Daily Montanan
![Judge: State ‘male’ or ‘female’ law unconstitutional](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-gender.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Judge: State ‘male’ or ‘female’ law unconstitutional
A 2023 bill that defined sex as only male or female is unconstitutional because its subject wasn’t clear in its title as required by the Montana Constitution, a judge ruled Tuesday.
![State organizations request health department investment](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/healthcare-e1470695772735.jpg?w=980&q=75)
State organizations request health department investment
Thousands of Montanans lost Medicaid coverage, not because they weren’t eligible, but due to “unapproachable and unmanageable” administrative barriers at the state health department.
![WaState man sentenced for thermal trespass in Yellowstone](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Yellowstone.jpg?w=980&q=75)
WaState man sentenced for thermal trespass in Yellowstone
A Washington man was sentenced to seven days in jail for trespassing in a closed thermal area near the most dangerous geyser in Yellowstone National Park to take a photo, the park said.
![Starting teacher pay $9K higher in Montana than national report, state says](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/02/School-development.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Starting teacher pay $9K higher in Montana than national report, state says
The Office of Public Instruction bungled a key program to boost starting teacher pay, and the number of districts using it recently fell by nearly half, according to a report Thursday to a legislative committee.
![Missoula court hears case defining sex as ‘male’ or ‘female’](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-gender.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula court hears case defining sex as ‘male’ or ‘female’
SB 458 defines sex as male or female, and one attorney said the title “puts the world on notice” of its intent for numerous updates.
![Montanans for Choice launches new ‘reproductive freedom’ campaign](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-abortion-healthcare.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montanans for Choice launches new ‘reproductive freedom’ campaign
Montanans for Choice announced Monday it is launching a campaign on “reproductive freedom as a Montana value” with a series of billboards and digital ads.
![Sen. Regier challenges record subpoena over new PSC district map](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/03/Regier.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Sen. Regier challenges record subpoena over new PSC district map
A Helena law firm challenging the Public Service Commission redistricting map drawn and approved by Republican lawmakers last year is now in a fight with the sponsor of the bill that changed the map.
![Election reform group says it gathered enough signatures for Nov. ballot](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-elections.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Election reform group says it gathered enough signatures for Nov. ballot
Group says it’s received 200,000 signatures, and now the Secretary of State’s Office will verify the count.
![Audit: Montana housing funds not targeting needs](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/12/attachment-Housing-construction.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Audit: Montana housing funds not targeting needs
A new performance audit by the Montana Legislative Audit Division shows that the Montana Board of Housing is out of step with national practice, lacks the data to understand where the housing needs are most acute, and lacks transparency that could undermine its decision.
![Tester and Sheehy face off in first Montana US Senate debate](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-sheehy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tester and Sheehy face off in first Montana US Senate debate
Sen. Jon Tester touts years of bipartisan work while Tim Sheehy says new blood needed in government.