Montana

March 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today affirmed the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in the western Great Lakes and the northern Rocky Mountain states of Idaho and Montana and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah. Wolves will remain a protected species in Wyoming.

“The recovery of the gray wolf throughout significant portions of its historic range is one of the great success stories of the Endangered Species Act,” Salazar said. “When it was listed as endangered in 1974, the wolf had almost disappeared from the continental United States. Today, we have more than 5,500 wolves, including more than 1,600 in the Rockies.”    » read more »

Bush Administration Rule Leads to Wolves Removal from Endangered Species List

CHICAGO (March 6, 2009) – The Secretary of the Interior announced today that he will remove the gray wolf from the federal Endangered Species List in Montana and Idaho, as well as the western Great Lakes region. Wolves in the state of Wyoming will remain under Endangered Species Act protection due to federal concern over the inadequacy of the state’s management plan.

The State of Idaho recently proposed killing 200 wolves within their borders.

Following are comments from Andrew Wetzler, Director of NRDC’s Endangered Species Project:    » read more »

1/29/2009 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer tonight delivered the State of the State Address before the 61st Legislative Assembly in the House of Representatives Chamber.

The Governor presented an optimistic tone, saying Montana is in better shape than much of the country but also acknowledged the hardships many Montanans are experiencing, “Montana’s state budget is in better shape than almost every other state, but we have much work ahead of us,” he said.

Schweitzer continued, “These are serious times requiring thoughtful leadership. I know it is hard for families who have just lost a job or are trying to make an already tight budget stretch farther.”

He also outlined 5 new proposals that the Administration is supporting this legislative session:    » read more »

8/11/2008 -- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the National flag and State flag be flown at half-staff on Wednesday morning, August 13th until sundown Thursday, August 14th to honor the memory of U.S. Army Private Timothy Hutton, who died in Iraq in August 4th, 2008, while in service to his country.

Source: Montana Governor

First New Coal Mine in MT in Three Decades

(HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer today joined tribal leaders of the Crow Nation as well as executives from Australian-American Energy Company (AAEC) in announcing that the tribe and company have formed a partnership to move forward on a coal-to-liquid facility and a new mine to be located on the Crow Reservation.

“Montana is on the move,” said Governor Schweitzer. “This project means supplying American energy produced by American workers to the country. This is the first new coal mine in Montana in 30 years and will be a significant contributor to our nation’s energy security.”    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The following Marines died Aug. 7 while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq:

Cpl. Adam T. McKiski, 21, of Cherry Valley, Illinois.

Cpl. Stewart S. Trejo, 25, of Whitefish, Montana.

The Marines were assigned to the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Source: DOD

August 06, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pvt. Timothy J. Hutton, 21, of Dillon, Montana, died Aug. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, Bamberg, Germany.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DOD

July 31, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. James A. McHale, 31, of Fairfield, Montana, died July 30 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds suffered July 22 in Diyala Province, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.

Source: DOD

June 4, 2008 -- A win in the Montana primary election coupled with an outpouring of public endorsements from uncommitted superdelegates has sealed Barack Obama's nomination as Democratic candidate for President. About 40 superdelegates, many of whom were waiting until the end of the primary season to publicly declare their support, moved firmly into Barack Obama's camp yesterday, helping to propel Obama to the rank of presumptive Democratic nominee.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- The Barack Obama campaign has announced numerous new superdelegate endorsements over the past two days, including superdelegates from Washington, Connecticut, Virginia, Maine, and two from Michigan. According to the Obama campaign, Barack Obama is now 41.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Barack Obama campaigns in South Dakota: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign

The final votes of the Democratic primary season will take place today in South Dakota and Montana, with primary results expected this evening.

Virginia superdelegate Democratic National Committee Member Jerome Wiley Segovia endorsed Barack Obama. His statement:    » read more »

Montana's Senior Senator At Negotiating Table, Says New Bill Win For Producers

May 8, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – At a press conference on Capitol Hill today, Farm Bill negotiators announced a new Farm Bill deal has been reached. Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus, highlighted that there are many good provisions for Montana in the bill including a permanent disaster assistance fund.    » read more »

Montana's Senior U.S. Senator Stands Up For Consumers

May 7, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – At a press conference on Capitol Hill today Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced his plan to crack down on big oil by getting rid of current tax breaks for the country’s major oil companies.

Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee – the panel with jurisdiction over taxes and revenue – proposed repealing the Section 199 manufacturing deduction for the major integrated oil companies, while tightening the rules that govern how much U.S. taxes are due on income earned overseas by oil and gas companies.    » read more »

5/7/2008 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the National flag and State flag be flown at half-staff beginning on Friday morning, May 9th until sundown Saturday, May 10th to honor the memory of U.S. Army Captain Andrew R. Pearson, killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 30th, 2008.

Source: Montana Governor

May 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Killed were:

Cpt. Andrew. R. Pearson, 32, of Billings, Montana.
Spc. Ronald J. Tucker, 21, of Fountain, Colorado.    » read more »

4/21/2008 -- Montana House Member Franke Wilmer today announced her endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President. Wilmer represents Montana House District 64, and is professor of political science and international relations at Montana State University. In 2005 she was appointed by Gov. Schweitzer to serve as chair of the Human Rights Commission.

Bill and Hillary Clinton: Photo by Marc Nozell (CC)

"I’m proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for president. She not only has vision, she has substance. Hillary is the candidate with a plan and the know-how to make real change," Wilmer said.    » read more »