Two public-land access groups filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ position that corner-crossing is “unlawful” in Montana.

Sorry, aspiring U.S. House Rep. Mickey Mouse, but Montana voters won’t be able to write undeclared candidates onto the ballot anymore, per a new law passed by the 2025 Montana Legislature, and as reflected on the 2026 primary ballots that began landing in Montana mailboxes this week.

BLM effort to put conservation on par with energy development rejected as Trump reverses Biden goals.

A federal judge in Great Falls ruled to release Froid diesel mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez from jail on Wednesday evening, siding with his lawyers on their argument that his continued detention was unlawful. buff.ly/y3voqBg

As hunters get more creative to access ‘corner-locked’ land, Treasure State lawmakers grapple with murky trespassing statute. buff.ly/UH1GE2H

Republican legislator Llew Jones is facing the most formidable primary challenge of his political career. The result could extend his influence, or end his long legislative reign.

Mauled hikers, dead livestock and legal wrangling give Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee plenty to work on.

The U.S. Senate is on the cusp of confirming Steve Pearce, former representative from New Mexico, to lead the Bureau of Land Management. His hearing will be heard on the Senate floor tomorrow and is expected to break along party lines. Read Amanda Eggert’s profile of Pearce here:

Late voter registration, the kind that has sometimes contributed to long lines of Montanans signing up to vote hours after polls have officially closed, will continue at least through the June 2 primary election under a court order issued Monday.

One expert on electricity law and public-utility regulation weighs in on how utility regulators can protect the public from ballooning power bills amid an “arms race” to facilitate data-center development.

Last month, Roosevelt County Sheriff Jason Frederick wrote a letter to a federal judge vouching for an undocumented immigrant he’d only met once before. In doing so, he became one of at least seven sheriffs nationwide who have taken a public stance against immigration policies since January.

2026 is only the state’s third U.S. Senate election in half a century without an incumbent. Meet the five Democrats hoping to lead an unlikely turnaround.

A contemporary investigation found Windy Boy sent inappropriate messages to Billings state Sen. Jen Gross during the 2017 legislative session.

Residents seek change to block proposed Town Pump, but officials say it may be too late to stop construction of the travel plaza.

A missing hiker in Glacier National Park appears to have been killed by a bear in what could be the first fatal bear encounter in the park in nearly 30 years.

Ted Turner, the CNN founder-turned-prominent-conservationist, owned 2 million acres of land across the United States. Since many of his ranches were placed in easements designed to preserve wildlife habitat, his conservation legacy is expected to endure.

Montana State Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy has “unsuspended” his Democratic primary campaign for U.S. House representing Montana’s Eastern Congressional District, three weeks after suspending his bid amid sexual abuse allegations.

Districts in Bozeman, Missoula and Butte saw success. Voters rejected levy requests in Billings, Helena and Kalispell, reflecting a tough environment for funding requests.

Montanans who regularly eat fish harvested from some of the state’s most popular angling destinations may want to reconsider their diet. State agencies are directing people to limit their consumption of certain fish species found in the state’s rivers and reservoirs contaminated with PFAS.

Mobile home owners from Bozeman to Glasgow who did not opt in to the new preferred property tax rates are being hit with seismic increases in property tax bills.

May 5 marks the publication of “Big Sky Politics: Campaigns and Elections in Modern Montana 1945 to 2025.” The book — penned by author Jon Bennion and the first to be published by Montana Free Press — is now on sale at local retailers and through Mountain Press.

Legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle removed state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, from his interim committee and commission assignments Monday. Interim committees and commissions meet between Montana’s biannual legislative sessions to discuss issues and draft policy.

A California couple will be able to complete the construction of a home just feet from McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park after a federal appeals court ruled the state’s streambed protection laws did not apply to the project.

Ballots for school and special district elections across Montana are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday, with millions of dollars at stake for multiple school districts facing tight budgets.

Political forecasters agree: Brian Miller and Sam Lux don’t have history, money, or momentum on their side. They’re taking their best shots anyway.

We have started shipping pre-orders of Jon Bennion’s new edition of BIG SKY POLITICS to get to doors on the May 5th launch date. If you haven't ordered your signed edition, consider going to our merch store: https://bit.ly/45yBFYo.

Tenants at two mobile home parks in Bozeman are set to begin a rent strike Friday after their outgoing landlord notified residents of $97 monthly rent hikes in late March.

Bipartisan vote stripped from the 2026 farm bill language that would have barred states from requiring cancer warning labels on pesticide products.

Helena student steps up to help those with disabilities partake in city’s historic Vigilante Parade.

With election season in full swing, Montana Free Press is pleased to launch the 2026 Election Guide, a nonpartisan resource for information about Montana’s candidates for federal, statewide and legislative offices.

District Court Judge Jeffrey Dahood on Tuesday ordered the unsealing of almost all charging documents in the state’s homicide case against Michael Paul Brown, who is charged with fatally shooting four people in Anaconda last summer.

Brandon Wakefield is awaiting trial for deliberate homicide; in court documents, his attorney maintains the shooting was justified.

The visit comes as organizers try to gather 30,000 ballot-qualifying signatures for Initiative 194, a measure to limit corporate political spending.

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the National Park Service is no longer poised to run the agency. The White House issued a notice Monday that it withdrew Scott Socha’s nomination.

The University of Montana’s decision to terminate its literature master’s program has some faculty members concerned about the future of other liberal arts programs at Montana’s flagship public university and how academic program cuts are made.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is working on a change to its fishing regulations that would bar anglers from fishing the East Gallatin, a mellow, cottonwood-lined river northwest of Bozeman, from boats.

Montana U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy on Sunday indicated that he will propose a bill authorizing construction of a White House East Wing ballroom for President Donald Trump.

An incumbent’s decision not to seek reelection creates a distinct opportunity for western Montana Democrats. Which would-be face of the party will rise to the occasion?

The definitive guide to Montana politics in the form of a new edition of BIG SKY POLITICS by Jon Bennion is releasing in just over a week. You can pre-order a signed copy from our website: https://bit.ly/3QPS1sg

As midterm primaries approach, two new surveys show voter desire for conservation doesn’t always sway elected officials.

Campaign mailers featuring digitally altered photos of Republican legislative candidates waving pride flags spur a campaign practices complaint and raise concerns about growing mistrust in politics.

A combination of failing, decades-old infrastructure and a worsening regional drought is straining the water supply of local farmers and residents.

While some citizens demand that the city move forward with an anti-ICE resolution, the tight-lipped commission is apparently wary of a looming challenge from state AG.

A District Court judge ruled that Marta Bertoglio was unconstitutionally appointed to run the state agency. The governor’s office contends the judge may not have jurisdiction to decide.

Aaron Flint and Al Olszewski, Republican candidates for Montana’s Western District U.S. House race, squared off in their party's only scheduled debate before the party primary. Candidate Christi Jacobsen, Montana’s secretary of state, was unable to attend.

Three school levy requests will go before voters this May that would fund operational needs for elementary schools and tech support for software licensing, security and network systems district-wide.

Unions representing mobile home parks in Missoula and Bonner say they’ve secured some concessions from their Texas-based landlord.

The Montana Department of Corrections plans to move hundreds of inmates to Mississippi, adding obstacles and uncertainty for families trying to keep in touch with their loved ones.

Park County reverses course, opposes gravel pit north of Yellowstone National Park.