Montana Free Press
@mtfreepress
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Montana's independent, nonprofit source for in-depth news coverage of politics, government, and other issues that matter to the people of this great state.
Helena, MT
Joined February 2009
In late March, David Gianforte made an appointment to talk about three bills with Montana’s Republican governor, Greg Gianforte, who happens to be his father. David told his father the bills will harm the LGBTQ+ community he’s a part of. #mtnews
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Rep. Zooey Zephyr will likely not be allowed to speak about bills on the House floor for the remainder of the 2023 session after Republicans took issue with comments she made about a bill restricting gender-affirming health care for trans minors. #mtleg
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Protesters temporarily shut down business in the Montana House of Representatives Monday after Republican leadership again refused to call on Rep. Zooey Zephyr. #mtleg
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Attorneys in Held v. State of Montana delivered opening statements before judge Kathy Seeley, kicking off the nation’s first youth-led climate change trial. #mtnews
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Two Kalispell siblings cite changes to skiing and hunting seasons as reasons for joining the coalition of Montana youth suing several state agencies over failure to secure their ‘right to a clean and healthful environment.’ #mtnews
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A Los Angeles couple, a Tesla Model Y and an unattended utility outlet energized the 400-person eastern Montana town’s gossip mill last week. #mtnews
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Kalispell Democrat and former firearms industry executive Ryan Busse launched his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, taking aim at Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. #mtnews
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2024 would be the first general election in memory that the Montana governor’s race didn’t include a debate. #mtnews
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Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott ordered Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to produce communications with Hecla CEO within six weeks. In his order, Abbot cited the right to know enshrined in Montana’s Constitution. #mtnews
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Rep. Zooey Zephyr filed a lawsuit challenging the disciplinary action that banned her from the House floor, anteroom or gallery, the latest in a standoff between Zephyr and Republican leaders consuming the final days in the 68th Montana Legislature. #mtleg
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U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s repeated references to Crow Indians and alcohol spark outrage and demands for apology from Indigenous community leaders in Montana. #mtnews
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The motion to bar Rep. Zooey Zephyr from the House floor still allowed her to participate in committees. Now, it appears her remaining committee meetings have been canceled. #mtnews
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With Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature, Montana agencies are barred from analyzing greenhouse gas emissions in their environmental reviews. #mtnews
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Superintendents at all eight of Montana’s AA public school districts sent a letter Tuesday to state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, expressing “no confidence” in her leadership at OPI and detailing their “disappointment” with the current state of the agency.
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Bozeman-based Wall Street short seller Marc Cohodes says Bridger Aerospace is headed for bankruptcy. #mtnews
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Despite legal delays and a persistent opposition movement, organizers of an initiative to enshrine a right to abortion in the Montana Constitution say they have gathered enough signatures to put the proposal on the November ballot. #mtnews
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Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Ryan Busse has tapped a progressive constitutional attorney known for challenging abortion restrictions and other Republican laws to be his running mate against incumbent Republican Greg Gianforte this November. #mtnews
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“The American Buffalo” is a two-part, four-hour series that will premiere on PBS in October. Much of it was shot in Montana, and the film features scores of interviews with Montana historians. #mtnews
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A state district court judge in Yellowstone County has ruled that three Republican-backed abortion restrictions passed in 2021 are unconstitutional. #mtnews
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A group representing Bozeman tenants this week called for the city to ban short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo in second homes. #mtnews
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The new Montana law prohibits the most commonly used abortion procedure after the first trimester of pregnancy. A court challenge is likely.
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Two months after the landmark environmental trial concluded, a judge has ruled the plaintiffs have a constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment. Montana’s attorney general will appeal the ruling. #mtnews
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Austin Knudsen told a radio audience that local election officials ‘stonewalled’ state investigations into voter misconduct. Fact check: There have been no documented state investigations into voter misconduct in Montana. #mtnews
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Judge rules in favor of news outlets in right-to-know lawsuit. A Helena district court judge ruled that interviews of candidates for vacant judicial positions should be open to the public. #mtnews
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Montana’s attorney ethics agency filed a complaint against Attorney General Austin Knudsen accusing him of violating the rules of professional conduct that apply to lawyers in Montana. #mtnews
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The criminal cases against the seven people arrested during protests in support of Rep. Zooey Zephyr in the latter days of the 68th Legislature were dismissed after attorneys with Lewis and Clark County filed motions to drop the charges. #mtnews
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A government watchdog and members of the public are suing to stop Montana’s Legislature from concealing back-channel communications between lawmakers, lobbyists and “stakeholders” drafting bills. #mtnews
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Shots fired into front of Planned Parenthood clinic in Helena. No injuries were reported. Police said a suspect was not in custody as of Friday morning. #mtnews
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Montana abortion providers on Friday sued the state health department in an attempt to block a new rule adopted by the Gianforte administration’s health department that restricts how the state will pay for abortions through its Medicaid program. #mtnews
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Filed in March 2020, the lawsuit, Held v. Montana, was brought by 16 youth plaintiffs from across Montana who allege the state has violated their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. #mtnews
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How do you commodify an entire region into a playground for the rich and keep workers around to make the lattes and paint the houses? #mtnews
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Senate President Jason Ellsworth is under orders not to contact or come near a Lewis and Clark County resident after she filed a petition for an order of temporary protection, accusing him of physically abusing her during their six-year relationship.
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Globe-trotting comedian and musician Reggie Watts discusses his new memoir, “Great Falls MT,” his support for Missoula Rep. Zooey Zephyr, his take on responsible gun culture, his favorite hometown haunts and more. #mtnews
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Wind power set to overtake coal generation capacity in Montana. When construction wraps on two eastern Montana wind farms, the state will have more megawatts of ‘nameplate’ capacity in wind than coal. #mtnews
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When Montana’s constitution was ratified in 1972 it enshrined a citizen’s right to a clean and healthful environment. The youth-led climate change lawsuit Held v. Montana is predicated on this right and its interpretation through Montana’s courts. #mtnews
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A judge struck down a Montana law that defined “sex” in state law as only male or female, finding that it was unconstitutional. #mtnews
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Federal officials have placed Montana on a previously unreported corrective action plan to improve “unacceptable” delays in processing food assistance applications. #mtnews
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Grizzly bear poachers flout the Endangered Species Act — and get away with it. An investigation by our co-publishers at @theintercept #mtnews
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After a week of legal scuffling, the campaign behind a constitutional amendment that would explicitly protect abortion rights in Montana can begin collecting the tens of thousands of signatures it needs to put the proposal on the ballot this November.
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The southwest Montana ski area anticipates that its new solar array will offset one of its main chairlift’s electrical demands by 70%. #mtnews
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A federal judge in Helena has temporarily blocked state officials from enforcing Montana’s new law restricting drag story hours and drag shows ahead of one of the state’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations. #mtnews
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Exciting!@DarkMoneyFilm premieres on @POVdocs on @PBS at 10/9c! It’ll also be streaming here: . Here’s a pre-show message from @MTFreePress. Follow the discussion with @_kimreed and me online at #DarkMoneyFilmPBS. #mtsen #mtal #mtnews #DarkMoney
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Mica Kantor, 14, says he has felt the impacts of the changing climate on the roads, tracks and trails he runs on, prompting his inclusion as a plaintiff in Held v. Montana. #mtnews
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Montanans are increasingly reporting that their quality of life is declining, according to a University of Montana poll. #mtnews
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Reproductive rights advocates have submitted a proposed constitutional amendment that, if allowed on the 2024 ballot and approved by voters, would explicitly protect pre-viability abortion in Montana’s foundational legal document. #mtnews
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An investigation into alleged violations of attorney misconduct by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen will proceed now that the profession’s Commission on Practice has rejected Knudsen’s motion to dismiss the case. #mtnews
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The Montana-born documentary filmmaker Kimberly Reed describes her process and approach to her new short film, “Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr,” which follows the first-term state representative in the weeks surrounding her historic censure in 2023. #mtnews
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Commissioners of the Montana State Library are considering scuttling a nearly $300,000 rebranding project because of the new logo’s visual proximity to the LGBTQ Pride flag. #mtnews
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Already airing in the East and Midwest, Dark Money starts in five minutes on @MontanaPBS!. Find your station: #DarkMoneyFilmPBS.
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Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen could be suspended from practicing law for 90 days under a disciplinary council recommendation to the state Supreme Court. #mtnews
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Ryan Busse, the only Democrat currently mounting a challenge to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte this election cycle, devoted much of his press conference this week to one of the state’s most pressing issues: housing affordability. #mtnews
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Tester has raised $43.7 million, Sheehy $13.7 million, since start of 2024 election cycle. #mtnews
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Incumbent Zinke hopes to hold the seat he won by four points in 2022; Tranel looks to build on past momentum. #mtnews
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In their final day of testimony, experts for youth plaintiffs argue that an energy transition is feasible and examine the impacts of ‘business as usual.’ #mtnews
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The Legislature has passed a bill to rename a section of Montana Highway 89 on the Blackfeet Reservation after the late Blackfeet chief Earl Old Person. #mtleg.
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Migration data indicates that from October 2008 through May 2024, three Republican voters moved to Montana for every two Democrats. #mtnews
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Helena museum to exhibit work of transgender, nonbinary and two spirit artists from throughout Montana. The exhibition will be on display at the Holter Museum of Art from Jan. 20 until March 30.
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A Helena district court judge on Tuesday barred the state from enforcing five new abortion restrictions while litigation over their constitutionality continues.
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If you missed DARK MONEY on @POVdocs last night, you can catch it online. It’s streaming through Oct. 31!. #DarkMoneyFilmPBS
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Montana Supreme Court revokes Rosebud coal mine expansion. In a unanimous decision, the justices ruled that the Montana DEQ discounted water quality impacts in a 2015 decision authorizing the expansion. #mtnews
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Missoulians experiencing a mental health crisis have someone to call — 988 — someone to show up — the mobile support team — and will soon have somewhere to go, as a new crisis receiving center is set to open. #mtnews
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If you watched Dark Money last night and you want to know what you can do to support the work of Montana Free Press, please visit this link: . Our work is supported by individuals and organizations who value independent journalism. #DarkMoneyFilmPBS
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Rosendale, citing threats against his family and “false and defamatory rumors,” is now set to leave office at the end of his term. #mtnews
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This fall, state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen signed a textbook dealer agreement with Prager University, a conservative-leaning nonprofit that’s generating national controversy over its lessons on climate change, slavery and gender. #mtnews
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From his seat of power in Sidney, pastor J.D. Hall cultivated a religious and political following as a conservative firebrand and online impresario. Then came the fall. MTFP reporter @akimbelsannit spent months tracking his rapid rise and recent retreat.
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Commerce Department director resigns after probe into travel expenses. Scott Osterman resigned this week after an investigation found he had improperly spent more than $26,000 in state funds. #mtnews
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Montana Free Press is thrilled to be among @JournalismProj latest round of grantees. Support from AJP will further our watchdog reporting and allow us to build a business team dedicated to the long-term sustainability of free and independent journalism in Montana.
🗣️Excited to announce new American Journalism Project grantees @documentedny @mtfreepress @beacon_news. They join an exemplary portfolio of nonprofit newsrooms informing and empowering communities around the country. 👏👏👏. Read More Here -->.
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Five years after the alt-weekly “Independent” shut down, Missoula has a brand-new hyperlocal news source. #mtnews
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Early exposure to scientific rigor and climate change’s impact on ranches led Rikki Held to lend her name to the nation’s first constitutional climate change lawsuit to reach trial. #mtnews
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With Montana tilting redder, the Democrat’s challenge to GOP Gov. Greg Gianforte relies on reaching beyond his base. #mtnews
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The Montana Supreme Court ruled that a 2013 law requiring parental consent for minors to obtain an abortion is unconstitutional, finding the statute violates a minor’s right to privacy and equal protection. #mtnews
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Asked for clarification, Office of Public Instruction staff said the agency has received “no formal complaints” over hot-button rumor, hasn’t investigated. #mtnews
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In August, six Montana Republican lawmakers attended a South Dakota symposium on 2020 election fraud hosted by MyPillow founder Mike Lindell. #mtnews
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Researchers have concluded that approximately 360 glaciers have disappeared across the American West since the mid-20th century, including more than 70 in Montana. #mtnews
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Jordan “J.D.” Hall, once a prominent religious and political figure in Montana right-wing circles, was ordered earlier this month to pay more than $15,000 to the Sidney church he once led. #mtnews
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Ranked Choice Voting Montana hopes to raise awareness and support for a major shift in state election procedures they say would create a more balanced, representative and responsive government. #mtnews
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Signature gathering is underway to put CI-128 on the ballot after months of legal sparring. #mtnews
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Cascade County relieves clerk and recorder of election duties . After nearly six hours of allegation-laden public comment, commissioners strip Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant of her role overseeing county elections. #mtnews
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Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Michael McMahon ruled Tuesday that Montana’s new constitutional carry law infringes on the authority of the Board of Regents, and barred the state from enforcing the law on college campuses.
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Chico Hot Springs is the latest in a series of well-known Montana resorts to be sold to out-of-state interests in the last few years. #mtnews
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Enrolled members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Crow Tribe testified to the impact of climate change on cultural heritage. #mtnews
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Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has blocked a ballot proposal seeking to create a constitutional right to abortion, labeling the initiative “legally insufficient” after a required review by his office. #mtnews
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As Tester goes for a fourth consecutive Senate win in 2024, the city that’s been his political backyard and a once-Democratic stronghold has gone Republican. Can Democrats find a future in Great Falls? #mtnews
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Montana projects receive $9 million for wildlife crossings. The federal grants aim to make US-93 and Interstate 90 safer for wildlife and motorists. #mtnews
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The van Garderen family is among the plaintiffs in a new lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 99, Montana’s new law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. #mtnews
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Jefferson County candidate Tim McKenrick allegedly told officials that he falsified his signature to “test” election integrity. #mtnews
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Among Montana’s fastest-growing cities, Bozeman is likely to be added to the list of western destinations that have banned various types of short-term rentals listed on Airbnb, Vrbo and other booking websites. #mtnews
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A state judge in Helena Wednesday blocked portions of a law passed by the 2023 Legislature to create a system of charter schools — or what supporters call “community choice schools” — in Montana. #mtnews
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Bozeman Health created a short-term RV parking program at the hospital, which has largely been used by Montana patients traveling for care they couldn’t receive closer to home. #mtnews
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Beneath Montana’s grand aesthetic is a bleak statistic: It’s one of the deadliest states in the nation for suicide. The picture is grimmest in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. #mtnews
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The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program was designed to address generations of racial injustice in federal farm policy. #mtnews
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Montana is the only state in the nation where the percentage of Indigenous elected lawmakers exceeds the state’s overall Indigenous population, potentially giving Native Americans a bigger voice in their government. #mtleg
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The Gianforte administration has argued the governor’s “deliberative process” should be exempt from the state’s open records law. #mtnews
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Exciting News Alert! @_kimreed’s critically acclaimed documentary film "Dark Money," which features @MTFreePress, made cut for the @TheAcademy's Oscars shortlist! Congrats to @DarkMoneyFilm, @POVdocs, @PBS, & everyone who worked so hard to bring this important issue to light.
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Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte and Democratic challenger Ryan Busse appear to have agreed to debate, after Gianforte’s campaign said last week the Democrats lacked a credible candidate worth debating. #mtnews
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Around 7:30 a.m. on May 19, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen illegally passed a school bus at a bus stop near her home, according to a complaint filed with the Helena Police Department. #mtnews
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