate. During the scuffle, McGinnis’s arm appears to snap.

Montana’s congressional delegates are united in their support for the war in Iran. Sen. Daines and Rep. Zinke also say they’ll vote against a war powers resolution that would limit Trump from taking additional unilateral action in the region.