In The News

WASHINGTON — Montana’s top elected leaders of both parties issued a strong denunciation Tuesday over a plan by neo-Nazis to conduct an armed march harassing the state’s Jewish community.   “We condemn attacks on our religious freedom manifesting in a group of anti-Semites,” the officials said. “We say to those few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here.”  The statement — signed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D), US Senators Steve Daines (R) and Jon Tester (D), Rep. Ryan Zinke (R) and Attorney General Tim Fox (R) — is a response to plans to hold the march

Tuesday morning, a powerful letter against anti-Semitism was sent from Montana’s top elected leaders.  Governor Steve Bullock, Attorney General Tim Fox, Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines, and Representative Ryan Zinke all wrote the letter together, titled ‘standing together’. The letter states this:  Dear fellow Americans, as we close out this year and look toward the future, we as Montana’s elected leaders are focused on the values that reflect our true character.  We offer our full support to the Jewish community, Montana families, businesses, faith organizations and law enforcement officers as they ensure the security of all our communities. We

Tucked into the legislature’s Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2017 was a Christmas present for the nation’s farmers — a life preserver of sorts for the front lines of the agriculture industry, whose family enterprises are facing historic low commodity prices in wheat and concurrent unexplained volatility and low prices in the cattle industry. The $1.07 trillion funding bill that continues the government through April 28 by maintaining funding at current budget cap levels was necessary once again to prevent another government shutdown, but the stop-gap measure does make a provision for one area of increase.  The USDA’s loan provision,

Chabad Lubavitch of Montana will light up one of 10,000 public menorahs worldwide in downtown Bozeman tonight, symbolizing the universal message of religious freedom. The public 9-foot menorah erected at First Security Bank at Main Street and Bozeman Avenue will be lit at 6:30 p.m., followed by a community-wide celebration for the first night of Chanukah. Sen. Steve Daines will attend with his wife, Cindy, and will light the lead candle and address the crowd. Following the menorah lighting ceremony, people will sing and eat traditional Chanukah foods of doughnuts and chocolate gelt.  “As the world and even parts of

A Montana company has been granted a license to build a $1 billion, 400-megawatt power storage project in the central part of the state that would supplement electricity from wind turbines and other sources, according to documents released Thursday by federal regulators. The 50-year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allows Absaroka Energy, of Bozeman, Montana, to construct and operate the project on a 177-acre site near the tiny town of Martinsdale, home to fewer than 100 people.  The facility called the Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Project would use excess power produced by wind farms or other sources to pump water

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell has not announced any intention to retire with the coming change of presidential administrations, which is another way of saying he appears to intend to continue in the job he’s got. “We can’t speculate on the chief’s intentions,” Forest Service spokesman Byron James said on Monday. “He is a career employee, not a political appointee. There is no need to reapply for the position when an administration changes. As a  career employee, he will continue to serve.” Tidwell was Region 1 Forester headquartered in Missoula before taking the job of chief of the Forest Service

Undersheriff Dave Rau entered the search and rescue headquarters Thursday afternoon thinking he was there for a staff meeting. Instead, he was greeted by Sen. Steve Daines, Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and his family.  “This is a very important moment,” Daines said as he thanked Rau and his loved ones for their sacrifices. Daines wanted a chance to thank Rau for his 20 years with the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Rau is retiring from the force at the end of the month.  Daines said he is honored to be able to place a letter he penned regarding

(MTN NEWS-HELENA) U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) unveiled new legislation to help wildland firefighters and praised the selection of Rep. Ryan Zinke as the next U.S. Secretary of the Interior during a visit to Helena Thursday. Federal firefighters are entitled to retirement after 20 years because of the hazardous nature of their work. But if they get hurt and can’t return to a firefighting job, they’re currently forced to switch to a 30-year retirement track, like other federal workers.  Daines has introduced a bill that would let firefighters injured on the job remain on the 20-year track. It would also

(MTN NEWS-HELENA) State and municipal leaders came together Thursday afternoon to honor Lewis & Clark County Undersheriff Dave Rau, who is retiring after 20 years of service.  The Sheriff’s office organized a surprise ceremony at the county search and rescue building to recognize Rau. U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox were among those who spoke at the event.  Rau’s family, including his wife and one of his children, were in attendance. More than a dozen deputies, including an honor guard, took part in the ceremony. Daines shared a speech he will enter into the Congressional Record