This week on the Blue Bench Podcast, we dig into the rapid rise of data centers in Montana and what it means for our communities. Our special guest, Anne Hedges from MEIC, breaks down the environmental and economic impacts. Tune in for a timely conversation on the future of energy and water in our state.

In this episode, we dive into how tariffs are affecting Montana farmers, from grain prices to the ripple effects across rural communities. Our guest, Jason Boeshore, manages the UGC grain elevator in Culbertson, MT, where he purchases grain from local farmers and provides services such as grain marketing. Jason is a proud member of the Montana Democratic Party board and is the chair of the Richland County Democrats.

Jorgia and Andy sit down to explain the two major ways Republicans are coming after your voting rights. Trump wants to eliminate mail-in ballots, which 60% of Montanans use. Texas and California are duking it out over gerrymandering, and they walk through the whole situation. Trump and Putin also dined on filet mignon and creme brulee - ending the summit with nothing while the war rages on.

Make sure your voter registration is up to date at your current address! Don't let paperwork keep you from the polls - that's what Republicans are banking on.

Jorgia and Andy return for a recap of the Trump Administration's latest attacks on foundational legal precedent. He's called the National Guard to DC and federalized their police. They're officially seeking to overturn gay marriage at the Supreme Court. And the EPA is considering repealing their finding that greenhouse gases are harmful to public health - a finding that is crucial for progressive climate policy.

Our hearts go out to the people of Anaconda, and especially the loved ones and families of the victims. This was a horrific tragedy and we are with you as you rebuild and recover.

The Montana Democratic Party hosted a virtual town hall last week to discuss the statewide impacts of proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Democratic lawmakers and community stakeholders addressed the consequences the cuts will have on food security and access to healthcare, rural hospitals, indigenous communities, and reproductive care across the state of Montana.

On this episode of the Blue Bench Podcast, we chat with the Montana Democratic Party’s Interim Executive Director Justin Ailport. We talk about his Montana roots, what drives him, and why organizing right now matters more than ever.

The so-called Big Beautiful Bill will threaten access to health coverage for tens of thousands of Montanans in years to come. Now, Gianforte’s Department of Health and Human Services is trying to speed up the process, imposing work requirements and higher costs than the rest of the country. State Senator Cora Neumann from Bozeman sits down with us today to discuss. Join the resistance and leave public comment by Aug. 18th! LINK HERE: https://dphhs.mt.gov/1115DemonstrationWaiver/index

Jorgia and Andy rally around the cowardice of Sen. Daines, Sen. Sheehy, Rep. Zinke, and Rep. Downing - after shutting down the House to protect a pedophile, they're now appearing to skip out on town halls again. Montana Democrats are hosting their own town hall, Thursday July 31 @ 6pm - RSVP at montanademocrats.org/townhall. The two also discuss Trump's insane trade war, his "deal" with the EU, and how back to school shopping is forcing parents to pinch pennies.

The so-called Big Beautiful Bill will threaten access to health coverage for tens of thousands of Montanans in years to come. Now, Gianforte’s Department of Health and Human Services is trying to speed up the process, imposing work requirements and higher costs than the rest of the country. State Senator Cora Neumann from Bozeman sits down with us today to discuss. Join the resistance and leave public comment by Aug. 18th!

LINK HERE: https://dphhs.mt.gov/1115DemonstrationWaiver/index

On this week's episode, Jorgia and Andy dive into the topic that has the whole country tuned in: the Epstein Files. We also explain how DPHHS is trying to kick Montanans off of Medicaid a year and a half earlier than necessary, and why cuts to public media are so detrimental to a rural state like ours.

Contact DPHHS - [email protected] - Subject: HELP Demonstration Waiver

Suggested body:

DPHHS’s decision to rush a 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver is cruel, hasty, and threatens to kick 31,000 Montanans (including 4,000 kids) off of Medicaid expansion.

After the passage of the federal budget bill, you immediately jumped to implement cost-sharing and work requirements (AKA kick Montanans off their coverage), a year and a half before you’re required to do so. Federal guidance will not even be available until June 2026.

Rushing this decision will cost time, money - and potentially lives. Let’s wait for federal guidance, make a plan to keep working Montanans insured, and limit the damage done by federal Republicans.