News

Detained college student Guthrie McLean released by Chinese authorities

A U.S. senator announced Sunday that Guthrie McLean, a 25-year-old college student, was released by Chinese authorities after he was arrested a week ago following a dispute with a taxi driver who was allegedly being rough with his mother. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., made the announcement Sunday and said Chinese police released McLean earlier in the day. “I am thrilled to report that we just received an email from Guthrie McLean’s mother that ‘prayers answered, Guthrie is home,’” Daines said in a statement. “After days of working the phones with top Chinese and American officials to secure Guthrie’s freedom from a Chinese

Senator: Chinese authorities have released detained U.S. student

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) announced Sunday that Chinese authorities have released a 25-year-old American college student detained a week ago. “I am thrilled to report we just received an email from Guthrie McLean’s mother that ‘prayers answered, Guthrie is home,’ ” Daines said in a statement. McLean was taken into custody by Chinese authorities after allegedly injuring a taxi driver who had gotten into an argument with his mother a week ago, according to The Associated Press. “After days of working the phones with top Chinese and American officials to secure Guthrie’s freedom from a Chinese detention facility, he has

Student detained in China has been released, according to senator

An American college student who was arrested in China one week ago after allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother in a dispute over a fare has been released, according to a U.S. senator. Steve Daines, the U.S. Senator from Montana, released a statement today announcing the release of Guthrie McLean, 25, at 2 a.m. local time in China. “I am thrilled to report that we just received an email from Guthrie McLean’s mother that ‘prayers answered, Guthrie is home,’” Daines said in a statement. “After days of working the phones with top Chinese and American

Daines Works to Improve Montana’s Energy and Water Development

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to improve the future of Montana energy and water development.   This afternoon, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations passed the bipartisan FY2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.   “We need to provide the necessary tools to restore American energy dominance and keep our communities strong,” Daines stated. “I’m thrilled to secure important resources that deliver reliable water to Montanans.” During the mark-up the committee unanimously adopted Daines’ amendment to ensure farmers can use their water rights to grow industrial hemp in states where industrial hemp cultivation is allowed. The Bureau of Reclamation has

U.S. college student being detained in China, his mother says

A University of Montana student is in custody in China after an altercation with a cab driver, the student’s mother tells CBS Missoula, Montana affiliate KPAX-TV. Jennifer McLean says her son, Guthrie McLean, is accused of assaulting the taxi driver – but says it happened after the driver attacked her.  Local police in China refused to confirm or deny to CBS News that Guthrie is being held. According to KPAX, Guthrie McLean essentially grew up in China, where Jennifer teaches English. But in recent years, Guthrie has been enrolled at the University of Montana. In late May, Jennifer tells KPAX, he

Daines, Gianforte Announce $187,606 in Funding for the Montana Public Service Commission Towards Pipeline Safety

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte today announced $187,606 in funding for pipeline safety programs awarded to the Montana Public Service Commission.   This funding will pay up to 80 percent of Montana’s cost for personnel, equipment and activities to carry out inspection and enforcement of pipeline safety regulations.  “Pipeline infrastructure is critical for energy, jobs and protecting the environment in Montana,” Daines stated. “I’m pleased that this funding will ensure proper safety programs for our pipeline infrastructure.”   “The safety of pipelines in Montana is critical to the wellbeing of our state’s natural treasures,” Gianforte stated. “These funds will ensure that pipelines

Daines’ office working to help UM student detained in China

Zhengzhou, China – A spokesperson for Senator Steve Daines says they are working with the Chinese government to free a University of Montana student who was detained in China earlier this week. Guthrie McLean is accused of assaulting a cab driver on June 10 in Zhengzhou, China.  Daines’ press secretary Katie Waldman says the senator is “Working at all levels of the Chinese Government to free McLean.” Waldman confirmed that the US Consulate in Wuhan will meet with McLean. She says that the US Embassy, Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are all coordinating with police in Henan and Zhengzhou to expedite the

Sen. Daines dines with the president; talks about filibuster, ‘getting things done’

HELENA – Minutes before the Senate Republicans’ health-care bill went down in flames Monday night, Montana’s Republican U.S. senator, Steve Daines, dined at the White House with President Trump – but says they didn’t talk exclusively about health care. “There really wasn’t an agenda,” Daines told MTN News Tuesday morning. “It was a 90-minute strategy about, `How do we get more results in Washington, D.C’ – how do we get things accomplished?” The discussion included health care, tax reform, the federal debt ceiling and the nation’s $20 trillion federal debt, he said. Daines said he has one idea on how

Forest Service museum to open its doors in Missoula

It’s a museum of national scope geared to start telling a very national story — the history of the United States Forest Service. On Thursday it opens to the public right here in River City, or rather 6.5 miles outside of it. The National Museum of Forest Service History will hail the opening of its new visitor center and interpretive trail a mile west of the Missoula International Airport with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. There’ll be cake and coffee, the mayor, and representatives from the offices of Gov. Steve Bullock and U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines.