Montana/Region

Montana’s National Bison Range transferred to tribes

Published on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 3:09pm
Article Image Alt Text

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Red Sleep Mountain began its official return to the Flathead Indian Reservation on Friday as Interior Secretary David Bernhardt signed papers transferring the National Bison Range to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Montana House passes bill to permit campus concealed carry

Published on Fri, 01/15/2021 - 3:48pm

HELENA (AP) — A bill that would expand the list of places in Montana where people can carry concealed firearms with and without permits passed Thursday in the Republican-controlled House, less than two weeks after the Legislature started its session.

Under existing law, concealed firearms are only allowed without permits in Montana outside of city limits. The bill would allow them to be carried without permits, including in the Montana Capitol, state and local government buildings and on public university campuses.

Groups ask court to restore protections for US gray wolves

Published on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 3:24pm

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates on Thursday asked a federal court to overturn a U.S. government decision that stripped Endangered Species Act protections for wolves across most of the nation.

Two coalitions of advocacy groups filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Northern California seeking to restore safeguards for a predator that is revered by wildlife watchers but feared by many livestock producers.

Bill would allow domestic violence recordings as evidence

Published on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 4:34pm

HELENA (AP) — Montana lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow victims of domestic violence to secretly record phone calls or interactions with the perpetrator and use the recordings as evidence in court.

Under Montana law, it is illegal to record a conversation without the knowledge of all the parties involved. That means such recordings can’t be used as evidence in prosecuting domestic violence and other criminal cases. 

Study: Wildfires produced up to half of pollution in US West

Published on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 3:30pm
Article Image Alt Text

BILLINGS (AP) — Wildfire smoke accounted for up to half of all health-damaging small particle air pollution in the western U.S. in recent years as warming temperatures fueled more destructive blazes, according to a study released Monday.

Even as pollution emissions declined from other sources including vehicle exhaust and power plants, the amount from fires increased sharply, said researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, San Diego. 

Montana Legislature highly recommends face masks, for now

Published on Mon, 01/11/2021 - 12:00am
Article Image Alt Text

HELENA (AP) — Montana’s legislative leaders are highly recommending but not requiring face coverings for people participating in the Legislature, after Friday’s initial meeting of the body’s COVID-19 panel.

Montana Republicans who support Trump denounce violence

Published on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:47pm
Article Image Alt Text

HELENA (AP) — After months of tacitly or directly supporting President Donald Trump’s denial of the results of the 2020 election, top Montana Republicans denounced the violence that took over the nation’s Capitol and delayed Congress’ certification of the presidential election for Joe Biden. But one of them doubled down. 

Montana gun bill would allow concealed carry at universities

Published on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 2:50pm
Article Image Alt Text

HELENA(AP) — A new bill under consideration in the Montana House would relax restrictions on guns in the state by allowing concealed carrying of firearms on college campuses.

Republicans, who hold majorities in the state House and Senate, have prioritized the measure amid renewed hope it will be signed into law this year with a GOP governor in office for the first time in 16 years. 

Numerous bills to relax gun regulations in Montana have been vetoed by Democratic governors in the past decade.

Gianforte sets guidelines for lifting mask mandate

Published on Wed, 01/06/2021 - 5:10pm
Article Image Alt Text

By AMY BETH HANSON
Associated Press

Montana’s governor said he will lift the statewide mask mandate put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after more vulnerable people receive vaccines and the Legislature sends him a bill to protect businesses, schools, churches and nonprofits from lawsuits if they follow public health guidelines.

Gov. Greg Gianforte did not say how many or what percentage of the most vulnerable would have to be vaccinated to trigger the lifting of the mask mandate put in place by former Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat.

Montana legislators kick off 2021 session

Published on Wed, 01/06/2021 - 8:19am
Article Image Alt Text

HELENA — A new cohort of Montana legislators assumed office Monday with a bolstered Republican majority promising to enact a slate of bold — though at this point, somewhat vague — conservative policies.

“Mandate” was the word of the day. With increased majorities in both chambers, a governorship and a host of other statewide offices in their control, Republicans like newly elected House Speaker Wylie Galt repeatedly referenced the overwhelming vote of confidence they received in November.