Daily Montanan
![Jacobsen sends ballot petition for abortion initiative](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/abortion.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Jacobsen sends ballot petition for abortion initiative
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen sent the group behind a proposed abortion access constitutional amendment its ballot petition ahead of Friday’s court-imposed deadline so the group can start collecting signatures.
![Montana GOP says primary change ‘destructive,’ backers say it tempers extremism](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/04/attachment-republicans.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana GOP says primary change ‘destructive,’ backers say it tempers extremism
The Montana GOP announced Wednesday the party launched a Rank Choice Voting Task Force, to “combat” ranked-choice voting efforts in Montana, “including stopping Constitutional Initiative 126, or the ‘Top 4 Vote Getter’ initiative.”
![Gianforte declares disaster, sends Montana soldiers to Texas](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/04/attachment-gianforte.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gianforte declares disaster, sends Montana soldiers to Texas
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte will send 10 active-duty Montana National Guard soldiers to Texas for a month to help maintain vehicles, he announced Tuesday, declaring a disaster exists at the southern border that requires Montana’s help.
![Montana groups: Coal mining bill won’t become law](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/09/attachment-Coal.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana groups: Coal mining bill won’t become law
A bill that would have allowed coal mines to violate water quality standards if excess pollution was only for a limited amount of time won’t become law in Montana, according to plaintiffs who challenged it and another related bill.
![Lawsuit: Arntzen ‘usurping power’ in charter school process](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/12/Arntzen.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lawsuit: Arntzen ‘usurping power’ in charter school process
The lawsuit filed Thursday said Superintendent Elsie Arnzten violated a law passed in 2023 where the legislature granted the Board of Public Education the exclusive power to approve charter schools.
![Homeless shelters in Montana overwhelmed, seek state funds](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/03/attachment-homeless.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Homeless shelters in Montana overwhelmed, seek state funds
Homeless shelters in Montana are overwhelmed with the demand for services, which they say has increased by upwards of 30% in five years.
![Gianforte cuts ribbon on Amazon facility in Missoula](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/03/attachment-amazon-gianforte.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Gianforte cuts ribbon on Amazon facility in Missoula
Gov. Greg Gianforte cut the ribbon Wednesday on the “first Amazon facility in Montana,” which created more than 100 jobs, according to the Governor’s Office.
![Outgoing Rosendale blisters House ‘swamp omnibus’ budget](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/03/Rosendale.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Outgoing Rosendale blisters House ‘swamp omnibus’ budget
Rosendale, who is a lame-duck two-term Congressman from Glendive and represents the eastern part of the state, had previously supported GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson.
![Tester’s Bozeman Office vandalized in Pro-Palestine protest](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2024/01/attachment-Israel.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tester’s Bozeman Office vandalized in Pro-Palestine protest
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s downtown Bozeman office was vandalized during the weekend with expletives and red and black spray paint reading, “Tester funds genocide.”
![Montana Climate Office warns of water shortages](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/agriculture.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana Climate Office warns of water shortages
The Montana Climate Office warned this week that historically low snow levels mean water shortages this year in several river basins — even with upcoming snow in the forecast.