The University of Montana law school’s dean and associate dean will step down following allegations that they failed to take reports of sexual harassment and assault seriously. Dean Paul Kirgis wrote in a letter to the Alexander Blewett III School of Law that he and Associate Dean Sally Weaver will step down from their roles. The letter comes ...
Court Allows Challenge To Bill Addressing Voter Activity On College Campuses
A District Court judge has denied the state Attorney General’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit against a new multi-functional law saying the plaintiffs have proven their claims are worth hearing in court. It challenges Senate Bill 319 which was signed into law in May and prohibits groups from political activities on certain parts of college ...
Nearly 1 Million Acres Burned In Montana In 2021
There are 35 active wildfires burning in Montana according to the state’s fire tracking database with more than 2,500 wildfires reported so far this year and 930,788 acres burned. The state is in the second year of drought conditions that have continued into the fall season but firefighters have managed to contain the total land burned to belo...
Sydney Law Firm Latest To Challenge Vaccination Discrimination Bill
House Bill 702 passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte in May was aimed at preventing workplaces and customers from discrimination based on their vaccination status. Netzer Law Firm in Sydney is challenging it arguing it runs counter to the state Constitution’s equal-protection clause and its guarantee of a cle...
Montana Officials Take Action Towards Illegal Drug Trafficking
The Montana Department of Justice announced Wednesday its first round of grant awards for local law enforcement to intercept illegal drugs trafficked into the state. The state is drawing $300,000 from upcoming revenues from taxes on cannabis sales to combat methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking. According to the Montana Board of Crime Contr...
Commission Narrows Down Montana’s New House Districts
Montana’s independent redistricting commission has proposed nine maps for the state’s two congressional districts. The setup of the commission is designed to ensure the process isn’t overly partisan. In most states the Legislature takes on the task of redrawing voting districts. Zuri Moreno with Fair Maps Montana says that often means partisan...