abortion

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal protections for abortion access four years ago, Montana providers expected to serve more people from neighboring states with bans. But the ability to put medications in the mail upended that expectation and led to more Montanans getting abortions. A federal case in Louisiana could limit that access.

Planned Parenthood of Montana announced this week it’s opening a new clinic in Bozeman. The facility will open its doors next year and will provide reproductive health and abortion services. It’s been more than 20 years since they’ve opened a new clinic.

It’s been a little over four years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to an abortion. Many states have banned or severely restricted access since then. The Dobbs decision also impacted Montana, where abortion access is enshrined in the state Constitution.

A judge dismisses a challenge to the 2024 initiative that enshrined abortion access in Montana’s Constitution; The BLM revokes bison grazing permits for American Prairie reserve; USDA grants an extension for rural water system program.

A court case out of Louisiana temporarily halted Montanans’ ability to get abortion medications by mail. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted that decision. A ruling by the high court against mailing medication would impact rural women the most.

Briefs: A temporary block on abortion restrictions will remain in place as a lawsuit challenging them continues; The public can weigh-in on Lolo National Forest plan revisions; UM plans April 6 public forum with university president candidate.

In Montana, abortion access has been at times illegal, legal, and stuck in limbo. Providers have weathered bombings and arson, advocates and opponents have battled it out in court, and citizens have passed a constitutional amendment affirming a woman's right to choose. One listener wants to know more about the history of reproductive rights in Montana. MTPR's Aaron Bolton reports on the underground networks, political violence and landmark court cases that got us to where we are today.

A conservative group is suing the state over a 2024 ballot initiative enshrining abortion access in the Montana Constitution. And Montanans will soon be able to apply for a property tax rebate approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

Montana’s newest constitutional right took effect this month — the right to terminate a pregnancy. A challenge to its legality is trying to find footing.

The Montana Supreme Court Monday threw out three abortion-related laws passed in 2021. The justices ruled the laws violated the right to privacy outlined in the state Constitution.