Does Montana Law Enforcement have the right to enter a home without a search Warrant? Why or Why Not?
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed the opening brief in the case William Trevor Case v. State of Montana, ahead of October 15 oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court. The case challenges whether law enforcement can enter a home without a warrant during a life-threatening emergency. In 2021, officers in Anaconda entered Case’s home after credible information suggested he might have attempted suicide. Case was found guilty of assaulting an officer after pointing a gun at police. The Montana Supreme Court upheld the verdict, ruling the police’s entry was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. Knudsen argues that the officers acted lawfully based on emergency circumstances, not criminal investigation standards.
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority conference kicks off in Livingston
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s third annual conference runs through Wednesday in Livingston focusing on reviving passenger rail services in southern Montana. The three-day event features federal policymakers including Senator Tim Sheehy state legislators tribal leaders and rural community leaders to discuss the largest proposed expansion of passenger rail in the West in more than 50 years. The ultimate aim is to connect Chicago to Seattle providing greater access to passenger rail services.
Montana Leaders Urge Interior Department to Protect Grazing Permits and Support Agriculture Over Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Governor Greg Gianforte, Montana Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, and Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The letter emphasizes the importance of grazing permits for Montana farmers and ranchers and urges the department to adhere to federal laws. Since 2017, American Prairie Reserve (APR) has sought BLM approval to convert grazing permits into ones supporting their non-production bison herd on various grazing allotments in eastern Montana. Under the Biden Administration, BLM granted these permits, threatening traditional ranching and farming practices, and risking the economic vitality of Montana’s rural communities. The officials highlight the need to preserve traditional ranching and farming practices.
Montana Joins Coalition Urging Supreme Court to Strike Down Washington’s Ban on Plus-Ten Magazines, Defending Second Amendment Rights
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen joined a 27-state coalition urging the Supreme Court to uphold Americans’ Second Amendment rights and overturn Washington’s ban on magazines holding over ten rounds. The coalition argues the ban violates the Second Amendment, citing recent Supreme Court rulings affirming the right to common firearms and magazines used for lawful purposes like self-defense and hunting. The brief emphasizes the constitutional and historical protections for these magazines.
State moves to disqualify district judge from ‘bathroom bill’ lawsuit
The State of Montana wants to remove Missoula County District Court Judge Shane Vannatta from hearing a lawsuit over a bill that states there are only “two sexes male and female” alleging his social media accounts show personal bias. According to the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court it’s a motion to “disqualify for cause” and most such motions are rarely granted.
Slew of funding awarded as Montana pushes bear awareness
More than $1 million in state funding is being directed to communities and organizations working to reduce carnivore conflict and depredation across Montana. So far this year 126 conflicts have been reported including twenty known bear mortalities and 17 animals have been relocated. The grizzly population has grown to around 1,000 animals over the last decade in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem fueling a debate over their federal protection.
Amid deep federal funding cuts Montana PBS has plans to expand
Public broadcasting stations across the country are scrambling to hold onto the ground they have following Congress’ unprecedented cuts earlier this year to public television funding but Montana PBS isn’t one of them. It plans to purchase previous commercial stations in Glendive Miles City and Sidney to expand its free over-the-air programming and begin broadcasting to the new communities by Christmas.
Old Farmer’s Almanac map reveals states to be hit by blizzards this winter
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its 2025-2026 winter forecast covering all 18 regions of the United States with state-by-state predictions. Most of Montana is set for a mild and dry winter season. Snowfall is predicted to be below average in the north although late January early February and late March could see the heaviest snowfall. Residents in the upper Midwest should brace for cold snaps and snowfall in late November late January and early February.
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Select rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park that were partially closed to fishing due to warm water temperatures and low flows are now open without restrictions. They include the Madison River and all associated tributaries the Firehole River and all associated tributaries and the Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground. There are currently no temperature-related restrictions in place parkwide.
Flathead Valley Community College is offering a new opportunity for community members 65 and up to take credit classes with its Senior Institute Fall Edition. Classes range from watercolor introduction to letterpress and creative writing to Lincoln’s history of Irish America and healthy living. Registration begins Wednesday.
Montana Technological University and the University of Montana have been named to the Princeton Review’s the best colleges guide for 2026. Only about 15% of the nearly 2,400 four-year colleges in the United States make the publication which highlights exceptional colleges across the United States.
Butte-Silver Bow commissioners have given themselves $25,000 in new spending authority to hire their own private legal counsel should they want it. Butte-Silver Bow’s charter allows commissioners to hire an outside attorney, but there was only $2,000 set aside under “professional services” the council could tap.
The Montana Highway Patrol is looking for new Troopers to keep the highways safe respond to crashes and stop impaired drivers. They also play a huge role in intercepting drugs weapons and even human trafficking. It’s about protecting people and communities across Montana.
