Wednesday, October 14, 2026  ·  Helena, Mont.
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Montana Politics

The record of state, land, and people — from the Continental Divide to the High Plains.
Vol. I · No. 286 Politics · Policy · Land & Water · Communities montanapolitics.org
The Lead · Government & Policy

Federal Judge Blocks White House Ban on Three News Outlets

Federal Judge Blocks White House Ban on Three News Outlets

A federal judge extended a block on the Trump administration’s revocation of press passes for three major news organizations late Tuesday, allowing CNN, Politico, and MS NOW to continue accessing White House grounds while their legal challenge proceeds. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 26-page order granting a preliminary injunction that replaces a temporary restraining order which had expired earlier in the day. The ruling permits journalists from the three outlets to resume covering events at the executive mansion pending further court review. Court Rejects National Security Justification Judge Kelly, who was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate 94-2 in September 2017, rejected arguments from the Department of Justice that the pass revocations were necessary for…

Montana Decision
—Days
—Hrs
—Min
to the 2026 General Election · Nov 3

Top of the News

Latest Reporting
Communities

Trump Rally Prompts Road Closures, Airport Delays in Flathead Valley

President Donald Trump’s upcoming campaign rally in Kalispell will trigger significant road closures and air traffic adjustments across…

Politics & Elections

Montana GOP Opposes Ballot Measure Protecting Initiative Process

Constitutional Initiative 133 will appear on Montana’s November ballot, asking voters to enshrine protections for the state’s initiative…

Politics & Elections

Alme, Bankhead Clash on Social Security, China at Bozeman Debate

Kurt Alme, Alani Bankhead, Seth Bodnar, and Kyle Austin faced off in the first all-candidate debate for Montana’s…

Politics & Elections

The Campaign Trail
Politics & Elections

O’Brien Resigns as Montana Democratic Chair, Endorses Independent Senate Candidate

Shannon O’Brien resigned as chairperson of the Montana Democratic Party on Monday, October 12, 2026, effective…

Politics & Elections

Poll Puts Flint and Forstag Within 1 Point in Montana House Race

Republican Aaron Flint and Democrat Sam Forstag are separated by a single percentage point in Montana’s…

Politics & Elections

Miller Sues to Disqualify Eisenhauer Signatures as Cascade County Probes Petition Irregularities

Cascade County law enforcement agencies are investigating approximately 800 petition signatures that may be invalid, while…

Politics & Elections

Montana AG Knudsen Takes Stage as GOP Holds Rare Midterm Convention in Dallas

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen addressed a national Republican gathering in Dallas on Wednesday, speaking in…

Politics & Elections

Kurt Alme Holds Double-Digit Lead as Split Opposition Boosts Montana Senate Bid

Republican Kurt Alme is on track to win Montana’s open U.S. Senate seat, according to polling…

Politics & Elections

Poll average gives Kurt Alme 9-in-10 odds in Montana’s open Senate race

Republican Kurt Alme holds a commanding lead in Montana’s open U.S. Senate contest, with Decision Desk…

Government & Policy

Statehouse & Beyond
Government & Policy

Gianforte Meets Sri Lankan Officials on Trade, Defense

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte concluded a strategic trade mission to Sri Lanka with high-level meetings in…

Government & Policy

Justice Department Report Reveals Internal Objections To Garland Memo

A new Justice Department report reveals that more than a dozen officials within the department and…

Government & Policy

Gianforte Meets Indian Tech Leaders to Boost Montana Exports

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte met with technology executives and venture capitalists in New Delhi on October…

Government & Policy

Gianforte, Chamber Host Tech Summit in Bozeman

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will host the third annual Big Sky,…

Energy & Land

Land, Water & Power
Energy & Land

DNRC Launches Six-Month Prescribed Fire Season to Reduce Wildfire Risk

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has initiated preparations for a six-month prescribed…

Energy & Land

Landowner Kills Grizzly Bear Near Trego After Close Encounter

A Montana landowner shot and killed a male grizzly bear near Trego on the morning of…

Energy & Land

Fish and Wildlife Commission Approves Draft for Reformed Predator Policy

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to advance a draft of a new predator management…

Energy & Land

Gianforte Announces $2.1 Million From Montana Trust Land Leases

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced that the state secured $2.1 million from an oil and gas…

The Legislature

From the Capitol
Zinke Introduces Blackfoot Valley Conservation Bill Ahead of Term End
The Legislature

Zinke Introduces Blackfoot Valley Conservation Bill Ahead of Term End

Rep. Ryan Zinke is preparing to introduce legislation that would reshape land management across 430,000 acres…

The Legislature

Montana Senate Committee Tables Kratom Regulation Bill in 8-1 Vote

A Montana legislative committee has shelved a bill that would have imposed new restrictions on kratom…

The Legislature

Montana Committee Orders Secretary of State to Appear Over Federal Voter Data Requests

A bipartisan majority on the Montana State Administration and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 10-1 on Wednesday…

Sen. Sheehy Backs Plan to Strip Forest Service of Firefighting Authority
The Legislature

Sen. Sheehy Backs Plan to Strip Forest Service of Firefighting Authority

Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy has circulated a draft letter in Congress urging President Donald Trump to…

Across Montana

Dispatches from the Counties
Communities

Gianforte Tours Columbia Falls Superfund Site With EPA Officials

Governor Greg Gianforte joined Montana Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials for…

Communities

Davis Coulee Fire Burns 15,470 Acres on Crow Reservation

A wildfire burning on the Crow Indian Reservation southwest of Crow Agency has consumed approximately 15,470…

Communities

Canada Seizes 215 Kilograms of Cocaine at Alberta Border

Canadian border authorities intercepted nearly half a ton of suspected cocaine in two separate commercial truck…

Communities

Hungry Bears Push Into Absarokee as Late Frost Strips Natural Food

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is urging residents of Absarokee to secure food sources and take…