Wildlife and hunting advocacy groups are protesting legislation that they say will reduce public input on wildlife management decisions in Montana. When the state makes decisions related to fish and wildlife -- social science, people’s attitudes, opinions or preferences shouldn’t be a part of the decision making process.

The U.S Department of Agriculture reopens all of its Farm Service Agency offices starting Thursday, Jan. 24. Nearly 10,000 FSA employees will come back to work, but won’t get paid until after the shutdown ends.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is taking one more shot at passing an infrastructure package. “This $294 million investment is accomplished through a responsible mix of cash and bonds,” says Tom Livers, the governor's budget director.

HELENA — Opponents are lining up against a proposed 50-percent tax on vaping products. Twelve people testified against Senate Bill 96 on Tuesday. They argued e-cigarettes have nicotine, but they don’t have tobacco and shouldn’t be taxed like tobacco. Robert Story, executive director of the Montana Taxpayers Association, said taxing vapes is just putting a sales tax onto a specific retail item.

HELENA -- A bill in the Legislature would change DUI laws in Montana, making it legal for officers to take a blood sample from someone who refuses a breathalyzer on the first offense and increasing penalties for aggravated cases.

Montana may join 15 other states in making it more difficult to pass new or increased taxes. A simple majority of the state Legislature can currently approve new taxes or fees. But House Bill 148 introduced Tuesday would raise that threshold to a two-thirds supermajority.

Lawmakers in Helena are starting to debate whether the state could borrow up to $500 million to buy the coal-fired power plant in Colstrip . The future of the plant is up in the air. The West Coast consumers who Colstrip sends most of its power to are pushing away from coal-powered electricity due to climate change concerns. Coal power is also becoming more expensive relative to electricity generated by natural gas and renewables.

Federal legislation introduced this week by Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester and Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan would require the Veterans Administration to study medicinal cannabis as an alternative treatment for veterans. The "VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act" Directs the VA to begin clinical trials to test the effects of medical marijuana as a treatment for chronic pain and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress.

This week at the Capitol: There's new momentum this legislative session to end Montana's statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases; Gov. Bullock remains vague about his political aspirations; the U.S. Supreme Court leaves Montana's campaign contribution limits in place; direct care workers may get a raise; and rallies to focus attention on missing and murdered Indigenous women coincide with possible legislative action. Learn more now on Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly

HELENA — Two new bills in the Montana Legislature aim to address suicide prevention for Montana’s youth. Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, is sponsoring House Bills 186 and 187, which would offer $2.5 million in grants to schools for mental health screening and suicide prevention training. Dunwell said the request for state funding might bring some resistance from lawmakers, but the programs are necessary to continue to prevent suicide.