Montana News

Backers of a ballot initiative that they say is all about brain research argue that it would fund critically needed scientific inquiry into conditions like Alzheimer's disease and dementia. But opponents say it’s about much more than that, and that approving I-181 would give voters unprecedented power over state spending in a way that would be unwise, and even illegal.

Question: What do bear scat, dragonflies, wooly aphids, and lichen have in common? Answer: They are all featured in a book just published by the Montana Natural History Center. The book, titled Field Notes, is a collection of selected essays written for Montana Public Radio’s program of the same name.

Polling shows Ryan Zinke with a big lead in the U.S. House race. New campaign ads are out in both the gubernatorial and House races. Republicans claim the advantage in state superintendent and state auditor race. Polls show 40 percent of Montanans are undecided in the Supreme Court race. And Republicans worry about voter fraud in Montana. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of "Campaign Beat."

Hot on the heels of a recent record-setting financial gift, the University of Montana has announced it’s received another multi-million-dollar award.

This election cycle, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump is talking a lot about voter fraud and an election he says is “rigged.” Now, Republicans in Montana are worried it’s happening here, in the form of people offering to deliver absentee ballots for convenience or to help voters avoid the cost of postage, but not actually turning those ballots in.

In 2015, the Montana Hospital Association enthusiastically backed Medicaid expansion in Montana. A big reason was that in the first half of the year, they gave away nearly $71 million in free, or “charity” healthcare to people who had no health coverage. After the legislature narrowly passed Medicaid expansion, Hospital Association President Dick Brown says, "the actual expectation was that charity care would go down, because a lot of the individuals who are now on Medicaid were receiving care

On Monday night, the EPA presented its five-year review of the Superfund cleanup in Butte to a room full of frustrated residents and officials. David McCumber, editor of The Montana Standard talks to MTPR's Nora Saks about why the meeting got heated.

Democratic candidate for the Public Service Commission Pat Noonan talks with MTPR Capitol Reporter Corin Cates-Carney. Montana’s Public Service Commissioners have a lot of power. They regulate monopoly utility companies, meaning they have influence over people’s energy bills, as well as the environmental impact of Montana’s energy sources.

Republican PSC Candidate Roger Koopman talks with MTPR Capitol Reporter Corin Cates-Carney. Montana’s Public Service Commissioners have a lot of power. They regulate monopoly utility companies, meaning they have influence over people’s energy bills, as well as the environmental impact of Montana’s energy sources.

Independent PSC Candidate Caron Cooper talks with MTPR Capitol Reporter Corin Cates-Carney. Montana’s Public Service Commissioners have a lot of power. They regulate monopoly utility companies, meaning they have influence over people’s energy bills, as well as the environmental impact of Montana’s energy sources.