Montana Politics

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.

Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke announced Monday he’s retiring from office at the end of his term in January. His exit opens the door for new candidates to run.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned many of the Trump administration’s tariffs on foreign imports. The ruling is welcome news for Montana agriculture producers, who have been facing rising costs and shrinking markets.

A Bozeman-based candidate nominated for a top U.S. Department of State job is facing bipartisan backlash after a congressional hearing last week. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee questioned Jeremy Carl about past statements they called racist and anti-Semitic.

Laurel residents have been raising concerns about city and state transparency in selecting Laurel for a new facility that would treat criminal defendants before they stand trial. What’s required of the government when it comes to public input isn’t straightforward.