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MT Supreme Court sides with attorney general, blocks anti-dark money ballot initiative

The Montana Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked a ballot initiative that sought to rein in the spending of corporate and secret donor money in the state's political races. The unanimous decision from the high court upholds Attorney General Austin Knudsen's initial determination from late last year

Here's a breakdown of the four lawsuits recently filed against AG Austin Knudsen's office

Over the last few months, a steady stream of lawsuits has been filed against the Montana Attorney General by groups trying to get constitutional amendments before voters on 2026 ballots. Clearing the hurdle of the attorney general and secretary of state signing off on these proposals is historically what often

State DOJ charges Sen. Ellsworth with criminal misconduct, seeks suspension from office

Montana Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Hamilton Republican, was charged on Thursday by the state justice department after attempting to circumvent the proper contract procedure to arrange a $171,000 business deal for a longtime friend and business associate. The attorney general’s office charged the former Senate president with official

'Serial litigation': Another ballot issue group sues Montana AG over legal determination

A ballot initiative group sued the Montana Attorney General on Monday, another in a slew of lawsuits against the office from groups trying to get their constitutional amendments before voters on the 2026 ballot. Montanans Decide, the group backing the proposed constitutional amendment dealt with in this latest case, sued

Montana Secretary of State refers allegations of 'double voting' to federal prosecutors

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen announced in a Thursday evening press release that her office referred alleged instances of "double voting" to federal prosecutors. Three individuals allegedly "double voted" from Montana, which typically means voting twice within the state in the same election or voting

Judge: Bill to create education savings accounts for special education is unconstitutional

A district court judge in Helena ruled Tuesday that a 2023 bill that would have created education savings accounts for students with special needs, described by defendants as "vouchers," is unconstitutional. The court found the bill did not meet state appropriations requirements, as mandated by the Montana Constitution.

Government shutdown ends, uncertainty around SNAP remains

Government shutdown ends, uncertainty around SNAP remains

The federal government officially reopened on Wednesday, Nov. 12 — but only until Jan. 30, 2026, creating uncertainty as government agencies begin their return to normalcy. Oct. 1 marks the fiscal year deadline for the federal government, and both chambers of Congress and the president must pass legislation by this date