The Daily Montanan
@dailymontanan.com
The Daily Montanan is a nonprofit news outlet focused on state government. We are a nonpartisan source for trusted news covering state policy and politics as an affiliate of States Newsroom.
Montana lawmakers are considering legislation to restrict or even ban kratom, a legal drug that can give opioid- and stimulant-like effects. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/09/01/l... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Legislators eye reining in 'Wild West' kratom industry
Law and Justice interim committee heard about pros and cons of kratom, a substance many compare to opiates and view as dangerous
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A bear attacked a woman walking her dog on a popular trail in the Flathead Valley on Monday evening, according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks press release. @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/bear-... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Bear attacks woman near Columbia Falls • Daily Montanan
A bear attacked a woman walking her dog on a popular trail in the Flathead Valley on Monday evening, according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks press release.
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When ballots are tallied in November, there will be a vacancy in the Flathead County District Court. Two current district court judges are facing off in a race for an open Montana Supreme Court seat. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/09/01/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana governor seeks applications for Flathead district judge • Daily Montanan
Two current Flathead County judges are facing off in the race for an open Supreme Court seat
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Brad Molnar will serve out a suspension for one year from the Montana Public Service Commission, a district court judge ordered. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/31/j... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Judge confirms PSC commissioner will remain suspended • Daily Montanan
Brad Molnar will serve out a suspension for one year from the Montana Public Service Commission, a district court judge ordered.
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner praised strides Montana has made in reducing youth in its foster care system during a recent visit to the state. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/31/h... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
HUD secretary joins governor for foster youth housing discussion • Daily Montanan
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner praised strides Montana has made in reducing youth in its foster care system during a visit to the state last week.
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Irving Acosta wants to become a barber to support his family, but he was arrested in Sidney, kicked while in custody, and threatened with staying in jail if he talked to an attorney, according to a court filing. @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/24/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
CBP agent ‘told me that he wanted me to run so that he could use his gun on me,’ imprisoned man says • Daily Montanan
In signed declarations, potential class members said they passed out while in custody, including one who was held in the back of a hot truck.
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A federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to release a Billings father and child from a facility in Havre and described their detainment as “disturbing.” By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/20/f... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Federal judge orders release of parent, child held by immigration authorities • Daily Montanan
A judge ordered the U.S. government to release a Billings father and child from a facility in Havre and described detainment as disturbing.
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A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge ruled that two Republican lawmakers will be allowed to stay on November’s ballot, halting a new opinion by the attorney general that would have booted them. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/19/j... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Judge allows Republican lawmakers to stay on ballot • Daily Montanan
Lewis and Clark District Court Judge Christopher Abbott on Wednesday ruled that two Republican lawmakers will be allowed to stay on November’s ballot, halting a new opinion last week by the attorney g...
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Judge Chris Abbott said he will decide quickly on a lawsuit filed by two longtime Republican state legislators over Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s reinterpretation of the state’s term limit statue. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/18/d... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
District Court judge says he’ll rule quickly on term limit lawsuit
State Reps. Jones and Fitzpatrick could be barred from the ballot if the AG’s term limit decision stands.
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As Montana’s largest wildfire exceeds 30,000 acres, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the state secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with costs associated with fighting the Sand Creek Fire. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/monta... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana governor secures FEMA grant for Sand Creek Fire • Daily Montanan
As Montana's largest active wildfire exceeds 30,000 acres, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced on Monday that the state has secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with costs as...
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Members of the Montana Republican Party nominated Ted Kronebusch as a replacement candidate for Senate District 9, even as a lawsuit filed by current candidate Rep. Llew Jones to stay on the ballot is ongoing. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/18/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana GOP selects Kronebusch as replacement candidate in disputed Senate race • Daily Montanan
Lawsuit ongoing over AG opinion changing term limit calculations that could leave longtime lawmaker Llew Jones off the ballot
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Montana Freedom Caucus Chairman Jerry Schillinger tried to direct $600,000 of state money to a private company even after it lost the bid for a state contract. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/17/l... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Leader of Montana Freedom Caucus defends push to steer state money to private company • Daily Montanan
Montana Freedom Caucus Chairman Jerry Schillinger tried to direct $600,000 of state money to a private company even after it lost the bid.
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A judge has issued a temporary pause on Butte-Silver Bow’s ability to retroactively change a deadline for a citizens group to gather signatures for an initiative that would put limits on data center construction. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/17/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Citizens group gets temporary reprieve in Butte-Silver Bow data center lawsuit • Daily Montanan
A district court judge last week issued a temporary pause on Butte-Silver Bow’s ability to retroactively change a deadline for a citizens group to gather signatures for an initiative that would put li...
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The state must ensure employees of the Public Service Commission don’t experience harassment — that’s why Gov. Greg Gianforte suspended Commissioner Brad Molnar, a lawyer for the governor argued Friday in court. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/15/n... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
NorthWestern merger shouldn’t be decided without Brad Molnar, new lawsuit argues • Daily Montanan
The state must ensure employees of the PSC don’t experience harassment — that’s why Gov. Greg Gianforte suspended Commissioner Brad Molnar.
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Two Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit Friday over a term limit decision made by Attorney General Austin Knudsen this week that would remove them from the ballot in November. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/15/l... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Lawmakers sue AG, SOS over term limit decision • Daily Montanan
Two Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit Friday over a term limit decision made by Attorney General Austin Knudsen this week that would remove them from the ballot in November. The legal action comes ...
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A five-soldier Montana National Guard team will deploy Tuesday to help support fire response in Washington after Gov. Greg Gianforte responded to a request. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/10/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana governor deploys National Guard to support Washington fire response • Daily Montanan
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte mobilized members of the state's National Guard to help support fire response efforts in Washington, his office announced last week.
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Twenty-two Democratic members of the Montana Legislature are officially asking Alani Bankhead, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race, to drop out and support the independent in the race, Seth Bodnar. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/08/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana Dem lawmakers call for Bankhead to drop out of U.S. Senate race • Daily Montanan
Twenty-two Democratic members of the Montana Legislature are officially asking Alani Bankhead, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race, to drop out and support the independent in the race, Set...
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Five candidates, including a former Montana Public Service Commissioner, filed applications to serve in place of Commissioner Brad Molnar, temporarily suspended from office by Gov. Greg Gianforte. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/06/g... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Governor seeks public comment on Public Service Commission applicants • Daily Montanan
Five candidates, including a former Montana Public Service Commissioner, filed applications to serve in place of Commissioner Brad Molnar.
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The Montana Department of Livestock declined to close a Meadow Gold milk facility in Billings despite multiple violations saying Thursday the company had responded to corrective guidance. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/06/s... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
State says Billings milk plant is fixing problems • Daily Montanan
Meadow Gold facility in Billings won’t be shut down, but state inspections are planned for the milk company
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Two weeks after a court hearing on whether new Montana Republican Party bylaws are unconstitutional, 67 individual Republicans, plus representatives of three county GOP committees, filed a brief supporting the lawsuit. @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/04/t... #mtnews #mtpol #Montana
County Republican committees, lawmakers and candidates file brief in lawsuit against state GOP • Daily Montanan
Two weeks after a district court judge held a hearing on whether new Montana Republican Party bylaws are unconstitutional, a group of 67 individual Republicans, plus representatives of three county GO...
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Montanans looking to renew their driver’s licenses, IDs and commercial driver’s license credentials can benefit from a state waiver of some fees through September, if they are adding a new U.S. citizenship marker. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/04/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana extends fee waiver for driver’s license, ID renewal • Daily Montanan
Waiver applies to Montanans adding U.S. citizenship marker to credentials following new legislation
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The Montana Historical Society has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, which is the highest national recognition given to museums in the United States. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/briefs/monta... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana Historical Society reaccredited by national museum org
Montana Historical Society reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, highest national recognition given to museums in U.S.
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks confirmed last week the detection of non-native brown trout in two sections of the Flathead Watershed and is asking anglers for help to determine the extent of the species. By @mddrew.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/27/n... #mtnews #mtpol
Non-native brown trout found in Flathead watershed • Daily Montanan
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks confirmed last week the detection of non-native brown trout in two sections of the Flathead Watershed and is asking anglers for help to determine the extent of the spe...
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U.S. Critical Materials wanted its Sheep Creek mine exploration plan to be exempt from DEQ review. DEQ said no. A lawmaker said USCM is "tone deaf" and the project needs to end. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/28/s... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Sheep Creek mine operators wanted exemption from DEQ review; DEQ denies request • Daily Montanan
U.S. Critical Materials tried to argue its mine exploration project at Sheep Creek doesn’t need state agency review.
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A public interest law firm, the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, has joined a First Amendment lawsuit against a 2025 state law that limits artificial intelligence use in campaign materials. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/22/c... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Conservative public interest firm joins AI election lawsuit
Hamilton Lincoln, a D.C. nonprofit, joins First Amendment lawsuit over 2025 AI election law it says violates the constitution.
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Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Bitterroot Republican, is no longer guilty of official misconduct after his verdict was vacated following a court error. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/22/e... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Ellsworth verdict vacated after court mishap
Jury saw documents they were not supposed to see during deliberations in Jason Ellsworth official misconduct trial
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Short-term rentals in Montana boosted the economy and generated $755+ million in visitor spending in 2025, according to a new study from the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. By @keilaszpaller.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/21/n... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
New study finds short-term rentals contribute $755M to Montana economy • Daily Montanan
Short-term rentals in Montana boosted the economy and generated more than $755 million in visitor spending in 2025.
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Former Montana Senate president Jason Ellsworth was found guilty of official misconduct – a misdemeanor – on Tuesday evening in Lewis and Clark District Court in Helena. By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/21/e... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Ellsworth found guilty of official misconduct in criminal trial
Former Montana Senate president Jason Ellsworth found guilty of official misconduct, a misdemeanor in jury trial
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A controversial program that sees farm-raised pheasants released by FWP for youth to hunt could expand by as much as 40K birds a year, but 40% die within one week of release, according to Pheasants Forever. @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/20/m... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
Montana wants to release 50,000 ‘pen pheasants’ per year
Roosters for Recruitment, an FWP pheasant program, could massively expand as legislators, advocates point to issues
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Misty Ann Giles, head of the Department of Administration, told the court the problematic contracts in the trial with Sen. Jason Ellsworth were like “putting lipstick on a pig.” By @jordyhansen.bsky.social: dailymontanan.com/2026/07/17/s... #mtnews #mtpol #montana
State officials detail rushed Ellsworth contracts
Trial will determine whether former Senate President Jason Ellsworth illegally used state money to benefit friend
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