Secretary of The Interior Doug Burgum has cancelled the grazing permits of a large nonprofit bison operation in Montana because it doesn't serve a commercial purpose. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/16/b... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

A legislative leader said an audit shows the Secretary of State's Office is "flunking." The report said accounting issues are so problematic, some financial statements from SOS Christi Jacobsen can't be trusted. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/15/f... #mtpol #montana

“My tax dollars SHOULD NOT fund such propaganda.” — Susan Beley of Harlowton, who filed a complaint against the MT Secretary of State over a postcard announcing a new partnership with the Trump administration. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/14/s... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

Two people — a student and teacher — are recovering and expected to survive a stabbing at Billings Senior High School on Tuesday afternoon. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/14/t... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

A couple of members of the Montana PSC are crying foul after leadership approved a final decision in a major NorthWestern Energy case without a vote on the final order, which may mean higher bills for customers. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/13/v... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“Our government has a system of checks and balances, and right now those checks have failed us,” lead plaintiff Eva Lighthiser said in a statement. Youth plaintiffs appeal climate case. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/13/y... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“Everywhere I go around the state, people just want their elections back.” Transparent Election Initiative files new plan to stop corporations from political spending. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/08/t... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“(Trump) is using what (the founders) called ‘tyrannical use of power. He’s doing what the founding fathers said a tyrant does.” — Brian Miller, a Helena lawyer who plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Downing. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/07/d... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

Another Democratic hopeful, Kalispell-based former firearms executive Ryan Busse, has joined the primary race for the chance to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/08/r... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“For them to sit there and lie, and try to paint a false narrative about Renee, is exactly what they have done for police abuse victims year after year after year.” — Attorney, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong. By @minnesotareformer.com @maxnesterak.bsky.social: minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/v...

A group of conservation organizations said U.S. Critical Materials presented a “bad faith” proposal for “a mining plan” in the Sheep Creek area — not just an “exploration” plan as the company describes. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/06/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

An animal tested positive for brucellosis in Gallatin County, the state Department of Livestock reported in late December. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/05/g... #montana #mtnews #mtpol

“It’s become too damn hard for most Montanans to afford basic things like housing, healthcare, childcare, and even groceries.” — Sam Forstag, smokejumper and union leader, announcing his run for Congress. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/01/05/m... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

Marilyn Miller, the longtime former Secretary of the Montana Senate who retired in 2024 but continued to work during the 2025 session, died of natural causes on New Year’s Day, according to a press release from the Senate. dailymontanan.com/briefs/longt... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

“I appreciate the Supreme Court bringing this frivolous complaint to a long-overdue conclusion." - AG Austin Knudsen on the Supreme Court decision to reject a recommendation to suspend him. by @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/31/m... #montana #mtpol #mtnews

Critters, public lands and political trouble are all topics among our most read stories of 2025. Here's a look back at your faves: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/30/m... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

“I don’t think many folks 40 years ago, when the population was perhaps as low as 250 individuals, thought we’d ever be over 1,000 bears.” - Matthew Gould, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, with perspective on increase in deaths. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/30/g... #mtpol

"I feel betrayed and disappointed by both the Missoula Organization of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors." — Karen Berg-DiGangi on the treatment of an ethics complaint she filed and its aftermath. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/30/r... #mtpol #montana

“With this unprecedented funding, we are taking a major step toward modernizing Montana’s rural health care systems.” — Gov. Gianforte on $233M in federal award. Some say it's not enough to make up for Medicaid cuts. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/29/s... #mtnews #mtpol

“Keeping these places in good shape for future generations depends on everyone.” — FWP. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/picto... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

A legal loophole for gun laws in Montana means gun-free zones around the schools are nullified, and it affects even law enforcement officers. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/23/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

Sen. Jason Ellsworth will be charged with official misconduct stemming from a $170,000 contract he procured for a friend and business associate as Senate President, according to the Montana Department of Justice. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/19/a... #mtpol #mtnews #montana

"It is critical that we trust the science and look towards a more precise conservation approach when dealing with unique populations." - Rep. Downing, cosponsor of a bill to delist the gray wolf from the endangered species list. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/18/h... #mtpol

“The scale and urgency of the situation have exceeded the City of Libby and State of Montana’s capacity to respond effectively.” Gov. Gianforte requests emergency federal assistance for flooding impacts in MT. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/gover... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“The fault here is not just the water system. It is also the customers.” Public Service Commission approves settlement with North Star over inadequate water service for Helena-area subdivision with ~300 homes. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/16/p... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

More than a week ago, the rainbow-colored banner that proclaimed “God is Still Speaking” on the west side of Mayflower Congregational Church was torn down. But Billings is rallying behind the church. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/16/v... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has “assumed jurisdiction” of three American Prairie grazing rights cases, according to a memo obtained by the Western Ag Network. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/12/b... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

An embezzlement case and legislative efforts to remove its funding have complicated the financial picture for the Montana Heritage Commission and called its viability into question. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/11/u... #montana #mtnews #mtpol

“I very much wish that everything the proponents said was true,” Commissioner Huls said of the mine officials. “But what they lined out for us, in my opinion, was a project that’s too good to be true.” By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/10/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

Free days are changing for national parks, the U.S. National Park Service announced. The newest line-up includes Trump’s birthday, June 14, which is also Flag Day. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/10/t... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“Now, (NorthWestern) asks the commission for extraordinary and unprecedented rate treatment ... without any discussion of the impact to ratepayers.” — Montana Environmental Information Center. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/09/n... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge struck down a law passed in 2023 that created an education savings account for students with disabilities who wanted to utilize the program. By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/09/c... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

“None of the facts provided support a finding that Commissioner Bukacek ‘used public time, facilities, equipment, ... for [her] private business purposes.'” Bukacek cleared of ethics violation allegations. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/04/b... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

“This is arbitrary and discriminatory state action that does not treat all applicants for a driver’s license under like circumstances and therefore it is unlawful under Montana’s equal protection clause.” — Missoula County District Court order. #mtnews #montana #mtpol

Berkeley Pit could produce more than 40 tons of rare earth minerals annually. Montana Environmental Quality Council requests federal funding for such projects. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/04/e... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

Politicians, philanthropists and an excited public are celebrating the opening of the Montana Heritage Center, a $107 million project showcasing the state’s history. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/03/m... #montana #mtnews #mtpol

“The plan is not to do this ever again because frankly, it was a disaster." But the plan doesn't mean a promise, and two international students from MSU say they need the court's protection if the plan changes. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/02/m... #montana #mtnews #mtpol

“Don’t let this happen here.” — A Bitterrooter on dangers from other mining in Montana, regarding the proposed Sheep Creek mine exploration in the Bitterroot. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/02/s... #montana #mtpol #mtnews

Samantha Strable, a Great Falls woman who got in trouble with the Australian government over a wombat earlier this year, was charged last month with eight misdemeanors related to hunting violations in Wyoming. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/12/02/g... #mtnews #montana

"We have deep concerns about whether the actions of NorthWestern Energy were in the public interest." — PSC's Alana Lake on NWE's decision to transfer new Colstrip shares to subsidiary without approval. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/25/n... #montana #mtpol #mtnews

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced federal assistance is available to the Crow Tribe following flooding and severe storms in May. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/hud-c... #mtnews #montana

While national park annual passes for U.S. residents will not change, nonresident visitors will pay a higher rate to increase funds that support maintenance of the park system, Department of the Interior announced. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/26/i... #montana #mtpol #mtnews

"I said, 'Is it like milk cows? They go back to the same stall?' And they said, ‘No, they talk to each other, and whatever stall is open, they go to.'” Legislators look at autonomous vehicles. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/24/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

American Prairie says it has no other option than to sue the Gianforte administration, DNRC because the agency refuses to complete an environmental review and issue a grazing lease for a portion of bison operations. @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/a... #mtnews #montana

Montana drivers can now sport a new specialty license plate that will help fund wildlife connectivity and vehicle-animal collision risk reduction programs throughout the state. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/m... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

"Significant deficiencies." NorthWestern Energy didn’t adequately evaluate more affordable options before it built the Yellowstone County Generating Station, say Public Service Commission regulatory staff. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/n... #mtnews #montana #mtpol

New documents show that MSU-Billings officials placed two tenured professors on leave because they say communicating with Montana State inmates voluntarily via email after classes ended was a “safety risk.” By @darrellehrlick.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

The Montana Public Service Commission needs to investigate NorthWestern Energy’s actions in relation to data centers to protect existing consumers, says a complaint by Earthjustice. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/18/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana

“It’s clear that this deer was not shot by a legal hunter trying to lawfully fill their freezer,” FWP warden Per Wolfisberg said. “Instead, this is an intentional act of killing and wasting a game animal, and the person who committed this crime needs to be caught and held accountable.” #montana

Lawyers for multiple conservation organizations argued during a hearing in Helena on Friday new Montana regulations around wolves could harm the species long term. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2025/11/15/d... #mtnews #mtpol #montana