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Montana Politics

The record of state, land, and people — from the Continental Divide to the High Plains.
Vol. I · No. 219 Politics · Policy · Land & Water · Communities montanapolitics.org
The Lead · The Legislature

Sheehy Pushes Concealed Carry Privilege for Special Operations Veterans

Sheehy Pushes Concealed Carry Privilege for Special Operations Veterans

Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy introduced legislation this week that would grant nationwide concealed-carry rights to a select group of military veterans without requiring state-specific permits. The proposal targets retired special operations forces who meet strict eligibility standards, mirroring a privilege extended to retired law enforcement officers since 2004. Under Sheehy's framework, qualified veterans would be permitted to carry concealed firearms across state lines, sidestepping the patchwork of state permitting requirements that currently govern such activity. Eligibility and Conditions The bill establishes narrow criteria for participation. Veterans must possess an honorable discharge (if applicable), pass a federal firearms qualification test, and complete a Department of Justice course on "Concealed Carry Use of Force in Society." Ongoing requirements include maintaining sobriety, remaining…

Montana Decision
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to the 2026 General Election · Nov 3

Top of the News

Latest Reporting
Bodnar Doubles Down on Independent Senate Bid as Primary Winner Faces Long Odds
Politics & Elections

Bodnar Doubles Down on Independent Senate Bid as Primary Winner Faces Long Odds

Seth Bodnar, the independent candidate seeking Montana’s U.S. Senate seat, declared his intention to remain on the November…

Senate committee advances Crow Tribe coal land swap with 6-5 party-line vote
The Legislature

Senate committee advances Crow Tribe coal land swap with 6-5 party-line vote

The U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to advance a bill authorizing a coal land exchange between…

Moose Fire Prompts Evacuation Order for Granite County’s Frogpond Basin
Energy & Land

Moose Fire Prompts Evacuation Order for Granite County’s Frogpond Basin

The Granite County Sheriff’s Office ordered residents of Frogpond Basin to evacuate Thursday morning as the Moose Fire…

Politics & Elections

The Campaign Trail
Montana GOP Faces Lawsuit Over New Bylaws That Expand Leadership Power
Politics & Elections

Montana GOP Faces Lawsuit Over New Bylaws That Expand Leadership Power

County Republican committees and dozens of party members, including sitting lawmakers, filed court papers this week…

Bodnar’s Independent Senate Campaign Roiled by Sexism Allegations Against Democratic Rival
Politics & Elections

Bodnar’s Independent Senate Campaign Roiled by Sexism Allegations Against Democratic Rival

Seth Bodnar’s independent campaign for Montana’s U.S. Senate seat faces mounting scrutiny over sexist attacks directed…

Kurt Alme Holds Early Lead in Montana Senate Race as Democrats Clash Over Nominee
Politics & Elections

Kurt Alme Holds Early Lead in Montana Senate Race as Democrats Clash Over Nominee

Republican Kurt Alme is running ahead in Montana’s 2026 Senate race, with fresh polling showing the…

Daines Wins Dual Senate Seat on Finance and Appropriations, Rare Perch for Montana
Politics & Elections

Daines Wins Dual Senate Seat on Finance and Appropriations, Rare Perch for Montana

Sen. Steve Daines has secured appointments to both the Senate Finance and Appropriations committees, a dual…

Daines Concludes Two Decades Leading National Parks Panel as Workforce Losses Mount
Politics & Elections

Daines Concludes Two Decades Leading National Parks Panel as Workforce Losses Mount

Sen. Steve Daines concluded his tenure leading the National Parks subcommittee this week, marking the end…

Sen. Daines Pushes Trade Rep. Greer to Lift Cold War-Era Rules, Defend Montana Palladium Jobs
Politics & Elections

Sen. Daines Pushes Trade Rep. Greer to Lift Cold War-Era Rules, Defend Montana Palladium Jobs

Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines pressed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on two trade fronts during…

Government & Policy

Statehouse & Beyond
Missoula Man Faces 15-Year Minimum After Guilty Plea on Fentanyl, Gun Charges
Government & Policy

Missoula Man Faces 15-Year Minimum After Guilty Plea on Fentanyl, Gun Charges

A 35-year-old Missoula man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearm charges after investigators…

Senate Stopgap Leaves $38.6 Billion in Annual Transportation Funding on the Chopping Block
Government & Policy

Senate Stopgap Leaves $38.6 Billion in Annual Transportation Funding on the Chopping Block

The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap spending measure this week by an 89-4 vote, but the…

Montana FWP Invites Public Input on Fish Pond License, Wolf and Furbearer Hunting Rules
Government & Policy

Montana FWP Invites Public Input on Fish Pond License, Wolf and Furbearer Hunting Rules

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has opened several public comment periods covering a private fish pond…

Government & Policy

Crisis Pregnancy Centers Offer Ultrasounds Without Medical Oversight in Most States

Unregulated Clinics Provide Medical Services While Lacking Healthcare Licensing Crisis pregnancy centers across the United States…

Energy & Land

Land, Water & Power
Energy & Land

Public Comment Period Ends Aug. 14 for Proposed Flint Creek Tungsten Exploration Project

Montana residents have until Friday, August 14 to weigh in on a proposed tungsten exploration project…

Billings West End Water Plant Pushed to May 2027 as Electrical Supply Chain Delays Construction
Energy & Land

Billings West End Water Plant Pushed to May 2027 as Electrical Supply Chain Delays Construction

A $75 million water treatment facility under construction in Billings’ west end will not be delivering…

American Prairie Takes Bison Permit Fight to Federal Court as September Removal Deadline Looms
Energy & Land

American Prairie Takes Bison Permit Fight to Federal Court as September Removal Deadline Looms

American Prairie filed a federal court complaint on Tuesday, August 4, challenging a Bureau of Land…

Energy & Land

Fish and Game Restricts Bitterroot River Fishing During Peak Heat Hours

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks implemented daily fishing restrictions on the Bitterroot River drainage beginning August…

The Legislature

From the Capitol
Sheehy-Schiff Bill Would Require Federal Waiver Before Schools Buy Foreign-Grown Food
The Legislature

Sheehy-Schiff Bill Would Require Federal Waiver Before Schools Buy Foreign-Grown Food

U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican, has teamed up with California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff…

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Codify First Lady’s Foster Care Initiative
The Legislature

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Codify First Lady’s Foster Care Initiative

U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana is advancing legislation aimed at improving educational and workforce outcomes…

Montana Senator Eyes Warrant Rule for License Plate Cameras at Retailers
The Legislature

Montana Senator Eyes Warrant Rule for License Plate Cameras at Retailers

Artificial intelligence cameras operated by Flock Safety are scanning vehicle license plates at major retailers across…

Montana Senators Sheehy and Daines Back Trump’s Iran Military Campaign as Congress Debates War Powers
The Legislature

Montana Senators Sheehy and Daines Back Trump’s Iran Military Campaign as Congress Debates War Powers

Montana’s two U.S. senators, Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines, have publicly defended President Trump’s military campaign…

Across Montana

Dispatches from the Counties
Bozeman Homelessness Falls 25% as HRDC Credits Expanded Housing and Partnerships
Communities

Bozeman Homelessness Falls 25% as HRDC Credits Expanded Housing and Partnerships

New data from the Human Resource Development Council shows homelessness in Bozeman dropped by roughly a…

Flathead County Draws Most In-Migration in Montana as Housing Costs Far Outpace Regional Wages
Communities

Flathead County Draws Most In-Migration in Montana as Housing Costs Far Outpace Regional Wages

Flathead County continues to attract more people from out of state than any other Montana county,…

Flathead County Short-Term Rentals Topped $207 Million in Revenue Last Year, UM Report Finds
Communities

Flathead County Short-Term Rentals Topped $207 Million in Revenue Last Year, UM Report Finds

Short-term rentals in Flathead County brought in $207 million in revenue during 2025, making it the…

Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder Retires After Four Decades in Law Enforcement
Communities

Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder Retires After Four Decades in Law Enforcement

Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder is stepping down after 40 years with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s…