Daily Montanan
![Racicot: Stand up for the Constitution and place principles over politics](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/02/racicot.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Racicot: Stand up for the Constitution and place principles over politics
The former leader of the National Republican Party who was also the longtime governor of Montana warned that without a return to common-sense solutions, respect for government institutions, and fidelity to the state and federal constitutions, regardless of political party, the country risks losing its democracy.
![Air tour management plan for Glacier National Park completed Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/08/Glacier-Kintla.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Air tour management plan for Glacier National Park completed Friday
The plan was established by the National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration and is part of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000. It will allow air tour operators to provide up to 144 air tours per year — the three-year average between 2017 and 2019.
![Secretary of State’s Office spends more than $1.3 million on election law litigation](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/04/Secretary-of-State.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Secretary of State’s Office spends more than $1.3 million on election law litigation
The Secretary of State’s office spent about $1.3 million on legal fees, far surpassing its $100,000 budget, defending election laws being challenged in courts in the state.
![Interim Committee passes two draft bills aimed at taxing electric vehicles](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/electric2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Interim Committee passes two draft bills aimed at taxing electric vehicles
The two bills, one related to an annual fee on registered electric vehicles in the state and the other a tax at electric vehicle charging stations, akin to a gas tax. Both will be introduced during the upcoming legislative session and carried by Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis.
![District Court judge rules three laws, including trans-athlete ban, unconstitutional](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/court.jpg?w=980&q=75)
District Court judge rules three laws, including trans-athlete ban, unconstitutional
The three bills included the controversial House Bill 112, which banned transgender athletes from participating in collegiate women’s sports, House Bill 349 related to speech on campus, and Senate Bill 319 related to student political organizations and campaign finance on campus.
![City Club Missoula explores democracy, teacher pay and ‘equity’](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-education.jpg?w=980&q=75)
City Club Missoula explores democracy, teacher pay and ‘equity’
With the tenuous state of affairs in government in the United States, are Montana children learning the tenets of democracy? And are students being homeschooled still meeting educational standards?
![Hank Green hosts event with Monica Tranel in Missoula, will host Bozeman event in October](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Tranel.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Hank Green hosts event with Monica Tranel in Missoula, will host Bozeman event in October
Online media sensation Hank Green instructed the crowd soon after he took the stage: Calculate the dollars worth of boba tea you’ve consumed the last month, take out a phone, and donate that amount to Monica Tranel.
![Groups want DEQ to halt Bull Mountain’s mine permit](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Mine.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Groups want DEQ to halt Bull Mountain’s mine permit
Environmental groups from Montana have petitioned the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to revoke operating permits for a coal company with ties to Russia and an embattled energy company, as well as criminal activity by recently departed executives.
![DPHHS says rule on birth certificate gender markers in effect despite judge’s order](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Court.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
DPHHS says rule on birth certificate gender markers in effect despite judge’s order
The state health department is enforcing its rule largely barring transgender Montanans from being able to update the gender marker on their birth certificate despite scathing comments and an order Thursday from a District Court judge.
![Secretary of State: No special session to be held on $1.5B budget surplus](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/10/taxes-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Secretary of State: No special session to be held on $1.5B budget surplus
The Montana Secretary of State’s Office said Thursday a special session will not be held in response to last month’s call for a gathering to distribute some of the state’s budget surplus, estimated then at $1.5 billion.