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Tester Wants Defense Department To Answer For Recent Violations
Senator Jon Tester this week joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers expressing concern over the Department of Defense’s failure to notify Congress of at least $817 million in unauthorized spending. Under the Anti-Deficiency Act, the Defense Department cannot spend money without Congressional approval.
Local Governments Sue Governor Schweitzer Over Vetoes
Six local governments have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Brian Schweitzer over his line-item vetoes of money for their local bridge and water projects.
Carbon, Fergus, Madison and Sweet Grass counties, the city of Roundup and the town of Sheridan filed the lawsuit in District Court in Helena last week. They also named Commerce Director Dore Schwinden and the state of Montana.
State Official Says Democrats Violated Campaign Laws
Montana's political practices commissioner says state Democrats broke campaign disclosure laws in 2008 by using anonymous phone calls against a Billings Republican legislative candidate.
Commissioner David Gallik concluded that in May Montana Democratic Party called voters anonymously to attack candidate Jack Sands for what it said was his representation of criminals. Sands, a defense attorney, lo
3,000 Marijuana Plants Found In National Forest
Officials in western Montana say they have removed an estimated 3,000 marijuana plants and an extensive drip irrigation system from a growing operation spotted during aerial surveillance of the Lolo National Forest.
The U.S. Forest Service and the Mineral County sheriff's office said Tuesday the plants had a street value estimated at $8 million.
Tester Says Congress Should Play By The Same Retirement Rules As Everyone Else
Senator Jon Tester is sponsoring a bill that puts members of congress on the same timeline as most Americans when it comes to retirement. The Congressional Retirement Age Act of 2011 prevents U.S. Senators and Representatives from receiving a pension until they complete five years of congressional service and reach social security retirement age.
More Than 20 People Drowned In Montana This Year
More than 20 people died of drowning and in boating accidents in Montana this spring and summer and the heavy snowpack, spring rains and swollen rivers were partly to blame.
The first drowning of the year occurred on May 7 in the Yellowstone River when a Billings fisherman's boat capsized downstream from Huntley.
Former UM Employee To Get 5 Years With Corrections
A former University of Montana housing employee accused of embezzling more than $300,000 is expected to be sentenced to 20 years with the state Department of Corrections, with 15 years suspended.
18-Year-Old Man Charged In Pot Butter Case Sentenced
An 18-year-old man who gave pot-laced butter to a Missoula eighth-grader — who then allegedly made cookies with it and passed them out to several friends — has been given a three-year deferred sentence.
District Judge Dusty Deschamps sentenced Tyler Andre Pyle on Monday and ordered him to get a GED or high school diploma...
Man Gets 15 Years For Crash That Killed Pedestrian
A 52-year-old man who was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian in Missoula has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
District Judge Dusty Deschamps sentenced Brian Holm on Monday for the Nov. 9 crash that killed 24-year-old Brian Beaver, of Aberdeen, Wash.
“Super Committee” Hold First Hearing in Washington D.C
Today the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction is holding its first hearing in Washington D.C. The committee will hear testimony from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office Dr. Douglas Elmendorf.