Judge allows B–SB–led lawsuit over tainted fire gear to proceed
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris is allowing a class-action lawsuit to proceed against the manufacturers and sellers of chemicals used in firefighter gear that have allegedly been linked to cancer and other illnesses. Butte–Silver Bow joined the lawsuit in April. On Tuesday, Morris denied all motions to dismiss the case.
USPS Changes Postmark Policy, Potentially Impacting Tax Deadlines and Ballot Mailings
The U.S. Postal Service is warning Montanan’s to plan ahead as a major change to postmarking has taken effect. The traditional “mailbox rule”—where a letter is considered sent on the day it is dropped off—is no longer a guarantee. Under the new rule, postmarks will now reflect the date a letter is processed at a regional hub, rather than the day it’s dropped in a mailbox. With many processing centers now located over 100 miles away, officials say this could lead to missed deadlines for tax filings and mail-in ballots.
Montana Supreme Court upholds AG finding that ballot issue is legally insufficient
On Tuesday, the Montana Supreme Court sided with Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s earlier finding that a proposed ballot initiative aimed at ending corporate spending in political campaigns is unconstitutional. Supporters viewed the measure as a way to undo the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited corporate money in politics.
Montana Chamber Business Days discusses property tax impacts
Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities, Nathan Neudorf, is in Helena this week to discuss cross-border cooperation on energy reliability and infrastructure as part of the Montana Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Days at the Capitol. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening electrical ties between Alberta and neighboring jurisdictions, including Montana, to help ensure power remains affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
Montana compares voter information with immigration authorities
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is implementing a new procedure to cross-reference voter registration records with an immigration database at the Department of Homeland Security. Montana is one of eleven states complying with part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last March that has not been struck down by a federal court.
Montana’s largest landowners control a growing share of private land
According to a study recently published in the journal Environmental Management, a relatively small number of landowners control an increasing percentage of Montana’s private land. Lead author Alexander Metcalf told Montana Free Press that roughly 4,000 landowners now control about two-thirds of the state’s private land. The findings have implications for open space preservation and recreational access in a state known for its expansive landscapes and outdoor heritage.
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The Ostlund Building in downtown Billings is set to house several Yellowstone County departments while honoring the legacy of former County Commissioner John Ostlund, who was killed in a plane crash last June. The consolidation will benefit staff and the public by placing most county offices in one location.
As the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn approaches on June 25, a tribally owned construction company is building a new $14 million visitor center at the national monument south of Crow Agency. The 9,000-square-foot facility is being constructed on the footprint of the former visitor center, which was demolished in late 2024.
A deployment ceremony was held earlier this week at Fort Harrison for the Montana National Guard’s 1052nd, a seven-member firefighting detachment heading to Europe for a year-long mission. Though one of the state’s smaller units, it is highly specialized in fire protection and emergency response.
New state laws passed during the most recent legislative session are now in effect. One law affects physicians’ employment contracts by prohibiting employers from enforcing non-compete and non-solicitation agreements in a broader range of situations. The goal is to make it easier for doctors to practice where they are most needed, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
To help address economic conditions for farmers, the Trump administration has announced a $12 billion aid package. For wheat—Montana’s leading agricultural crop—farmers will receive about $40 per acre planted in 2025, with payments capped at $155,000 per operation.
