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Lewis, Zinke Debate Tonight In Billings

By eric.whitney • Sep 26, 2014

Montana Public Radio will air the debate between Republican Ryan Zinke and Democrat John Lewis in Billings live tonight at 7:00 p.m. Listen on our live stream.

Campaign Beat: Have Voters Tuned In Yet?

By • Sep 26, 2014

This week on "Campaign Beat:" Is the media counting Curtis out too soon? The analysts look at the "good guy" ad by Steve Daines. Ryan Zinke continues to tout his military experience, and John Lewis gets more aggressive in the House race. Sally, Chuck, and Mike wonder if voters have tuned in for this off-year election yet.

"Campaign Beat", our weekly political analysis program, appears on Fridays throughout the fall election season.

Forest Service: Wilderness Photo/Film Policy Misunderstood

By • Sep 25, 2014

U.S. Forest Service issued a press release late Thursday to clarify the intent behind the proposed directive for commercial photography and filmmaking in Congressionally designated wilderness areas.

The Forest Service describes it as a good faith effort to ensure wilderness areas are protected.

Critics say it essentially gives the agency story-approval power.

Montana’s entire congressional delegation today called for the rule to be clarified and re-drafted.

Montana's DC Delegation Opposes Forest Service Photo Permits

By Josh Burnham • Sep 25, 2014

The U.S. Forest Service has proposed  requiring permits for still photography and commercial filming in designated wilderness areas, making permanent an interim rule in place since 2010.

According to The Oregonian, permits would cost up to $1,500, with a $1,000 fine for failure to get a permit.

Montana's entire congressional delegation has written to the Forest Service expressing concerns with the proposal.

Montana Supreme Court Candidates Debate

By MTPR News • Sep 24, 2014
Montana Supreme Court
Montana Supreme Court

Montana's Supreme Court candidates faced off Tuesday night in a forum at the University Of Montana Law School. Sitting Justice Mike Wheat is running against former Montana solicitor general Lawrence Van Dyke, and incumbent Justice Jim Rice faces Billings Attorney and Podiatrist David Herbert. Listen to the entire the debate at the link above.

Amanda Curtis On "Paying Attention And Getting Involved"

By • Sep 24, 2014
Courtesy Photo

This interview first aired in April 2013, sixteen months before Curtis was chosen to replace John Walsh as Montana's Democratic nominee in the 2014 U.S. Senate election.

UM Climate Scientist: Governor's C02 Options Are Progress

By Eric Whitney • Sep 23, 2014
Steve Running. File photo.

The state of Montana has a new set of proposed options for reducing how much carbon dioxide the state’s coal burning power plants release. Those options, released by Governor Bullock Friday, have won praise from both the Montana Environmental Information Center, and PPL, the company that owns the Colstrip power plant, which is the state’s largest C02 emitter.

Lewis, Zinke Turn To Attack Ads In House Race

By • Sep 19, 2014

This week "Campaign Beat" examines the new aggressive ads in the U.S. House Race. John Lewis attacks Zinke over his support of the Ryan Budget. Zinke takes aim at Lewis' age and experience. Sally, Chuck and Mike also talk about what parts of Montana trend red or blue, and why.

"Campaign Beat" is our weekly political analysis program. MTPR Senior News Analyst Sally Mauk, is joined by Chuck Johnson and Mike Dennison of Lee Newspapers.

Lewis ad:

Candidates Weigh In On Necessity Of Military Strikes

By • Sep 15, 2014

Montana's candidates for federal office are weighing in on President Obama's intent to unleash military strikes on the so-called "Islamic State" extremist organizations.

Obama last week announced his counter-terrorism campaign to use intel, training and airstrikes to weaken and destroy Islamic radical groups know by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL.

'Campaign Beat' Dissects The Ads And Examines The Issues

By • Sep 12, 2014
Eliza Wiley

"Campaign Beat" returns to dissect the latest campaign ads and examine the issues in the U.S. House and Senate races.

Today Sally, Chuck and Mike discuss the competitiveness of the U.S. House and Senate races, the effectiveness of the latest TV ads from the Daines and Lewis campaigns, and whether voters mind the scarcity of debates in the top races. 

The "Timber" ad from the Daines campaign:

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