Daily News Roundup
April 30 and May 1, 2024
On second thought: Montana Supreme Court decides not to give attorneys’ fees to groups
By Darrell Ehrlick for the Daily Montanan As tensions between two of three Montana branches of government continue to simmer, the Montana Supreme Court reconsidered its position on awarding attorneys’ fees in a case of unconstitutional laws brought by the 2021 Legislature. And, it essentially overturned itself, this time agreeing not to award attorneys’ fees.
Attorney General commits to supporting funds for Flathead Reservation law enforcement
By Nicole Girten for the Daily Montanan Attorney General Austin Knudsen committed to Lake County Commissioners on Monday he would support legislation to fund law enforcement on the Flathead Indian Reservation and would serve as a mediator between the county and the governor’s office.
Idaho man charged with harassing wildlife after kicking Yellowstone bison
By Blair Miller for the Daily Montanan An Idaho Falls man was arrested last week and charged with disturbing wildlife after he allegedly kicked a bison in the leg after drinking at Yellowstone National Park and harassed the rest of the herd, getting himself injured in the process, according to park officials.
Senate Republicans’ judicial oversight committee gets constitution lessons at first meeting
By Blair Miller for the Daily Montanan Understanding Montana’s Constitution and the roles of each branch of government was the first lesson for the Senate Republicans’ Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform, which held its first meeting Monday and heard from a Whitefish attorney about his interpretations of the constitution and the separation of powers.
Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide
By Jennifer Shutt for States Newsroom WASHINGTON — Donald Trump is planning to release more details in the weeks ahead about how his administration would regulate access to medication abortion, according to comments he made during a lengthy interview with Time magazine published Tuesday.
Biden administration to greatly ease marijuana regulations
By Jacob Fischler for States Newsroom The Biden administration plans to remove marijuana from a list of the most dangerous and highly regulated drugs, the Department of Justice said Tuesday night. The Drug Enforcement Administration will propose moving the drug from a Schedule I substance, which also includes heroin and methamphetamine, to Schedule III, which is the category for regulated-but-legal drugs including testosterone and Tylenol with codeine.
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
By Amy Maxmen for KFF Health News The World Health Organization has issued a report that transforms how the world understands respiratory infections like covid-19, influenza, and measles. Motivated by grave missteps in the pandemic, the WHO convened about 50 experts in virology, epidemiology, aerosol science, and bioengineering, among other specialties, who spent two years poring through the evidence on how airborne viruses and bacteria spread.