By Keila Szpaller | Deputy Editor
“President Trump has tried repeatedly to rewrite election rules for his own perceived partisan advantage.” — Lalitha Madduri, an attorney representing Democratic groups and congressional leaders, about a Trump elections order.
Conservation organizations file lawsuit to determine legality of corner crossing in Montana
by Micah Drew
On Thursday, two conservation organizations filed a lawsuit in Lewis and Clark District Court seeking to “cement the legality” of corner crossing in Montana while respecting private property rights. “It doesn’t matter what side of the barbed wire, or political aisle you stand on, we are all public land owners with a vested interest in […]
Montana’s congressional delegation – their silence is deafening
by George Ochenski
While the populace suffers severe and rapidly spreading economic repercussions from Trump and Israel’s war of choice against Iran, Montana’s entire congressional delegation seems to be missing in action — or perhaps “inaction,” since they’re tough to find when it comes to answering to the people they were elected to serve. Of course Montanans are […]
COMMENTARY
Montana’s congressional delegation is mum on some of the big issues affecting Montanans, such as data centers and a proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp, writes columnist George Ochenski. Meanwhile, families watch groceries bills balloon and diesel inch toward $6 a gallon.
FROM OUR D.C. BUREAU
Democrats and advocacy groups urged a quick rejection of President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on compiling citizenship lists and creating traceable mail-in ballots in a federal court hearing Thursday.
The U.S. House rejected a proposal to rein in Trump’s months-long military actions in Iran that have left more than a dozen U.S. military members dead, while killing thousands of civilians and displacing millions in the Middle East, according to third-party monitors.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon took heat over forthcoming changes to the federal student loan system that will impose new borrowing limits for professional and graduate students.
The U.S. Senate approved a resolution Thursday that will prevent lawmakers in that chamber from receiving their paychecks during any government shutdowns that begin after this year’s midterm elections.
DATA DELIGHTS: 8
Gov. Greg Gianforte celebrated Montana breaking into the top 10 states for fiscal health, rising from 22nd in 2021 to 8th in 2025. A news release from his office touted the win, described in a national report from Truth in Accounting.
“Since taking office, we’ve gotten our fiscal house in order and created an environment that encourages investment, innovation, and opportunity,” Gianforte said in a statement. “Through our responsible budgeting and fiscally conservative policies, we’ve been able to pay off the state debt, save for a rainy day, and return money back to the hardworking Montanans who earn it.”
But not everything is rosy with the state budget. The Montana State News Bureau reports the Department of Public Health and Human Services is facing a shortfall and wants to take the money from planned Medicaid provider rate increases — and blames the Legislature for the problem.
THE HOOK
The hearing for the proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp is taking place this week, so we’re cheering on Friday with a song about power.
“The Power,” a debut single by Snap!, reached No. 1 in countries around the world in 1990. That’s a ranking some Montana power customers fear their bills will hit if the merger goes through. Utility officials insist they’re “better together” and argue benefits will trickle down to customers, not just executives and shareholders.
On a list of the 200 greatest dance songs, Rolling Stone said “The Power” became “the new Europop blueprint.”
If you have a song that you’d like to share, or would like to get in touch with us, please send us a note at [email protected]
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