Montana News

A former legislator from Helena died Thursday. Mignon Waterman spent 12 years as a Democratic state senator and was well-known for her public service and philanthropy.

With the Trump administration working toward tougher enforcement of America’s immigration laws, some cherry farmers in Montana wondering what that may mean for this year’s harvest. There are some 6oo to 800 acres of cherry orchards on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake. Marilyn Bowman owns one of the biggest and oldest. Each year is different, she says.

A House committee passed a bill today that would create a ballot initiative that would limit who could deliver a voter's ballot to a polling place, election office or the post office. Senate Bill 352 would create the "Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act." The bill provides exceptions for family members, caregivers and acquaintances who are authorized to pick up ballots.

County election officials need to know this week if a last-ditch effort to run next month’s special congressional election by mail will pass the state Legislature. Next week, counties across the state will start finalizing their list of voters who will cast absentee ballots in that election.

Montana lawmakers may have the opportunity to study legalizing recreational marijuana in the next year or so. Democratic Representative Mary Ann Dunwell of Helena says even if now isn’t the time to legalize, it may be the time for the state to look at the issue:

Most of Montana’s high elevation snowpack is looking good. Montana entered April on relatively steady footing when it comes to our snowpack levels. The latest water supply outlook from the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bozeman notes new snowfall bolstered snowpack during March’s first two weeks.

HELENA -- Brewers, distributors and the Montana Tavern Association came to an agreement Thursday in the wrangling at the Legislature over how much beer each type of brewery can brew and still sell beer in their taprooms.

A legislative proposal to slap a $25 tax on out-of-state bicyclists visiting Montana received a lot of negative buzz over the past week. Turns out it was also a big joke. And it’s going over like a lead balloon with cycling advocates like Ginny Sullivan.

Can the governor's amendatory veto bring back the mail ballot option for the special election? We parse Quist's new TV ads and his decision not to participate in a public broadcasting statewide debate. We also discuss what Gianforte gains or loses by keeping a low profile. Then we look at how Tester's Gorsuch vote might affect his re-election chances next year. Finally, we remember the well-respected former Helena legislator Mignon Waterman who died this week.

Governor Steve Bullock used his veto pen today to force state lawmakers to reconsider mail-in balloting in the upcoming special election , resurrecting one of the most contentious political topics of the legislative session.