Governor Steve Bullock has rejected a budget bailout offer from the state’s only private prison in exchange for a revised and extended contract to house Montana’s inmates.

In just over two months, Montana voters will select challengers for U.S. Democratic Senator Jon Tester and Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte . Between now and the June 5 primary, Montana Public Radio is talking with voters about political issues important to them. Dozens of employers and hundreds of students and prospective employees attended the 29th Annual Big Sky Career Fair held recently at the University of Montana. MTPR's Edward O'Brien spoke with some of them.

A new report says Montana’s pension system has unrealistic expectations for how much its investments will grow in the next decade. The report from the financial consulting firm Montana's Board of Investments uses says that over the next decade there's only a 34 percent chance that the state's pension funds will hit the 7.75 percent return the state is expecting. RVK investment consultants say the state's pension assets could miss that mark by more than a full percent.

A newly-released poll says almost three-quarters of Montanans say they would vote to continue a property tax that keeps tuition low for state college and university students. That’s according to the University of Montana Big Sky Poll conducted earlier this year by Sara Rinfret, director of UM’s Master of Public Administration program.

The Montana Democratic Party is suing Montana’s Secretary of State and the Montana Green Party to block the Party from appearing on election ballots this year.

Matt Rosendale , the state auditor and a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, announced more dates in a tour of the state today, which include teaching two classes at the University of Montana.

Women and girls in Indian country go missing and are involved in homicides at a far greater rate than any other demographic of people in Montana. That’s according to testimony today in the legislative State-Tribal Relations Committee, which is studying the issue.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This text in this post was corrected on April 3, 2018, see * below. A macho military man taunts a music teacher; and a lesson in "cultural condescension" from Hillary Clinton. Yep, new campaign ads are out. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin examine those, and explain the signature-gathering shenanigans surrounding the Green Party, and similar efforts in past elections. Listen in now on "Campaign Beat."

The Four Republicans facing off in Montana’s June primary election met in a Missoula forum last night. Each pitched himself as the best candidate to unseat two-term Democratic Senator Jon Tester.

Who stood out — and why — in the first Republican Senate candidate debate; the disturbing increase in violent political rhetoric and actions; Green Party ballot costs; and will national Democratic momentum carry over to Montana? Join Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin now for their weekly political analysis, on "Campaign Beat."