Gubernatorial debates get testy as the primary gets closer. The race for attorney general features four experienced candidates. House Republican candidate Matt Rosendale emphasizes familiar themes in a new campaign ad. Democrat Kathleen Williams is the fundraising leader in the House race. And how former Congressman Ron Marlenee left a lasting mark on Montana's Republican politics Listen now on Campaign Beat , with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

The sponsor of two proposed ballot initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana for use by people 21 and older appeared in court Tuesday. The group is asking for flexibility in Montana’s ballot issue process amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Tonight on Campaign Beat : The health and political fallout of Gov. Steve Bullock's decision to reopen the state is widely debated. One Democratic candidate for governor is critical of the decision to allow schools to reopen. And Sen. Steve Daines has increasing visibility, both in new campaign ads and public appearances. Listen now on Campaign Beat , with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

More than three hundred Montana citizens and multiple Republican candidates for statewide office gathered at the state Capitol in Helena on Sunday, flaunting federal, state, and public health agency social distancing recommendations to express a range of opinions centered on the belief that it’s time for state directives closing schools and businesses to end.

Gov. Steve Bullock faces increasing pressure to ease pandemic restrictions. The two leading Republican candidates for governor trade barbs over an allegation of insider trading. And all the gubernatorial candidates stake out their claim to electability. Listen now on Campaign Beat , with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

The money funding Montana’s U.S. Senate race has grown by the millions since the start of 2020. According to federal campaign finance reports, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock has drawn in a net of $3.3 million since he entered the race in early March. After some spending, Bullock still ended the first quarter of 2020 with more than $3 million in the bank.

The backer of two proposed measures to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Montana is suing the state for permission to gather electronic signatures during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Initiative-190 would legalize use of recreational pot in the state. It requires over 25,000 valid voter signatures to appear on November’s ballot.

A nondenominational Christian congregation in the Flathead Valley is holding in-person services that public health officials say violate Gov. Steve Bullock’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic. Some worry that a viral video made by a Flathead county board of health member addressing churchgoers is helping sow misinformation and distrust in government social distancing directives.

Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio sent a list of four questions to candidates in the gubernatorial primary election, asking how they believe the state’s top executive should approach the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montana is suing several tobacco companies for allegedly withholding millions of dollars owed the state under a landmark tobacco settlement agreement. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox said enough is enough. Fox, who’s seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination, announced Monday his office is suing several tobacco companies for allegedly withholding $43 million from Montana.