The 2022 Student Success Rankings is the first Nationwide study to analyze the pandemic’s impact on our public school system. Based on the analysis of 42 metrics organized into 3 key indicators of educational success Montana ranked 38th in the nation in providing a good environment for a student to succeed in school and maintain a health...
AG Knudsen Sees Further Marijuana Regulation Ahead
Recreational marijuana may be legal across Montana now but that doesn’t mean it’s laws and regulations are set in stone. Attorney General Austin Knudsen recently said it will likely take years of adjusting before Montana has a real handle on it.
MSU Reports High Enrollment & Retention Numbers
Montana State University reported its second highest spring headcount ever today as well as strong graduate student enrollment and retention. The official headcount shows MSU has 15,608 total students a 4% increase over spring 2021. It is second only to spring 2019 when the university enrolled 15,694.
Senator Daines Highlights Economic Losses From Keystone XL Cancellation
Senator Steve Daines and other lawmakers sent a letter to the Biden Administration’s Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm demanding her agency to disclose the number of jobs lost when President Biden canceled the Keystone XL oil pipeline. He notes Eastern Montana as one of the areas whose economies has suffered due to it cancella...
Montana ACLU Files Amicus Brief Challenging Sex-Offender Ruling
The ACLU of Montana Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Center for HIV Law and Policy have filed an Amicus Brief with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals arguing an individual should not be required to register as a sex offender for engaging in consensual same-sex activity. It argues a ruling made by U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christense...
First NRECA President from Montana
When thousands of Rural Electric leaders from across the nation meet in Nashville, March 6-9, for their annual meeting, it will be a special time for Montana’s Electric Cooperatives. For the first time, one of their own from the Big Sky Country will be leading the national association. In March of 2021, when Chris Christensen from Hinsdale ...
2022 NRECA PowerXchange: What You Need To Know
PowerXchange, NRECA’s annual meeting of members, will be back in person March 6-9 in Nashville, Tennessee, after going entirely online last year because of COVID-19. The cutoff date for hotel reservations is Jan. 26, which is also the last day for PowerXchange early-bird registration. For those unable to travel, there will be a...
Inflation Leading To Administrative Budget Cuts In Montana
Inflation is causing considerable trouble for households and cities. Billings is no exception. City Administrator Chris Kukulski.
BLM Misses Oil & Gas Lease Deadline
The Bureau of Land Management has missed the deadline to notice a sale on promised oil and gas leasing for the fifth consecutive quarter. The BLM announced November 1st it would complete an environmental assessment of 195 recommended parcels and accepted public comment through December 1st. The agency is also required to notice a sale at least...
Regional Councils Addressing Elder Abuse In Montana
Various agencies have come together to address elder abuse in Montana through regional councils. Former prosecutor Paul Greenwood who has been involved with them over the years pointed out recently on Voices of Montana it’s often those closest to the victims who are the abusers.