Daily Montanan
![Knudsen calls Montana’s campaign laws ‘silly’](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/KnudsenAustin_042817_Meeting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Knudsen calls Montana’s campaign laws ‘silly’
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen doubled down on his comments that he had recruited a fellow Republican to run against him for attorney general so that he could raise more money.
![Gianforte defeats Smith in primary, will face Busse in November](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-gianforte.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gianforte defeats Smith in primary, will face Busse in November
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte fought off a challenge from the right in his primary Tuesday, defeating Lakeside Republican Rep. Tanner Smith and setting up a matchup with Democratic former firearms executive Ryan Busse.
![Tranel, Zinkle cruise in primary wins, setting up rematch](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/06/attachment-zinke.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tranel, Zinkle cruise in primary wins, setting up rematch
Tranel, a Missoula lawyer and Olympic rower, ran an aggressive campaign against Zinke in 2022. However, in the general election, Zinke won by four points with a Libertarian also on the ballot.
![Daines proposes coal swap, reinstatement of Signal Peak expansion](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Coal.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Daines proposes coal swap, reinstatement of Signal Peak expansion
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines introduced a series of bills during the past two weeks that seek to force the restart of coal mining on federal land in the Bull Mountains and could put coal money back into the hands of the Crow Tribe as part of a revenue sharing agreement that would involve a land swap.
![Bull trout in ‘significant decline’ in Swan Lake](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2018/12/bull-trout-UFWS.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Bull trout in ‘significant decline’ in Swan Lake
Bull trout spawning sites in the Swan Lake basin hit their lowest count in 42 years in 2023, according to data from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
![AG Knudsen’s legal team asks for delay in disciplinary hearing](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/KnudsenAustin_042817_Meeting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
AG Knudsen’s legal team asks for delay in disciplinary hearing
Attorneys defending Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen before the state’s Commission on Practice said they need more time to prepare a defense for Knudsen, who faces 41 counts of ethical violations.
![MEIC: Montana PSC using ‘stall tactic’ with climate petition](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/12/PSC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
MEIC: Montana PSC using ‘stall tactic’ with climate petition
Group claims the Montana Public Service Commission is slow-walking a petition that would require the utility regulator to consider climate change in its decisions.
![Sheehy’s former employees sue over alleged breach of contract](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/05/attachment-sheehy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Sheehy’s former employees sue over alleged breach of contract
Two ex-employees say they were forced to sell stock that was part of compensation package.
![Gov. Gianforte declares flooding disaster](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/Gianforte.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gov. Gianforte declares flooding disaster
Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order Friday declaring a statewide disaster in response to flooding in northern and central Montana.
![Smith River coalition petitions Forest Service to withdraw mineral leases](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/05/attachment-forest.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Smith River coalition petitions Forest Service to withdraw mineral leases
A coalition of environmental organizations opposed to mining in the Smith River watershed delivered a petition signed by about 10,000 people to the U.S. Forest Service urging it to withdraw mineral leases granted to a mining company.