A handful of Missoula residents gathered outside the county courthouse on Monday to protest President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency, a move they contend usurped the role of Congress and should be challenged. While the Missoula event never saw more than a few people present at any given time, the national march was expected to draw tens of thousands to … [Read more...] about Missoula demonstrators join national march against president’s “emergency” declaration

(UM Legislative News Service) Montana has two inmates on death row, but the drug used for lethal injections is unavailable and state courts have turned down alternatives. So, they’ll sit in maximum security until they die naturally. Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, told the House Judiciary Committee Monday doling out a death penalty is just a more expensive … [Read more...] about Lawmakers weigh ending death penalty in Montana

(UM Legislative News Service) McKenna Fromm was a straight-A high school student, basketball player and member of student government in 2011. By 2015, she was living in a spider-infested “drug den,” estranged from her family and deep in addiction.   Fromm said her life turned upside down after being diagnosed with Painful Bladder Syndrome at age 15, which caused … [Read more...] about Opioid addiction in Montana: ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlkKB1JlbFg&feature=youtu.be (Montana Free Press) Lawmakers will debate e-cigarettes, internet speeds, rock ’n’ roll, predator protection and more as the 66th Montana Legislature starts its seventh week of the session. All committee hearings are open to the public, and anyone can comment in favor or opposition to a bill. Alternatively, … [Read more...] about Legislature Week of Feb. 18: Rock ‘n’ roll, e-cigs, predator protection, internet speeds

(UM Legislative News Service) In a four-hour hearing Thursday, Montana lawmakers in the House Judiciary Committee heard emotional testimony for three different bills that would make it more difficult for state Child and Family Services Division to remove a child from his or her home. Rep. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, is carrying House Bill 408, House Bill 409, and House Bill … [Read more...] about Lawmakers hear emotional testimony on child protective services bills