Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen submitted the state’s proposed five new Public Service Commission districts this week in response to a lawsuit claiming the current ones are unconstitutional but said it shouldn’t be adopted. MTN News Mike Dennison reports she said the lawsuit should be dismissed and the Legislature should draw the bo...
Energy CO-OP CEO Points Declining Salmon Numbers To Climate Change
In an ongoing debate along the lower Snake River concerning breaking up its dams to save the dwindling Salmon population at the cost of a major energy supplier. Montana Electric Cooperatives Association CEO Gary Wiens says another environmental factor is affecting the Salmon.
IRS Scraps Facial ID Plan
The Internal Revenue Service has abandoned a plan to use facial recognition on taxpayers for this filing season. According to Fight for the Future, in 2021, Montana is still using ID.me and facial verification for people applying for unemployment benefits. The Golden Colorado group says there were numerous reports of prob...
AG Knudsen Details Prominence Of Fentanyl In America
Attorney General Austin Knudsen was a guest on Voices of Montana recently after taking a trip to the south checking out what’s being done in the Lone Star State about drugs. He got an earful.
U.S. Congressional Candidate Ballard Drops Out
Jack Ballard from Red Lodge has dropped out of the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat representing eastern Montana. The remaining Democratic candidates are Penny Ronning, a former member of the Billings City Council who works to combat human trafficking, Mark Sweeney, a state legislator from Philipsburg, and Skylar Williams of Billings...
Technical Education Programs Highlighted During CTE Month
Governor Greg Gianforte proclaimed February as Career and Technical Education Month to highlight various technical career fields and recruit future workers. Montana State University System Deputy Director of Higher Education Brock Tessman on some of the CTE jobs currently in need of filling.
Montana State Hospital May Lose Federal Funding
The federal government has issued a notice to Montana State Hospital officials it has until March 13th to correct noncompliance issues or it may lose federal funding. State lawmakers with oversight of the state health department have called a special committee meeting for March 4th to discuss it but that schedule could change.
Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Makes Case For Federally Funded Pre-K Education
“Fight Crime”: Invest in Kids” recently released a report outlining the benefits of expanded pre-kindergarten education and how it ultimately reduces crime. During a virtual panel put on by the nonprofit organization Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton explained why he supports the federal investment in preschool education proposed in th...
Montana Officials Weigh In On Russian Invasion
Montana’s congressional delegation released statements Thursday condemning Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Governor Greg Gianforte also released a statement in support of Ukraine and called for sanctions against Russia. Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in 1994 after receiving guarantees from the United States, the United Kingdom and ...
Gallatin National Forest Offers Tips For Handling Avalanches
This time of year is ripe for potential avalanches but there’s some life-saving equipment to help make sure you are prepared for one. Dave Zinn with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center on what you’ll need.