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WATCH LIVE: Homeland Security Nominee Alejandro Mayorkas' Confirmation Hearing

By & • 52 minutes ago

President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, appears before a Senate panel Tuesday to begin his confirmation process.

Mayorkas, who would be the first Latino and first immigrant to lead that Department, was previously the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a DHS agency, during the Obama administration. He then served as deputy secretary of DHS.

Watch the hearing live beginning at 10 a.m. ET.

In Historic First, Biden To Nominate Transgender Doctor As Assistant Health Secretary

By • 58 minutes ago

President-elect Joe Biden is nominating Pennsylvania health expert Dr. Rachel Levine to be assistant secretary for health in the department of Health and Human Services, in a move that could make Levine the first openly transgender federal official to win Senate confirmation.

Levine is currently the secretary of health in Pennsylvania, where she leads the state's fight against COVID-19. She is also professor at the Penn State College of Medicine. Levine began her medical career as a pediatrician, at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

Biden To Take Oath Amid Sharply Divided Nation In The Midst Of Crises

By Tamara Keith • 2 hours ago

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

FBI Is Vetting National Guard Troops Guarding Washington

By editor • 2 hours ago

Authorities at the U.S. Capitol are on high alert. NPR's Noel King talks to National Guard Vice Chief Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville about how the guard is helping to secure Inauguration Day events.

Chinese Restaurant Is Appreciated For Unsparingly Honest Menu

By editor • 2 hours ago

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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Outgoing Attorney General Tim Fox Reflects On 8-Year Tenure

By • Jan 4, 2021
Tim Fox.

Republican Attorney General Tim Fox left office Monday after leading the Montana Department of Justice for two four-year terms. Fox spoke with MTPR’s Shaylee Ragar about the issues he prioritized, what challenges Montana still faces and what is next.

Montana Utility Regulator Files Claim Against PSC, Colleagues

By Kayla Desroches • Jan 4, 2021

A Montana utility regulator has filed a more than $2 million claim against the Public Service Commission for negligence and harm he says was directed towards him.

Bozeman Commissioner Roger Koopman filed the notice with the Department of Administration on behalf of himself and his family, citing targeted, malicious behavior by the PSC and several of its elected officials and state employees.

Gianforte Sworn In As Montana Governor

By Kevin Trevellyan • Jan 4, 2021

Greg Gianforte was sworn in as Montana’s 25th governor Monday. He’s the state’s first Republican chief executive in 16 years.

After taking his oath of office during a small, livestreamed ceremony at the Capitol, Gianforte said he will tackle Montana’s economic comeback by lowering taxes, improving infrastructure and cutting what he calls unnecessary red tape.

“Let me say loudly and clearly to job creators, entrepreneurs and business owners in our state and beyond: Montana is open for business,” he said.

Montana Lawmakers Split Over Pandemic Precautions As 2021 Legislature Convenes

By • Jan 4, 2021
A protestor's sign sits outside the House of Representatives gallery during the swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol, January 4, 2021.
Austin Amestoy / UM Legislative News Servic

Montana’s 67th Legislature convened Monday in the Capitol building in Helena where lawmakers remain split on how best to meet amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montana Republicans Release Top Priorities On Legislative Session's First Day

By • Jan 4, 2021
Senate Majority Leader Cary Smith talks about GOP priorities for the 2021 legislative session, January 04, 2021.
Shaylee Ragar / Montana Public Radio

On the first day of the 67th Legislature, Republican legislative leaders outlined their top policy goals. GOP lawmakers now have a conservative counterpart in the governor’s office for the first time in nearly two decades. 

The 2021 Republican action plan offers six broad priorities rather than specific bills.

House Lawmakers To Enter Session Without New Rules

By • Dec 23, 2020
The House chamber at the Montana Legislature during the 2019 session.
Nick Mott / Montana Public Radio

Montana state representatives voted down a proposed set of rules Tuesday to govern the 2021 legislative session. This will leave House lawmakers either scrambling to create new rules once the session begins in January or leave last session’s rules in place.

Sen. Daines Encourages Montanans To Get COVID Vaccine

By • Dec 18, 2020
A syringe in a container labeled COVID-19 vaccine.
iStock

Republican Sen. Steve Daines is encouraging Montanans to get a COVID-19 vaccine when doses become available. This follows federal emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged 16 years and older. Ten Montana hospitals received their first shipments of the vaccine this week.

Lawmakers Plan Hybrid Approach Rather Than Fully Remote Legislative Session

By • Dec 18, 2020
Sen. Jason Ellsworth (R) SD43 during a Joint Rules Committee meeting, December 16, 2020.

It’s been clear that the 2021 legislative session at the Montana Capitol will look different amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but it wasn’t clear how different until Wednesday. Republican state lawmakers are planning an in-person session, rejecting mask requirements and allowing lawmakers the option to tune in remotely.

As His Term Ends, Gov. Bullock Talks Ups And Downs Of The Job

By • Dec 16, 2020
Gov. Steve Bullock
Corin Cates-Carney / Montana Public Radio

Gov. Steve Bullock will leave office January 4th after serving two terms as governor and one term as state attorney general. Bullock spoke with Sally Mauk about his time in office, what he accomplished, what challenges remain and what comes next.

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