Politics

A district court judge in Helena has narrowed the scope of a lawsuit seeking to invalidate sections of the Montana Republican Party’s bylaws that require loyalty oaths and allows the state central committee to remove members at will.

NorthWestern, PSC argue other commissioners can continue executing duties

Ellsworth was stripped of nearly all privileges as a political official last year, though the state Senate stopped short of expelling him

Following a string of special election victories, Democrats have a path to flip several Republican-held legislative chambers and break GOP supermajorities in states across the country this November.

The internal battles within the Montana Republican Party were again fought out in a courtroom, as a judge in Helena heard testimony on whether the party’s newly adopted bylaws are valid.

Permanent daylight saving time would mean keeping the clocks shifted forward one hour all year, eliminating the need to “spring forward” every March and “fall back” each November.

The pause, which will last up to a year, is the nation’s first statewide ban on data centers, which have drawn increasing concern from lawmakers and citizens based on their impact on electricity prices and the energy grid.

Republican leaders in the Montana Senate will back Gov. Greg Gianforte’s push for the state to have a single, flat income tax rate during the 2027 session.

Consumers are unlikely to see any relief in gas and electric bills as utilities proposed more than $18 billion in rate hikes across the country over the first half of the year.

Gov. Greg Gianforte suspended Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar for one year after independent investigations “point to unlawful conduct,” including sex discrimination and retaliation.