Blair Miller

Organizers call for persistence against Trump as thousands attend Helena 'No Kings' rally “We have a global community cheering us on, and we still have our vote. The authoritarian playbook is powerful, but is not invincible. We have no kings,” one speaker said.

Organizers call for persistence against Trump as thousands attend Helena 'No Kings' rally helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtpol #nokings

How a bipartisan coalition dominated the Montana Senate and fractured the Republican Party "I think this will be talked about for a long time," a former GOP Senate president said of the coalition that took over the upper chamber this legislative session.

How a bipartisan coalition dominated the Montana Senate and fractured the Republican Party helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Montana Legislature wraps after passing property tax relief, but not without final drama The 69th Montana Legislature adjourned Wednesday after passing sweeping property tax legislation and a far-reaching spending bill, but not before a final dose of drama in the Senate.

Montana Legislature wraps after passing property tax relief, but not without final drama helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Attorney: Man legally in Montana taken into immigration custody in Whitefish This is the first case in Montana that a Missoula immigration attorney is aware of involving a person with lawful status being detained by federal immigration authorities.

Attorney: Man legally in Montana taken into immigration custody in Whitefish helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtpol #mtnews

Pardon George Floyd’s killer? Legislative resolutions look to rewrite narratives on racism Many legislative resolutions generally have no effect beyond communicating a sentiment of the Legislature and are often referred to around the Capitol as "letters to Santa Claus."

Pardon George Floyd’s killer? Legislative resolutions look to rewrite narratives on racism helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Judge extends temporary block on Montana trans 'bathroom bill' Less than one month after it was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte, HB 121 got its first court hearing Monday in Missoula.

Judge extends temporary block on Montana trans 'bathroom bill' helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Montana Senate coalition rebuffs GOP majority's efforts to size down $16.6 billion budget The $16.6 billion budget would make significant investments in government-funded health care, correctional facilities and teacher pay, but there are differing opinions on whether lawmakers are overspe...

Montana Senate coalition rebuffs GOP majority's efforts to size down $16.6 billion budget helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Montana legislators, lobbyists make property tax progress behind the scenes A select few legislators and business lobbyists are talking behind closed doors and in hallways about how to get their preferred property tax relief bill over the finish line.

Montana legislators, lobbyists make property tax progress behind the scenes helenair.com/news/state-r... @victoriaeavis.bsky.social #mtleg #mtpol

Judge orders federal government to restore legal status for two MSU international students U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen also barred the federal government from initiating deportation proceedings on the basis of the two students' revoked visas.

Judge orders federal government to restore legal status for two MSU international students helenair.com/news/state-r... @victoriaeavis.bsky.social #mtleg #mtpol

Bill to outlaw local 'red flag' gun laws headed to Montana governor's desk Such laws are in place in 21 states to try to keep guns out of the hands of people experiencing mental illness or who have threatened themselves or others.

Bill to outlaw local 'red flag' gun laws headed to Montana governor's desk
helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Two MSU international students sue Trump administration over visa revocation Without proper visas, international students become undocumented and are required to leave the United States, or face arrest or deportation.

Two MSU international students sue Trump administration over visa revocation helenair.com/news/state-r... via @victoriaeavis.bsky.social #mtpol

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Montana lawmakers spar over women's privacy during pregnancy care The Montana Legislature advanced two bills that, according to Democrats, could put women's private medical information at risk when they seek reproductive health care.

Montana lawmakers spar over women's privacy during pregnancy care helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Montana House votes down bill that would have allowed wolf hunting into late spring A bill that sought to extend Montana's wolf hunting season into late spring when wolves are raising pups went down on its final vote Friday in the state House.

Montana House votes down bill that would have allowed wolf hunting into late spring helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

International students at MSU and UM have visas revoked by federal government A university spokesperson said they learned of the revocations at MSU through a routine check and did not receive any communication from the federal government.

NEW: Three international students at Montana State University and another at the University of Montana had their visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, university officials said on Friday. helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtpol #mtnews

Montana Legislature: Where things stand at the session's halfway mark and what comes next This week's break allows lawmakers to take a needed breath after what has been a first half filled with hundreds of bills, a few policy surprises, high drama and tension.

Montana Legislature: Where things stand at the session's halfway mark and what comes next helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Organizations brace for immediate effects of MT 'bathroom bill' awaiting gov's signature House Bill 121 could wreak havoc on public employees, open up government agencies to legal battles and thrust financial costs on already-strapped programs, organizations say.

Organizations brace for immediate effects of MT 'bathroom bill' awaiting gov's signature helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Montana Senate spirals as Ellsworth ethics probe paused, investigation sent to DOJ The latest scrum on the Senate floor led to anger, tears, and embarrassment, some of the GOP caucus members said. Accusations of corruption flew across the chamber.

Montana Senate spirals as Ellsworth ethics probe paused, investigation sent to DOJ helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Ellsworth contract updates: Ex-business associate says contract was his proposal Sen. Jason Ellsworth's former business partner said his reputation has been severely damaged by the audit report, which the senator's attorney said rose to the level of defamation.

Ellsworth contract updates: Ex-business associate says contract was his proposal helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Montana Senate sends Ellsworth's contract controversy to ethics committee "The people of Montana expect that we find and adjudicate corruption in state government," Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kalispell.

Montana Senate sends Ellsworth's contract controversy to ethics committee helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Legislative audit: Sen. Ellsworth's contracts 'illegal,' 'waste of state resources' A memo from the Legislative Audit Division calls Sen. Jason Ellsworth's attempt to skirt oversight in the bidding process "illegal" and a "waste of state resources."

Legislative audit: Sen. Ellsworth's contracts 'illegal,' 'waste of state resources' helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

State's new contract with CoreCivic has no limit on out-of-state inmate transfers The new agreement includes a plan to send 240 Montana inmates to the company's private prison in Tutwiler, Mississippi.

State's new contract with CoreCivic has no limit on out-of-state inmate transfers helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Dozens testify to support Medicaid expansion in Montana as major bills get first hearings "If, as legislators, we choose to bury our heads in the sand … we will pay a heck of a lot more than we’re paying now with this program."

Dozens testify to support Medicaid expansion in Montana as major bills get first hearings helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtpol #mtleg

Emails: Legislative staff blocked senator's initial request for controversial contract GOP Senate President Matt Regier said he only recently learned of the $170k state-funded contract. On Friday he said he was trying to cancel it and terminate any payments.

Emails: Legislative staff blocked senator's initial request for controversial contract helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

GOP Senate probing $170K state contract legislator quietly awarded to business associate Senate President Matt Regier said he has “very, very serious concerns” about the contract arrangement. "The more you look at it, the deeper it's getting.”

GOP Senate probing $170K state contract legislator quietly awarded to business associate helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg

Senate President's bid to unite GOP caucus fails Senate President Matt Regier's effort to placate nine Republican members over a dispute about committee assignments failed on the fourth day of the Legislature.

Senate President's bid to unite GOP caucus fails helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Standoff in the Montana State Senate brings work to a standstill Democrats and a group of Republicans prevailed on a vote that undid several committee assignments and sent the upper chamber into a quagmire in its first week.

Standoff in the Montana State Senate brings work to a standstill helenair.com/news/state-r... #mtleg #mtpol

Good morning from the first day of the 2025 Montana Legislature #mtleg #mtpol

Montana Supreme Court affirms decision in Held, historic youth climate case • Daily Montanan Limit on analysis of greenhouse gas emissions unconstitutional, court says in 6-1 opinion

And here’s our full story on the Montana Supreme Court affirming the district court in Held v. Montana. W/ @mddrew.bsky.social dailymontanan.com/2024/12/18/m... @dailymontanan.bsky.social #mtpol #mtnews

Statements from the youth plaintiffs and their attorneys on the Montana Supreme Court’s decision in Held @dailymontanan.bsky.social #mtpol #mtleg