An ACLU leader and University of Montana professor weigh in on the new presidential memo on national security — NSPM-7 — and what it means for civil liberties: (meant to repost my story from my account)

Hundreds gather at Juneau, Alaska’s Overstreet Park amid rain and fog for the local No Kings protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Portland Police Police estimate so far is 40,000 to 50,000 at downtown Portland No Kings today @statesnewsroom.com @oregoncapitalchronicle.com

Federal officers pepper ball protestors at Portland ICE facility just now.

“We have got to resist. It’s the patriotic thing to do.” Montanans in small towns demonstrate at No Kings rallies. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social @mddrew.bsky.social @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/10/18/s... #montana #mtpol #mtnews

We talked with lots of people in smaller communities in Montana at No Kings rallies. Here's the story:

Susan Crawford, of Corvallis, attended the No Kings Indivisible Bitterroot rally in Hamilton, Montana. Her sign read, “The Only White House Thrones ‘R’ Porcelain.”

Megan Kelly, of Hamilton, Montana, wears a chicken costume for fun. But her reason for showing up at the “No Kings Indivisible Bitterroot” rally in the Bitterroot is serious. “I am letting the government know the American people are not to be messed with.”

Nancy Neal of Corvallis, Montana, counted more than 700 participants at the No Kings Indivisible rally in Hamilton, a town of roughly 5,000. Neal said she’s not using the term “antifa” anymore.

Ron Osborn, almost 93, said he’s a Korean War veteran out at the Hamilton, Montana, No Kings rally to show his patriotism. “We’re proud American citizens, loyal to the flag and the Constitution.” #montana

Such an excellent story from my colleague @jordyhansen.bsky.social about a major player in Montana. BNSF is having a significant impact on the ability of small towns to complete critical infrastructure projects — and not always a good one. Legislators are taking note. #mtpol #montana

“Selling our shared public lands to pay for tax cuts for the rich was and is an awful, un-American idea, and we appreciate Rep Zinke’s work to keep it out of the bill.” — Lydia Weiss, senior director for government relations at The Wilderness Society.

Last year, YWCA Missoula had 89 children at once staying at The Meadowlark shelter, a record. I serve on the board, and thanks to a $10K match from the PaddleHeads, a Missoula Gives donation will go twice as far today through May 2. Thank you for considering: www.missoulagives.org/organization...

Sen. Kassmier’s desk is piled high as the Senate closes in on the end of the 2025 session. #montana #mtleg #mtpol

Neat, about the Montana Bar Fairies: "One part of the group’s outreach involves sending out volunteers every weekend to leave $5 gift cards to local coffee shops on cars left in bar parking lots overnight, a small incentive they hope builds big results."

“It’s not just oligarchy and the power of the rich that we are fighting right now. We are taking on a president who undermines our constitution every day.” - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders to a capacity crowd in Missoula.

Folks, this story by my colleague @keilaszpaller.bsky.social is just heartbreaking, but it needs to be read. dailymontanan.com/2025/02/06/q...

“We’re trying to do this in a manner that ensures equity across the entire state." - Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, on one of the other proposals, that one from the governor's task force on property taxes. #montana #mtpol #mtnews #mtleg

I was curious why a Dem had co-sponsored a bill popular with some Rs to reduce property taxes. People who testified didn't like the bill, and the Dem, Rep. Dave Fern, said they changed his mind, but he's still happy the idea is in the mix: dailymontanan.com/briefs/co-sp... #mtpol #mtleg #montana

"Don't just sit, idling by." Some meetings can go long, and that's what Chair Barry Usher said to people who weren't so prompt lining up to testify. Here's a story about a human trafficking prevention bill, one of many bills in Senate Judiciary: dailymontanan.com/2025/01/21/m... #mtpol #mtleg

The idea for a state workforce housing credit, similar to the federal one, is moving ahead with bipartisan support, despite some criticism about cost: dailymontanan.com/2025/01/16/m... #montana #mtleg #mtpol

And more from the Lee team here:

H/T to Seaborn Larson and Victoria Eavis of the Montana States News Bureau. #montana #mtleg #mtpol

Montana has sent prisoners to Arizona, and this week, CoreCivic announced another deal, this time to house an additional 240 inmates at its Mississippi facility. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/01/16/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

Disabled veteran: Medical marijuana would help me eat because I’ve had 150 rounds of chemotherapy for my Stage IV cancer Idaho legislator: Have you considered leaving?

Monday, Gianforte asked legislators to work quickly on one of his property tax relief bills. Tuesday, lawmakers said they have their own priorities. “We are taking too much money out of Montanans’ pockets in a lot of different ways." dailymontanan.com/2025/01/14/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“I have been happily using the women’s restroom in this building throughout my tenure without issue." — Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, who is transgender, on a "bathroom bill" that passed out of a House committee and would affect her personally. dailymontanan.com/2025/01/13/b... #mtleg #montana

A GOP lawmaker said he won't "bow down" to "woke pressure" in supporting a bill to define sex and restrict bathroom use. Dems said it's likely unconstitutional and could cost as much as $3B. Bill passes out of committee on party line vote. dailymontanan.com/2025/01/13/b... #mtnews #montana

From Gov. Greg Gianforte's office today: "The governor is scheduled to travel to West Palm Beach to have dinner with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago." Neat. #montana #mtpol

“It truly is a disaster to start the session without efficient capacity to track bills. This is for us as legislators, but particularly for the public.” A new legislative website has legislators, lobbyists and the public frustrated. dailymontanan.com/2025/01/08/n... #montana #mtpol

I tried really hard to use the phrase "fruit basket upset" to describe what happened to committees in the Senate, but my editors didn't like it, so I'm saying it here, in case you do like it. Work in the Senate is stalled, but not everyone is mad, because it's more planning time for complex bills.

Ringo, left. Sniffs the whole building three times a day, according to a fan. Rewarded with a special chew toy. It’s opening day of the 2025 Montana Legislature. #mtpol #montana

I always thought it would be neat to go to his Sunday school. Maranatha Baptist Church says this: "Over the 40 years President Carter taught Sunday School at Maranatha, he concluded each lesson with a challenge for all in attendance to do one good thing for one other person."

In South Dakota, NorthWestern asked for a rate increase, and SD's version of the PSC approved a settlement that includes a moratorium that prevents NWE from seeking another increase until 2028, minus an "extraordinary event." @southdakotasearchlight.com: southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/regul...

Reactions to the ruling are rolling in. Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center: "This decision affirms that it’s past time for swift, just, and meaningful climate action from Montana’s government and regulatory agencies. It is a critical victory for present and future generations."

Montana Supreme Court affirms district court's decision in Held v. Montana. Rice dissents. Sandefur has concurring opinion. More TK @dailymontanan.bsky.social #mtpol

“Montana chose to adopt a draconian policy that is clearly intended to marginalize transgender Montanans, only for that discriminatory action to be blocked.” - ACLU MT. Judge blocks law stopping sex designation changes. By @blairmiller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2024/12/17/j... #mtpol #mtleg

It's Friday, a good day for a good news story. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social has one here:

From the story: "The Flathead County Commissioners appear ready to pass on a $9 million investment in affordable housing, despite Flathead County’s status as one of the most expensive places to live in Montana." Meanwhile in Butte-Silver Bow: “I think denying it would be absolutely absurd." #mtpol

The lack of housing, especially reasonably priced housing, can seem like an impossible problem to fix in Montana, but editor @darrellehrlick.bsky.social of the @dailymontanan.bsky.social has this story with concrete solutions already in play. #montana #mtpol