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MT House Speaker delays bill to define 'sex' to avoid litigation, blames 'activist judges'

House GOP leadership said Monday they are using a procedural loophole to keep a contentious bill defining sex as binary out of court. Senate Bill 437 sailed through the 2025 Montana Legislature with the support of almost every Republican, but will not be sent to the governor’s desk to

Four Montana men hit with 33 charges after alleged trophy bull elk and deer poaching

Four Montana men face 33 criminal charges for a series of poaching incidents across the state, according to court documents filed last month in Lewis and Clark County District Court. Authorities allege that some or all of the group was involved in illegally harvesting six bull elk, three mule deer,

State senator's $5 million defamation claim denied, Ellsworth attorney vows to sue

Montana's tort defense office has denied a $5 million claim from state Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Hamilton Republican who said he was defamed in the controversial saga that ended with his lifetime ban from the Montana Senate. The senator, who has been under investigation by the Montana Department

'He's being kidnapped right now': Helena Police video shows ICE detention of Christopher Martinez

Body and dash camera video from the Helena Police Department obtained by the Independent Record shows the July 1, 2025, traffic stop that led to the detention of Christopher Martinez Marvan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The video shows police originally pulled Martinez over for an expired license

New plan to rein in campaign cash in Montana's elections draws attention — and skepticism

A group of Montana political leaders on Wednesday launched what’s being called a “first-in-the-nation” ballot initiative campaign to keep corporate and secret donor money out of the state's political campaigns by using a “breakthrough” legal strategy, but outside experts are skeptical. The initiative, nicknamed

AG Knudsen jumps into Gallatin County dispute on immigration jail holds

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen this week weighed in on questions about expanding Gallatin County’s assistance to federal immigration authorities, calling legal guidance from the local county attorney on the matter “flawed” in part because it runs against President Donald Trump’s agenda. The discussion about dedicating 10 jail

Montana board settles IEFA lawsuit, pledges stronger native education oversight

A group of Montana students, families and tribes recently reached a settlement agreement with the Montana Board of Public Education — a major development in a years-long class action lawsuit regarding the implementation of Indian Education for All. Montana is the only state that constitutionally requires a commitment in K-