Montana Free Press
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Montana's independent, nonprofit source for in-depth news coverage of politics, government, and other issues that matter to the people of this great state. montanafreepress.org
New census estimates show AC is generally more common in eastern Montana — and the state trails its better-cooled neighbors.
Custer County is Montana’s most air-conditioned locale
New Census Bureau estimates show where air conditioning is most — and least — common in Montana.
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The Montana Supreme Court on Thursday vacated its own injunction, which temporarily allowed a proposed data center initiative to appear on the November ballot in Butte-Silver Bow County, less than 48 hours after issuing it.
Supreme Court: Butte-Silver Bow data center initiative will miss November ballot
Less than 48 hours after putting the initiative on the ballot, the court reverses course.
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A new statue will replace the state Capitol’s iconic copper “Montana” as part of an extensive renovation of the building’s exterior, according to state officials.
State committee votes to replace Capitol’s iconic ‘Montana’ statue
Officials say that the statue has sustained extensive damage and that repairs are ‘infeasible.’
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With a midterm election on the horizon, Montana voters say kitchen-table issues such as the cost of living and the economy will influence their ballot choices most, according to a Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton Poll.
Pocketbook issues top Montana voter concerns in September poll
With midterm election approaching, affordability is shaping how Montanans plan to vote.
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General election voters in Butte-Silver Bow County may now consider a proposed ballot initiative that would require citizen approval of data center development, after the Montana Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a lower court ruling that prevented the initiative from appearing on the ballot.
Supreme Court puts Butte’s data center initiative back on the ballot
Butte-Silver Bow County said it intends to comply, but is unsure how.
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Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson are competing in a nonpartisan — but increasingly politicized — race for the state’s highest court.
Meet the Flathead Valley jurists squaring off for a Supreme Court seat
Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson are competing in a nonpartisan — but increasingly politicized — race for the state’s highest court.
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Montanans aren’t confident about the direction of the state and generally disapprove of their top elected officials, according to a Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll. https://bit.ly/4rKTm2l
New poll shows voter concern over state’s direction, partisan divide regarding elected officials
Montana voters give low marks to elected officials, say state is on the “wrong track.”
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A Billings man who previously patrolled near Broadwater Elementary School with a firearm has resumed carrying a gun on his property across from the school. https://bit.ly/4rKT5MR
Billings man with gun resumes ‘patrolling’ near elementary school
Gabriel Metcalf lives directly across the busy, four-lane Broadwater Avenue from Broadwater Elementary School. Many parents, school officials and law enforcement officers watching his current actions ...
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Retiring after 45 years, Billings’ longtime top cop talks about the importance of proactive policing, second chances and public accountability. https://bit.ly/4rqRVWh
On the Record: Billings Police Chief Rich St. John says goodbye after 45 years of law enforcement
“When I started in the ‘80s, cocaine was the drug that we saw here. We saw some violence out of that. The drug dealers would be fighting for turf. There were a lot of bars. Prostitution was prevalent....
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After four years helming the state’s largest agency, Charlie Brereton is leaving the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for a job in the private sector, the governor’s office has announced. https://bit.ly/4rAmARd
Montana state health department director to leave for private sector role
Charlie Brereton has helmed the agency for four years.
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While the goals of public pushback against data center development are clear, a 2025 state law — the Right to Compute Act — has effectively tied the hands of county commissioners who constituents are pushing for regulation.
How MT's Right to Compute Act stymies data center regulation
Local officials say a first-in-the-nation state law is hamstringing the public’s power to regulate unpopular development.
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A federal judge ordered the release of 24 immigration detainees late last week, and more are expected to be released soon as the case continues.
Dozens of warrantless arrests deemed wrongful in class-action immigration case
Upper Seven Law announced that 24 "unlawfully detained individuals" had been released from the Cascade County Detention Center. More are expected to be released as the court considers further petition...
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The emotional repatriation of Christine Redstone, Peter Howe and Richard Morgan marked the end of a 136-year separation.
‘Where they belong’: Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes bring home the remains of three members
After more than 130 years, Fort Peck community members welcomed home the remains of Christine Redstone, Peter Howe and Richard Morgan.
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A Montana law regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence in campaign ads has been dealt a blow by a federal judge on the basis of freedom of speech concerns.
Federal court blocks Montana’s AI campaign ad law
Judge shields political committee’s use of AI-generated political ads from Montana law.
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Data center developer Quantica Infrastructure has begun construction on its massive project in Yellowstone County. Postcards mailed to area residents said that in early September the company began staging equipment on the nearly 8-square-mile property outside the town of Broadview.
Broadview area data center sees first phase of construction with roads, well work
Quantica has agreed to use local, unionized labor when possible, under a memorandum of understanding it signed with the Southeastern Montana Building and Construction Trades Council. Riley McCauley, v...
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The Chamber was roasted throughout the night for failing to show. On stage, two seats were placed opposite from the lineup holding signs for the Montana and Billings chambers of commerce. Both declined to participate.
Initiative debate turns rally after Chamber backs out
The Montana Chamber of Commerce was roasted for failing to show up to debate I-194.
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In a hand-delivered letter, Austin James, the secretary of state’s legal counsel, told lawmakers they could have gotten the information from other sources.
SOS Jacobsen responds to legislative subpoena
The secretary of state’s legal counsel told lawmakers they could have gotten the information from other sources.
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Montanans are having ongoing challenges affording housing, healthcare, gas and groceries, according to a new Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll of registered voters conducted in late August and early September.
Poll: Cost-of-living important factor for 80% of Montana registered voters
Voters report ongoing challenges to afford housing, healthcare, groceries and gas.
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When funding dips below a set threshold, the Department of Administration can raise the price of health insurance.
Why are state employees’ health insurance rates going up?
With money for the state healthcare plan running low, the Montana Department of Administration is hiking rates.
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Montanans are largely split on the issue of immigration enforcement, with men, Republicans and older adults largely approving and Democrats, women and younger adults largely opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a recent Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll found.
Poll: Montanans split on immigration enforcement
Poll finds divides fall along political party, gender and age lines.
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As proposals for new AI data centers pop up across the state, registered voters have concerns about electricity costs and local impacts.
New data centers face opposition from registered voters in Montana
A new poll finds widespread opposition to building data centers in Montana communities
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Patients with disabilities have long struggled with administrative hoops, blunders, and confusion when trying to qualify for federally subsidized health coverage because of their illness.
A cancer survivor hoped to work — then she lost her Medicaid disability coverage
Patients with disabilities have long struggled with administrative hoops, blunders, and confusion when trying to qualify for federally subsidized health coverage because of their illness. Now, new fed...
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Democratic challenger Brian Miller has more name recognition than he did in May, but the Republican incumbent is still heavily favored.
Troy Downing has substantial lead in Eastern U.S. House District
Democratic challenger Brian Miller has increased his name recognition, but Republican incumbent Downing is still heavily favored.
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The closure of the 165-bed temporary shelter has left the Poverello Center at capacity and has strained other organizations serving people living on the street.
What Missoula’s homelessness response looks like one year after Johnson Street shelter closure
The closure of the 165-bed temporary Johnson Street shelter has left the Poverello Center at capacity and has strained other organizations serving people living on the street.
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The recent Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll shows the two candidates in a toss-up race for Montana’s Western District.
Flint, Forstag in dead heat for House seat
The recent Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll shows the two candidates in a toss-up race for Montana’s Western District.
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The multi-car derailment forced the cancellation of classes and the temporary closure of area roads.
Train derails in Shelby, authorities say ‘no immediate danger’
The multi-car derailment forced the cancellation of classes and the temporary closure of area roads.
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Proposed revisions to the Roadless Rule and Travel Management Rule could reshape how millions of acres of public lands are accessed, managed and protected.
Major Forest Service Rules Are Changing. Here’s What’s At Stake.
The Forest Service is looking to change how roadless areas, roads and motorized travel are managed on public lands. Here’s what the proposed rule changes could mean for access, recreation and conserva...
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New poll shows Republican Kurt Alme ahead of independent Seth Bodnar, with Democrats favoring the independent over party nominee Alani Bankhead.
Alme leads Bodnar in U.S. Senate race, Democrat and Libertarian lag behind
Alme leads all Senate candidates, but Bodnar is gaining traction with voters.
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A Montana Free Press review of contributions to federal candidates shows $1,776,969 on their collective ledgers, with PAC contributions to Senate frontrunner Kurt Alme and incumbent Eastern House District Rep. Troy Downing accounting for nearly 76% of the total.
Who’s drawing the PAC power in Montana’s 2026 congressional races?
Leadership PAC and party committee donations signal who holds institutional power in an election. In Montana, that power is overwhelmingly Republican.
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Cascade County law enforcement is investigating potentially bogus signatures gathered for independent campaigns. No candidate wrongdoing is alleged.
Cascade County law enforcement investigating independent candidate signatures
House candidate Brian Miller has filed a lawsuit seeking disqualification of some signatures.
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