More than half the states rolled back public health powers during pandemic
Interior Secretary signs CSKT water compact
Districting commission takes an initial look at public-proposed U.S. House district maps
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Montana hospitals in ‘dire’ straits as COVID rages
Montana politicians respond to resettlement of 75 Afghan refugees to Missoula
Students urge regents to mandate vaccination
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to explore relisting the gray wolf
On opening day of Montana’s expanded wolf-hunting season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it has decided to conduct an in-depth status review to determine whether state management plans aiming to aggressively reduce wolf populations threaten the recovery of gray wolves.
DPHHS director spells out sweeping reorganization for lawmakers
In testimony before lawmakers on the interim budget committee that oversees DPHHS, Director Adam Meier said the organizational changes are meant to increase efficiency and improve communications with external stakeholders.
Lawmakers question judges about ethics standards
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath and District Court Judge Mike Menahan explain to lawmakers how Montana investigates complaints against judges and field questions from Republicans about their own conduct.
What does the science really say about masking?
On Aug. 31, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services claimed in an emergency rule that the science on mask effectiveness in reducing viral transmission is “not conclusive.” But according to infectious disease specialists, the literature is abundantly clear: masks work.
Montana right-to-work group sues COPP
On Monday, Montana Citizens for Right to Work filed a lawsuit against Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan. Its complaint asks a federal court judge to block Mangan from enforcing a campaign law it alleges is unconstitutional.
Montana hospitals, unions grapple with Biden’s new vaccine mandate
Montanans respond to the plan President Joe Biden unveiled Sept. 9 targeting unvaccinated workers at hospitals and large companies to slow the spread of COVID’s Delta variant.
Stimulus infrastructure funds headed to water and sewer projects
The awards, totalling nearly $127 million, were formally announced Thursday by Gov. Greg Gianforte. They follow an allocation process that was outlined by the Montana Legislature this spring in which project applications were submitted by local government entities, ranked by staff at the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and reviewed by an advisory committee last month.
State revises marijuana advertising rules
Under the new rules, dispensaries will be able to promote their business via advertising and market their brand. However, dispensaries may not specifically advertise marijuana products except in online ads. The state has also eliminated what some dispensary owners believe was a burdensome set of rules that would have required dispensaries and other marijuana-related businesses to display a lengthy warning about the drug.
Youth voting groups file Montana’s fourth election lawsuit
A trio of organizations focused on youth voting advocacy filed a lawsuit against Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen Thursday, seeking to overturn three new election laws passed by legislators this year. It’s the fourth election-centric legal challenge to arise since the Legislature gaveled out in April.
EPA names Billings site a Superfund cleanup priority
A three-mile-wide swath of central and downtown Billings where groundwater has been contaminated with chlorinated solvents from laundromat operations is set to receive federal Superfund status per a notice issued by the Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday.
Labor Department touts economic rebound
Montana’s economy is rebounding quickly from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Labor & Industry economists write in a report released Wednesday.
Montana Nurses Association slams state rule on school mask mandates
On Wednesday, the Montana Nurses Association responded to the Department of Public Health and Human Services’ emergency rule on school mask mandates. The association’s memo said the rule violates state law and “promotes junk science.”
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