Arren Kimbel-Sannit
![MSU College of Nursing receives $101 million gift](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/08/university.jpg?w=980&q=75)
MSU College of Nursing receives $101 million gift
Montana State University on Monday announced a $101 million gift from a pair of insurance executives to significantly revamp MSU’s College of Nursing, which operates on five campuses throughout the state.
![Looming deadline will test consensus in Montana redistricting commission](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/07/Capitol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Looming deadline will test consensus in Montana redistricting commission
The process of redistricting in Montana is almost always a sticky one, especially in recent decades, regularly followed by litigation from plaintiffs representing a variety of political interests and accusations of gerrymandering or partisan trickery.
![Gov’s fire briefing: 50 residences have burned this year, top-priority fire is Thorne Creek](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/08/Fire-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gov’s fire briefing: 50 residences have burned this year, top-priority fire is Thorne Creek
Approximately 50 residences have been lost to the fire this year, according to the briefing. Particularly destructive fires include the Boulder 2700 fire on Flathead Lake, which has burned 2,230 acres and 31 structures, and the Robertson Draw fire near Red Lodge, which has burned 29,885 acres and 30 structures.
![Progress on prison gerrymandering on the horizon for Montana redistricters](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/08/jail.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Progress on prison gerrymandering on the horizon for Montana redistricters
The Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission has been wrestling all year with the possibility of counting incarcerated people at their last known home address for the purpose of redistricting, largely due to the difficulty of data collection.
![Proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility in MT receive pushback in interim hearing](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/healthcare-e1470695772735.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility in MT receive pushback in interim hearing
Healthcare organizations oppose proposed language to amend a state Medicaid law that will end 12-month continuous eligibility for Medicaid expansion members, warning it could result in vulnerable Montanans losing their healthcare due to added regulation.
![Montana wildfires: 600 people displaced from homes; Boulder 2700 fire top priority](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/08/Finley-Fire.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana wildfires: 600 people displaced from homes; Boulder 2700 fire top priority
There are 24 large fires burning in the state as of the morning of August 3. Some 260,000 acres have burned since last Monday alone, according to a readout of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Tuesday briefing from his office.
![Former Gov. Schweitzer endorses Monica Tranel for Congress](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/07/Schweitzer.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Former Gov. Schweitzer endorses Monica Tranel for Congress
Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is endorsing Monica Tranel in the Democratic primary for the state’s newly created congressional district, the Tranel campaign announced Monday.
![Legislative leader from Hamilton charged with traffic violations, obstructing officer](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/01/Jason-Ellsworth.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Legislative leader from Hamilton charged with traffic violations, obstructing officer
Sen. Ellsworth argued with the trooper, said he could call the attorney general and suggested the patrolwoman call her boss, according to the charging documents, all while she was instructing him to return to his vehicle.
![Federal transportation bill holds promise for left-behind rural rail](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/03/Railroad.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Federal transportation bill holds promise for left-behind rural rail
Language added in a recent markup to the U.S. Senate’s Surface Transportation Investment Act has brought some hope to passenger rail advocates in the state that long-abandoned rail service through Missoula and beyond could be on track to return.
![Livingston Democrat Laurie Bishop launches congressional bid](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/07/Laurie-Bishop.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Livingston Democrat Laurie Bishop launches congressional bid
State Rep. Laurie Bishop announced her candidacy for Montana’s newly created congressional district on Thursday, making her the first Democrat to formally enter the field at a unique moment in the state’s political history.