Republican Attorney General Tim Fox left office Monday after leading the Montana Department of Justice for two four-year terms. Fox spoke with MTPR’s Shaylee Ragar about the issues he prioritized, what challenges Montana still faces and what is next.

Montana’s 67th Legislature convened Monday in the Capitol building in Helena where lawmakers remain split on how best to meet amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montana state representatives voted down a proposed set of rules Tuesday to govern the 2021 legislative session. This will leave House lawmakers either scrambling to create new rules once the session begins in January or leave last session’s rules in place.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines is encouraging Montanans to get a COVID-19 vaccine when doses become available. This follows federal emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged 16 years and older. Ten Montana hospitals received their first shipments of the vaccine this week.

It’s been clear that the 2021 legislative session at the Montana Capitol will look different amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but it wasn’t clear how different until Wednesday. Republican state lawmakers are planning an in-person session, rejecting mask requirements and allowing lawmakers the option to tune in remotely.

Gov. Steve Bullock will leave office January 4th after serving two terms as governor and one term as state attorney general. Bullock spoke with Sally Mauk about his time in office, what he accomplished, what challenges remain and what comes next.

Montana lawmakers Wednesday advanced a proposal to hold the 2021 legislative session in a hybrid format, allowing for both remote and in-person participation. Republican lawmakers approved holding an in-person session, while Democrats pushed for full remote participation or a postponed session. Lawmakers heard from a slew of citizens and lobbyists during Wednesday’s Joint House and Senate Rules Committee meeting, pleading them to reshape how they will meet amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Electoral College formally certified the election results Monday, affirming President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Montana’s Republican Congressional delegates have acknowledged the vote. Montana’s Republican congressmen have stood behind President Donald Trump over the last month as he challenged the election results in court.

The U.S. The Supreme Court Friday rejected a Texas lawsuit that sought to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Multiple Montana political figures in recent days had taken sides in the case. Before the decision Friday, Gov. Steve Bullock asked the court to reject the lawsuit.

Montana lawmakers clashed this week over how best to conduct the 2021 legislative session. One change going into effect could determine what bills get a hearing in the House. The House Rules Committee adopted a new rule to let committee heads, who are all Republican, dictate if a proposed bill gets a hearing.