The Board of Regents voted unanimously today to seek a judicial review over whether the state legislature or it has the authority to regulate the possession of guns on campuses. The 2021 Montana Legislature passed a bill to allow students and staff who meet safety certifications to carry concealed firearms without a permit on campuses starting...
Shelby
Ben Widhalm – Shelby Ben has been nominated for his work in the Shelby area. He is very dedicated to helping maintain the flag flying over Shelby and is an asset to the community. Dwaine Iverson – Shelby Creator of Toole County Forward, a group recognized early on in the pandemic that businesses were worried about surviving...
Superintendent Arntzen Advocating Optional Mask Mandates For Public Schools
Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen says school districts should develop policies that make wearing face masks optional, according to a Cowles Media report. The state’s public university system is no longer requiring masks to be worn on campuses, but universities are still being asked to consult with local health officials...
Southwest Montana Seeing Fewest Brown Trout Fish In 50 Years
In Southwest Montana, the brown trout fish species is dropping in numbers across a wide range of the region’s rivers and biologists are stumped to the cause. From Melrose to Brownes Bridge, brown trout survey numbers are the lowest in 50 years. Montana Conservation Voters has released a report scoring legislators for their votes on a var...
Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 701 into law Tuesday. It implements Montana’s adult-use recreational marijuana program and authorizes the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment Fund. Using marijuana tax revenue a portion of the tobacco tax settlement and a federal Medicaid match the HEART Fund will invest $25 mil...
Judge McMahon Blocks Subpoena For Court Investigation
District Court Judge Mike McMahon has temporarily blocked a legislative subpoena for Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice’s communications writing in an order the Legislature appears to have exceeded its investigative authority. In recent months, legislative Republicans have opened an investigation into the judicial branch claiming misuse of s...
Supreme Court Justice Pushing To Ease Restrictions In Courtrooms
The Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath has signaled to lower courts that it’s time to loosen the restrictions around courtrooms that went into place early in the COVID-19 pandemic last year. He has directed the lower courts to scale back requirements on face masks and remote hearings. Right to Repair legislation would requi...