Senator Jon Tester has introduced the Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act to ensure Russia doesn’t use digital assets to undermine economic sanctions against them following its invasion of Ukraine. Tester has said any actions taken by the United States should not unintentionally impact the rest of Europe.
Sen. Daines To Travel To Europe For Ukraine Briefing
Senator Steve Daines will travel to Poland and Germany as part of a bipartisan delegation gathering information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The delegation will meet with U.S. military leaders Ukrainians and non-government organizations. Daines announced the trip Thursday afternoon. He said earlier he supports Ukraine’s fight a...
Butte St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns
Thursday Butte America held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade after being cancelled the past two years due to the pandemic. Parade Director Matt Boyle on some of the more notable floats from this year’s parade.
Montana Supreme Court Election May Change For First Time In State History
A measure that may be on the 2022 ballot could change how Montana’s supreme court justices are elected to seven districts rather than statewide. Head of the Public Policy Institute of the Rockies Kimberly Dudik says the statewide election of supreme court justices was included in Montana’s first Constitution drafted in 1889.
Foster Care Children Total In Montana Drops
The number of children in foster care in Montana has been reduced by nearly 25% since a legislative audit from 2019 counted some of the highest numbers in history. Removal rates have dropped since the audit from 10.6% to roughly 8% with the majority of them now reunited with their parents. The numbers are on track to fall below 3,000 for the f...
Youth Group Working In Flathead Valley
The Center for Restorative Youth Justice is helping reduce the number of young people in the Flathead Valley who become involved in the criminal-justice system. Executive Director Catherine Gunderson says imagine you’re a kid who accidentally threw a baseball through your neighbor’s window who could get the police involved or you and your pare...
Russian Tariffs May Benefit Some Montanans
Tariffs on Russian exports are beginning to affect U.S. prices, but may prove beneficial for some Montana producers. Dr. Robert Sonora is with the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.
Supreme Court Rules Against Attorney General’s Halting Of Signature-Gathering
In an order issued Wednesday the state Supreme Court said Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen made a mistake in halting a proposed ballot initiative that aims to add new environmental protections to stretches of the Gallatin and Madison rivers from going out for signature-gathering. Chief Justice Mike McGrath wrote the authority to determi...
State Hospital $7 Million Over Budget
The Montana State Hospital has seen its ranks of full-time staff decline since early 2019 but is $7.4 million over budget largely due to its growing reliance on contract staff. Last year contracted certified nurses assistants billed hours last year jumped 700% from 2,000 hours billed to 16,000. Full-time registered nurses are experiencing a 72...
Sen. Tester Warns Of Excessive Sanctions Against Russia
Wednesday Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talked to the U.S. Congress asking for them to send more help to Ukraine for its fight against Russia including further sanctions. Senator Jon Tester agrees with the further crippling of Russia’s economy but not without some reservations.