Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Familiar names vie for Libby county commissioner seat
Libby area Republicans will pick between two men with plenty of previous experience as local elected officials to …
When do nuclear missteps put security in jeopardy?
WASHINGTON — At what point do breakdowns in discipline put the country’s nuclear security in jeopardy?
Judge rejects groups request to halt wolf kill
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a request by conservation groups to stop Idaho from killing wolves from two packs in central Idaho as part of the state’s efforts to bolster elk numbers in the area.
ACLU: Drugs dangerous in executions
HELENA — A long execution in Ohio that left the condemned inmate gasping and snorting illustrates the dangers of using untested drug combinations in lethal injections, said a civil-rights group suing Montana over i…
State officials OK copper mine permit
HELENA — State environmental regulators on Thursday approved an exploration permit for a Canadian company considering opening a copper mine near White Sulphur Springs, which will allow the company to drill a nearly…
U.S. officials call for more safety for oil moved by rail car
U.S. transportation officials said Thursday that companies need to come up with safer ways to transport oil on the nation’s rail lines following some explosive accidents as crude trains proliferate across North Ame…
Missoula now rethinking its panhandling ordinance
MISSOULA — The Missoula City Council might have to change an ordinance it recently passed restricting panhandling following a federal judge’s decision in Idaho that barred the city of Boise from enacting most of it…
Deadly Oregon standoff follows Montana robbery
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — A patrol car hit and injured a man and a woman later fatally shot herself during a police standoff as Oregon authorities closed in on the two accused of robbing a Montana coin shop.
Conservancy protects 1 million acres in Montana
GREAT FALLS — Candland and Alice Olsen didn’t want to see their small Montana ranch in the forest on the Upper Big Hole River split into smaller parcels once they’re gone.
'Polar vortex' pushes frigid temperatures into the Midwest
CHICAGO — A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a “polar vortex” descended Monday into much of the U.S., pummeling parts of the country with a dangerous cold that could break decades-old records with wind chill…
Warning issued about oil shipped from ND, Mont.
BILLINGS — Following a string of explosive accidents, federal officials say crude oil being shipped by rail from the Northern Plains across the U.S. and Canada may be more flammable than traditional forms of oil.
Army probe says Walsh misused position
HELENA — Senatorial candidate John Walsh misused his position as Montana’s adjutant general by soliciting National Guard troops to become members of a private association for which he was seeking a leadership role,…
Big Sky Brewing, Co., sues Anheuser-Busch
ST. LOUIS — A Montana-based craft brewer is suing the world’s largest beer-maker, alleging that popular YouTube videos for Bud Light violate its trademarked phrase, “Hold my beer and watch this.”
Illinois preps for likelihood of wolf packs
CHICAGO — The wolf was believed to be a lone male expelled by a pack in Wisconsin. The hunter who shot him in northwestern Illinois, allegedly keeping his skul…
GOP can count ways to Senate majority
WASHINGTON — Republicans count enough competitive races to challenge Democrats for control of the Senate in the 2014 elections, if only they can figure out what to do with the tea party.
Tax reduction for business equipment
HELENA — An estimated 17,000 small businesses in Montana will be exempt from paying the state’s business equipment tax under a new law that takes effect on Wednesday.