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Montana Politics

Montana News

Data center power needs could mean higher costs for NorthWestern customers

Ellis Juhlin

Montana's largest utility this year struck deals to power three data centers — and counting. NorthWestern Energy has promised them at least twice the amount of electricity used to power all homes and businesses in the state. As data centers look to break ground in Montana, some worry ratepayers will have to subsidize their colossal power needs.

Watch: The Session 2025 legislative recap

Learn about the key bills, big debates, party politics and what’s next for Montana’s laws from the journalists who were there. Watch the recording of our live legislative recap.

Montana News

Partial SNAP payments underway in Montana

Aaron Bolton

Montanans are now receiving partial federal food benefits. State health officials say they sent the money for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, Sunday.
Montana News

Bozeman Rep. Ed Stafman resigns from the state Legislature

Victoria Traxler

Stafman served in the Legislature for three terms, representing the Bozeman area since 2020. Prior to his resignation, he sat on the Law and Justice Interim Committee.
Montana News

Montanans face higher costs, hard decisions as health subsidies near expiration

Aaron Bolton

Open enrollment for Marketplace health plans is underway, Many Montanans could face steep premium hikes if Congress doesn't renew existing tax credits. That debate is at the heart of the federal government shutdown. MTPR’s Aaron Bolton reports on what that would mean for one Montanan.
Montana News

Partial SNAP payments to begin mid-November, health department says

Aaron Bolton

State health officials say they are working to quickly send partial payments to families on federal food assistance. A court ordered the Trump administration to partially fund the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown.
Montana News

Legislative panel begins investigation into campus censorship claims

Shaylee Ragar

A new legislative committee met Monday to start digging into questions about free speech on college campuses.
Montana News

Voters can register for the Nov. 4th elections until 8 p.m. on Election Day

Victoria Traxler

The final day to cast votes for local government elections is Nov. 4. It’s too late to return your ballots by mail, but you can drop them off or vote in person on Election Day. Registration and voting are open until 8 p.m Tuesday.
Montana News

Courts order Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay SNAP benefits

Aaron Bolton

Montanans who rely on federal food assistance could get partial payments in November. That's after benefits were set to freeze because of the federal government shutdown. Multiple courts Friday ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay for SNAP costs.
Montana News

Supporters push back after attorney general rejects campaign finance initiative

Shaylee Ragar

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has stalled or altered multiple proposed ballot initiatives. Backers of a campaign finance initiative are challenging his actions in court.
Montana News

State utility oversight board elects new president

Shaylee Ragar

The state’s utility oversight board has elected a new president. The Public Service Commission’s previous leader was ousted last week amid allegations of misconduct.
Montana News

Food assistance payments end this month as federal shutdown continues

Aaron Bolton

The federal government says food assistance payments won’t be sent in November, due to the government shutdown. Some states are stepping in to cover the tab. Montana is not likely to do so.

Capitol Talk is MTPR's weekly legislative news and analysis program. MTPR's Sally Mauk is joined by Lee Newspapers State Bureau Chief Holly Michels and UM Political Science Professor and Mansfield Center Fellow Rob Saldin.

Capitol Talk

News and analysis from the Montana Legislature.

The Session

A breakdown of the latest action we’re watching in the statehouse.

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Politics

Montana politics, elections and legislative news