Daily Montanan
![Arizona Gov. Hobbs signs rental tax ban, a GOP priority](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/01/attachment-Capitol-Arizona.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Arizona Gov. Hobbs signs rental tax ban, a GOP priority
Arizonans can now look forward to relief from rental taxes, after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill on Tuesday that bars cities from collecting them starting in 2025.
![Stricter fire restrictions, emergency declarations in NW Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/07/attachment-Colt-Fire-drop-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Stricter fire restrictions, emergency declarations in NW Montana
ke County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes adopted Stage 2 fire restrictions and Flathead County commissioners declared a state of emergency Tuesday in the midst of a host of wildfires that have burned more than 20,000 acres of land in the area in recent days.
![Montana PSC staff recommend MDU rate increase](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/02/attachment-oregon-power.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana PSC staff recommend MDU rate increase
The Montana Public Service Commission should approve a rate for Montana-Dakota Utilities that translates to a 9.1% increase for residential customers, or $96.09 more a year, according to a PSC staff recommendation released last week.
![Federal court blocks enforcement of drag ban ahead of Montana Pride events](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/07/attachment-Pride.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Federal court blocks enforcement of drag ban ahead of Montana Pride events
A federal court judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of Montana’s ban on drag performances on public property two days before Montana Pride events are set to begin.
![Fire bans go into effect Saturday in northwest Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/07/attachment-Fire.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Fire bans go into effect Saturday in northwest Montana
Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect just after midnight Saturday morning in northwest Montana, which prohibit any type of campfire or other burning outdoors save for the use of liquid fuel or propane stoves that can be turned on and off.
![Helena requests drag ban be halted prior to Montana Pride](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/07/attachment-drag.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Helena requests drag ban be halted prior to Montana Pride
The City of Helena argued that a recently enacted ban on drag in public spaces should be enjoined before the annual Montana Pride celebration slated to begin next week.
![Superintendent Arntzen pleads guilty to ‘bump with bumper’](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/12/Arntzen.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Superintendent Arntzen pleads guilty to ‘bump with bumper’
Arntzen pleaded no contest to illegally passing a school bus that had stopped to board children. The state’s top education official was fined $500 at the time with $400 suspended; she paid $135 altogether.
![Restoration crews begin work on Montana’s first capitol … just in time](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/07/attachment-history-virginia-city.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Restoration crews begin work on Montana’s first capitol … just in time
For all that Montana treasures its history – from the rowdy vigilantes to the statue of triumphant Irish hero and one-time territorial governor Thomas Francis Meagher – you might think it would have done more to preserve the epicenter of that period.
![Montana Pride joins lawsuit against drag ban bill claiming permit for Helena event denied](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/04/attachment-gender-capitol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana Pride joins lawsuit against drag ban bill claiming permit for Helena event denied
A Montana LGBTQ+ organization claims the City of Helena withheld the application for its annual pride event citing the recently passed bill banning drag performances on public property.
![Drought stricken: Montana fire outlook says ‘Be prepared for big change’](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/07/fire-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Drought stricken: Montana fire outlook says ‘Be prepared for big change’
A fire weather meteorologist told Gov. Greg Gianforte and other state agency officials Tuesday that Montana should prepare for a shift to a warmer and drier back half of the summer and expect wildfires beginning in drought-stricken northwestern Montana.