MIN Weekly News Roundup

For week ending February 16, 2025

Travel conditions are poor over much of the area, with snowy/slick roads and poor visibility. Please be safe and allow extra time if you must travel. Snow will continue into Tuesday. Road conditions can be found at 511mt.net or map.wyoroad.info/wtimap

Montana House District 55 Legislative Update

Bill That Protects Free Speech, Journalists and Guards Against Frivolous Lawsuits Heads to Senate

Montana Legislature Advances Differing Visions for MEPA’s Future

Lawmaker Files Suit Against ‘Big Tobacco’ for Flouting Law, While Trying to Monopolize Vape Market

Two New Federal Lawsuits Challenge Trump, Musk and DOGE on Constitutional Grounds

Federal Workforce Hit by Trump’s Sweeping Firings of Thousands of Probationary Employees

Federal Judge Extends Order Blocking Musk and DOGE from Treasury Payment Systems

Governor Announces Change at Department of Commerce

Affordable Housing Project on Hold in Helena after Local Nonprofit Withdraws from Plans

Federal government approves BNSF’s grizzly conservation plan

Substitute Judges Selected to Decide Discipline Measures for Montana Attorney General

Phony Flier Takes Aim at State Bar of Montana

Second Bill to Restrict Medicaid Expansion Goes Down, But One to Help Participants Heard

‘Madam Speaker’ Representative Katie Zolnikov takes temporary reins in Montana House

USFS: ‘Talented Individuals’ Laid Off from Agency Will Find ‘Countless’ Opportunities’ Outside of Government

Trump Orders Fuel Questions, Concern Over Research Funding on Montana Campuses

Morigeau on Senate Bill 225

Deadly Denials: Montana Looks To Regulate Prior Authorization as Patients, Providers Decry Obstacles to Care

General Manager Says MetraPark Won’t Be Used as a Detention Facility

Slew of Bills Offering Tax Benefits and Employment Protection to Dwindling Number of Volunteer Firefighters En Route to Senate

Ellsworth pushed business associate Eggleston for second role with state government

Privacy Bill Defining Biological Sex, Restricting Bathroom Use Clears Senate

Senators Say Ellsworth Promised to Bring ‘Chaos’ If Denied Presidency

‘Personhood’ Bill Moves to Montana House Floor

Federal Judge Blocks ‘Catastrophic’ Trump Administration Cut to NIH Grant Funding

Federal Judge Orders All Grant and Loan Payments Must Be Resumed by Trump Administration

Threading the Needle on Montana Quail Legislation

Whitehall High School drama coach Elizabeth Pullman, 42, smiles while listening to the judges give feedback about her students’ performance of “I Don’t Want to Talk About It,” at the Montana Thespian Festival at the University of Montana in Missoula on January 24, 2025. Whitehall High School blocked the performance of the play, despite months of rehearsals, because of the play’s focus on suicide. Credit: John Stember / MTFP

Student Drama Production Sets Off Concerns About Themes of Suicide

Sunrise over the Pryors on February 13, 2025 (credit Denise Rivette)

Rock Creek at Roberts (credit Denise Rivette)