Government & Policy
State government, agencies, courts, budgets, and policy.
EPA, Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant Owner Reach $57.6M Superfund Cleanup Deal in Montana
Federal environmental regulators and the owner of a shuttered aluminum smelter in northwestern Montana have finalized a $57.6 million cleanup…
Montana AG Knudsen reports cocaine, meth seizures surge in early 2026 while fentanyl drops
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen released first-quarter drug seizure data Tuesday showing sharp increases in cocaine and methamphetamine confiscations compared…
Yellowstone Superintendent’s Texts to Montana Governor Surface in Bison Management Lawsuit
A Montana attorney challenging Yellowstone National Park’s bison management plan is asking a federal court to include text messages sent…
Montana AG Knudsen challenges Gallatin County plea deal in domestic violence case, demands records
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent a letter Tuesday criticizing a Gallatin County plea agreement that would allow a man…
Gianforte Backs Trump’s Pledge Requiring Data Centers to Cover Infrastructure Costs
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge on July 8, 2026, committing the state to a…
Government & PolicyMontana Labor Department Opens Consolidated Facility to Boost Workplace Inspections
Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry completed construction of a new consolidated facility that brings multiple operations together under a…
Gianforte Names Blasdel to Lead Department of Administration as Giles Heads to Private Sector
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced Tuesday that Misty Ann Giles, director of the Department of Administration, will leave state government…
Government & PolicyMontana Department of Labor Opens Permanent Helena Home for Weights, Codes Programs
Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry has opened a new permanent, state-owned facility in Helena to house two of its…
Montana General Fund Revenue Beats Projections by Wide Margin in Fiscal Year 2026
Montana’s general fund revenues grew 4.1 percent in fiscal year 2026, significantly outpacing earlier forecasts that had projected a 1.7…
Montanans back substantial cigarette tax hike, survey finds
A clear majority of Montana voters would support doubling the state’s cigarette tax, according to a new poll conducted in…