John Hooks

Dozens of union leaders and workers flooded the Capitol on Friday to voice their opposition to a so-called “Right to Work” bill.

Landlords could have an easier time canceling some contracts with renters under a proposal in the state Legislature. The policy is designed to speed up the eviction of tenants who refuse to let a landlord access property.

A report commissioned by the MacArthur Foundation explores justice system inequities that cause Native Americans to be incarcerated at much higher rates than the general population. State data showed that Native people make up about 7% of Montana’s population but are at least 20% of the state prison population.

Montana’s marijuana industry includes 432 dispensaries, employs more than 4,000 people and contributes millions of dollars in tax revenue.

A bill to allow cannabis business access to traditional banking services failed in Congress.

Two local Montana governments missed out on a previous round of federal pandemic aid due to a technicality. Sen. Jon Tester recently introduced a bill to bring the money into southwest Montana.

A years-long, undercover investigation dismantled a Butte drug trafficking organization with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. The investigation led to the conviction of 18 Montana residents.

Conservationists are suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the lack of a nationwide recovery plan for endangered wolves.

With a snowy start to November, skiers and snowmobilers have been heading to the backcountry and above-average snowpack levels across much of western Montana have some mountain resorts opening early. While most avalanche centers aren’t yet rating the current risk, experts say backcountry recreationists shouldn’t be complacent.

Conservation group Trout Unlimited is getting $40 million from the federal government to fund watershed restoration efforts in national forests across the country, including in Montana.