In Cascade County last week, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte honored critical care flight paramedic Keith Bicsak for five decades of service to Montana. Bicsak recently capped off a 52-year career as a first responder. “One of the greatest pleasures I have as governor is recognizing Montanans who go above and beyond to serve their neighbors and our state,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Keith is one

The House Judiciary Committee last week endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would end state Supreme Court elections in Montana, giving the governor power to appoint justices to the bench with Senate confirmation. House Bill 915, sponsored by Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, is the long-awaited culmination of legislative Republicans’ efforts this year to remake the state court system

The House Education Committee tabled a bill 12-1 last week that would have provided funding for free school meals to all students in the public school system. Rep. Melissa Romano, D-Helena, sponsored House Bill 863, which would require $22 million yearly of the state’s general fund to be appropriated to the Office of Public Instruction, which would then distribute the money to public schools

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is pleased to announce the submission of a Corridor ID Program proposal to the Federal Railroad Administration. According to the FRA, “The Corridor ID Program is intended to become the primary means for directing Federal financial support and technical assistance toward the development of proposals for new or improved intercity passenger rail services throughout

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) are introducing bipartisan legislation to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take a more comprehensive look at the factors that best prevent veteran suicide. The Senators’ Not Just a Number Act would require VA to examine veterans’ benefits usage in their annual suicide

In 2022, 17 agricultural producers across Montana received more than $2.3 million in direct funds through USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant program which helps these businesses generate new products, create, and expand marketing opportunities, and increase overall producer income with the goal of growing local economies in rural areas. Montana’s Value-Added Producer Grant

Michael Russell, 50, Sheridan, hold for other agency. James Sangrey, 39, Great Falls, hold for other agency. Donald Shyface, 64, Wolf Point, hold for Fort Peck Tribes. Jaren Stennerson, 38, hold for other agency. Ian Stewart, 24, hold for other agency. Feather Stillsmoking, 32, Cut Bank, hold for other agency. Amanda St. Marks, 29, Wolf Point, hold for Fort Peck Tribes.

Sen. Jeremy Trebas figures he might see his face on a campaign postcard sooner or later with an attack: “‘Jeremy Trebas wanted to raise your property taxes in an unlimited manner.’” But Trebas, a Great Falls Republican, has a rationale for pitching Senate Bill 548, and Democrats and other Republicans joined him in sponsoring it. SB 548, heard on Friday, March 31, and passed out of committee