Montana

Hawaii passed a law redefining corporations to exclude their power to spend money in elections, effective 2027, with Montana pursuing a similar ballot measure. The approach aims to counter the Citizens United ruling by redefining corporate rights at the state level, as federal efforts to overturn the decision have failed.

WalletHub's survey ranks Virginia as the most patriotic state due to high military engagement, veterans per capita, and voter turnout. Montana follows as the second-most patriotic state with strong civic participation. The least patriotic states include Arkansas, New York, Louisiana, and Alabama, with blue states voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 averaging higher patriotism than red states.

State regulators approved exploratory drilling near the headwaters of Montana’s Blackfoot River, which inspired ‘A River Runs Through It’ and is still recovering from a mining disaster over 50 years ago. Concerns are rising about potential risks to the river’s environmental recovery.

The Trump administration, through Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, proposed canceling bison grazing leases on federal lands in Montana, citing pressure from cattle ranchers and Republican politicians. Over 950 bison could be evicted from federal rangelands to prioritize cattle grazing, which is subsidized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency canceled 53 out of 67 grants under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting over $68 million in funding across more than two dozen states. The cancellations, effective immediately, were cited as misaligned with agency priorities, particularly for programs deemed to 'normalize or promote sexual activity for minors.'

The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250 (created by President Donald Trump), features exhibits from U.S. states and territories, including a dinosaur rib cage and interactive displays. The event overlaps with tensions between Freedom 250 and the congressionally established America 250 group, which was meant to plan the nation's 250th anniversary. Visitors expressed mixed views, with some praising the fair's celebration of American diversity and others criticizing its perceived political symbolism.

The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250, features exhibits like a dinosaur rib cage and state-specific displays, but faces criticism for its political associations and perceived missed opportunities for unity. The event, running on the National Mall until July, was created by President Donald Trump and caused tension with America 250, a congressionally established group.

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency canceled 53 out of 67 grants under its Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting $68 million in funding across multiple states. Grantees, including universities and Planned Parenthood affiliates, were notified the programs misaligned with agency priorities, such as normalizing sexual activity for minors.

The Great American State Fair opened on the National Mall as part of President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 celebration, featuring state exhibits, cultural displays, and events like a rodeo and mini golf. The fair includes a Ferris wheel, state swag, and speeches by Trump, with additional events planned for Independence Day and August.

Two grizzly bear cubs arrived at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) after a 10-hour drive from Montana. They are the youngest grizzly bears the zoo has cared for in decades and the first orphaned grizzlies to be cared for there.

Two orphaned grizzly bear cubs have been relocated to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado after their mother was euthanized in Montana due to conflicts with humans. The zoo is working to care for the cubs, emphasizing the importance of keeping wildlife wild and avoiding interactions that could endanger people.

Scammers exploit the death of a spouse by accessing death certificates filed by funeral homes, which are shared with data brokers and government databases. Automated scrapers monitor obituaries to accelerate the exposure of personal information, enabling targeted scams. The Social Security Administration's Death Master File is updated weekly, providing scammers with critical data.

A driver in Montana claims he has been stopped by police hundreds of times for transporting a giant banana-shaped vehicle. The incident highlights repeated traffic stops linked to the unusual vehicle.

A 2023 analysis by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute found that 44% of early care and education staff in eight U.S. states left the workforce by 2025, representing nearly 90,000 educators. The study highlights high turnover rates, with teaching staff—especially center-based assistant teachers—most likely to leave, potentially impacting children's development.

Twenty-two young Americans are suing President Donald Trump over executive orders promoting fossil fuels and suppressing climate science, arguing the policies harm their health and future. A federal court acknowledged their 'children’s health emergency' but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed their case as 'speculative,' requiring them to challenge each policy individually.

A Mexican national and beloved mechanic in a Montana town near the Canadian border was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol earlier this year, prompting the community to rally in support. The community, located 50 miles from the Canadian border, has organized efforts to assist the arrested individual.

Three individuals from Statesville, North Carolina, including a registered sex offender, were arrested in Montana after allegedly fleeing to Canada to avoid prosecution. They were extradited back to North Carolina and charged with offenses including failure to register as sex offenders, animal cruelty, and conspiracy.

Dave Lewis was laid off by Amazon and Microsoft after working at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. He is now focusing on AI's impact on tech and career growth while considering family priorities.

The Trump administration issued final rules requiring Medicaid enrollees in expansion states to prove they are working or participating in qualifying activities. The rules, effective in most states by January 2027, exempt children, pregnant people, individuals with disabilities, and those deemed medically frail. States like Nebraska, Montana, and Arkansas are implementing the requirements with varying start dates and enforcement timelines.

A leather bag made from Tyrannosaurus rex cells will be auctioned in Paris by Giquello, with an estimated price exceeding US$500,000. The bag was created using collagen traces from a T. rex femur found in Montana 25 years ago and biotechnologies to produce 'genuine T. rex skin'.

The Montana Supreme Court certified a ballot measure that would prohibit corporations from spending money to influence elections. The decision relates to a legal challenge against the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling. The Transparent Election Initiative and Jeff Mangan, a former state commissioner of political practices, sought the measure's inclusion on the November ballot.

Daniel Crago survived a rare grizzly bear attack in Glacier National Park, enduring three surgeries and recovering while expressing gratitude for his survival. The incident occurred as the bear charged him across a snow field in Montana.

A California man is recovering after surviving a grizzly bear attack at Glacier National Park in Montana. He expressed fear during the attack, thinking it was fatal.

A California man is recovering after surviving a grizzly bear attack at Glacier National Park in Montana. He expressed fear during the encounter, stating, 'I thought ... this is it.'

A California man is recovering after surviving a grizzly bear attack at Glacier National Park in Montana. He described the moment as life-threatening, saying, 'I thought ... this is it.'

Montana officials warn that the 2026 wildfire season could face above-normal risk due to drought, wind events, and warmer-than-average winter temperatures. Volunteer firefighting departments struggle with recruitment, and federal firefighting agencies are in flux.

Sam Forstag, a former smokejumper, won the Democratic House primary in Montana. He has contributed to national efforts to adjust Democratic strategies in Republican-leaning regions.

Sam Forstag won the Democratic House primary in Montana. He will next face Republican Aaron Flint, who is backed by President Trump.

Samantha Suazo, a 23-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Honduras, graduated magna cum laude from Yale University in 2026. Her father Marvin, who remained undocumented after a prior deportation, decided to self-deport to Honduras following her graduation to allow the rest of the family to stay in the U.S. after ICE raids affected his construction business.

Montana voters produced mixed results in elections affecting the statehouse's political direction. Voting occurred at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman.

Hilton and Becerra are leading in the California governor race following key primary election results. Primaries were also held in Iowa, New Jersey, New Mexico, Montana, and South Dakota.

A radio host supported by Donald Trump won the Republican House primary in Montana. Aaron Flint is seeking to replace Representative Ryan Zinke, who is not running for re-election.

A Montana Senate race features three candidates following Republican Sen. Steve Daines' exit. Kurt Alme, backed by Trump and former Sen. Tim Sheehy, faces Seth Bodnar and Reilly Neill. Bodnar leads fundraising as an independent, while GOP dominance complicates chances for non-Republican candidates.

The Montana Senate race features three candidates: former U.S. District Attorney Kurt Alme, ex-University of Montana President Seth Bodnar, and former state Rep. Reilly Neill, following Republican Sen. Steve Daines' exit. Alme, backed by Donald Trump and GOP figures, faces challenges from Bodnar and Neill, with Bodnar leading in fundraising.

Kurt Alme has won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Montana. The victory secures his position as the party's candidate in the upcoming election.

Kurt Alme, a former U.S. attorney for Montana, won the GOP Senate primary in Montana with backing from Donald Trump.

Primary elections are taking place in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. In California, voters will decide who succeeds Gov. Gavin Newsom, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces challenges in her race.

Voters in six states, including California, cast ballots in Tuesday's elections. California's contest includes races for governor and Los Angeles mayor, making it a key focus.

Senator Steve Daines, a Republican, withdrew from his re-election bid minutes before the filing deadline, allowing Kurt Alme to avoid competition in the Republican Senate primary. The move is described as a Republican switcheroo that cleared the way for Alme's candidacy.

Midterm primaries in six states including California and Iowa are underway, with New Jersey, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Montana also voting. Adam Hamawy, a first-time candidate in New Jersey, discusses his experience advocating against U.S. policy in Gaza after a medical mission there in 2024.