Alex Sakariassen
The battle for Missoula’s school board and future of local control
The past two years have transformed public education into one of the most politically divisive arenas of our time, and school board seats are increasingly seen as an opportunity to either fix a wayward and unresponsive system or reaffirm a commitment to long-standing educational tenets.
District court blocks Montana GOP’s new voting laws
A district court judge in Yellowstone County on Wednesday temporarily blocked four new election administration laws passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature that have been challenged by the Montana Democratic Party and a coalition of Indigenous and voter advocacy organizations.
Montana state superintendent pitches revisions to teacher licensing
Arntzen’s proposals also include a series of regulatory alterations designed to broaden eligibility for teachers, specifically those who have entered the profession through educator preparation programs that may not be recognized in Montana.
Apprenticeship ratio proposal sparks concerns
Supporters view the change as a key component in meeting growing construction and infrastructure needs statewide, while skeptics question whether the strategy could pose a risk to educational quality and workplace safety.
Montana Nurses Association slams state for ‘junk science,’ lack of school mask mandate
Memo claims an emergency rule on school mask requirements issued by DPHHS and Gov. Greg Gianforte violates state law, “promotes junk science,” and "contains misinformation that continues to confuse and divide our communities."
Montana college campuses prepare for another Covid fall
With the start of the fall semester only weeks away and COVID-19 case counts on the rise, college campuses across Montana are once again rolling out plans to prevent the spread of the virus.
Redistricting commission adopts criteria for Montana’s new congressional district
Montana’s five-member redistricting commission voted Friday to formally adopt criteria to guide its work in establishing lines for the state’s new congressional district. A vote on criteria governing how the commission will redraw state legislative boundaries was pushed to July 20.
City, county leaders in Montana struggle with Legislature usurping local control
For county and municipal leaders, the impacts of bills passed by the 2021 Legislature amount to a notable reduction in their ability to respond at a local level on a range of issues including public health, affordable housing and agricultural sustainability.
Governor signs bills ending Election Day registration, tightening voter ID
Gov. Greg Gianforte has officially ended the state’s long-standing practice of allowing citizens to register to vote on Election Day, a change he said will help preserve the integrity of Montana’s elections, but that critics have decried as a blatant attack on voter rights.
Montana University System grapples with new state law, guns on campus
As Montana's new constitutional carry of firearms inches closer, higher education officials are tackling an ever-growing list of questions and concerns about how the law will be implemented.