Austin Knudsen

Attorney General Knudsen Bars Critical Race Theory From Montana Schools

Today, Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued an Attorney General’s Opinion that bans critical race theory programs from being taught in Montana schools. The AGO, which carries the weight of law in Montana, was issued after a request from Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. Knudsen says that, “…much of the training and pr...

Superintendent Arntzen Calls Upon Attorney General To Challenge School Theory

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen has made a formal request of Attorney General Austin Knudsen to issue an opinion on the legality of teaching so-called antiracism and Critical Race Theory in Montana Public Schools. Montana is distinct in that the 1972 Constitution calls for the state to recognize the unique cultural her...

Attorney General Knudsen Leads Call To Re-Visit Keystone XL Pipeline

Four Native American tribes in Montana and a pair of indigenous rights organizations are challenging new restrictions on ballot collection signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte. Ballot collection is a practice commonly used by get-out-the-vote groups in which organizations submit completed mail-in ballots collected from voters. Violators ...

BNSF Railway Suing Center for Asbestos Related Disease

According to Libby clinic Center for Asbestos Related Disease, at least 400 people exposed to Libby asbestos have died of asbestosis mesothelioma or other lung disease from the W.R. Grace Vermiculite mine. The Montana Supreme Court has held Grace liable and BNSF Railway liable for spreading asbestos amid the dust that blew of its cars while tr...

Montana Supreme Court May Challenge New Voting Law

Six members of the Montana Supreme Court will consider a legal challenge to a new Montana law. It would eliminate the state’s judicial nomination commission and allow the governor to appoint  judges to fill vacancies between elections and it asks for an injunction to block the law from taking effect and to declare it unconstitutional. Attorney...

Attorney General Knudsen Weighs In On Federal Lawsuit

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service reports March yielded substantially different  weather patterns than the cold and wet conditions experienced during February. Snowpack percentages on March 1st were at a high point for the year. Later during March precipitation at both mountain and valley locations was well below average. Attorne...

Attorney General Knudsen Eases Enrollment For Learner’s Permits

Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced a temporary relief program to clear a driver education backlog and help Montanans who are 15 years old to get their learner’s permit and eventually a driver’s license in a timely fashion. There are an estimated 22,000 Montana students waiting to enroll so they can obtain their learner’s permit.  St...